Entering game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader against Pittsburgh, Jeimer Candelario had scored just 8 runs this year. He nearly doubled that total, batting 3-for-6 from the plate, including a double, a solo home run, and scoring five runs in the Tigers 13-10 win.
It was a rough outing for Detroit starter Jordan Zimmerman, lasting just 3 innings, allowing 6 runs (3 earned), and striking out 4 while allowing a three-run home runs to Colin Moran and Francisco Cervelli. The bullpen was fused together to complete the remaining six innings, using six pitchers. Daniel Stumpf, Buck Farmer, and Alex Wilson all pitched scoreless appearances. Warwick Saupold allowed a run in 1.2 innings pitched, and Joe Jimenez pitched an inning, allowing 3 runs to bring the game to 12-10. Detroit would add a run in the 9th to seal a 13-10 win. Closer Shane Greene pitched a perfect ninth to record his fourth save.
The Tigers again pulled to within a game of .500, moving their record to 10-11 entering the nightcap of the straight doubleheader. With most of the bullpen being called into use in game one, Detroit needed a big outing from starter Matthew Boyd. They wouldn’t get it.
After a scoreless first inning, Boyd would allow a home run to Jose Osuna, who hit his first home run of the year, a three-run shot, in his first at-bat of the year. After recording two outs and another run in the fourth, Boyd’s day was done, making for a long evening for the Tiger bullpen.
Alex Wilson completed the fourth inning for Boyd, recording the final out and not allowing a run despite coming in with the bases loaded. Wilson would not return for the fifth, and the ball would be handed to Daniel Norris. Norris carried the load for 2 innings, allowing a run. Buck Farmer would return for his second outing of the day, pitching the 8th and allowing another run. The 9th inning belonged to Artie Lewicki, who gave up four hits, one walk and two earned runs to cap an 8-3 loss.
Detroit fell to 10-12 on the year. They currently sit in second place in the AL Central, 3 games behind Cleveland and 3.5 games out of the Wild Card. Thursday, the Tigers finish their series against Pittsburgh with Michael Fulmer taking the mound against Ivan Nova. First pitch is scheduled for 12:35pm and you can hear coverage of this and every Tiger game live on Jackson ESPN 101.9fm!