CLOSE
Autoplay
Show Thumbnails
Program Captions
Last SlideNext Slide
Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer looked great.
Really excellent.
In an exhibit Wednesday versus the Cincinnati Reds, the Tigers lost, 2-1, at Great American Ball Park. The now-healthy Fulmer started and went 2 innings, giving up 2 hits with 4 strikeouts on 31 pitches (17 strikes).
The scrimmage ends all preseason activity, which started in early July. After an off-day Thursday, the 60-game season begins at 6:10 p.m. Friday, as left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd faces Cincinnati right-hander Sonny Gray to open the three-game series.
The Tigers next day off does not get here until Aug. 13.
[Why a number of Detroit Tigers didnt take the field for national anthem in Cincinnati] Here are observations from Wednesdays exhibit:
The only early threat was available in the very first inning when Niko Goodrum and C.J. Cron drew strolls. It took righty Jose DeLeon 29 pitches, he wiggled out of the frame by striking out Jeimer Candelario.
Detroit had actually jsut 2 hits before the eighth– songs from JaCoby Jones and Candelario in the 3rd and 4th innings, respectively. In the 8th, Jorge Bonifacios single to best field scored Willi Castro to connect the video game, 1-1.
The group combined for 11 strikeouts and three walks.
In Tuesdays exhibition, the Tigers scored seven operate on 12 hits (with four house runs) and two strolls however still lost, 9-7.
Evan Petzold is a sports reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold..
Detroit Tigers Michael Fulmer (32) pitches in the very first inning versus the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. ( Photo: Albert Cesare -USA TODAY Sports).
Fulmer gets away, then controls.
Fulmer, 27, worked himself into a jam in the bottom of the very first inning. He quit a single to Phillip Ervin and a sharp line-drive double to Josh VanMeter, putting two runners in scoring position with no outs.
Dealing with previous Tiger Eugenio Suarez, the third baseman who had 49 homers and 103 RBIs last season, Fulmer tossed him a slider and back-to-back fastballs, getting him to pop out to 2nd. Another previous Tiger, Nick Castellanos, struck out looking. Mike Moustakas grounded out to end the risk.
[Tigers Fulmer ready to return in 2020: Best shape Ive ever seen] Although Wednesdays getaway — facig non-Tigers batters– is a positive indication, its yet to be seen if Fulmer will replicate the success he had in his 2016 American League Rookie of the Year campaign. That year, he went 11-7 with a 3.06 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 159 innings.
Alexander piggybacks.
Considering that the organization doesnt desire to tension Fulmer with extra innings, the Tigers showcased what the back end of the starting rotation may look like early this season by making use of left-hander Tyler Alexander in the 3rd inning.
A second-round pick in 2015, the 26-year-old carved up 5 -straight Reds– up until quiting a Davidson homer to center. He bounced back by striking out Nick Senzel to end the fourth inning.
Supervisor Ron Gardenhire pulled Alexander after 2 innings in favor of reducer John Schreiber. He struck out two hitters; his only error was the house run.
Now, Detroit only has 3 warranties in the rotation: left-hander Boyd and right-handers Spencer Turnbull and Ivan Nova. What occurs to the 4th and 5th spots is unidentified, however itll likely come down to Fulmer, Alexander and left-hander Daniel Norris, who returned this week from the 10-day hurt list after missing out on summertime camp with the coronavirus.
If Fulmer is able to make it four or five innings, and the Tigers are comfy with him doing so, he may be able to pitch in the 5th spot of the rotation, leaving Alexander in the No. 4 slot for the time being. Otherwise, piggybacking Fulmer and Alexander in an “opener” configuration, while using Norris in the remaining opening, might be best early in the season.
Through 13 games (8 starts) in 2015, Alexander signed up a 4.86 ERA, 1.398 WHIP and a 47 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings.
Carlos Monarrez: Tigers will stink in 2020, but keep in mind, its not about this season.
Silent bats.
Regardless of success from Fulmer and Alexander, the Tigers could not get much going offensively.
Detroit Tigers third baseman Jeimer Candelario (46) argues with the umpire at the top of the first inning at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. ( Photo: Albert Cesare -USA TODAY Sports).
And in the second inning? He set out Matt Davidson, Nick Senzel and Curt Casali in order.
Fulmers efficiency, particularly in the very first inning, proves he has psychologically and physically returned.
He last pitched in the big leagues on Sept. 15, 2018, when he gave up 2 house runs on five pitches without taping an out. Ever since, hes undergone best knee surgical treatment and Tommy John surgery– missing out on the whole 2019 season.
