Austin Jackson, Doug Fister shine as Detroit Tigers defeat Tampa Bay Rays 2-0 – MLB Update
Austin Jackson and Doug Fister both put in a tremendous performance to help the Detroit Tigers beat Tampa Bay Rays 2-0 at Tropicana Field on Thursday, August 25 to take the four-game series 3-1.
Just after two pitches were thrown, the Tigers’ centre fielder Austin Jackson sent the ball out in the stands for a one-run homer to kick-start the game. Besides this, Austin played another RBI of his three at-bats to be prominent over all the hitters.
Doug Fister attacked right from first inning with his fast sliders and sudden changeups. He worked seven innings and struck-out five batters without allowing any run over five hits. His 99 pitches long workout led him to his sixth win of the season. The
most of all he earned praise from his manager Jim Leyland.
"All dictated by pitching," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. "Fister was tremendous. We needed to shut them down. Fister was just what the doctor ordered for us. You might have better stuff sometimes, but you cannot pitch better than that. He knows exactly
what he wants to do with the next pitch."
After Jackson laid the foundation with his two RBIs and Fister limiting the opposition with his granular pitches, the Tigers’ relief ball thrower Joaquin Benoit landed to record his 23rd hold of the season. He crushed the Rays’ batting, taking
out three batters in a single innings.
"We, kind of, countered their pitching this series," Leyland said. "We got just enough to win three games, which was huge.”
Closer Jose Valverde was also in good shape. Although he allowed one walk and one hit over 18 pitches long ninth inning, he managed to get his 38th save of the season.
The Rays’ starter Jeremy Hellickson was bothered with the way his game started. He set off with two walks and then a disturbing homer. However, he expressed strong nerves as did not lose his command and managed to restrict the Tigers’ batting line-up. He
gave his second run in the fifth inning and completed his seven innings spell taking seven strike-outs that went to waste.
The Tigers looked good as they managed to restrict the Rays’ offence from scoring throughout the whole game. The Rays will be looking to improve their performance before their next match-up.
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