Detroit Tigers Shut Out Houston Astros 3-0

Mar 5, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Ezequiel Carrera (61) dives to make a catch during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Miguel Cabrera didn’t make the road trip with the team – veterans often stay home from time to time – but there was still plenty of intrigue for the day: Max Scherzer was the starting pitcher and the club began their (internal) search for Andy Dirk’s replacement.

Don Kelly, Trevor Crowe, and Ezequiel Carrera – the three leading candidates to take Dirks’ spot – made up the starting outfield and played the entire game (though Kelly slid to 1B when Steven Moya entered the game for Jordan Lennerton). Kelly probably already had a spot on the Opening Day roster, but the leading thought now is that either Crowe or Carrera will also head north with the team. It’s also possible that the Tigers sift through the waiver wire once cuts are made near the end of spring.

But for now it looks like Carrera or Crowe, and you can bet that Brad Ausmus and Dave Dombrowski will be taking long, hard looks at the two of them. Both players came up with a single at the dish today, but Carrera also added in this nifty catch from his center field position.

On the pitching side of things, Max Scherzer was his usual self. He was only out there for three innings as he continues to stretch out, but he fanned three batters and only allowed one hitter to reach base against him (a single).

It wasn’t a big offensive day for the Tigers (lots of AAA-ish guys in the lineup), but they did push across three runs, two of which came on this Ian Kinsler opposite-field hit.

Other notable performances include:

• A single (and a fielding error) for Nick Castellanos