Detroit Tigers: Castellanos clutch, Sanchez & underachieving

Detroit Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos has been the butt of many jokes from fans the last two years.

Those will stop for at least one night.

Castellanos hit a bases-clearing triple in the eighth to lift the Tigers to a, 5-2, victory over the Brewers on Wednesday. Chris Iott of MLive.com argues the Detroit Tigers need a lot more of that.

The world could use an awful lot more people like Anibal Sanchez as well. Sanchez does his best to help bring smiles to the less fortunate fans in Detroit.

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Despite the great comeback victory Wednesday, the Tigers remain 2 1/2 back of the Kansas City Royals for the AL Central Division lead. The Minnesota Twins also won again to stay 1/2 back of the Tigers.

Manager Brad Ausmus said the team has “underachieved a bit”, but he doesn’t seem too concerned.

Analysis: Detroit Tigers need more of what they got from Nick Castellanos in win over Brewers – Chris Iott, MLive.com

Then Castellanos blew it open and ended the Tigers’ losing streak with one swing of the bat.“I’ve been waiting for that all season,” Castellanos said. “I needed it. The team needed it. The organization, the fans needed it. Everybody needed it. And I’m just blessed that I was able to deliver it.”The Tigers have struggled to get the big hit all too often this season and are probably fortunate to be where they are right now, just 2 1/2 games out of first place in the division with the third-best record in the American League.

Sanchezes strive to provide smiles for kids, families – Chris McCosky, The Detroit News

The Sanchez’s will invite 19 people, families who are challenged with the care of children with health concerns or other adversities, to attend games throughout the season. They will be on the field for batting practice and watch the game from a fully catered suite.The first group, from Children’s Hospital of Michigan’s craniofacial unit, attended the game Wednesday.

Ausmus feels Tigers have ‘underachieved’, will improve – Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press

It was the 19th time in 40 games that the Tigers’ rock ’em, sock ’em offense had been held to two runs or fewer. And it’s a big reason why manager Brad Ausmus expects their record to improve in the final three quarters of the season.“Overall, the record is OK,” Ausmus said. “I think we’re better than our record, though. I think we’ve underachieved a bit and I expect that to correct itself.”

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