The Tigers were outscored 16-15 over the series but won it three games to one today.

We saw two slow developing games to begin: 4-2 Monday, 6-2, Tuesday. But after an 8-0 loss yesterday, the M’s had a chance to split the series.

Doug Fister got two smooth outs to start the game. Unfortunately, three straight hits and a 1-0 hole ensued.

Torii Hunter stepped up in the Tigers turn at the plate, knocking a solo home run to left field for a 1-1 tie. Miguel Cabrera walked, and Prince Fielder hit into a fielder’s choice, hustling down the line to beat the throw.

Next, Victor Martinez slapped one to center field, nearly homering, but still a ball Raul Ibanez probably could have tracked down. Ibanez’s nonchalant gallop resulted in a landing double, scoring Fielder all the way from first.

The Tigers added one in the bottom of the third. Cabrera hit the longest single I’ve ever seen. I love Big Cat, and I hope we are resting him properly before the playoffs. He can barely move around the bases, and it sucks when he doesn’t run out ground balls. What do you do? With two outs, Fielder doubled to the left field corner and Cabrera would have scored if healthy. Next, Martinez was intentionally walked.

Omar Infante took four straight balls to add on the run. Matt Tuiasosopo took one ball, then grounded out. A COMPLETE LACK OF AWARENESS BY TUI. The pitcher can’t find the plate when he has to, with the bases loaded, but you swing at the second pitch. FUCK.

These kids aren’t worth sacrificing our home-field advantage for. I like rotating the regulars (Don Kelly, Ramon Santiago, Brayan Pena), but some of these minor league snarfs (and Matt) suck. Sopo can’t bunt or field, so if he isn’t swinging it, fuck him.

Fister struck out the side in the 4th.

In the 5th, the first batter popped up in foul territory and Fielder took advantage:

Get It

Get It

However, the runner reached first on an infield hit. Was the nacho a distraction? LOL The next batter hit one just past Fielder into right field. I really hope this wasn’t what caused the collapse. Fister threw two balls before allowing a three-run blast, putting the Tigers behind 4-3.

In the bottom of the 6th, the Mariners drilled Jose Iglesias in the wrist, forcing him out of the game. With two on and one out, Austin Jackson ended the rally by hitting the ball to the worst possible place, right at the third basemen for the double play.

Luckily, Fister kept us in the game, keeping the game at 4-3 for the seventh inning stretch.

Hunter led off the bottom of the 7th with a double. Cabrera’s deep fly ball moved him to third. Fielder singled in Hunter for a 4-4 tie.

Next up we had the play of the game. Martinez doubled to the deep left field corner and Fielder was sent home. He planted at third base and stayed much closer the foul line, beating the throw and sliding in for the score. 5-4 Tigers!

Fister got the first two outs in the 8th before walking one, and Manager Jim Leyland wisely pulled him for Drew Smyly. Smyly struck out “Big Helmet” Nick Franklin to end the frame.

Joaquin Benoit nailed down the ninth, starting with a ground ball to shortstop Ramon Santiago. Santiago charged the ball and made a great throw to just beat the runner. The next out came via an infield pop-up. Benoit struck out Dustin Ackley, he who homered earlier, to end the game.