BASEBALL

Not much exciting happened before the game. We got a couple movie passes and a bag for the swim club at Radio Disney. The promo item for kids was a Max Scherzer bobblehead.

During the game it looked good for the Tigers at first.  Felix Hernandez did not seem to be as focused as usual.  He walked 4 in the first 5 innings.  He fielded a grounder and in checking for a play at second lost the play at first.  This later cost him a run.  The next inning he was almost late covering first on a grounder.  He settled in and pitched 8 innings throwing over 120 pitches and allowing just 3 runs.

Porcello looked great for the first four innings.  He allowed just one hit and no ball left the infield.  In the fifth he allowed a home run and two walks.  At the same time the Tigers had a couple of tough plays.  Porcello misplayed a dribbler allowing an infield single.  A ball landed in left between three fielders.  The bad pitching and bad luck led to three runs.   I thought Porcello was done.  Leyland had him pitch through the seventh, however.  He allowed just one more base runner.

Unfortunately the bullpen imploded.  Schlereth was brought on to face two lefties.  He walked one.  Benoit then allowed a two-run home run to Olivo.  In the ninth Wilk allowed another two-run home run.  This probably cements the decision to send him to Toledo to make room for Ordoñez’s return.  The Tigers sent Gonzalez to Toledo instead.  I think this is a better choice.  It surprises me since it leaves four lefties in the bullpen.

On the bright side Avila had two, two out RBI’s. Ordoñez reached all four times he batted with three walks and a single.  One of the walks- in the third- was semi-intentional.  Martinez hit in Jackson anyway.