Detroit Tigers Pick Up 6-5 Win in Grapefruit League Opener Against Atlanta Braves

Feb 14, 2014; Lakeland, FL, USA; A baseball lies on the grass during the Detroit Tiger

What we got to experience on Wednesday afternoon was something very close to Major League Baseball. And on the radio, no less! Dan Dickerson and Jim Price had the call on WXYT in Detroit, and the smooth sounds of baseball could be heard here in the frigid great white north.

Because it was a sort of a game with a score, I should mention that it was 6-5 (*though the game was called with two out in the bottom of the ninth due to rain), but the only losers in Spring Training are the ones who refuse to enjoy it.
Drew Smyly was the nominal starter for the Tigers, going two innings with a pair of strikeouts, one walk, and two hits allowed. One run came in to score against him. But the important thing for Drew was getting back out there for multiple innings. Something he hadn’t done since June 23 of last year after spending a season in the bullpen.

Other notable pitching performances include:

• Justin Miller struck out two in one inning
• Phil Coke pitched a scoreless inning
• Al Alburquerque struck out one in one inning
• Evan Reed struck out two in his inning

Pitching performances will become more informative and/or interesting later on in camp as numbers are trimmed and starters are stretched out.

Offensively, the Tigers tallied 12 base runners on eight hits and four walks. Performances of note include:

• Ian Kinsler with a walk in three plate appearances
• Rajai Davis with a single, a walk, and two stolen bases in three plate appearances
• Victor Martinez knocked two singles in three trips to the plate (and stole a base on the back end of a double steal)
• Nick Castellanos was 1-3 with a base hit
• Daniel Fields was 1-2 with a stolen base
• Hernan Perez was 1-2 with a single off the bench
• Daniel Fields was 1-2 with a stolen base off the bench
• Non-roster invitee Ezequiel Carrera had a bunt single off the bench

One of the stories of the game was the sloppy defense that was played by Detroit. Jordan Lennerton booted a grounder at first base, Hernan Perez flubbed a throw from his second base position, and catchers Bryan Holaday and John Murrian each sent a throw sailing into the outfield while attempting to gun down a runner.

The Tigers are back in action tomorrow as the Braves make the return trip to Lakeland. Rick Porcello is scheduled to throw two innings as the starter.