Detroit Tigers 2012 regular season review – Part 27
Riding on a three game winning streak, the Detroit Tigers were looking to continue the good work in their next series against the Boston Red Sox but that did not turn out to be the case.
In Game 1 on May 28, 2012 the Tigers lost to the Red Sox 4-7. Manager Jim Leyland looked extremely disappointed at the end of the contest. Despite having the momentum on their side, the Tigers were unable to execute their game plan.
Starting pitcher Doug Fister struggled to adjust to the conditions at Fenway Park as he allowed 11 hits and six runs in just over five innings to take his third straight loss of the season. Relief pitcher Luis Marte also had a terrible time on the mound
as he gave up two hits and one run in three innings of relief.
Red Sox’s starter Felix Doubront played a key role in deciding the outcome of the clash, conceding just two runs in six on-target innings. Striking-out batters at regular intervals, he kept Tigers on the defensive. Boston’s relief pitchers Scott Atchison
and Alfredo Aceves also pitched with great control and accuracy to help their side on to their three run lead.
"I got another swing, got another hit, one run scored there and we ended up scoring two more right after that," Aviles said. "It helped us out, gave us momentum and we kept rolling from there."
"There shouldn't have been a second-inning rally," Leyland argues with the umpires. "There were three outs. I've been in the game a long time. ... You guys need to write something and hold people accountable."
Delmon Young smacked a solo home-run to left in the second inning to put his side on the board. Catcher Gerald Laird also made his presence felt with a home-run to left in the fifth inning but the night belonged to the Red Sox, who scored runs on regular
basis to take 1-0 series lead.
The Tigers continued to slide down hill in Game 2 of the series as well. The offence, once again, failed to make the most of available opportunities and the Red Sox took secured another comfortable win on May 29, 2012 to take a decisive 2-0 series lead.
2011 American League Most Valuable Player Justin Verlander paid the ultimate price for his errors on the mound, allowing 10 hits and five runs in just six innings to take his second straight loss. Relief pitcher Duane Below was also unable to stop the flow
of runs as he allowed one run in just 0.1 inning of relief. For the Red Sox, Daniel Bard struck-out four batters in five plus solid innings to claim his fifth win of the season.
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