Tigers 5, Royals 4: AL Central smackdown

Opening Day v2.0 comes to Comerica! The Tigers have arrived back in Detroit after a road series that saw them face off against the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees, and if you’d asked me a month ago which of those two series the Tigers would have won, well, I would have been wrong.

Tigers fans came out bundled up and ready to see the wins continue, as the Tigers welcomed the Kansas City Royals to Motown.

The game itself wasn’t the runaway win fans might have hoped for with both teams swapping the lead several times, but ultimately the Tigers were able to draw the W.

The pitching

Spencer Turnbull, a surprise nod for Opening Day pitcher, went six innings, giving up three runs on six hits, though only two were earned. He walked two, and amassed and impressive 10 strikeouts in 91 pitches. All said a pretty decent first game at Comerica.

Blaine Hardy ran into bad luck in the two innings he pitched, giving up a home run that just skimmed by the foul pole. It was the only run he allowed.

Shane Greene came on to close things out in the ninth, angling for his fifth save in the one-run game.

The hitting

Niko. Goodrum. WHAT A GAME. He managed to get two runs and a walk, and scored three RBIs. It made up for an unfortunate outfield bobble that allowed a lead-off triple for the Royals part way through the game.

Miguel Cabrera also collected an RBI (phew), as did Christin Stewart.

Tigers win

All in all it could have gone better, the Tigers struggled to maintain a lead throughout the game, and there was some sloppy play (though Jordy Mercer looked incredible, making a very impressive catch to limit extra bases).

While it wasn’t a runaway win it WAS a win, and a great way to open at home.

Except now we don’t get any Friday baseball!