A 6-3 loss with Max Scherzer on the mound forced the Tigers to flip the doubleheader on Chicago. (Detroit scored all three runs in the first game on two first inning home runs – Ian Kinsler, Victor Martinez.)
Kyle Ryan made his major league debut for Detroit in the second game. Ryan saved the day, working six innings without allowing a run.
The blood got pumping for Tiger fans early on. With two on in the bottom of the first, ex-G Avisail Garcia hit into an inning ending double play. Fuck you, bitch.
The White Sox also featured a snarf making his major league debut. We welcomed him to the big leagues in the third inning. Rajai Davis singled in Ezequial Carrerra from second for the game’s first score. Then, Davis stole second base for his 300th career total. Up came Kinsler, who brought Davis in and took second when they tried home.
Just like yesterday, the Tigers struck gold in the 3rd & 4th innings. We piled on three more runs, starting with a single from the “Don” that they couldn’t handle in left. Andrew Romine bunted Kelly to second. Carrerra followed up with another steady single for runners at the corners. He swiped second with Davis at-bat, who would walk.
Kinsler stayed red hot, knocking Kelly and Carrerra home on another base hit. Miguel Cabrera, still struggling, brought in the final run of the inning on a comebacker too strong for the pitcher to throw home. Get better soon, Big Cat.
Ryan made it seem like Detroit might shut Chicago out. However, after another fast inning from Blaine Hardy, the 8th inning came off the rails. Jim Johnson kept it snarf, loading up the bases, then exiting the contest without recording an out. Thanks, Johnson! Joba Chamberlain relieved him, only to allow four runs to score on a groundout + 3-Run Homer. Fuck me.
My body started to sweat (can you imagine how poor Chamberlain felt)… Luckily, the Tigers were resilient for three more runs in the ninth. In hindsight, pretty impressive. I mean, Joe Nathan was going to have to pitch and all. Let’s recap the rally:
Kinsler and Castellanos singled with one out. Victor was hit by a pitch in his hamstring to load the bases. Bringing in the first insurance run, a J.D. Martinez sacrifice fly. Enter, the clutch. Alex Avila singled to score another, then Kelly doubled to the wall, scoring Castellanos and nearly a stretching Avila.
Nathan concluded the ninth with three consecutive outs, the final a comebacker he threw to first.