Royals 7, Tigers 4: The Tigers bullpen is a menace

Jordan Zimmermann was effective Wednesday night, but the bats were quiet again as the Tigers fell 7-4 to the Kansas City Royals.

Zimmermann had some success keeping the ball on the ground in this one. He only struck out three, but gave up just four hits and a pair of runs. The Tigers got six innings out of him, and Zimmermann enters the offseason on a modest high note. Unfortunately, another day of miserable relief work doomed the Tigers to their 96th loss of the season.

The Tigers actually got out to a lead in this one as Jeimer Candelario singled home Ian Kinsler in the first inning. Candelario racked up another RBI single in the third, and James McCann then doubled home Nick Castellanos to make it 3-0. Zimmermann allowed a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame to cut the Tigers’ lead to one. From there, the Tigers’ starter held it together until departing after six.

Daniel Stumpf, Drew VerHagen and Chad Bell were the culprits in this one. The trio combined to surrender five runs in the seventh and eight innings, with VerHagen getting the blown save.

Four games left, my friends.

Roars

Jordan Zimmermann: He didn’t exactly dominate out there, but six innings of two run ball is a solid final start of the season.

Nicholas Castellanos: Singled and doubled in this one. Dating back to August 28th, the Tigers new right fielder has only gone hitless in a game twice.

Alex Presley: A three-hit game and a pair of runs scored.

Jeimer Candelario: Two hits and three RBI driven in for the young third baseman.

Hisses

The bullpen, over and over again.