Tigers 4, Mariners 3: A doubleheader story, part one.

Have yourself a day, Grayson Greiner.

In his very first swing of his very first at-bat in Comerica Park, the Tigers’ third string catcher, an imposing 6’6” figure at the plate, smacked in an RBI single, giving the Tigers the first run of the day. The bench immediately motioned for a return of the ball, Greiner’s first big league RBI.

Greiner wasn’t done his hero work yet, though. Because after the Mariners tied things up on a sacrifice fly from Dee Gordon, Greiner came on to hit another single, scoring JaCoby Jones. I’m still stunned the Mariners didn’t ask for a challenge on the tag at home plate, because it was clooooose, and we all know how those calls usually go for the Tigers, but apparently they felt it was obviously safe and let the call stand. Jose Iglesias came up next and hit a no doubt home run out to left field, scoring Greiner and himself. Tigers lead 4-1.

Matthew Boyd continues to show he belongs in the Tigers starting lineup. He allowed no Mariners hits through four innings. He started to show signs of struggle in the sixth inning, and after allowing two consecutive runners to get on base in the seventh, Ron Gardenhire quickly made the decision to pull him from the game. That said, though, he was nearly untouchable for the first five innings, mowing down the Mariners in quick succession. His final line for the day was 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K on 94 pitches. Solid, solid effort by Boyd.

Mike Zunino, whose name is still a lot of fun to say, got an RBI single as Buck Farmer arrived in relief. And ohhh no, here we go, bullpen time, y’all. Gamel scored another RBI on a groundout to first. Score is now 4-3, which is not a comfortable lead.

Now excuse me while I take a minute to cry about the Grand Rapids couple whose son got mom tickets to the game and the second she realized he might be watching she started to tear up.

Joe Jimenez replaced Farmer for the eighth to face Jean Segura, Robinson Cano, and Nelson Cruz. NO PROBLEM. Actually, seriously no problem. One-two-three inning.

Shane Greene came on to wrap up the game in a save situation with the Tigers hanging on to a one-run lead. JacCoby Jones wasn’t about to let a second man on board in the inning and made an insane catch for the second out. Machado was less lucky on his catch attempt, letting Mike Zunino get aboard.

ANDREW ROMINE PINCH RUNNER ALERT.

The ninth got nerve-wracking really fast, and with runners on first and third, Greene worked his way into a full count on Ben Gamel. Greene walked Gamel and all of Comerica turned on Greene with a resounding boo. A lineout to first from Dee Gordon finally ended the threat. Thank goodness. Tigers win 4-3.