Porcello's September Struggles Continue, Ausmus Says Fatigue Not A Factor
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
COMERICA PARK (CBS DETROIT) - Rick Porcello has started five games for the Detroit Tigers this month, and in three of those starts, he has lasted fewer than four innings and given up at least four earned runs.
Friday, with the Tigers fighting to clinch the American League Central Division, Porcello gave up six hits - including a two-run homer in the first inning and a solo shot in the third - and was relieved after only three and two-thirds innings.
The Tigers ultimately lost, 11-4, to the Minnesota Twins. After the game, the Tigers clubhouse was nearly empty, somber and silent. Unsmiling players headed out the doors even as reporters scurried in from the five-minutes-long postgame press conference of manager Brad Ausmus.
Porcello was one of the few players remaining in the clubhouse, and he took the blame for Friday's loss.
"It was just a weird day," Porcello said. "I threw two pitches and gave up a run in the first inning. I don't know if I've ever done that. And then that home run in the first definitely was tough to swallow, and then from there I was just trying to put up zeros.
"I don't think anybody takes a loss like this harder than me, especially the situation that we're in, and I definitely feel responsible for this loss tonight," Porcello added. "Obviously I'm not happy about it, but sometimes you've got to fail to succeed. You've got to learn from it and get better. Hopefully I'll get an opportunity in the postseason and redeem myself."
Overall this season, Porcello has pitched remarkably well, even contending for an All-Star selection after pitching back-to-back complete-game shutouts on June 26 and July 1. From May through August, Porcello recorded an ERA of 3.05.
In September, however, the pitcher has struggled. On Sept. 5 he gave up five earned runs on 10 hits in three innings against the San Francisco Giants. On Sept. 21 he gave up four earned runs on nine hits in three and one-third innings against the Kansas City Royals. Friday against the Twins he gave up four earned runs on six hits in three and two-thirds innings.
"I think just the San Francisco start was a bad start, and the Kansas City one was a bad start," Porcello said. "Tonight I really felt good, and like I said, those two pitches, the two home runs were the big difference. If I don't give up those two home runs, I had the utmost confidence that I was going to pitch a good ball game tonight and give us a chance to win, but that's not how it went down."
Porcello has pitched 204 2/3 innings this season, a career high by a noticeable margin. His previous career high was 182 innings in 2011. Porcello said fatigue has not been a factor, and Ausmus agreed. Even if fatigue is having an impact, though, the Tigers will not be making any changes.
"There's not really much we can do about it, quite frankly," Ausmus said. "He's one of our starters, so he's going to pitch.
"I don't see that there's a huge degradation in his stuff," Ausmus added. "His ball's still sinking, his breaking ball's still good. It's just a matter of the location. Like I said, I'm not blind to the fact that it could be related to innings, but we're at a point in the season where we can't not start Rick Porcello today. That's kind of just where we're at."
As far as how the manager will approach Porcello, Ausmus said he does not need to concern himself with any deep conversation with the pitcher just yet.
"I don't think I have to say anything right now," Ausmus said. "Maybe moving forward, depending on what happens the next couple days."
Since the Tigers lost Friday and the Kansas City Royals won, Detroit now leads the division by a single game. Both teams have clinched playoff spots.
The central division crown, however, is still up for grabs. The Tigers need two more wins - or a win and a Royals loss, or two Royals losses - to claim the division title for a fourth straight season.
Rookie Kyle Lobstein will be on the mound for the Tigers on Saturday night.
