Detroit Tigers 2014 Season Thread

[RandyTiger]

Originally Posted by cephasjames

I read an article not too long ago, I think on MLive.com, that pretty much said Detroit has no real viable options to Coke. No lefties in the system are better than him and there are no real lefties available to sign that are better than him. The hope is that he simply just improves.

I'll let the numbers speak for themselves:

Trainwreck's numbers: 0-0, 9.39 ERA, 2.09 WHIP, with 4/3 K/BB in 7.2 IP.

There's two lefties who are pitching better than Coke right now at Toledo:

Blaine Hardy: 1-1, 4.34 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, with 16/5 K/BB in 18.2 IP.

Nate Robertson*: 0-2, 2.65 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, with 9/10 K/BB in 17.0 IP.

*Yes, the former Tiger, who now has a revamped delivery and a knack for getting people out, unlike the last version.

Options exist. They surely cannot be any worse.

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 9, Royals 4. [Boxscore]

Summary: Cats sweep Royals behind Verlander and Big Bats.

Pitching: Verlander continued to dominate hitters, going a strong 7 innings, tossing 107 pitches (65 strikes) for his 4th win. He didn't even allow a hit until the 6th inning!

He yielded 3 runs on 4 hits (double, triple) and 4 walks while striking out 7. [Video overview of performance]

All 7 of his starts this year have been quality starts, and the win, his 141st, ties Wild Bill Donovan for 8th in franchise history.

- Season stats: 4-1, 2.68 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, with 38/19 K/BB in 47.0 IP.

Krol assumed mound duties for the 8th, and during his 12-pitch inning (7 strikes), he gave up a double and nothing more.

- Season stats: 0-0, 0/1 Sv/Opp, 4 Holds, 2.70 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, with 6/0 K/BB in 10.0 IP.

Alburquerque was summoned for the 9th, and he had a bit of a mini-meltdown, giving up a run on 2 hits and walk while striking out 1 in a 31-pitch (20 strike) inning.

Season stats: 1-0, 1/1 Sv/Opp, 3 holds, 4.91 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, with 12/3 K/BB in 11.0 IP.

Offense: This trip to KC has been something special for the hitters. Collectively, in this 3-game series, they have gone 42-118 (.356) with 14 doubles, 4 HR, 4 SB, and 10 BB.

More numbers: OBP of .400, SLG of .576, and an OPS of .976. And even more, the Tigers are the first team to have all 9 starters record at least a hit in 3 straight games since the Yankees did it in 2007.

Talk about loudly roaring...

In this game, they had 16 hits and 3 walks, and stranded 10 on 6-15 hitting with RISP.

Here's the very long list:

Davis: 3-6 (.337), Double (3), 2 SB (11), 3 RS (17).
- Double, SB, and RS in the 3rd; Single, SB, and RS in the 4th; Infield single and RS in the 8th.

Note: .337 average is 2nd in AL, 7th in MLB; 11 steals is tied for 1st in AL with Dozier (Min) and Altuve (Hou).

Kinsler: 2-5 (.304), Double (8), RS (18), RBI (16).
- Double in the 1st; RBI infield single and RS in the 4th. [Video of RBI single]

Cabrera: 1-4 (.280), Double (10), BB (8), 2 RBI (19).
- Walk in the 3rd; 2-run double in the 4th. [Video of 2-run double]

Note: 10-game hitting streak.

V. Martinez: 1-3 (.326), 2 IBB (7) (BB: 11).
- Single in the 1st; IBB in the 4th; IBB in the 8th.

Note: 7 IBB is 2nd in AL. (1st: Fielder, Tex, with 9.)

Hunter: 3-5 (.319), 3 RBI (19).
- RBI single in the 3rd; Single in the 7th; 2-run single in the 8th. [Video of RBI single] [Video of 2-run single]

Note: 11-game hitting streak; 6 multi-hit games during streak.

Jackson: 1-5 (.292), SB (3), RS (15).
- Single, SB, and RS in the 5th.

Castellanos: 1-5 (.232), HR (4), RS (8), RBI (18).
- Solo HR to left center (416 feet) in the 2nd. [Video of HR]

Avila: 1-5 (.224), HR (2), RS (8), 2 RBI (6).
- 2-run HR to CF (428 feet) in the 5th. [Video of HR]

Romine: 3-5 (.250), 2 RS (8).
- Single and RS in the 4th; Single and RS in the 8th; Infield single in the 9th.

