Detroit Tigers: Offense falters again, Tigers lose, 2-0

There are slumps, and then there are real slumps.

The Detroit Tigers appear to be in the latter as the offense failed to score more than two runs on Friday for the fourth time this week. Detroit was also shut out for the second time in five days as they lost to the Los Angeles Angels again, 2-0.

Detroit managed just four hits and reached third base just twice in the game, wasting one of Anibal Sanchez‘s best starts of the year.

The best scoring chance for the Tigers came in the eighth inning. After Hernan Perez struck out, shortstop Jose Iglesias  singled and knocked Angels starter Hector Santiago out of the game. Facing Los Angeles relief pitcher Cam Bedrosian, Rajai Davis singled to put men at first and second with one out.

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In the next at-bat, second baseman Ian Kinsler advanced both runners into scoring position on a groundout. With two outs, Angels manager Mike Scioscia elected to intentionally walk first baseman Miguel Cabrera and made another pitching change.

Scioscia turned to closer Huston Street for the four-out save. Street stuck out left fielder Yoenis Cespedes, and Detroit left the bases loaded.

Street retired the Tigers in order in the top of the ninth.

It was just an abysmal game offensively, like it has been all week for Detroit. The Tigers didn’t get a hit until the fifth inning. Detroit swiped a bag in both the fifth and sixth to try and generate some offense, but the hits didn’t come. Credit Angels starter Hector Santiago, who pitched 7 1/3 scoreless baseball, allowing just three hits. He also struck out seven and walked three.

At least Tigers fans can be encouraged by the great start from Sanchez. He allowed just two runs on six hits, struck out nine and walked two in seven innings. Sanchez’s one blemish was the fact he yielded yet another long ball to Albert Pujols, who hit his 10th of the season.

Pujols was 3-for-4 with the solo home run and scored both of the Angels’ runs.

Detroit will have to win the next two games to leave Los Angeles with a split and finish the West Coast trip with a winning record. That will certainly be a uphill battle, however, as the Tigers have scored six runs in the last five games. They have also lost 10 of their last 11 at Angel Stadium.

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