Detroit will also seek its first three-game sweep in Minnesota since May 25-27, 2012. While they were unable to capitalize on the free bags the newfound ability to draw a walk, should they keep it up, will couple nicely with their just over one home run per game (24, MLB No. 12). The Tigers allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. They have only seven wins on the season.
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It’s awesome what a little hitting can do.
The Tigers are just 3-14 in their last 17 Sunday games, and 0-4 in Pelfrey’s last four starts.
“If that ball can stay in the field, it’s a different game for us”, Sano said.
“I just tried to do my back turn to throw more innings”, he said. “But facing him, we kind of know his M.O. Don’t make dinner reservations too early, all that kind of stuff”.
In Arlington, Texas, Rougned Odor matched a Rangers record with three doubles, Mitch Moreland hit a three-run homer and Texas benefited from another replay challenge in a victory over Los Angeles.
“We’re playing really well, but it’s not like we’re going to walk into Cleveland and they’re going to hand us the series”, Castellanos said.
There are only three pitchers in this current season who have won their first five starts: Zimmermann, Jake Arrieta, and Chris Sale. The shadows didn’t seem to help matters, as it sat between the pitcher’s mound and home plate.
Saltalamacchia’s double into the left field corner scored Justin Upton from first base and broke a 5-5 tie in the top of the eighth inning. Francisco Rodriguez pitched a scoreless ninth for his sixth save in seven opportunities. It was a matter of time before he reached base, of course, and he did that when he laced a single to left field in the 1st inning.
After losing to the Tigers twice this week, the Twins started off Sunday’s game strong with two runs in the first inning. Oakland will turn to ace Sonny Gray in search of a second straight quality start while the Tigers counter with former MVP and Cy Young Award victor Justin Verlander.TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), FSN DetroitPITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Sonny Gray (3-1, 2.73 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (1-2, 5.79) Gray recorded a quality start in each of his first four turns and struck out a season-high seven in as many innings while yielding three runs at Toronto on Friday.J.D.
“I knew I needed to give us some innings, but I couldn’t do it”, he said.
Staked to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, Zimmermann made quick work of Minnesota.
Ausmus said he had no reason to think Pelfrey, who signed a $16 million contract in the offseason, wouldn’t make his next scheduled start. It wouldn’t take much to have him ready next week.
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Ausmus would not commit to a second start for Fulmer.
