Detroit Tigers: Chamberlain collapse, Lineup switch, Verlander cleared

Detroit Tigers fans worse fears came true on Wednesday night.

The team had a three-run lead due to a decent pitching performance from starter Alfredo Simon and timely hitting from the offense, but reliever Joba Chamberlain coughed up the lead by yielding four runs in the eighth as the Tigers fell to the White Sox for a second straight night, 6-3.

Chamberlain gave much of the credit to the White Sox hitters for his rough night.

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Manager Brad Ausmus finally made a lineup change for Wednesday’s game. Although it was a small one, right fielder J.D. Martinez was dropped to sixth while left fielder Yoenis Cespedes moved up from sixth to the No. 5 spot. Martinez was able to walk three times on Wednesday, but he is still searching for his first hit in May.

Finally some good news, the Tigers cleared pitcher Justin Verlander after receiving the results on his third MRI. Verlander will resume his throwing program.

Detroit Tigers’ Job Chamberlain: ‘I didn’t execute the pitch that I wanted to.’ – Chris Iott, MLive.com

Ausmus switches J.D. Martinez, Cespedes in lineup – Lynn Henning, The Detroit News

"J.D. Martinez, who had been dealing with a tough stretch marked mostly by strikeouts, was dropped from his standard No. 5 spot. He was moved to sixth, with Yoenis Cespedes flipping positions.Victor Martinez, who entered the game with a batting average of .203, about 100 points beneath his customary elevation, remained at cleanup against White Sox starter Chris Sale.J.D. Martinez has been in free fall since last weekend’s Royals series at Kansas City. He was given a day off in the series finale against the Royals but struck out three times and was 0-for-4 in Tuesday night’s 5-2 loss to the White Sox."

Tigers’ Verlander cleared to resume throwing – George Sipple, Detroit Free Press

"According to the Tigers, Verlander was examined by Dr. Tony Romeo on Wednesday to review results of his third MRI and was cleared to resume a throwing program. Verlander hasn’t pitched in a game yet this season because of a right triceps strain.“As soon as I walked in he came to my locker with his spikes on ready to throw,” Jones said. “I’m happy for him. It’s been a long wait.”Verlander did not speak to reporters before Wednesday’s game against the White Sox. He said Tuesday he’d be itching to throw when given the OK. He sent out a photo of a green light earlier Wednesday on Instagram, a sign that he had been cleared before the Tigers made the official announcement."

Next: Detroit Tigers: What's Wrong with Victor Martinez