Tigers 4, Angels 0: Detroit wins pitchers’ duel to even series

The Detroit Tigers came to the ballpark today hoping to play better against the Los Angeles Angels than previous history. They succeeded. Detroit won 4-0, but the game was closer than the score suggests.

The Tigers’ first run came in the third inning when they had the bases loaded with no outs. Victor Martinez hit into a double play, scoring Ian Kinsler. That was the game’s only run until the bottom of the eighth inning when Justin Upton crushed a ball into the bullpen for a three-run home run.

Buck Farmer got off to a good start and cruised. He had a 1-2-3 first inning and held Los Angeles to just two baserunners through the first six innings. He was relieved by Alex Wilson in the seventh inning after a single, double play, and walk.

Roars

Buck Farmer: He did fantastic tonight. His final line was 6 ²⁄₃ innings, no runs, three hits, one walk, and five strikeouts. He threw 101 pitches, 57 for strikes.

Justin Upton: Hit a huge home run in the eighth to provide some much-needed insurance runs.

Hisses

Tigers offense: Managed just two hits in the first seven innings and left nine runners on base total.

Home plate umpire Alan Porter: Few of his calls seemed to go the Tigers’ way. This is one example:

Stats and stuff

• Angels starter Alex Meyer achieved a career high in strikeouts with nine. His previous high was seven, a mark he reached most recently on May 20.
• Buck Farmer’s scoreless innings streak currently sits at 13, after 6 ²⁄₃ scoreless innings tonight.
• The home run in the eighth was Justin Upton’s 12th of the year. He didn’t hit his 12th home run last season until July 29.
• The Tigers shut out a team for the first time this season.