Defense: Nothing to report.

Next game: Monday, May 5th: Houston (10-21, Away) @ Detroit (17-9, 9-5 Home; Season series: 1st meeting.), 7:08 Eastern.

Projected starters: RHP Jarred Cosart (1-2, 5.52 ERA) vs. Max Scherzer (3-1, 2.08 ERA).

- Cosart has never pitched against the Tigers. Career Away: 1-2, 2.79 ERA, 1.26 WHIP in 10 games.
- Scherzer's career vs. Houston: 2-1, 4.45 ERA, 0.96 WHIP in 5 games. Career Home: 43-20, 3.51 ERA, 1.20 WHIP in 89 games.

Houston TV: CSN. Radio: KBME 790, KLAT 1010 (Sp.).
Detroit TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Divisional standing: 1st place by 4.5 games over Minnesota.

[RandyTiger]

With 26 games played, here are the offensive leaderboards:

(Only includes those who "qualified" (minimum 3.1 plate appearances per team game) for leaderboard standings.)

Average:
.337 Davis (2nd in AL).
.326 V. Martinez
.319 Hunter:
.304 Kinsler
.292 Jackson
(Cabrera is only hitting .280)

OPS:
.901 V. Martinez
.868 Hunter
.857 Jackson
.837 Davis
.762 Kinsler

Runs:
18 Kinsler
17 Davis
15 Jackson
14 Hunter
12 Cabrera

Hits:
34 Kinsler
31 V. Martinez
30 Cabrera
30 Hunter
28 Davis

Doubles:
10 Cabrera
8 Kinsler
7 Hunter, Jackson
6 V. Martinez

Triples:
2 Jackson
1 Gonzalez, The donkelly

HR:
4 Castellanos, Hunter, V. Martinez
2 Avila, Cabrera, Davis, Jackson, and Kinsler.

RBI:
19 Cabrera
19 Hunter
18 Castellanos
16 Kinsler
15 V. Martinez

Strikeouts:
26 Avila
21 Cabrera
18 Davis, Castellanos
16 Jackson

Walks:
14 Jackson
11 V. Martinez
10 Avila
8 Cabrera
7 Romine

SB
11 Davis
3 Jackson, Kinsler, Romine
1 4 players.

As a team, MLB ranks:

.283 average is the 2nd best
.767 OPS is the 3rd best
130 runs is 13th
22 HR is tied for 22nd most
168 strikeouts is the fewest
76 walks is tied for 26th most
24 SB is tied for 5th most.

Translation: They get on base, they're speedy, but that doesn't translate into runs.

Who'd have thunk?

[RandyTiger]

And the same thing for the pitchers:

Wins:
4 Verlander, Porcello
3 Scherzer
2 Smyly, Nathan

Losses:
2 Sanchez
1 7 players

Saves:
5 Nathan
1 Alburquerque, Chamberlain

Holds:
5 Chamberlain
4 Krol
3 Alburquerque
1 Coke, Reed, Smyly

ERA, Starters:
2.08 Scherzer
2.45 Smyly
2.68 Verlander
3.13 Sanchez
3.66 Porcello

ERA, Relievers (Minimum 5 appearances):
2.70 Krol
3.13 Reed
3.97 Chamberlain
4.91 Alburquerque
5.06 Nathan

WHIP, Starters
1.00 Porcello, Smyly
1.05 Scherzer
1.13 Sanchez
1.32 Verlander

WHIP, Relievers (Minimum 5 IP):
0.80 Krol
1.32 Chamberlain
1.35 Reed
1.41 Nathan
1.55 Alburquerque

Strikeouts:
51 Scherzer
38 Verlander
24 Sanchez
22 Porcello
21 Smyly

Walks:
19 Verlander
11 Sanchez, Scherzer
6 Smyly
5 Nathan
(Porcello has only 4!)

HR allowed:
4 Scherzer
3 Krol, Porcello
2 Alburquerque, Nathan, Putkonen, Smyly.

As a group:

Starters:
12-6, 2.87 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, with 150/50 K/BB in 157.0 IP.
- 8.60 K/9 innings, 2.89 BB/9 innings.

MLB rankings:
ERA (3rd best), BB (5th fewest, tie with the Cubs), .227 batting average against is the 4th lowest.

Top 5 rotation, but we already knew that!

