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Two times in their three-game series versus the Cincinnati Reds, the Detroit Tigers were held to 3 hits.
All three video games, the Tigers went into the ninth inning without the lead.
Yet they came through twice to clinch the seasons first series– their very first series win given that July 29-31 against the Los Angeles Angels.
In some way, the offense that scored the least runs in the majors last year scratched out enough runs to start this season.
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The Reds outhit and outscored the Tigers. Reds pitchers struck out the Tigers 46 times out of the 81 outs in this series.
And yet the Tigers trotted away winners, thanks to ninth-inning house runs by JaCoby Jones (Saturday) and C.J. Cron (Sunday).
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” But you likewise have to look on the other side and kind of pointer your hat over there because theyre quite dirty. Those 3 guys that we saw are truly, truly excellent pitchers. We struck out a bunch and we do have some of those guys that do that, however they likewise struck it in the seats.
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Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire also chose not to paint his offense as a scrappy underdog, however rather one that got rid of the unusually difficult task of dealing with three elite pitchers out of eviction and fireballing relievers.
” We faced three All-Star pitchers and a bullpen that can be found in throwing about 100 miles per hour (by) it looks like every person,” he said. “So I think youre most likely going to have some punchouts. Weve got some big people that do swing for the fences and theyre not afraid to let it fly.
Cron got the splendor Sunday. However the individual who made it possible, and who turned up huge for the 2nd straight video game, was the Tigers biggest star, Miguel Cabrera.
One day after he hit a momentum-shifting homer off reliever Michael Lorenzen, Cabrera had perhaps an even much better at-bat in a rematch to lead off the ninth Sunday.
Lorenzen plainly was eager for some repayment and put Cabrera in an 0-2 hole with 99 miles per hour heating units. He touched 100 mph 3 times in a 10-pitch at-bat, which Cabrera won with a walk.
It was maybe the finest example of professional striking anyone saw Sunday.
” That was probably the best at-bat of the game,” Gardenhire said. “The mans throwing practically 100 miles an hour and he combated it off, battled it off, combated it off and got on base. That was a huge at-bat and a big power lift inside the dugout and type of got us going a bit.”.
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” And I think thats a big confidence boost for us returning home, knowing we can have fun with anyone. Its kind of what weve been informing ourselves this whole spring and were positive in our abilities. Its nice to pull out those two games late.”
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Cabreras at-bat did something else, too. It let Cron, standing in the on-deck circle, see what Lorenzen was throwing. Cron set out twice when Reds pitchers successfully kept the ball outside, but when Lorenzens cutter captured too much of the plate, he attacked and struck his second homer of the series.
Crons magic was the perfect example of Gardenhires explanation. An effective swing that balance out some strikeouts. Somehow it worked in Cincinnati and now the Tigers get to see if they can continue it in Detroit throughout a nine-game homestand, beginning Monday versus the Kansas City Royals.
Contact Carlos Monarrez at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.
Miguel Cabrera returns to the dugout after striking out in the sixth inning vs. the Reds on Sunday. ( Photo: Sam Greene, USA TODAY Sports).
Want more Tigers news?” If you want to call it character, thats most likely going to be the best three pitchers we face in succession all year long,” Cron said.” We faced 3 All-Star pitchers and a bullpen that comes in tossing about 100 miles per hour (by) it appears like every guy,” he stated. Those three men that we saw are really, really great pitchers. In some way it worked in Cincinnati and now the Tigers get to see if they can continue it in Detroit during a nine-game homestand, beginning Monday versus the Kansas City Royals.
The Tigers selected to play down the heroics after Sundays 3-2 triumph, rather concentrating on the obstacle they dealt with in three All-Star pitchers: Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo and Trevor Bauer.
” If you want to call it character, thats most likely going to be the very best 3 pitchers we face in succession all year long,” Cron said. “They had our number when it came to strikeouts. At the end of the day, we took two of 3 versus perhaps the finest personnel were going to deal with all year.
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Detroit Tigers first baseman C.J. Cron strikes a consent two-run crowning achievement against the Cincinnati Reds during the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park, July 26, 2020. ( Photo: David Kohl, USA TODAY Sports).
