It looked as though the Detroit Tigers would be able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as catcher Jake Rogers launched his 1st career grand slam in the top of the 9th inning this afternoon against the Minnesota Twins, vaulting Detroit back into the lead and giving them a chance to salvage at least one game of a four-game set against the Minnesota Twins.
And then, in typical Tigers fashion, the bullpen let them down. A solo shot from Ben Rortvedt in the bottom of the 9th sent the game to extra innings, and a three-run bomb from Jorge Polanco sent the fans at Target Field home happy.
Prior to the late inning fireworks, the Tigers enjoyed a 4-2 advantage entering the bottom of the 7th, but surrendered the lead thanks to three walks and a wild pitch.
Minnesota outscored Detroit by a ghastly 24-4 margin in innings six, seven and eight throughout the four games.
“We did what we had to do to get through the games,” manager AJ Hinch said. “I think everyone who watched today knows that we didn’t throw strikes. Six walks, eight if you count the two intentional walks…it was a ton. The back end of the game was disappointing.”
The Tigers will now lick their wounds as Major League Baseball heads into the All-Star break, followed by another four game set against the Twins, but from the friendly confines of Comerica Park.
“Obviously we have four days off to recoup,” Hinch said. “I got asked before this game if the All-Star break was coming at the right time, and I think for a lot of reasons that it is. We’ll regroup, get ourselves back at it.”
“We got good staring pitching today. We just couldn’t get the last 12 outs.”
– – Quotes via Bally Sports Detroit Link – –
