Baltimore Orioles 3, Detroit Tigers 1: Offense absent in key game

Orioles starter Chris Tillman came off the disabled list just in time to shut down a listless Tigers offense and give Baltimore a second straight victory in a key weekend series in Detroit, 3-1. And if that surprises you, hey, welcome to Tigers baseball! Please enjoy your stay!

The Tigers now trail the second wild card by two games, but host the Minnesota Twins for a four-game series beginning Monday.

Optimism was high with Justin Verlander on the mound, but he allowed three runs on two home runs, which was approximately two runs and two home runs too much for the Tigers’ offense to overcome. Verlander allowed seven hits and two walks and struck out seven in five innings of work.

Bruce Rondon, Shane Greene, Justin Wilson and Alex Wilson each threw a acoreless innings of relief to keep Detroit in the game.

Unfortunately, Tillman and a trio of three Orioles relievers were too much to overcome. Tillman gave up a run on four hits and a walk in six innings of relief. This was his first start since Aug. 20 after missing three weeks with a shoulder injury.

The middle of the Tigers’ order struggled especially, with Miguel Cabrera finishing 0-for-the-series (0-for-9) and the top seven batters of the order combining for just three hits. Not that any part of the lineup did especially well, collecting just four hits.

The Tigers’ lone run came when Ian Kinsler singled in Justin Upton in the fifth.

There was #FalseHope in the ninth when the Tigers put two on with one out, but James McCann struck out and pinch-hitter Casey McGehee (huh) grounded out.

Roars

Tigers bullpen members — A committee of four combined to keep Detroit in the game.

Hisses

3-6 in the batting order — Miguel Cabrera (0-4, GIDP), Victor Martinez (0-4), J.D. Martinez (0-3, walk) and Justin Upton (1-3, walk) went 1-for-14 with four strikeouts.

Stats and stuff

• Miguel Cabrera went 0-for-9 with two walks in the weekend series.

Win Probability