Tigers 2, Rays 1: Matthew Boyd out-duels Chris Archer in close win

The Detroit Tigers hooked up with the Tampa Rays for another pitcher’s duel tonight at Comerica Park, this time the dueling starters were two that would have been much likely ahead of the game to pitch a low scoring game, and it was the Tigers who were able to get just enough to win and even up the series.

Matthew Boyd was solid again to start the month of May, going six innings, scattering seven hits while only giving up a single run, thanks to just one walk, a hit batter, and seven strikeouts.

Meanwhile the Tigers patiently scratched out their runs against Tampa’s ace, Chris Archer, ultimately getting two hard earned runs off him over six innings. The first run came on a two out single from Nicholas Castellanos, scoring Jeimer Candelario from first, though Castellanos was thrown out on the bases after the run scored.

The Rays would answer back in the top of the fifth, on a fielder’s choice with one out and runners on the corner, as the Tigers were unable to turn the inning-ending double play. But the Tigers would untie the game in the next frame when Martin delivered a one out double to score James McCann, though Archer would squash the remaining threat with a pair of strikeouts to Candelario and Castellanos.

The Tigers would hand a one run lead to the bullpen, and though Alex Wilson would allow a single on his first pitch, his second would result in two outs as the Tigers turned the double play, the Wilson woud strike out CJ Cron looking to finish the inning. Jimenez worked another sparkling inning, getting five swinging strikes on just fourteen pitches. Shane Greene bounced right back from yesterday’s rough outing to pitch a clean 1-2-3 ninth.

Highlight of the night (for the Tigers anyway) was a beautiful throw to the plate from Leonys Martin to easily get a slow runner in Wilson Ramos, on an ill advised send by the Rays third base coach after a shallow single to center, preserving the Tigers then 1-0 lead.