Tigers Suffer Disappointing Loss in Boston

Boston 5, Detroit 4 (box)

Our shorthanded Tigers suffered a tough loss on Saturday after Phil Coke blew the save and took the loss on a David Ortiz three-run double.

Coke was pressed into ninth inning duty after Jose Valverde threw 60 pitches on Friday night. Jeremy Bonderman was also warming up in the bullpen but matchups probably made Phil Coke the selection. He has been an important part of the bullpen this year but is just 1-for-3 in save opportunities on the season.

Lost in the shuffle will be Max Scherzer‘s quality start that put the Tigers in position to take the first two games from the contending Boston Red Sox. The bottom of the order also deserves recognition as Jeff Frazier, Gerald Laird, and Ramon Santiago combined for five hits.

The non-waiver trade deadline passed just prior to the game. As expected, the Tigers were involved in talks but did not make a move towards making a run in 2010. What you see now may not be exactly what you will get for the rest of the season as players return from injury and the organization looks at what moves can be made for players that pass through waivers.