Brayan Villarreal surrenders two runs as Detroit Tigers beat Minnesota Twins 2-4 – MLB Update
Relief pitcher Brayan Villarreal gives up two runs as Detroit Tigers lose to Minnesota Twins 2-4 at Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 28, 2012 in the first game of the three match series.
The first six innings of the match did not see any run scored by both the teams. The fight for victory actually started in the bottom of the seventh when Twins posted two runs and took the lead.
Their lead did not last long as the game was tied again when two runs were scored by the Tigers in the top of the eighth.
From there onward the Tigers needed their relievers to throw scoreless innings. However Villarreal disappointed them by leaking two runs in the bottom of the eighth. As a result, he turned the outcome of the game against the Tigers.
Drew Smyly who started for Detroit was extremely impressive on the mound. For as long as he stayed on the mound, he restricted the batters and did not let them score even a single run. He will be unhappy as he could not win despite throwing solid innings.
Tigers’ offence was below par on Friday. Striking just six hits in the match can hardly be a guarantee for victory.
Offensively second baseman Omar Infante struck a home-run for the Tigers. He added two RBIs while connecting one hit in four at-bats.
Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland discussed Villarreal stating that he was not at his best. He was supposed to do more than what he did. He has added that he simply could not escape the pressure cooker situation and got hammered in the eighth inning.
"Villarreal just didn't have it," Jim Leyland said. "We got beat. It's simple. They did more than we did."
Tigers will be looking to earn better run support from the offence next time. The two games remaining in the series will be an opportunity for them to come up with improved shows. They can keep the Twins from clinching the series victory.
Their batters cannot afford to stay silent through the innings. Unless they step up and strike some massive hits, the Tigers will find it extremely difficult to win the upcoming matches.
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