Angels 11, Tigers 4: No relief from the relievers

Michael Fulmer has been, without question, the best pitcher in the Tigers’ starting rotation this season, even great pitchers have uneven games. Fulmer was efficient in his pitch count, but still had a rough outing, especially when he got to the fifth, where he ended up giving up four straight hits before being pulled. At the end of he day his numbers were nine hits and five runs in 4.1 innings, with only one strike out to show for his efforts.

It was the first time this season he’s lasted fewer than six innings, and also the first time he’s given up five runs in back to back starts ever in his career. It certainly isn’t time to worry about him yet, but it was a decidedly less than ideal start, especially considering the Tigers’ offense was hot early in the game.

In the seventh, things started to get ugly. Arcenio Leon was unable to hold the Angels’ bats silent, and Daniel Stumpf didn’t do much better, loading the bases and then letting even more runs score, quickly seeing the Angels lead extend to 11-4. Ultimately the Tigers were unable to rally, and dropped the series to the Angels with one win and two losses.

ROARS:

Nicholas Castellanos — as if to make up for his antics last night, he decided to hit something other than Miguel Cabrera, by bashing a home run and collecting an RBI single. Of course in that same inning he was caught stealing, but hey, no one is perfect. He added a sixth inning double to the mix as well — missing the cycle by a triple — as well as a stellar tag out at second base in the eighth inning. All in all it was a great game for Castellanos, which he needed.

Victor Martinez had an extra base hit. This always feels noteworthy.

Andrew freaking Romine, who got a single and also proved he can play center field by making this insane catch.

HISSES:

Dixon Machado — after missing a barehanded grab in the top of the fourth, Machado was unable to throw out the glacially slow Albert Pujols as he jogged leisurely to first. It ultimately wasn’t too big of a mistake, as no runs resulted, but it was sloppy fielding. He made up for it by hitting two singles in the game afterwards. No hard feelings, Dixon, everyone drops the ball sometimes.

Justin Upton — dropped a left field catch that ended up letting the go-ahead run score for the Angels. Upton, who has been otherwise spectacular lately, missed this one by fractions of an inch.

Arcenio Leon and Daniel Stumpf — while Arcenio Leon was strong in the sixth, by the seventh it was clear he didn’t have long-relief in his wheelhouse when he gave up two runs to the Angels, extending the lead to 7-4. By the time Daniel Stumpf was finished the seventh the score was 11-4. The Tigers relievers had given up six runs on five hits in the inning.

STREAKS & INFO:

James McCann, who has been rehabbing with the Toledo Mud Hens, was in Detroit today. During his last game in Toledo he was 4-for-4 with three RBIs on four singles. He caught all nine innings, so he should be in good shape to get back to work for the Tigers this weekend.

Interesting note, Miguel Cabrera is currently only one home run shy of tying Carl Yastrzemski in the all-time home runs list. Yastrzemski was also the last player to win a Triple Crown before Cabrera did it in 2012. When Miguel reaches 452 home runs he will tie for 37th most of all-time.