The second face-off between Jordan Zimmermann and Edwin Jackson ended the same way as their first match-up earlier in the season: in a one-run loss. The Tigers drop their second game in as many nights, 2-1.
Sunlight was an issue for the fielders throughout the early portion of the game, primarily to the Tigers’ benefit. The action started with left fielder Nick Martini colliding with shortstop Marcus Semien in the shallow outfield as Semien was catching a JaCoby Jones shallow fly ball, allowing Jones to reach second on an error. That error led to an early first-inning run, as Jeimer Candelario knocked Jones in. Unfortunately, the Tigers offense went cold from there, as former Tiger Edwin Jackson shut down the Tigers for the second time this season, going six-and-a-third while allowing one unearned run on one walk and three strikeouts.
For the most part, Jordan Zimmermann pitched well today. In the first inning, he ran into major trouble as he allowed a one-out triple to Matt Chapman then issued back-to-back walks to Khris Davis and Matt Olson. Zimmermann then snuck out of the inning as Stephen Piscotty lined out. That said, the heart of the Athletics lineup exacted their revenge in the third inning, as Matt Chapman launched his 14th home run of the year to center field, while Khris Davis knocked his 30th home run of the season to give the Athletics a 2-1 lead. Zimmermann settled back in and made it through six-and-a-third innings on three walks and six strikeouts when all was said and done, but he left after allowing a single to Marcus Semien and a walk to Nick Martini.
Per the broadcast tonight, Tigers starters have posted a 3.10 ERA in the second half of the season, but the Tigers bats are simply not hitting enough to support them. The Tigers bats remained cold tonight, and the averages of many of the team’s regulars continue to creep further and further down. After tonight, JaCoby Jones is down to a .205 average — though he does apparently lead major-league outfielders in Defensive Runs Scored (DRS) — while Niko Goodrum has fallen to a .238 average. Jeimer Candelario and Victor Martinez raised their averages tonight (Martinez with a base hit, Candelario with two), but they sit at .229 and .238, respectively. All in all, four of the Tigers top five hitters tonight are currently batting below .240.
One good thing from tonight? Drew VerHagen continues to impress. VerHagen entered with a runner on first and second then struck out Matt Chapman and Jed Lowrie swinging to end the threat (Lowrie looked particularly helpless whiffing at VerHagen’s curveball, but he also struck out three times total throughout the night). VerHagen then came back out for the eighth inning and struck out Matt Olson and Stephen Piscotty. Since the beginning of July, VerHagen has pitched 17.1 innings, allowing just three earned runs (all in July) and striking out 16.
Tweet of the Game
Fun fact for ya that you may not have known:
— Sully➡️ BCXI (@bigsullyt) August 4, 2018
The #Tigers Jacoby Jones leads all Major League outfielders in Defensive Runs Saved with 20. Currently Gold Glove worthy but you know that his offense will prevent him from winning it even though it shouldn’t even be considered at all
Poll
Who was the Tigers’ player of the game?
This poll is closed
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61%
Jordan Zimmermann (6.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K)
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38%
Drew VerHagen (1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 K)