Tigers Settle for One Win in Atlanta

Friday: Atlanta 3, Detroit 1 (box)

The Detroit Tigers opened their weekend series in Atlanta with the Major League debut of left-hander Andy Oliver. Oliver put together a quality start but failed to get the run support necessary to avoid becoming a tough-luck loser. Billy Wagner struck out the side in the ninth to record his 400th career save.

Saturday: Atlanta 4, Detroit 3 (box)

For the second consecutive day, the Tigers failed to take advantage of a solid performance from their starting pitcher. This time it was Max Scherzer that was denied a deserved win after Joel Zumaya served up a three run home run to Chipper Jones. The Tigers rallied in the ninth on a Miguel Cabrera home run and four walks from Braves pitchers but came up short when Johnny Damon struck out looking on a pitch that was outside and would have walked in the tying run.

Sunday: Detroit 10, Atlanta 4 (box)

Offense wasn’t a problem for the Tigers in the series finale. Their 17 hits nearly doubled the combined hit total from the first two games of the series. Of the 17 hits, only Brennan Boesch’s fifth inning homer went for extra bases. Justin Verlander initially struggled to get through the five innings required to record the victory but bounced back to turn in a seven inning performance. The Tigers knocked around Tommy Hanson who failed to last four innings for the second consecutive start. Every Tiger got a hit with the exception of Justin Verlander. Austin Jackson, Carlos Guillen, and Gerald Laird led the way with three hits apiece.

Up Next: @Minnesota, 6/28-6/30