Detroit Tigers Lose Third Straight Game, Drop Series to Brewers

May 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus (7) before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers dropped their second straight game to the Milwaukee Brewers 8-1. Anibal Sanchez and the Tigers offense struggled to get off of the ground tonight with only 3 hits, in a game which saw Tigers’ manager Brad Ausmus ejected. The Tigers were always one pitch away from getting out of the innings where the Brewers scored as all 8 of the Brewers runs were scored with two outs.

The Tigers started the scoring in this game in the bottom of the first inning. Ian Kinsler walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error from the catcher Martin Maldonado. J.D. Martinez then hit a line drive single to center to score Kinsler giving the Tigers their only lead of the game at 1-0.

The first inning was the only one where Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson was under stress. He only surrendered two more hits on the night: one to freshly recalled Tyler Collins in the second and a ground ball single from Miguel Cabrera in the 8^th. Nelson finished with a line of 8 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K as he got his first win since April 11.

In the bottom of the fifth, Brad Ausmus was ejected. Ian Kinsler was called out on strikes by home plate umpire Tripp Gibson. The last two pitches looked like balls and both Kinsler and Ausmus took exception. Kinsler looked like he was the one who was tossed, but Ausmus fell on the sword for Kinsler. It was Ausmus’s second ejection this season.

The Brewers’ offense scorched Anibal Sanchez. In the third inning, the Brewers did most of their damage with two outs. Hector Gomez doubled with one out and moved up to third on a fly ball from Maldonado. Carlos Gomez then bunted to get score Gomez and reach first base. He then stole second before Gerardo Parra walked.

The Brewers then hit back-to-back-to-back home runs to blow the game open. Ryan Braun hit his 9^th home run of the year off of the right field foul pole. Adam Lind then pulled a home run to right field on a 2-2 pitch. Aramis Ramirez then hit a home run to center to give the Brewers the 6-1 lead.

In the 4^th, the Brewers had a lead off line drive from Luis Sardinas that deflected off of Sanchez. Three batters later, with two outs, Carlos Gomez doubled to left field scoring Sardinas and giving the Brewers the 7-1 lead.

That ended Sanchez’s night who is still looking to string together back-to-back good starts. He ended the game with a line of 3.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 2 K on 66 pitches.

The bright spot for the Tigers was the bullpen. Alex Wilson, Al Alburquerque, and Blaine Hardy combined for 4.1 innings of 3 hit scoreless ball. Joba Chamberlain pitched the 9^th and was hit around pretty hard, surrendering one run on three hits. He has a 1.69 ERA, but has been hit hard in most of his outings.

The Tigers and Brewers will play their series finale on Wednesday night at 7:08. Shane Greene (4-2, 4.21 ERA) will take on Kyle Losche (3-4, 5.85 ERA) as the Tigers look to avoid the sweep.