Tigers Use Two-Run Ninth To Beat Orioles 6-4
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Tony Plagman hit a tiebreaking, two-run triple off Jim Johnson in the ninth inning to give the Detroit Tigers a 6-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.
Johnson walked Curt Casali and Daniel Fields before Plagman hit a two-out liner to right-center. Johnson, who is dueling with Kevin Gregg for the closer's job, has a 7.71 ERA this spring.
Jai Miller doubled with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to score pinch-runner Glynn Davis and put the Orioles ahead 4-3. Miller snapped an 0-for-18 slump.
The Tigers tied the game in the seventh on Plagman's home run off reliever Luis Ayala.
Brian Matusz, expected to be named the Orioles' fifth starter, allowed three runs and five hits, walked one and struck out four in five innings.
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