I wonder how many headlines or recaps will play off the "grim" appearance by Rangers starter Justin Grimm. Or maybe they'll just note the start was not of the fairy tale variety. Although when you really think about how gruesome some of those fairy tales are, it was probably a pretty good summation of the day for the home club.
Fortunately for the Tigers and their fans, they weren't the home club. They scored five runs in the first inning and cruised to a lead of eight runs before finally dispatching the Rangers, 8-2.
Grimm, by the way, allowed six runs on eight hits and lasted just 1+ inning(s) in doing so.
The top four in the order were key for Detroit. They combined for six hits, including four doubles (Miguel Cabrera 2, Austin Jackson, Prince Fielder). They accounted for six of the eight runs, too, with Jhonny Peralta and Delmon Young pitching in.
But truly, the star at the plate was Cabrera, who had three hits and knocked in three runs.
Maybe even more valuable was the pitching gem tossed by Tigers starter Rick Porcello. The Rangers' lineup is obviously one of he best in baseball, possibly the best as it entered the game with an MLB-best 5.29 runs per game. Porcello pitched into the seventh inning, allowing six hits and striking out seven in 6+ innings. He gave up just a run -- that came when his seventh-inning baserunner later scored on a two-run home run allowed by Brayan Villarreal.
Otherwise the Tigers' pitching staff performed well. Joaquin Benoit went the final 1 1/3 to seal the win.
Considering how many fans probably said or thought something along the lines of "Please don't get swept!" before the game, anything but a series win now would feel less than rewarding. But it's going to be a tall task for rookie Drew Smyly to keep the Rangers down two games in a row.
For now, it was a nice showing from a team that scored just five runs during its entire time in PIttsburgh over the weekend.
3 ROARS
Miguel Cabrera - 3 hits, 3 RBI, 2 doubles
Rick Porcello - Maybe he only went six innings and allowed nine hits, but holding the Rangers to one earned run during that time marks a good start
Jhonny Perala - A double, two RBI, and he showed some nice range on a play up the middle even if he didn't get the out.
3 HISSES
Brennan Boesch - 0-for-3
Alex Avila's knee - For barking at him in Pittsburgh and leaving continued worry about the catcher's health
Central Time games - There was a time in my life I thought the later start, the better. I fell asleep in the 8th.
GAME 72 POG
Justin Verlander pitched, therefore he won the poll