Tigers Can't Come Through In Extras, Fall 7-6 To Seattle
TIM BOOTH, AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE (AP) — The Detroit Tigers have no problem scoring runs in the first nine innings. Extra innings for the Tigers have suddenly become an issue.
Detroit missed chances to take the lead in the 10th and 11th innings, then watched Robinson Cano line an RBI single to the right-field corner with one out in the 11th inning to give the Seattle Mariners a 7-6 win on Tuesday night.
Cano lined a 2-1 pitch from Detroit left-hander Ian Krol (1-2) that one-hopped off the wall and allowed Austin Jackson to jog home from second. Surprisingly it was the first walk-off hit for Cano since Aug. 28, 2009, with the New York Yankees.
"I made some good pitches up until the last batter," Krol said. "That last pitch was a cutter that just kind of fizzled right over the top of the plate and he did what he is supposed to do with it."
Detroit hit four home runs, including Yoenis Cespedes getting his 12th homer of the season in the eighth inning on a 0-2 pitch from reliever Fernando Rodney and driving it beyond the center field wall to tie the game at 6-6.
Nick Castellanos, Marc Krauss and Alex Avila also homered for the Tigers.
But their struggles in extra innings continued. Detroit lost its fifth straight extra-inning game and is 3-6 overall this season.
"We've had a little trouble scoring runs in extra innings all year. ... We had some opportunities. We just couldn't do it," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said.
The Tigers had plenty of opportunities with the go-ahead run at third base in both the 10th and 11th innings, but were unable to come through with a two-out hit thanks to the work of Seattle relievers Carson Smith and Charlie Furbush.
Detroit threatened in the 10th when Anthony Gose lined a one-out hit softly into center field and the speedy outfielder took advantage of the Mariners playing deep. Gose never hesitated at first base and slid into second with a double well ahead of the throw. Smith struck out Jose Iglesias but Ian Kinsler reached on a two-out error by shortstop Brad Miller to put the go-ahead run at third. Smith fell behind Cespedes 2-0 but got a weak infield pop up to end the threat.
"Gose probably could have scored (on the error) if he kepth going, but for him he can't see it, the play is behind him," Ausmus said.
Furbush (1-1) allowed a leadoff double to Victor Martinez to open the 11th, but struck out Avila, Castellanos and pinch-hitter Rajai Davis with pinch-runner Andrew Romine standing at third.
Seattle's rally in the 11th started when Jackson reached on a fielder's choice when Brad Miller was forced out at second base. Franklin Gutierrez then chopped a single through the left side, and for the third straight inning, Seattle had the winning run at second with one out.
Both Jackson and Cano had no question the line drive was going to land. Detroit right fielder J.D. Martinez didn't even make a break on the ball as it landed on the warning track.
"I been feeling good in my swing the whole year, been hitting a lot of balls hard, but when you start getting hits it's different. It's less thinking for you. You don't have to think what you're doing wrong or what you have to do to get those hits," said Cano, who is hitting .400 so far in July. "To be able to come through in that situation where we've been having trouble the whole year, especially myself, doing our job with men in scoring position."
ROSTER MOVE
Detroit starter Kyle Ryan failed to make it out of the third after giving up a grand slam to Jackson and Gutierrez's first major league homer since Sept. 27, 2013. Ryan was optioned to Triple-A Toledo after the game, to be replaced by Buck Farmer.
NEW FACE
Krauss arrived in Seattle on Tuesday after being claimed off waivers by the Tigers. He had spent time with Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Angels earlier this season, but was quickly grabbed by the Tigers because of his ability to play first base. Krauss was at home with his wife, who is 39 weeks pregnant, when he got the call he was joining the Tigers.
UP NEXT
Tigers: Anibal Sanchez (7-7) looks to win his fifth straight decision. Over his last five starts, Sanchez is 4-0 with a 2.61 ERA.
Mariners: Lefty J.A. Happ (4-5) tries for his second straight win. Happ had gone nine straight starts without a victory before beating Oakland last Friday.
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