Mariners 5, Tigers 4: The bullpen blows up

The Tigers were cruising along with a 4- 0 lead into the seventh inning when the bottom fell out. They surrendered five runs in the inning to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, squandering a fine start from Michael Fulmer and a chance to pull within one half game of first place.

The Tigers got on the board early against Felix Hernandez, when Nick Castellanos singled with two outs in the first inning, then stole second. Victor Martinez followed with a walk, and John Hicks doubled in both runners. Niko Goodrum singled to put Detroit on top 3- 0.

Fulmer was locked in, allowing just two singles through six innings, with seven strikeouts and no walks. He retired 13 consecutive batters before hitting the lead off man in the sixth inning.

Hernandez held the Tigers in check until the fifth inning, when Leonys Martin reached on an error and scored when Martinez doubled to left center field, putting the Tigers up 4- 0. Hernandez was done after six innings.

Fulmer walked Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager to start the seventh inning. A ground out moved the runners up and a single up the middle plated two runs to make it 4- 2. Manager Ron Gardenhire summoned Buck Farmer from the bullpen to end Fulmer’s evening after 89 pitches.

Farmer walked the numbers 8 and 9 hitters to load the bases, throwing just two strikes in ten pitches. Daniel Stumpf was called in to face Dee Gordon, giving up a sacrifice fly to make it 4- 3 for the Tigers. Warwick Saupold allowed a single up the middle to Jean Segura, and the game was tied. After a double by Mitch Haniger, the Mariners led, 5- 4.

Leonys Martin returned from the disabled list for the Tigers and went 0 for 4 with a run scored. Nelson Cruz returned to action for Seattle, going 0 for 3. The Mariners are without all star second baseman Robinson Cano, who is both injured and suspended.

The Tigers have two more games in Seattle before stopping in Minnesota for three games on the way home to Detroit.