Win: DOUG FISTER (6 IP, one run)
Miguel Cabrera hit his 31st homer in the 1st to put Detroit ahead 1-0.
In the bottom of the second, Miguel Tejada hit a solo out to tie it 1-1. Fister would not allow another run.
Andy Dirks put the Tigers ahead for good in the 5th with a solo shot to center field, the ball sliding past the glove of the Royal just in time. Dirks went 2-4 with a steal. He had power and speed, and it is nice to see Jim Leyland displaying it.
Brayan Pena was the player of the game, hitting two sacrifice flies to prevent us from leaving RISP in the 7th and 9th innings. SFs just crush opposing pitchers and teams. It’s demoralizing, it’s like you know you deserved it because you let a snarf get to 3rd, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Make ’em pay!
The Tigers are playing pretty damn well, and if they can bring guys home with a little small ball it will go a long way.
Prince Fielder and Victor Martinez each had multiple hits.
In relief, one hit was allowed. Drew Smyly was robbed of a strike three third out on an incorrect foul call, so he struck the snarf out again, anyway. Bruce Rondon went 1-2-3 in the 8th, and Joaquin Benoit got a double play from the Tiger defense.
SNARF’S SCOUTING REPORT
Fielder, Austin Jackson, and Dirks among many Tigers and MLBers love swinging – it’s what they do. But look at how Jackson put in the work to stop striking out and had it pay off earlier in the year. When we are taking pitches, we cannot be stopped.
…….Tigers prove again why you don’t just read stats w/o watching the people play……Pena is the man!……..no other sport has it ….. the sacrifice to bring em home. …….Tiger enthusiasm caused runners to advance not Royal base hits……..we still out-hit and out scored them!