Detroit Tigers drop another as Kyle Lobstein struggles

It was one of those nights for Detroit Tigers starter Kyle Lobstein. He lasted just two and one third innings, as the Tigers dropped game two of their home series against the Minnesota Twins, 6-2. The Twins are back to being only one game behind the Tigers for second place in the AL Central.

Lobstein had trouble with location from the get-go and his fastball was a bit slower than usual. Twins hitters were able to tee off early and often as Torii Hunter homered as the second batter of the game for an early 1-0 lead.

In the second, he gave up a bases clearing triple to Joe Mauer and another triple to the following batter Trevor Plouffe. Catcher Kurt Suzuki doubled Plouffe home for the Twins fifth run of the inning and that was it for Lobstein. His final numbers were 2.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1K.

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He was replaced by reliever Alex Wilson who has been a pleasant surprise as of late. Wilson has only pitched recently in non-stress situations, however has eaten up a lot of innings while stopping the damage done by the Tigers starting pitching.

The Tigers tried to show signs of life late, but still cant score enough runs to win games. Twins starter Ricky Nolasco got taken out in sixth after allowing a couple base runners, but pitched very well and did not allowed an earned run. He was responsible for the two Tigers base runners who did eventually score, however, as Ian Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera crossed home plate on a Yoenis Cespedes sac fly and a Nick Castellanos single. Nolasco finished with 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K’s, while reliever Aaron Thompson eventually escaped the inning.

In the seventh they almost socred more runs off Thompson, however it was to no avail. They had two on, with nobody out, when Thompson was pulled. In came Michael Tonkin and the Tigers couldn’t manage a run. Even with Miguel Cabrera singling to left, Third Base Coach Dave Clark put the brakes on Jose Iglesias to load the bases, who was eventually stranded on third on a a Rajai Davis ground out.

Jose Iglesias remains one of the few Tigers who can consistently get on base, going 2-3 with a walk. Both of those hits were singles, as Detroit did not register an extra base hit all night.

J.D. Martinez had been another bright spot as late, but he left the game early with a sore back. He is now listed as day-to-day with back tightness.

The Tigers will try and win the series finale tomorrow afternoon, as Anibal Sanchez takes on Mike Pelfrey. Sanchez looks to lower his 5.44 ERA and improve on his 2-4 record, while Pelfrey has been excellent this season posting a 2.62 ERA with three wins and zero losses. First pitch is at 1:08.