Here are the highlights from tonight’s 8PM – 2AM Tigers-Cubs game:

Ian Kinsler batted second and belted a solo blast to left field for a 1-0 Tigers lead. Next up, Miguel Cabrera hit back-to-back at essentially the same spot. Gayly, it was ruled a double because of fan interference. No worries – J.D. Martinez (looking determined) slapped one to dead center and brought Big Cat home.

Unfortunately, Anibal Sanchez surrendered his major league leading 29th home run the bottom of the inning for a 3-2 game. In some rain fall, Anthony Gose answered with a two run bomb of his own the next frame. Then, the delay struck.

It took over two hours (I fell asleep) for the game to begin again. We picked up where we left off and scored another run for a 6-2 lead. Just when you felt like the Cubs were giving the Tigers their mojo back, some minor leaguer jacked a home run with two on. Eventually, Chicago tied it for the remaining fans. After midnight, it was almost a split crowd with Detroit fans entertaining.

An impressive 8th put away the game. With the bases loaded, J.D. Martinez secured the lead on a sacrifice fly. Then, Victor Martinez pinch-hit and was intentionally walked, re-loading them for Nick Castellanos. He blooped a perfectly placed ball to right, scoring Ian Kinsler and a hustling Big Cat, who blew by the hold sign from our third base coach. Instinct, always. Finally, in the 9th, Anthony Gose led off with a double and stole third. Kinsler batted having gone 5-5, a triple away for the cycle. He sacrificed his swing for a deep fly ball, scoring our 10th run.

Every run was vital. Bruce Rondon got to walking batters in the bottom of the ninth, nearing 2AM Eastern time. A shot to first base was snagged by a diving Cabrera, flipping to Rondon for the second out and saving multiple runs. One runner crossed home plate, and another sat at third. Some weird ass call on our catcher James McCann gave the runner home. They said the ball was caught in his chest plate illegally? So it’s 10-8, and now Rondon is pissed. He struck out the final Cub as Tigers fans were on their feet!