Tiger 1 Blue Jays 2
The Jays didn’t do much on offense, scoring just a run in the eighth and the winning run in the ninth.
In the eighth, Ernie Clement led off with a walk. Nathan Lukes bunted him to second. Alejandro Kirk, pinch-hitting, singled him home. Unfortunately, Michael Stefanic struck out, and Bo Bichette ground out.
In the ninth, Vladimir Guerrero led off, and I was hoping for a home run, but he ground out. But Daulton Varsho doubled. George Springer ground out, Varsho went to third. Anthony Santander, pinch-hitting, was intentionally walked. I don’t understand why? He’s not hitting at all. Santander took second on defensive indifference. Then Ernie Clement lined one to right, and the winning run scored. Thank you, Ernie.
We only had four hits. Bo, Varsho, Clement and Kirk
It was an interesting pitching day. Eric Lauer started and went three innings, giving up just one run, a home run. But had five strikeouts, no walks and was looking good.
And then they pulled him after three. I really didn’t understand, but that seems like the plan: let him go once through the order and get him out of there.
Yariel Rodríguez pitched two scoreless innings, giving up one hit.
Brendon Little threw one perfect inning with two strikeouts.
Chad Green got the seventh. He gave up just a two-out walk.
Yimi Garcia got three quick outs in the eighth.
Jeff Hoffman walked the first batter he saw, but then got a fly out to Nathan Lukes in left. Lukes threw out Gleyber Torres, who was trying to tag up from first. It was close, but he was out. Great throw by Lukes. Tagging up from first rarely happens, and you look bad when you try and fail. I wondered if Hoffman could go two innings, but we scored, and he got the win.
Jays of the Day: Clemen (.425), Kirk (.253), Hoffman (.133) and Rodriguez (.100).
Other Award: Straw (-.187 for a pinch hit ground out. I didn’t understand him over Addison Barger, even against a lefty), Stefanic (-.125, 0 for 3) and Bo (-.094, for a 1 for 4).
It was a weird game. Vlad started at DH but ended up playing first, costing the team the DH spot. Clement started the game at first and did a good job. Plus he scored the tying run and drove in the winning run.
Tomorrow we have a 1:00 Eastern start. Jose Berrios (1-1, 4.33) vs. Jackson Jobe (3-3, 4.32).