Detroit Tigers lose to Cincinnati Reds 5-6 in series opener – MLB Update
Detroit Tigers were beaten by Cincinnati Reds 5-6 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio on Friday, June 8 in the opening game of their three match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
Manager Jim Leyland and company will be extremely worried about their jobs these days. The Tigers have blown away a large number of opportunities over the last few weeks. The 2011 American League Central Division title winners looked on top of their game
play at the start of the season but it seems they are under immense pressure right now.
The Reds got off to a flying start with and they took complete advantage of their opponents’ unforced errors to take a crucial 4-0 lead in the third. It seemed the Tigers were on their way to another humiliating defeat but Brennan Boesch, who had a decent
last outing, came to their rescue. Boesch homered to right in the fourth inning to score the first run for his team.
"It touched every part of the wall," Young said. "I took some balls (there) in batting practice, and no ball did what that ball did. It hugged the wall the whole time and gave Cairo a chance to get to third. It's tough and cost us a game."
"It was something I decided," Valdez said. "I feel I can put down a perfect bunt."
"That was outstanding judgment by (Cairo) on knowing when to run, and a great slide at home plate," manager Dusty Baker said.
Miguel Cabrera joined the party with a two run single to left that reduced Cincinnati’s lead to 3-4. Boesch earned another single to centre in the seventh to level score and Delmon Young added a solo home run to left centre in the eighth to put the Tigers
ahead for the first time. Tigers’ first baseman Prince Fielder had another poor outing as he failed to get a hit.
Todd Frazier turned things around with a double to deep left and Wilson Valdez drove in a tie breaking run in the tenth inning to help the Reds secure a memorable victory.
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