Game One in Chicago: Detroit Wins 7-1

Justin Verlander gave up an unlucky run to begin the contest. He tried to pick a runner off first, but the snarf got away and made his way to third base. He would score – but the White Sox also loaded the bases that inning and came away empty. Verlander didn’t allow another player to cross home plate.

Part of that was in thanks to some nice fielding by Torii Hunter. Along with keeping runners on base in the first, Hunter relayed a long throw to Ian Kinsler in the 2nd, who nailed the stretching Sock at third. Another double in the same inning would have scored him.

Detroit picked Verlander up with two runs in the third. Ezequial Carrerra finally calmed his swing, leveling it out for a clean single instead of popping-up. The speedster scored when Kinsler doubled, sliding home before the throw. Chicago then relayed to third too slowly as Kinsler took the extra base. We brought Ian in on a solid sacrifice fly the next at-bat, courtesy of Hunter.

The Tigers busted it open the following inning with five runs. Victor Martinez reached base first (Detroit would bat around) on an error by their “juggernaut” first basemen, one of two he’d commit in the 4th. Next, his brother J.D. doubled down the left field line, moving V to third. Nick Castellanos stepped up and moved the runners over and home, recording our first out. Alex Avila belted another double, scoring J.D.

Then came the speed. Up 4-1 at this point, Eugenio Suarez singled, moving Avila to third. Showing bunt at first, Carrerra singled safely on the other error by Chicago, scoring Avi. With the speed on base, Detroit clapped the double steal, sending Suarez to third and Carrerra to second, successfully. That prevented a double play as Kinsler grounded out for our second out, scoring the sixth run. It also kept the rally alive for Hunter, who doubled over to a fan that felt like interfering, scoring Kinsler.

J.V. took control with his new 7-1 lead, going 1-2-3 during his turn to pitch. He worked seven total innings on 115 pitches for eight strikeouts. He was aided in relief by Jim Johnson in the 8th and eventually Al-Al in the ninth.

The Tigers prepare for two tomorrow, beginning with Max Scherzer and ending with Robbie Ray.

*NOTE: “Big Cat” went 0-5 and is mired in the longest home run drought of his career. It’s not because he can’t hit – I’ve said this same thing lately, and luckily Craig Monroe did, too: Cabrera is intentionally pulling the ball to try and hit one out. He can’t muscle it at will yet because he’s recovering from the groin surgery. We can’t have this. Monroe pointed out how he can go the opposite way like a lefty from the right side of the plate. Take a double down the line, a walk; whatever works, whatever they give you, you take it. FUCK THE HOME RUN. It’ll come as soon as you let it go and stop chasing it. The rest of the team can pick you up, Big Cat. We got you.