Happy afternoon baseball, friends. And an even happier “last time we have to play these guys this week” to the Phillies. Rough week for sure and today’s game didn’t feel much better.
Spencer Turnbull (yes I had to double check he was the away pitcher, it took me a second) was up against a Tigers’ bullpen day, and ultimately, it ended up being a bullpen day for both teams.
Let’s see how it went.
Rough start for Tyler Holton as the game’s opener. Kyle Schwarber singled, then Trea Turner singled, and Bryce Harper walked, all before the first out of the game. A Nick Castellanos groundout scored Schwarber, putting the Phillies on the board early. There was a nice bit of balance, though, as Matt Vierling hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first. Riley Greene also walked, but if you’re hoping for a heavy hitter of a match, be prepared, as this is the only run the Tigers are going to score for a while.
Brandon Marsh singled to start the second, followed by a David Dahl single. With two outs in the inning Will Vest replaced Holton to get the final out. The Tigers went 1-2-3 in the bottom half.
Vest got a much-needed 1-2-3 of his own in the top of the third. Unfortunately, aside from a Ryan Kreidler walk, the Tigers’ bats were equally silent in the bottom of the inning.
Keider Montero was the next Tigers’ pitcher out of the pen. He walked Bryson Stott, then gave up a home run to Brandon Marsh, putting the Phillies up 3-1. Kyle Schwarber got a two-out walk, but no additional runs scored. In the bottom of the inning, Riley Green reached on a hit-by-pitch but was the Tigers’ only baserunner.
Top of the fifth and with two outs Castellanos singled, and then Bryson Stott doubled. A Brandon Marsh single scored the two baserunners. A caught stealing on Marsh ended the inning. The Tigers went down in order in the home half.
The Phillies went 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth. With two outs in the bottom half, Colt Keith singled, but the Tigers were unable to bring him home.
The seventh was another 1-2-3 against the Phillies, which was a nice little break. Alas, the Tigers ALSO went 1-2-3 in the bottom half.
Things went kind of ugly again in the eighth as Castellanos got a leadoff walk, but was eliminated in a force out off the bat of Stott. Stott then stole second. Brandon Marsh singled, and a David Dahl sac fly scored Stott. Garrett Stubbs singled as well, but no additional runs scored. The Tigers didn’t get any runs back at all in the bottom half.
Onto the ninth and the Tigers’ last shot at a comeback. In the top half Trea Turner and Bryce Harper got back-to-back singles. However, a flyout and a double-play safely ended the inning. The Tigers certainly made an effort of it in the bottom half. Matt Vierling doubled, then scored thanks to a single from pinch-hitter Andy Ibanez. It was too bad that early hustle was all they managed, as they ended up falling to the Phillies anyway.
Final: Phillies 6, Tigers 2