Game #2: Tigers Rally For Split With 5-2 Nitecap Victory

Today's Game: Spencer Turnbull gave up a walk and bunt single (Colin Moran against the shift) with two outs and the small ball paid off when Erik Gonzalez doubled home a run for the early lead. Miguel Yajure cruised: a short fly, ground ball single and 3-6-3 DP put Motown away. The bottom of the Bucco order struggled in the second with two whiffs while the Tigers went down on seven pitches. The first Bucco walked in the third, but two more K put the inning to bed. Nick Goodrum took Yajure's first pitch fastball over the fence to tie the score. Miguel regained control with a pair of punch outs, with just 29 pitches tossed over the first three innings. The Pirates went in order in the fourth, with Gregory Polanco hitting a 116 MPH velo at 'em liner to right. Detroit also went down without a peep.

Fraze's streak was snapped - 2020 Topps

Turnbull needed just five pitches to get through the fifth. Jonathan Shoop whacked Yajure's second pitch, a hung changeup, into the stands to give Motown a 2-1 lead. A walk and Akil Baddoo two-bagger that Gregory ho-hummed in RC (it looked like a ground ball single up the middle before El Coffee's nap) added an insurance tally. A walk followed and Dave Bednar was called on. He gave up another knock that made the count 4-1. Bryan Garcia took the hill in the sixth and Phil Evans took a second-pitch heater (the first toss was aimed at his noggin) deep to cut the lead to 4-2. The next three outs were routine. Clay Holmes was on the bump for the seventh. He was tagged for a leadoff double, followed by a wild pitch, and the runner came home after a one-out rap. A 4-6-3 DP got Holmes out of the inning. Gregory Soto worked the seventh ended the long day with two strikeouts and a bouncer.

Yajure showed a nasty curve and decent change with a show-me fastball that needs to hit its spots. Until he ran out of adrenaline, he filled the plate and pitched with composure, so this was a good spot to get him some MLB work. It was nice to get Rodolfo Castro's toes in the pool, too, even though he'll only be here until Ke'Bryan Hayes returns. It seems like the current boss men aren't quite as adverse to letting young guys get a taste.

Notes:

• Adam Frazier's eight-game hitting streak ended; he went 0-for-2 with a walk.
• The Pirates only had three hits and five baserunners tonight.
• No work for Ke'Bryan Hayes; the alternate camp game in Toledo was scrubbed for a second night.

Tomorrow's Game: Mitch Keller goes against Jose Urena in the series deciding game. It starts at 1:10 and will be on AT&T SportsNet, MLB Network (out of market) and 100.1 KDKA FM/1020 KDKA-AM.