He gave up a solo home run to Pedroia in the first inning.
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What the Tigers didn’t anticipate was being gifted the game-deciding run on a night when the margin of error was small for both teams.
Drew Pomeranz (0-1) fared better in his second start with Boston, lasting six innings while allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. The first out of the inning was a Justin Upton rocket that was knocked down on the infield, but plated a run.
“We were a little bit strapped in the bullpen, so (Fulmer) did a nice job getting to where he did”, said Tigers manager Brad Ausmus.
“I’m just enjoying the big leagues right now”, he said.
There’s no such thing as a comfortable save situation, but Francisco Rodriguez’s presence on the mound can certainly take the pressure off. He got the win as the Tigers held on for a 2-1 decision.
Tigers starter Mike Pelfrey pitched five innings, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks with a strikeout. “It doesn’t matter who you’re facing”, Wright said.
Victor Martinez: He had four singles, including a long one rapped off the Green Monster in left.
The Tigers then added to their lead in the top of the second.
Detroit, which went 5-2 on its road trip, squandered a 3-1 lead.
Detroit threatened to break the game open in the top half of the third when the bases were juiced with only one out. With Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts aboard, Ortiz connected on a 3-2 pitch from Pelfrey to drive his 25th of the season over the right-field wall.
Boston kept chipping away and used Jackie Bradley Jr.’s home run and RBIs by Dustin Pedroia and Bogaerts to tie it in the sixth.
Tigers: RHP Jordan Zimmermann, who has been sidelined since July 1 with a right neck strain, began a rehab assignment in Triple-A Toledo on Sunday night. He could make a rehab start this weekend. The next seven to 10 days will be pivotal for him to determine his next step, Farrell said. They could use more of that in a tightening AL Central race.
Former Red Sox star and Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez knows firsthand the spotlight that comes with being the ace of a pitching staff. The MLB Network analyst made the rounds in the Red Sox clubhouse Tuesday and said he can empathize with what David Price is experiencing this year. “I was, ‘What in the world?’ I didn’t think he hit it that good”. Carson Smith was supposed to be the pitcher who they can rely on whenever the situation called for him and he would deliver but all of these players have missed significant time throughout the year and its possible two of these pitchers are out for the year.
Before his previous two starts, the 23-year-old Fulmer had a string of eight straight when he allowed one or no runs. He is 4-0 in five starts against American League East teams this season.
Red Sox: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4, 6.70) will make his third start since being recalled from the DL on July 16.
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Rondon hit triple digits on the radar gun in striking out Hanley Ramirez for his first out of the night, with the Tigers holding onto a one-run lead in the seventh.
