Detroit Tigers' Comments: Lead evaporates and skidding continues

TO CLOSE

Anthony Fenech analyzes the 6-3 loss of the Tigers against Marlins, their 8th consecutive defeat, the confidence of Daniel Norris and the pen, on May 22, 2019.
Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press

As the first races went well on Wednesday night at Comerica Park – a race here, a race there – it became clear that Detroit The tigers were about to break what has become a long series of defeats.

The southpaw Daniel Norris was in control, he added faster speed and brittle balls that handled the modest Marlins of Miami. The Tigers took a three-point lead and scored a two-point advantage in the lead of the seventh inning, when Harold Ramirez jumped onto a Norris pitch and isolated him on the left field.

Almost immediately, the manager, Ron Gardenhire, got up from the Tigers canoe at Comerica Park and headed for the mound to shoot Norris.

Gardenhire was unaware that he was also pulling the pin out of the grenade.

Righty Buck Farmer was not effective, allowing three hits on Norris relief for four hitters, and the Tigers' lead turned into a deficit. A round later, Brian Anderson scored two home goals, bolstering the loss of the Tigers losing streak after eight games.

For a second night in a row, the Marlins (15 to 31 years old), who arrived at Comerica Park with the lowest baseball wins, won 6 to 3.

Christin Stewart hit in his first game and then had three hits. The Tigers lost for an eighth consecutive game on Wednesday at Comerica Park. (Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press)

Norris was the biggest strike force of the Tigers. He built on a series of solid recent starts, allowing two runs on six hits in over six innings. He struck out five and did not work.

The Tigers (18-28) posted double-digit success, opening the scoring when Niko Goodrum hit a RBI single in the bottom of the first. Gordon Beckham was forced into the choice of an RBI defensive player in the second run and Christin Stewart scored a brace of the RBI in the third.

Farmer and Victor Alcantara allocating four runs on four hits and a two-run walk.

With this loss, the Tigers lost eight consecutive home games, their longest losing streak in season at Comerica Park since 2003.

Here are three observations:

Norris night

Despite being hit for six runs on seven hits in his last Athletics game, the Tigers were encouraged by Norris' talent. He has shown a marked improvement in his launcher line in this one, although the competition – the Marlins have one of the weakest baseball offenses – should be considered. More importantly for Norris, he continues to gain confidence without having to throw a fastball at less than 90 mph. Norris was probably extended from one point past its expiration point, but the subsequent bullpen explosion probably led Gardenhire to guess the decision.

Here and there

The Tigers office probably overshot early in the season as the team won tight games. Still, Farmer has been solid lately and has gone into the options of Gardenhire's main server, and it has been easy to take in seventh place. Farmer found too much plaque and was punished for it. Alcantara's big mistake came in the Anderson home race, bringing the lead to three on Miami. … Christin Stewart took the biggest step forward to break out of May's slump, scoring 3 out of 4 points in the loss.

Deadlock before match

Perhaps to try to create a positive mojo we needed so much, left-hand reliever Daniel Stumpf is engaged in a long confrontation with Miami right-winger Sandy Alcantara, following the anthem national. The two players stood at the edge of the grass until the first pitch, Stumpf holding hands on his heart, Alcantara looking straight ahead. While waiting, the old tiger Curtis Granderson adorned Alcantara with equipment for the catcher. The winner was determined when Fieldin Culbreth, the referee's captain, brought Alcantara to the Marlins' bench just before the start of the match. Stumpf raised his hand in victory, though it was not the one he preferred.

Contact Anthony Fenech at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech. Learn more about the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our newsletter.