Detroit Tigers 2012 regular season – MLB Review – Part 3
After securing a comprehensive win against the Boston Red Sox in their first series of 2012 regular season, the Detroit Tigers took on the Tampa Bay Rays in a three match home series at Comerica Park.
The pitching rotation displayed some top quality throwing skills in the series opener on April 10, restricting the Rays to just two runs in hitting friendly conditions. Starting pitcher Rick Porcello dominated Tampa Bay’s batting line-up as he gave up just
seven hits and two runs in seven solid innings. Striking-out batters at regular intervals, he created all sorts of problems for the Rays.
"He commanded the fastball on both sides of the plate and when he does that, he pitches like he did today," said Gerald Laird, Detroit's catcher. "Running sinkers in on them and then sinkers away, they didn't know what to look for. Throwing his offspeed
pitches off that, I definitely think it's a great building point for him."
Relief pitcher Phil Coke gave up one hit in one inning and closer Jose Valverde pitched the perfect ninth as the Tigers held on to their three run lead comfortably to claim a 5-2 win.
For the Rays, starter Matt Moore gave up four hits and two runs in six plus innings to keep his side in the hunt. Relief pitcher Jake McGee fell to the pressure, allowing two hits and two runs in just 0.1 inning.
After the Rays took the early 1-0 lead, Austin Jackson scored on a wild pitch in the third inning to level the score 1-1. Jackson homered to left in the seventh. Prince Fielder and Jhonny Peralta also made valuable contributions to help the Tigers establish
complete control over the contest.
Rays bounced back strongly in Game 2 to stay alive. Tigers led the score 2-0 going into the ninth and it seemed they will hold on to their lead with ease to claim their fifth straight win of the season but that did not turn out to be the case.
Tigers’ ace Justin Verlander had a forgettable time on the mound, allowing four runs in the bottom of the ninth. Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria and Ben Zobrist made the most of scoring opportunities to help his side come back from behind to clinch a thriller.
"Once a couple guys got on, really the first time I've cranked it up like that -- and lost a little bit of my consistency that I'd had all day," Verlander said. "It's inexcusable. This loss rests solely on my shoulders today."
Miguel Cabrera singled to centre in the first and Andy Dirks scored in the fifth to give Tigers an early 2-0 lead. Rays’ starter James Shields grabbed his first win of the season, giving up just two runs in eight solid innings.
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