Baltimore Orioles 11, Detroit Tigers 3: Rain, Jordan Zimmermann dampen spirits

Editor’s note: Thanks to Eye of the Tigers for volunteering to write a recap for us tonight! — Kurt

The start of the game was delayed 10 minutes due to rain, and the score didn't stay at zero very long. Jordan Zimmermann's first pitch was a home run by Adam Jones. Chris Davis added a two-run home run to left center three batters later, and the rout was on. The Orioles ran away with an 11-3 victory over the Tigers to take a one-game lead over Detroit in the wild card race.

The Tigers got one back in the first, after a single and stolen base from Cameron Maybin, who was driven in by J.D. Martinez with a sharp single to right field.

The second inning was no easier for Zimmermann, when Matt Wieters hit the third home run of the game. Two baserunners later and he was mercifully replaced by reliever Blaine Hardy. Zimmermann’s day ended on six runs allowed on four hits (three home runs) and three walks.

J.J. Hardy scored on a wild pitch to put the O’s up, 6-1, before Mark Trumbo struck out to end the inning. The Orioles scored again in the third, when Hardy singled in Wieters. Jones hit a single just past Jose Iglesias for another RBI. Blaine Hardy finished the inning with no further damage, striking out Schoop for the second time in as many innings.

Buck Farmer came in for the fourth inning and surrendered a lead-off single to Machado. Trumbo doubled him in for Baltimore's eighth run.

Victor Martinez led off the bottom of the fourth with a double, and J.D. followed with a single. Justin Upton walked to load the bases, and Erick Aybar hit a fielder's choice, plating Victor for the second Tigers run.

Farmer was rolling until Wieters hit another home run with two outs in the sixth.

Dixon Machado walked in the seventh inning and broke a string of eleven Tigers retired in a row by Ubaldo Jiminez.

The Tigers had a mini rally in the eighth against Baltimore's Tyler Wilson, when John Hicks doubled for his first hit as a Tiger. James McCann singled, and Tyler Collins drove in Hicks with a base hit to right for Detroit's third run.

Roars:

Buck Farmer? — He ate some innings. If you Porcello out the Wieters home run, his final line would have been: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO.

Kyle Ryan and Mark Lowe pitched the seventh and eighth innings, which were the only 1-2-3 innings of the night for Detroit.

Joe Mantiply got his first two major league strikeouts this evening.

Hisses:

Tigers pitching outside of Ryan, Lowe and Mantiply: Collectively the Tigers gave up 12 hits, 11 runs, and seven walks. A total of 189 pitches were thrown. Jordan Zimmermann had a tough night, giving up four hits and six runs (all earned). He walked three and got only three outs while throwing 42 pitches (22 strikes).

Tigers offense: Nine runners were left on base tonight.

Win Probably Graph