Detroit Tigers Defeat Boston Red Sox 9-8

The Detroit Tigers defeated the Boston Red Sox 9-8 in the middle game of a three game-series. The Tigers bats came alive as they tagged Steven Wright for a season-high eight earned runs.

Detroit Tigers starter Mike Pelfrey made his way through five innings of work before Kyle Ryan struggled, Bruce Rondon had his best stuff of the season, and Shane Greene and Francisco Rodriguez closed the door.

The Tigers got on the board in the top of the first inning. Jose Iglesias singled in his second day in the number two spot in the order and came around on a Miguel Cabrera home run to right field.

The Tigers then added to their lead in the top of the second. Mike Aviles singled and advanced on a wild pitch. He then came home on a Tyler Collins double. Collins then came home on another Iglesias single to give the Tigers the 4-0 lead after two innings.

After a strong first inning, Pelfrey danced around trouble in the second, and waltzed back into it in the third. After putting two runners on, David Ortiz deposited a three-run home run into the stands to cut the lead to 4-3.

Pelfrey then wandered back into trouble with a walk, single, fly ball, ground ball and double combination to give the Red Sox a 5-4 lead.

As soon as Wright was given his first lead of the game, he could not produce a much-needed shutdown inning. The first four Tigers reached in the inning. The first out of the inning was a Justin Upton rocket that was knocked down on the infield, but plated a run. Jarrod Saltalamacchia then delivered a big blow with a two-out, two-run single to end Wright’s night and give the Tigers the 8-5 lead. 

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After struggles in the third and fourth, Pelfrey settled down and worked a 1-2-3 fifth inning to get the Tigers enough to put them in position to win.

As soon as the Tigers felt good about their pitching, Kyle Ryan and Alex Wilson came in and failed to give Detroit what the team needed. Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a home run in a lefty-on-lefty matchup. Sandy Leon and Brock Holt then reached, ending Ryan’s night.

Dustin Pedroia singled to bring home one of the inherited runners. Xander Bogaerts then grounded out to bring home another inherited run and tie the game at 8-8.

The Red Sox looked like they would cruise through the eighth retiring Martinez and Castellanos to start the inning, but a hit by pitch, a single, and two walks scored the game’s winning run.

Next: Tigers Players Make ESPN List of All-Time MLB Players

These two teams will complete their series Wednesday afternoon at 1:35 P.M. ET. The Tigers will turn to Michael Fulmer to try to get the sweep and the Red Sox will start Eduardo Rodriguez to try to avoid the sweep.