Jim Leyland continues to push all of the right buttons for the Detroit Tigers. With the Wizard calling the shots the Tigers improved to 19-9 in an old fashioned pitching dual. Once again Detroit received a brilliant outing from their starter and clutch hitting from a reserve player to pull out their sixth straight victory. Nate Robertson struggled in the first inning giving up a sacrifice fly off the bat of Guerrero. However, he avoided further damage in the first and proceeded to pitch an additional six scoreless innings. Nate kept the Tigers in the game until they were able to tie the game on a Brandon Inge home run in the sixth. Robertson struck out six batters, walking two and reduced his ERA to 3.25 on the season. After retiring one batter in the eighth inning Nate gave way to Joel Zumaya who needed only six pitches to get the final two outs of the eighth. A Tiger run in the bottom of the inning provided Zumaya with the first victory of his career. Brandon Inge walked and beat out a fielder’s choice grounder to second. With two outs Alexis Gomez, batting in the number two spot in the order, drove the game winning RBI single to center. Rodney pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his fifth save. Rodney worked the ninth as Todd Jones received the evening off after pitching in three straight games.
Unfortunately for the Tabbies the White Sox came from behind to beat the Mariners last night. Thus the Tigers remain half a game behind in the AL Central. Detroit will send Justin Verlander to the mound to attempt to sweep the seven game home stand.
*** OEs 3 Stars of the Game ***
#3 Brandon Inge – 1-2 with 2 runs scored, a HR, 1 RBI and 1 BB
#2 Alexis Gomez – 1-4 with the game winning RBI
#1 Nate Robertson – 7.1 IP, 4 Hs, 1 R, 2 BBs, 6 Ks, 3.25 ERA
On Tap – Game 29 (19-9) v. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (12-16) May 4th, 1:05 ET
Justin Verlander (3-2, 3.52) v. Kevin Gregg (1-0, 0.84)
