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Detroit Tigers: McCann Inside-the-Park HR, ‘Bad Boy’ Royals, V-Mart to Stay at Cleanup

By Dave Holcomb |

Wednesday was another eventful victory for the Tigers as they wrapped up their fifth series win over an AL Central rival this season

Backup catcher James McCann was a huge part of the victory Wednesday, going 3-for-4 with an inside-the-park home run. It was McCann’s first major league home run.

The catcher is the first Tigers player since Frank Lary in 1956 to hit an inside-the-park home run as his first career homer.

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McCann will receive another start on Thursday as the Tigers continue their road trip and hopefully keep up their strong play versus division foes. The next series is a four-game set with the Kansas City Royals.

Chris McCosky of The Detroit News called the Royals the “Bad Boys” of major league baseball, but Alex Avila is not buying it. Other members of the Tigers said that Kansas City’s scuffles this season have been overblown, and that they don’t expect trouble this weekend.

One thing that is troubling is the way designated hitter Victor Martinez is swinging the bat. He is hitting .232 with just one double, no home runs, nine RBI in 19 games.

Despite the troubles, manager Brad Ausmus appears stubborn in leaving V-Mart in the clean up spot.

Watch James McCann hit inside-the-park home run for Detroit in, 10-7, win – Chris Iott, MLive.com

It was the first home run in the majors for McCann, who had his first career triple earlier this season.“At first I thought it was another triple,” he said. “Then I got about halfway to third and Clark was still bringing me.”McCann beat the throw home easily to cap off a four-run sixth inning for the Tigers. McCann’s home run tied the game at 7-7.

Tigers not expecting any trouble from ‘Bad Boy’ Royals – Chris McCosky, The Detroit News

Kinsler thinks the “Bad Boys” stuff is overplayed by the media, a consequence of two incidents happening so close together.“They’re a good team,” he said. “It seems like they all have each other’s backs and have a good tight team. We feel the same way about our guys in here. We’re a professional team and we play the game hard and the right way. They do it, too.“They just got caught up in a couple of instances so far.”

Tigers not moving slumping V-Mart out of cleanup – George Sipple, Detroit Free Press

Ausmus admitted that balls Martinez usually hits for doubles are becoming singles right now.“I think we’re past that point – or not past it, but getting past it,” Ausmus said.So why not take him out of the No. 4 spot until he’s better?“Well, the left-handed bat makes a difference, without question,” Ausmus said.As for the suggestion of switching Martinez with Yoenis Cespedes in the batting order, Ausmus said: “Gives people something to talk about.”

Next: Detroit Tigers Need to Experiment With Batting Lineup

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