Detroit Tigers’ pitching struggles, fall to the Atlanta Braves 12-3

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers hosted the Atlanta Braves at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. on Tuesday, and despite having essentially the Opening Day roster left in camp, the Tigers were unable to keep up with the Braves scoring.

The Braves pushed down the throttle and defeated the Tigers 12-3.  Rick Porcello took the mound on Tuesday and a couple of bad innings from the projected No. 4 starter for the Tigers hindered any kind of solid outing Porcello could turn in.

Porcello allowed three runs in both the first and the sixth innings en route to the Tigers’ staff allowing a total of 12 earned runs against the Braves, the most the Tigers have allowed this spring.

Porcello did allow two homers in his last inning of work to former Tiger Gerald Laird and Jason Heyward, who hit his a country mile.  Porcello finished the day allowing 10 hits, six earned runs, one walk and five strikeouts.

The Tigers’ offense was quiet all day despite generating 10 hits.  The runs were scarce as Victor Martinez and Alex Gonzalez each produced RBI groundouts in the second inning.  Austin Jackson also hit an RBI double in the eighth inning.

Notes

• In 2013, Porcello quietly saw a solid increase in his K/9.  Even though he gave up six earned runs, the one positive that came from his outing was that he is able to get guys out via the strikeout.  For Porcello to take the next step as a starting pitcher, he will need to cut down on the large offensive innings he gives up to the opposition.
• Ian Krol and Jhan Martinez struggled for the Tigers as relief for Porcello.  Krol had his worst outing this spring, allowing four earned runs on four hits over his one inning of relief.  Martinez faired slightly better, but a two-run  double off the bat of Kyle Kubitza and two walks didn’t make for a great day for Martinez.
• Tyler Collins appears to be holding onto a roster spot barring any moves from the Tigers before Opening Day.  Collins went into the game for Davis in left field in the fourth inning.  Collins went 0-for-3 on the day.
• After a rain out on Monday, Alex Gonzalez made his Tiger debut against the Braves.  He went 1-for-2 with a RBI and a walk.  Gonzalez started at shortstop, and fellow newcomer Andrew Romine recorded a pinch-hit single.  Romine would take over for Gonzalez at shortstop for the remainder of the game.

Box Score Highlights

• M. Cabrera: 2-for-4
• A. Jackson: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K
• A. Avila: 2-for-3, 2B, K
• N. Castellanos: 2-for-3, 2 2B, K
• R. Porcello: 6 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 5 K, 1 BB