Tigers Win a Wild Home Opener, 6-5
It was a wild, hour long 8th inning, but when the dust settled the Tigers had regained the lead and went on to win their home opener over the Boston Red Sox, 6-5.
The Tigers' bullpen blew a 4-0 lead, spoiling a great start by Michael Fulmer. Fulmer pitched six shutout innings, striking out four and giving up four hits and two walks. He worked out of jams in three different innings. Justin Wilson got the Sox out in the 7th.
But in the 8th, Bruce Rondon gave up a run on a walk, single and double. Alex Wilson gave up a single to make it 4-2 and closer Francisco Rodriguez gave up a three run homer to Pablo Sandoval on an 0-2 pitch.
The Tigers tied it up in the 8th after two were out on two walks and a pinch-hit double by Mikie Mahtook. James McCann then walked to load the bases. Rookie JaCoby Jones then worked reliever Joe Kelly for a walk to score the go-ahead run.
Rodriguez came back out in the 9th after blowing the save. He let the Sox get runners on second and third, but pitched out of the jam to get the win.
It was chilly at first, but a clear and sunny sky warmed up the 45,013 fans at Comerica Park in Detroit. A dry 48 degree day was nothing like the miserable weather in Chicago earlier this week.
The Tigers scored first, scratching out runs against knuckleballer Steven Wright in the first and sixth innings. Ian Kinsler singled to lead off the game and ended up scoring on a Victor Martinez sacrifice fly. Nick Castellanos tripled and scored on a Martinez single for run number two. Then in the 7th, Tyler Collins singled and James McCann homered to make it 4-0.
The Tigers play the Red Sox again on Saturday afternoon. Jordan Zimmerman goes against Eduardo Rodriguez. Broadcast time is 12:45 on 95.3 WBCK. The two teams play day games on Sunday and Monday, and then the Twins come in for three straight day games at Comerica Park.