Two pitches later, the Tigers halved the lead when Ian Kinsler sent a slider into the seats. The second time around the order is proving testy; a single and one out double (fortunately ground rule) put V-Song in hot water, but a grounder and fly turned down the heat, though both were pretty well spanked. The Pirates went quietly; Greene took 35 pitches to get through the first and just 36 more to cover the next three frames. Motown had a quiet fifth; V-Song and Fran adjusted and went off speed on the Tigers. The Bucs went in order, as JD Martinez climbed the wall to rob Jaso of extra bases, his second nice play of the night.
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| Ryan Vogelsong went five strong innings tonight (image via Root Sports) |
Vogelsong did good in his spot start; he went five innings and 66 pitches, giving up a run on four hits with five K before Clint called on Arquimedes Caminero. He hit 100+ several times, but gave up a shot that was run down by Starling in The Notch, then with two gone and the bases empty surrendered a double, walk, single and a grand slam to Jarrod Saltalamacchia on a down and in slider, right where lefties love it. After another walk, AJ Schugel trotted in and picked up a three pitch K to end it at 5-2 El Tigres. The Bucs put up another zippo.
AJ held the fort for two more innings, helped by a sweet running grab by El Coffee. Justin Wilson took the ball for Detroit and did the same in the seventh. He walked S-Rod to open the eighth and Mark Lowe toed the rubber. After an out, Cutch doubled in a run, just missing when his ball hit the top of the wall in left. He was stranded; Marte was rung up on a pitch that was well wide; when you're hot...
Cory Luebke climbed the hill. Though Tuesday was a day game, it's still his first back-to-back outing this year. He opened with a four pitch walk followed by a single after a foul bunt try and another walk. A sac fly got back the run. Josh made a diving grab to save another tally, but Luebke walked the next guy to reload the bases, and Neftali Feliz was waved in. JD Martinez greeted him with a liner off Josh's glove to make it 7-3 before he could close it out. Francisco Rodriguez locked the door.
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| AJ Schugel was sharp after his call up (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates) |
7-1/3 innings of one run ball by Vogelsong and Schugel should have been better rewarded. The Bucco bullpen is fine at finishing, but the circumstances of the past couple of days has really taken a toll on the long guys; losing Nicasio to the rotation and Jared Hughes to injury has made it a weak link, one that the Tigers have abused the past couple of games. It's a short rest period with a daylight game tomorrow, and hopefully The Cole Train can roll into the seventh inning.
- Tonight's announced paid attendance was 21,175.
- Frankie's hamstring is tweak is considered minor, but still no word on whether he'll miss another start.
- Jung Ho Kang has been cleared to play ball, left turns and all.
- Jared Hughes threw a sim game at Pirate City, so he's also recovering in good fashion.
- Jamison Taillon made his first start of the campaign. He went six innings, giving up a run on five hits with six K and no walks, tossing 85 pitches. He left with a 3-1 lead and got the win, with a Trey Haley save.
- Elias Diaz is not lookin' as good; the team is seeking second opinions on his elbow as he was recently shut down again from throwing. If he needs surgery, that would really muck up the catching situation next year.
- Matt Goldman of MLB Daily Dish has four prospects who should hit the show this year, w/Tyler Glasnow among them.
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