Chamberlain Misfires Again as Detroit Tigers Fall to Atlanta 4-2

Joba Chamberlain haters continue to get their validation as he misfired yet again in his Grapefruit League appearances today against the Atlanta Braves.  Chamberlain allowed the Braves to get the go ahead runs in the eighth inning when he entered a 2-2 tied game.  Chamberlain continued to look completely awful as he only retired one batter of the six he faced in his outing, with first four Braves getting hits.

Chamberlain single-handedly eradicated one of Alfredo Simon‘s best starts this spring when he pitched over six innings allowing only one run five hits.  Simon had struggled up until this point in most of his starts and his performance today gives Tiger fans some hope as they head into the season next week.

Yoenis Cespedes crushed his fifth home run of the spring campaign in the fourth inning which gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead.  The Braves chipped away at the lead scoring in sixth and seventh.  The Braves salivated when Joba Chamberlain entered the game in the eighth pitching them beer league softballs.  Chamberlain is posting an impressive 8.22 ERA in 8 games this spring.

Miguel Cabrera continued to look solid since his return going 1 for 3 and having his double bounce over the fence in the second inning.  The ground rule double costed him an RBI and the Tigers a run.  Victor Martinez went 0 for 4 and continues to struggle, batting only .143 in 14 at bats since his return.  And in brighter news, Joe Nathan pitched a scoreless inning in the ninth proving that he can save a loss.

The Detroit Tigers face the Pittsburgh Pirates tomorrow at 1:05PM in Lakeland when David Price gets the nod against Vance Worley.

Next: Tigers cut Holaday, Collins and two others