Relievers:
5-3, 5.31 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, with 67/24 K/BB in 76.1 IP.
- 7.60 K/9, 2.8 BB/9

MLB rankings:
ERA: 28th worse, K's are the 29th fewest, BB is the fewest (!), and .265 batting average against is the 28th worse.

Those bullpen numbers... yikes.

[RandyTiger]

40-man roster news:

The Tigers have outrighted Jordan Lennerton (1B, Toledo) to make room for LHP Robbie Ray ahead of calling him up for Tuesday's start against Houston.

Still no word on which player will be dropped from the 25-man.

[RandyTiger]

Roster move:

RHP Jose Ortega optioned to Toledo.
LHP Robbie Ray's contract will be purchased prior to Tuesday's game.

Injury news:

RHP Luke Putkonen will begin rehabilitation assignment on Wednesday with the West Michigan Whitecaps.

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 2, Astros 0. [Boxscore]

Summary: Tigers win 6th straight behind Scherzer's wizardy.

Pitching: Scherzer continues to impress with his mastery of the strike zone. For the 7th straight time since the beginning of the season, he struck out 7+ batters in a game.

In this one, the Astros were only able to get 3 singles, a walk, and a HBP off him - and he punched out 9 in a 111-pitch (71 strikes), 8 inning start for the win. [Video overview of start]

Pity he didn't have enough left in the tank to throw a complete game, which would have been the first of his career. That's right - he's never thrown a CG.

- Season line: 4-1, 1.72 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, with 60/12 K/BB in 47 IP.

Nathan trotted in for the 9th to nail the coffin shut, and he did so - but not before walking the lead-off batter. He took care of business nontheless, holding the line to earn a save.

With this save, the 347th of his career, he is tied with Randy Myers for 9th in MLB history.

- Season line: 2-0, 6/8 Sv/Opp, 4.63 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, with 12/6 K/BB in 11.2 IP.

Offense: Despite the pitching duel going on around them, the Cats managed to get 6 hits and 3 walks off the Astros, which was enough for the win. They stranded 7 on 1-6 hitting with RISP.

Here's the short list:

Kinsler: 0-3 (.296), GIDP (3), CS (2).
- Reached on E-6, 1st inning; HBP and CS in the 5th; GIDP in the 7th.

Hunter: 2-4 (.327).
- Single in the 1st; Infield single in the 3rd.

Note: 12-game hitting streak.

Cabrera: 0-4 (.270), GIDP (6).
- GIDP in the 1st.

V. Martinez: 1-4 (.323), HR (5), RS (12), RBI (16).
- Solo HR to RF (390 feet). [Video of HR]

Jackson: 1-3 (.293), BB (15).
- Walk in the 4th; Single in the 8th.

Castellanos: 1-4 (.233), RS (9).
- Single in the 2nd; Reached on E-3 and RS in the 7th.

Avila: 0-1 (.220), 2 BB.
- Walk in the 4th; Walk in the 7th.

Davis: 1-3 (.337), RBI (10).
- RBI single in the 7th. [Video of RBI single]

Sacrifice bunt: Romine (1), 7th inning.

Defense: Errors, 1: Romine (2), ground ball in the 6th.

Double plays, 1: 2-5 (Avila-Castellanos), 8th inning (swinging strikeout, CS at 3B).

SB successful/attempted: 0/2 (Both Scherzer-Avila), 2nd and 8th innings. Avila has now thrown out 44% (10 SB, 8 CS) of base-stealers.

Next game: Tuesday, May 6th: Houston (10-22, 4-9 away) @ Detroit (18-9, 10-5 home. Season series: 1-0), 7:08 Eastern.

Projected starters: LHP Brett Oberholtzer (0-5, 5.63 ERA) vs. Robbie Ray (MLB debut).

- Oberholtzer has never faced Detroit. Career Away: 2-4, 2.44 ERA, 1.12 WHIP in 9 games.
- Ray: No record, MLB debut.

Houston TV: CSN. Radio: KBME 790, KLAT 1010 (Sp.).
Detroit TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Divisional standing: 1st place, 4.5 games over Minnesota.

[CONN CHRIS]

I love being in the nuns and orphans portion of the schedule!

[RandyTiger]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

I love being in the nuns and orphans portion of the schedule!

Somehow, I don't think they're singing the "Hallelujah Chorus" when they see the starting rotation or the lineup, especially with the demon speedster Davis swiping bases left and right.

When they see the bullpen, on the other hand...

[r0nster]

I am concerned with Phil coke tipping his pitches

[RandyTiger]

Injury update:

Today was Sanchez's first bullpen session since he went on the DL. No issues were reported. He's eligible to come off the list on Monday.

