Detroit Tigers: Ausmus tossed, Collins’ role, stranding runners

In today’s replay era, it is much rarer to see a manager ejected from baseball games. Detroit Tigers skipper Brad Ausmus, however, has managed to do it twice this season.

On Tuesday against the Brewers, Ausmus left the dugout to calm down second baseman Ian Kinsler, who was displeased with a strike-three call in the fifth inning. Ausmus also had a few words for the home plate umpire, Tripp Gibson, which led to the ejection.

Earlier Tuesday, the Tigers placed designated hitter Victor Martinez on the disabled list with a right knee injury. Detroit called up Tyler Collins to replace Martinez on the active roster.

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Collins has played in the big league before, and Ausmus cited his experience in the MLB as the reason the team recalled him from the minors.

Finally, in a special to report to The Detroit Free Press, MCB staff writer Tom Zahari argues the Tigers are leaving too many men on base. That could be the biggest reason why Detroit has been inconsistent on offense.

Detroit Tigers Brad Ausmus tossed from game after arguing balls and strikes – James Schmehl, MLive.com

Kinsler protested the call near the batter’s box and began jawing at Gibson as he walked back to the Tigers’ dugout. He was met at the on-deck circle by Ausmus, who began to chirp in Gibson’s direction as he attempted to calm Kinsler.According to the official major league rules, a manager is subject to ejection if he leaves the bench to argue balls or strikes.Rule 9.02 c: “They should be warned if they start for the plate to protest the call. If they continue, they will be ejected from the game.”

Collins’ experience lands him fill-in gig – Lynn Henning, The Detroit News

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus mentioned experience as a main reason Tyler Collins was recalled Tuesday from Triple A Toledo to replace Victor Martinez after the Tigers put their regular designated hitter on the disabled list due to persistent knee issues.Collins batted sixth as the Tigers designated hitter in Tuesday night’s game against the Brewers at Comerica Park, which went down as an 8-1 victory for Milwaukee.Collins singled, walked and struck out twice in his 2015 Tigers debut.“He’s played that role here,” Ausmus said, explaining why Collins, 24, was the fill-in choice over Daniel Fields and others once Martinez was shelved. “He can play all three outfield positions and he’s a left-hand bat.”

Detroit Tigers still leaving too many men on base – Tom Zahari, Special to the Detroit Free Press

The Tigers are tied for 27th in baseball and tied for last in the American League (with the Boston Red Sox) in runners left on base per game (7.57). They’re 29th in the majors and last in the AL in runners left in scoring position (3.89 per game). Last season, the Tigers averaged 6.84 and 3.42 in those categories, which was in the middle of the pack.The Tigers left on base the most this season have been Miguel Cabrera (46 of 70 times, 65.71%), Jose Iglesias (37 of 46 times, 80.43%), Nick Castellanos (33 of 43 times, 76.74%) and Victor Martinez (31 of 40 times, 77.50%). According to FanGraphs, the average is 72%.With runners on base, the hitters who have struggled most have been Castellanos (.185/.246/.315), Rajai Davis (.207/.303/.241), and J.D. Martinez (.218/.317/.345). If the Tigers are going to score more runs, they especially need Castellanos and Martinez to step up and knock them in.

Next: Report: VMart to DL, Tyler Collins promoted