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The problem with relying on Justin Verlander when things go bad for Detroit is that he still is human. It's hard to believe, of course. Even harder when you look at his WHIP and ERA. But no, Verlander is not some sort of cyborg. He's human. He looked the part Tuesday.
Still, it's not like Verlander fell apart or anything. Don't want to give that impression. He had seven strikeouts. He alllowed 10 hits in six innings, but a little more defense behind him and that's probably not the case. And the big inning for Boston, a three-run fourth, came as a result of some balls dropping in rather than being slammed in line drives off the Green Monster or something. But credit Boston, they were hits.
Daniel Nava's double to left was legitimate though. That was the base-clearing hit that got all three runs across the plate in the fourth. Earlier Mike Aviles drove in a run when he grounded into a fielder's choice.
Justin Verlander has picked up losses in back-to-back starts.
The Tigers continue to show signs of the power game gaining ground. Jhonny Peralta hit his fourth home run of the season in the fifth, and Prince Fielder had his eighth homer of the season in the sixth inning. Miguel Cabrera and Alex Avila also doubled. Good signs for a Tigers team that was playing like an expensive singles club.
Unfortunately for Detroit, the power showing just didn't come during the key periods of the game. The Tigers had nine hits and took four walks, but scored just three runs off it. Detroit went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring positoin; 11 were stranded. That's pretty inefficient -- as always.
Like I say too much, same plot, different day.
3 ROARS
Prince Fielder with a long home run
Andy Dirks has two hits. But "Two Hits Dirks" would be a bad nickname I sense.
Brayan Villarreal got five outs, all by strikeout
3 HISSES
Justin Verlander - This pains me but I have to
Brennan Boesch - 0-for-4, GIDP
Quintin Berry - 0-for-4, 3 K. But he had a great run of getting a hit in each of his first 6 games
Game 48 POG
Luis Marte earns his first of the year!