Jim Leyland Makes Costly Decision in a 7-5 Tigers Loss

The Detroit Tigers lost to the Chicago White Sox thanks to Jim Leyland and Gerry Davis tonight 7-5.

The Tigers scoring started in the 1st inning after a walk by Andy Dirks and single by Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder broke a lengthy slump with a 2 RBI double. Delmon Young followed that with a double of his own to score Fielder. Ryan Raburn did something only he could next. He swung on a 3-0 count against a pitcher who was struggling to throw strikes. Thanks, Ryan.

After an Austin Jackson double and a hit-by-pitch to Andy Dirks in the 2nd inning, Miguel Cabrera hit a fair ball, that was clearly fair, but called foul by the Gerry Davis. Of course since the Tigers are playing Chicago, the umps have to help them. Glad we don't have instant replay! The Tigers didn't end up scoring because of Davis in the inning.

Detroit came back in the 3rd inning with base hits by Prince Fielder and Delmon Young, and then Ryan Raburn came up. What did he do? He tried to bunt for a base hit, with 2 on and 0 outs. He bunted into a force out at 3rd base, so again, thanks Ryan. Brennan Boesch came up next and had a base hit which brought Jhonny Peralta to the plate with the bases loaded; Peralta drew a bases loaded walk. Gerald Laird was up next and hit a sacrifice fly to score Ryan Raburn. Austin Jackson came up to the plate and drew a walk, so the bases were loaded for Andy Dirks and he once again failed to deliver.

In the 4th inning, Miguel Cabrera was able to steal 3rd base standing up.

Drew Smyly struggled keeping the ball down today, for a ground ball pitcher, he had a lot of fly ball outs. Smyly went 5 innings, gave up 4 runs on 4 hits, walking 1 and striking out 4 batters; Smyly only threw 69 pitches and recieved a no decision.

Of course Leyland making this move put in Luke Putkonen, who is a bad pitcher and gave up 3 runs in the 6th inning, to give Chicago a 7-5 lead. Hey Jim, thanks for costing us the game!

The Tigers send Max Scherzer to the mound tommorow to face off with Jake Peavy.

Picture credit: cbssports.com
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