Dan Dickerson's Game Recap 5-10-11
The Tigers took their second straight four game series Monday with a 10-5 win over the Blue Jays in Toronto. The Tigers fell behind early, 2-0, on a Jose Bautista double in the first, and a Yunel Escobar home run in the third off Max Scherzer. But the Tigers took the lead for good with a six-run fourth inning - that started with a strikeout. Brennan Boesch started the rally by striking out on a wicked slider from Brandon Morrow. It would have been Morrow's seven strikeout of the night - but the ball got away from catcher Jose Molina, and Boesch reached first. Miguel Cabrera then worked Morrow for a walk. Victor Martinez - who had an excellent series - then doubled home Boesch. Don Kelly followed with a single to tie the game at two. After a one out walk to Alex Avila, Jays manager John Farrell somewhat surprisingly pulled Morrow - in a 2-2 game. Shawn Camp came in, gave up a bases loaded double to Austin Jackson, and the rout was on. Ramon Santiago followed with a double to make it 6-2. The Tigers added four more in the seventh to make it 10-2 before Toronto scored three runs late to make the final score more respectable.
Austin Jackson finished with a career-high four RBIs, and finished 9-21 in the series with six RBIs. He broke a 2-2 tie with a big hit each of the last two days. Victor Martinez went 3-4 with three RBIs in this game, and 7-16 in the series with three doubles, a home run and six RBIs.
Scherzer wasn't at his sharpest, but gave the Tigers five innings, and got the win - he's now a perfect 6-0. Al Aburqueque continued his amazing run by striking out four in two scoreless innings of relief. In his debut season in the Major Leagues, Alburqueque now has 22 strikeouts in 12 and one-third innings of work. Ryan Perry gave up three runs in the ninth - he walked the bases loaded on just 13 pitches, then gave up an double to Corey Patterson, and a single to Edwin Encarnacion. Jose Valverde had to come on to get the final out.
The Tigers have now won five of their last six games to pull even at 18-18. They have a two game series with the Twins starting Tuesday night. Rick Porcello starts in game one against Francisco Liriano.
Listen below to Austin Jackson's 3 RBI double
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Listen below to Victor Martinez hit his 2 run HR