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 11, Astros 4. [Boxscore]

Summary: Cats rampage to their 7th straight win as Ray wins 1st.

Pitching: Robbie Ray had a solid debut, throwing 86 pitches (55 strikes) over 5.1 innings, yielding a run on 5 hits (one double) and a walk for his first career win. [Video overview of debut]

After beginning the game with runners at the corners with no outs after giving up a double and single, he clamped down and escaped the jam with two consecutive strikeouts and a ground-ball, terminating the threat. After that, he was on cruise control and generally showed excellent poise. Having Avila as the catcher surely helped, that guy does wonders with pitchers.

(Looks like Dombrowski knew what he was doing with the Fister trade, since both Krol and Ray have helped the Cats, while Fister hasn't even pitched this year. Time will tell, of course, but right now, looks like a steal for the Tigers. Again.)

- Season line: 1-0, 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, with 5/1 K/BB in 5.1 IP.

Reed took over from Ray for the 6th and went on to pitch the 7th, surrendering just a single - and he only took 13 pitches to do so. He was given a hold.

- Season line: 0-1, 2 Holds, 3.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, with 7/3 K/BB in 12.0 IP.

Alburquerque handled the 8th, flaming out 2 Astros in a flawless inning.

- Season line: 1-0, 1 Sv/Opp, 3 Holds, 4.50 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, with 14/3 K/BB in 12.0 IP.

Miller threw the 9th and was a bit of a disaster, giving up 3 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits (one double) while striking out one.

- Season line: 0-0, 2.84 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, with 4/0 K/BB in 6.1 IP.

Offense: The Boys rampaged with 11 runs and 18 hits (both season highs) and a walk, stranding 7 on 6-14 hitting with RISP. Every starter got a hit, the 5th time this season they've accomplished the feat.

Here's the loooooooong list:

Kinsler: 3-5 (.308), 2 RS (20).
- Single in the 3rd; Single and RS in the 7th; Single and RS in the 8th.

Hunter: 2-4 (.333), Double (8), SF (1), CS (1), RS (15), RBI (20).
- Double and CS in the 1st; RBI SF in the 3rd; Single and RS in the 7th.

Note: 13 game hitting streak.

Cabrera: 4-5 (.293), Double (11), HR (3), 2 RS (14), 4 RBI (23).
- Solo HR to left center (419 feet) in the 1st; Single in the 5th; RBI single in the 7th; 2-run double and RS in the 8th. [Video of HR] [Video of RBI single] [Video of 2-run double]

V. Martinez: 1-4 (.320), BB (12), RBI (17).
- RBI single in the 3rd; Walk in the 5th. [Video of RBI single]

J. Martinez: 1-4 (.273), SF (1), 2 RBI (6).
- SF RBI in the 7th; RBI single in the 8th. [Video of RBI single]

Jackson: 1-5 (.289), SB (4), RS (16).
- Single, SB, and RS in the 4th.

Castellanos: 2-4 (.244), RS (10).
- Single in the 4th; Single and RS in the 8th.

Avila: 2-4 (.238), Double (5), 2 RS (10).
- Single and RS in the 3rd; Double and RS in the 8th.

Worth: 2-3 (.286), SF (1), 2 RS (4), 3 RBI (4).
- Single and RS in the 3rd; RBI SF in the 4th; 2-run single and RS in the 8th. [Video of 2-run single]

Defense: Errors, 1: Worth (1), ground ball (playing 1B after defensive move in the 9th).

Double plays, 2: 6-3 (Worth-Cabrera), 6th inning; 6-4-3 (Worth-Kinsler-Cabrera), 7th inning.

Next game: Wednesday, May 7th: Houston (10-23, 4-10 away) @ Detroit (19-9, 11-5 home. Season series: 2-0), 7:08 Eastern.

Projected starters: RHP Brad Peacock (0-2, 5.26 ERA) vs. Rick Porcello (4-1, 3.66 ERA).

- Peacock has never faced Detroit. Career Away: 6-5, 3.68 ERA, 1.21 WHIP in 16 games.
- Porcello's career vs Houston: 0-0, 3.86 ERA, 0.71 WHIP in 1 game. Career Home: 32-22, 4.51 ERA, 1.36 WHIP in 77 games.

Houston TV: CSN. Radio: KBME 790, KLAT 1010 (Sp.).
Detroit TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Divisional lead: 1st place, 5 games over Chicago.

