Tigers Drop Series Opener to Yanks, 7-6

In a game they should have had, the Tigers once again found a new way to lose a ball game. This time, a passed ball off of reliever Brayan Villarreal and the glove of catcher Alex Avila was their undoing. This game, they should have had in the bag.

Derek Jeter scores on a passed ball in the 9th inning to give the Yankees a 7-6 win over the Tigers in Game 1 of the series. (AP Photo)

Justin Verlander had a so-so outing, going 6 innings and allowing 4 earned runs. If you were to ask him, I’m sure he would tell you it was a terrible performance. Detroit lead 6-5 after 6 innings and JV was in line for the win. But once again, the Tigers bullpen was unable to bail them out of a jam.

Joaquin Benoit was unable to hold the Yankees and blew the save, giving up a run in the 8th inning. The Tigers were unable to score in the top of the 9th and after Derek Jeter walked in the 9th, he was able to score on the passed ball to win the game for New York.

One word that I said way too much in this post was “unable”. Detroit has had plenty of opportunities to even the score, hold runners on base, and put away opponents in the late innings, but they haven’t been able to do it. They haven’t been able to get that big hit in the later innings to win ball games. Maybe it’s a mental thing, or maybe changes do need to be made.

What I do know is this: It’s way too early to panic in the Motor City. The Tigers have a real deep lineup and a pitching staff who has underachieved virtually all season. I think they’ll snap out of this funk and find a way to get a stranglehold of the division. If not, then expect Dave Dombrowski to be very busy come July.

Game 2 of the series against New York is tomorrow at 4:05pm on FOX2 Detroit.