Detroit Tigers: Miscommunication, Justin Verlander back, Jim Harbaugh honored

The Detroit Tigers pulled off a spectacular come-from-behind victory on Sunday afternoon.

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It certainly was no work of art with the bats quieted through the first seven innings, but no one remembered the negative when James McCann hit the walk-off homer in the ninth inning. Nor should they, because for the first time all season (1-30), the Tigers won a game when trailing after seven innings. So we haven’t seen too many games like we witnessed Sunday.

One thing that will be discussed a lot in the coming days was the fact that David Price did not return to the game in the top of the seventh, citing “miscommunication” on whether he was going back in or not.

Price had only thrown 99 pitches and despite having a so-so outing for the first time in quite a while, he probably should have expected to go back in considering his pitch counts in recent outings. Then again, if he was anyway confused it may be an indictment on the manager. Like him or not, Jim Leyland and his starters always knew where they stood. If they got the handshake between innings, he was done. If not, be prepared to go back in. I am not sure Ausmus has this yet.

Ultimately it mattered not, as bullpen stalwart Alex Wilson pitched great in relief, but it is a bit of a head scratcher to why this happened.

All signs seem to point to go for Justin Verlander to get the start on Tuesday. But as we’ve said on here many times, you never quite know where you stand with injuries and the Tigers’ players. Guess we’ll have to confirm Tuesday afternoon.

With the opening of football season just about two months away, the Jim Harbaugh fanfare seems to be reaching a crescendo. He will be on hand in that Tuesday game with Verlander slated to start and throw out the first pitch on University of Michigan night at the COPA. Should make for an interesting conversation in the booth with Mario & Rod, which HAS to happen.

Also, in the shadow of Ford Field, they will also HAVE to inquire about the infamous handshake scskirmish between Harbaugh, the the San Francisco 49ers coach and former Detroit Lions’ coach Jim Schwartz because–because it just has to be brought up.

Miscommunication between Brad Ausmus, David Price leads to starting pitcher’s early exit – James Schmehl, MLive

“I thought he was (coming back out), and he thought he was done,” said Ausmus, who confirmed that the delay was in no way related to a health concern.Price said it was “miscommunication on everyone’s part,” but took the blame for it.“That’s fine with me,” Price said. “It was a miscommunication.”Despite the hiccup, the move seemingly paid off in the long run as Wilson, who warmed up in the top of the sixth, tossed 1 2/3 shutout innings of one-hit ball.“Minor detail in the long run, but I was ready to go,” Wilson said. “Luckily for me, I’m a guy that needs about 10 throws to get loose. I ran out there and was able to get the job done.”

Tigers pencil in Justin Verlander to start Tuesday – Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press

There was no update on Verlander’s mid-back stiffness at the time but, Ausmus said before today’s game, “We have it set up for him on Tuesday so I’m waiting to confirm he’s OK.”It turns out he’s OK.Verlander threw a bullpen session before Saturday’s postponement and checked out fine. He then threw off flat ground in leftfield before the Tigers beat the White Sox 5-4 on a walk-off home run by James McCann.

Jim Harbaugh to throw out first pitch at Detroit Tigers game – John Taylor, NBC Sports

Sunday afternoon, mlive.com is reporting, the Detroit Tigers confirmed that Jim Harbaugh will throw out the first pitch prior to Tuesday’s game at Comerica Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The online newspaper writes that “[t]he first-year Michigan coach is an admitted fan, and has shown an interest in the game in his short tenure in Ann Arbor.”That fandom of the sport of baseball was on full display back in March as Harbaugh served as the first-base coach of the Oakland A’s during a spring training game. The interest in the stick-and-ball game shouldn’t be all that surprising.

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