Note: Tigers now own MLB's best record with a .679 winning percentage (19-9); Brewers are 2nd with .647 percent (22-12).

[cephasjames]

Ray does not yet equal Fister, but that was a great showing from the kid. Not sure how indicative last night was of who this kid can be, but that was fun to watch. I hope he gets the next spot start for Sanchez to see if he can repeat the performance.

[CONN CHRIS]

It's great to see them beating the bad teams like rented mules rather than letting a few slip away.

[RandyTiger]

Originally Posted by cephasjames

Ray does not yet equal Fister, but that was a great showing from the kid. Not sure how indicative last night was of who this kid can be, but that was fun to watch. I hope he gets the next spot start for Sanchez to see if he can repeat the performance.

No, he doesn't equal Fister, nor does one start indicate anything, but I think he'll be more than serviceable. With Scherzer unlikely to remain in Detroit after this season, there's no reason to believe he won't be in contention for a slot.

Sanchez's next start was to be Sunday against Minnesota, but as he isn't eligible to return until Monday, no reason to believe Ray won't start that game. That would be a bit more of a test, as pesky as the Twins can be.

[TribeFanInNC]

Originally Posted by RandyTiger

Divisional lead: 1st place, 5 games over Chicago.

Note: Tigers now own MLB's best record with a .679 winning percentage (19-9); Brewers are 2nd with .647 percent (22-12).

I think this is what we expected from the Tigers last year (i.e. blow the doors off the rest of the division). Tigers are already 8 games up on everybody in the loss column (and 10 up on the Indians ). Certainly looking tough so far.

Though as noted, playing the Astros tends to help eveybody's record

[RandyTiger]

The Tribe and other teams in the division will have a shot at catching up a bit later on this month - the Tigers face Minnesota, Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Texas and Oakland in the next 6 series.

The Boston, Baltimore, Texas, and Oakland series are going to be tough. Minnesota and Cleveland are hardly the pushovers the Astros are right now.

And as we all know, anything can and will happen in baseball.

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 3, Astros 2. [Boxscore]

Summary: Power bats and Porcello bring the Cats their 8th straight win.

Pitching: Porcello turned in another quality start, his 4th of the season out of 6 starts, earning another win. Tossing 100 pitches (63 strikes) over 6.2 innings, he yielded a paltry 2 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5. [Video overview of start]

- Season line: 5-1, 3.49 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, with 27/6 K/BB in 38.2 IP.

Chamberlain took over with 2 outs in the 7th and did the 8th (striking out the side) as well, whiffing 3 and keeping the Astros off the basepaths. He earned himself a hold. [Video of the side-fanning]

- Season line: 1-1, 1/1 Sv/Opp, 6 Holds, 18/3 K/BB in 12.2 IP.

Nathan came in for the 9th and nailed the door shut, but not after allowing a walk. He struck out 2 for the save.

- Season line: 2-0, 7/9 Sv/Opp, 4.26 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, with 14/7 K/BB in 12.2 IP.

Offense: With only 5 hits and 4 walks, this one would be considered to be an off-night, but thanks to the pitching gang, they only needed a little work to win.

Here's the list:

Kinsler: 1-3 (.309), BB (6), RS (21).
- Walk and RS in the 1st; Single in the 5th.

Cabrera: 1-4 (.292), HR (4), 1 RS (15), 2 RBI (25).
- 2-run HR to RF (369 feet) in the 1st. [Video of 2-run HR]

V. Martinez: 1-4 (.318), HR (6), RS (13), RBI (18).
- Solo HR to RF (371 feet), 6th inning. [Video of Solo shot]

The donkelly: 2-3 (.333), BB (3), SB (1).
- Walk in the 1st; Single in the 4th; Single and SB in the 8th.

Romine: 0-2 (.231), BB (8), SB (4).
- Walk and SB in the 2nd.

Davis: 0-2 (.330), BB (5), SB (12).
- Walk and SB in the 7th.

Defense: Double plays, 2: 4-3 (Kinsler-Cabrera), 5th inning; 6-4-3 (Romine-Kinsler-Cabrera), 6th inning.

SB allowed/attempted: 2/2: (Both Nathan/Avila), 9th inning.

Next game: Thursday, May 8th: Houston @ Detroit, 1:08 Eastern.

Projected starters: LHP Dallas Keuchel (2-2, 3.96 ERA) vs Drew Smyly (2-1, 2.45 ERA).

