Detroit Tigers drop seventh straight Spring Training game

If it was the regular season, Detroit Tigers’ fans would be calling for heads to roll. Alas it’s just Spring Training and wins and losses don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things.

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Perhaps that is a good thing since the Tigers cannot seem to win games anymore, losing their seventh straight game, and nine out of their last 10 overall, 8-7 to the home run-happy Pittsburgh Pirates in a rare Grapefruit League night game.

Shane Greene started and pitched okay, but allowed a mistake to Pittsburgh catcher Tyler Sanchez who hit a two-run homer in the second inning. Greene also allowed an unearned run, going 3.2 innings, allowing four hits, no walks and four strikeouts.

Former Pirate Tom Gorzelanny is not doing himself any favors in making this team, allowing a two-run homer to Starling Marte in the sixth inning, running his already bloated ERA to 9.00. One inning later Kyle Ryan allowed a three-run Willy Garcia blast to put the game out of reach.

The Tigers bats have been slumping lately awaiting the hopeful return of sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez. Tyler Collins brought home Detroit’s first run for a fourth inning single that chased Pittsburgh starter A.J. Burnett. Reliever Charlie Leesman allowed a bases loaded walk to bring home the tying run, though that tie didn’t last long with the Pirates’ hitters going deep multiple times.

Ian Kinsler doubled in Jose Iglesias in the top of the seventh inning. It was part of Kinsler’s 3-for-4 night. Nick Castellanos also notched two hits.

Detroit mounted a failed comeback attempt in the ninth inning, scoring three runs off Pittsburgh’s Bobby LaFromboise. TigerTown participants Joey Pankake, Jason Krizan and Miguel Gonzalez all drove in a run.

Angel Nesbitt pitched a scoreless inning and continued to push for a roster spot come Opening Day as his ERA has fallen to 1.50.  Alex Wilson pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Tigers will have a short turnaround when they face the Washington Nationals in Viera, on the opposite side of the state of Florida, at 1:05 Thursday afternoon. Anibal Sanchez will take the mound. There is no local radio, but interested parties can listen to Washington’s radio broadcast if they subscribe to the MLB.TV package.

Next: Tigers' Chamberlain continues to struggle