Detroit Tigers bats held silent, Angels win rubber match, 2-0

A night after Justin Verlander threw a one-hitter, everyone around Comerica Park was literally glowing. Well, until the Detroit Tigers themselves were held to two hits on Thursday afternoon.

More from Motor City Bengals

• Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes finding ways to get the job done
• The Detroit Tigers must cut their losses and release Jonathan Schoop
• Detroit Tigers: Garrett Hill’s new role and changed delivery are excellent
• Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?

The Tigers lead the American League in batting average, but all they could muster was two hits against Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker and the Los Angeles bullpen. The Angels did hit much better, but they managed to scrap out two runs and win, 2-0.

With this loss, Detroit falls back to seven games under .500.

Shoemaker went 7 1/3 innings and allowed just one hit and one walk with five strikeouts. Center fielder Anthony Gose recorded the only hit in the third, but he was quickly picked off to end the frame. Angels reliever Joe Smith yielded the other hit to right fielder J.D. Martinez.

Lefty Randy Wolf made his second start with the Tigers posted another quality start. Actually, he pitched a gem, allowing just one run on five hits in seven innings. He also had two walks and five strikeouts. Wolf, however, is 0-2 as a member of the Tigers.

Reliever Bruce Rondon wasn’t sharp in his appearance during the ninth inning, allowing the other run on two hits and a walk.

After the tough loss on Thursday afternoon, the Tigers head out on an even more difficult road trip. This weekend, Detroit will play three games in Toronto and then start next week with a three-game set in Kansas City. The Tigers are 5.5 games back of the second Wild Card spot with the nights games on Thursday still to be played.

Next: Pitching is Tigers biggest downfall