Kuechel's career vs. Detroit: 0-1, 7.20 ERA, 1.29 WHIP in 2 games. Career Away: 4-10, 6.01 ERA, 1.66 WHIP in 22 games.
Smyly's career vs. Houston: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.750 WHIP in 2 games. Career Home: 5-3, 3.42 ERA, 1.23 WHIP in 43 games.

Houston TV: CSN. Radio: KBME 790, KLAT 1010 (Sp.).
Detroit TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.
Subscription TV: MLBN.

Divisional standing: 1st place, 5 games over Chicago.

[RandyTiger]

Astros 6, Tigers 2. [Boxscore]

Summary: Astros avoid sweep behind power surge and solid pitching.

Pitching: Smyly cruised along in the first 4 frames, putting only 2 hitters on base with a walk and an infield single, but in the 5th inning he ran into a bit of trouble as he surrendered 3 runs on a solo HR, walk, single and double.

In the 6th, after getting Fowler on a fly-out, Guzman singled and Carter walked, leading Ausmus to pull Smyly from the game.

His final line comes to 91 pitches (58 strikes) over 5.1 innings, with 3 runs yielded on 5 hits (double, HR) and 3 walks. He struck out 2 and took the loss.

- Season line: 2-2, 2.96 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, with 23/9 K/BB in 27.1 IP.

Reed took over from Drew and got out of the jam with a double play, only to yield a solo HR to Corporan in the 7th and a subsequent single to Hoes.

Game line for him was 2 hits, 1 run, 1.2 IP.

- Season line: 0-1, 2 Holds, 3.29 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, with 7/3 K/BB in 13.2 IP.

Miller followed, tossing a flawless 8th, whiffing 1 batter, but after walking Springer in the 9th, Dominguez took him deep with a 2-run HR, sealing the Astros' victory.

Game line comes to 2 innings and 2 runs yielded on a walk and HR, along with a strikeout.

- Season line: 0-0, 4.32 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, with 5/1 K/BB in 8.1 IP.

Offense: Streaks come and go, and so 56-inning stint where they never trailed in a game (From last Friday's KC game until today) ended.

In this one, the Cats were held to just 7 hits - and no walks - as they stranded 4 on 0-3 hitting with RISP. Here's how they did:

Kinsler: 1-4 (.307).
- Single in the 8th.

V. Martinez: 3-4 (.333), HR (7), RS (14), RBI (19).
- Single in the 2nd; Solo HR (380 feet), 4th inning; Single in the 7th. [Video of HR]

Note: 11-game hitting streak; back-to-back games with a HR for the 16th time in his career.

J. Martinez: 1-4 (.269).
- Single in the 9th.

Jackson: 1-4 (.287), GIDP, RS (17).
- Reached on FC and RS, 2nd inning; Single in the 7th; Game-ending GIDP, 9th inning.

Castellanos: 1-3 (.237), Double (5), RBI (19).
- RBI double in the 2nd. [Video of RBI double]

Defense: Double plays, 3: 6-4-3 (Worth-Kinsler-Martinez), 3rd inning; 4-6-3 (Kinsler-Worth-Martinez), 6th inning; 6-3 (Worth-Martinez), 7th inning.

Note: Season high 3 DP's for the Tigers.

SB allowed/attempted: 1/1 (Reed-Holaday), 6th inning.

Next game: Friday, May 9th: Minnesota (15-18, 7-9 Away) @ Detroit (20-10, 12-6 Home. Season series: 1-1), 7:08 Eastern.

Projected starters: RHP Phil Hughes (4-1, 3.72 ERA) vs. Justin Verlander (4-1, 2.68 ERA).

- Hughes's career vs Detroit: 6-6, 4.34 ERA, 1.67 WHIP in 13 games. Career Away: 28-26, 4.12 ERA, 1.27 WHIP in 89 games.
- Verlander's career vs. Minnesota: 14-7, 3.12 ERA, 1.26 WHIP in 27 games. Career Home: 74-22, 3.06 ERA, 1.15 WHIP in 134 games.

Minnesota TV: FS-N. Radio: 96.3 K-TWIN, TIBN
Detroit TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Divisional standing: 1st place, 4.5 games over Chicago (pending results of Cubs-White Sox night game).

[cephasjames]

I'm still pleased with Guy Smyly as the #5 guy. I think he will be a good #5. Probably as good as or even better than when Ricky was the #5.