Dan Dickerson's Tigers Game Recap 3-15-11
The Tigers lost to the Boston Red Sox today in 10 innings. Pitching dominated - as it has most of the spring. Justin Verlander looked sharp in 5 and one-third innings of work - allowed just 2 hits, 1ER (on Ellsbury HR), no walks and 5 strikeouts. The only run he allowed was on a Jacoby Ellsbury HR deep to RF in the 4th. The Tigers tied the game on a Miguel Cabrera HR deep to LF in the 7th. Then Darnell McDonald hit a HR to left in the 10th off Brad Thomas to break the tie, and deliver the win for Sox.
The Tigers bullpen was good today: Brayan Villarreal retired all five batters he faced, with two strikeouts, Alberto Alburqueque and Fu-Te Ni pitched a scoreless inning apiece. Ni has now pitched 8 innings, allowed just 3 hits and 2 walks, with 9 strikeouts. The Tigers managed just 3 singles in addition to the Cabrera HR.
The Tigers are home tomorrow against St. Louis. Phil Coke - who has a 1.38ERA in 13 innings so far this spring - starts for the Tigers. Chris Carpenter is scheduled to start for the Cardinals.
