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The Tigers had scored three runs or fewer in 24 out 49 games heading into Wednesday's game against Boston. They have suffered when that happens. Turns out, the fourth run didn't help.
Detroit battled itself, the Red Sox and -- again -- the umpires on Wednesday night. They lost all three fights -- and the game, 6-4.
The Red Sox scored five runs via the home run. A pair of two-run shots off Drew Smyly in the fourth erased Detroit's early three-run lead. Joaquin Benoit gave up a shot over the Green Monster in the eighth.
Meanwhile there was another fine performance by umpire Bill Welke, who thought he saw Alex Avila tagged at second when the catcher tried to stretch a hit into a double. Once again, replays proved him wrong. You could make an argument that another missed strike three cost the Tigers, too, when Boston went on to score later in the inning. Not going to ride the "Tigers were jobbed!" card too hard. Just as I said last time, when you leave your fate up to umpiring, it's going to happen.
What else can you really say about this team that hasn't been said? This is becoming the most frustrating season yet to write about them -- and this is the seventh season I've been writing about the Tigers.
Lose three, win three, lose three. The Tigers hope to avoid the sweep on Thursday. Rookie Casey Crosby makes his MLB debut on Friday.
Uchhhhh. I'm not sure how to spell that noise that I make when I think about this week of baseball.
Uhm, I suppose I should point out a positive. Detroit had 12 hits. Three of them were doubles by Miguel Cabrera. A fourth was a single by the same Cabrera.
3 ROARS
Miguel Cabrera - 4 hits
Alex Avila - 2 hits
Danny Worth - Drove in a run
3 HISSES
Umps
Tigers
Everything else.
GAME 49 POG
Prince Fielder beat Brayan Villarreal by a single vote, 92-91.