Detroit Tigers: Observations From 3/17/2017 Spring Training 3-0 to Yankees

Detroit Tigers players returned to Grapefruit League action on Friday as the club hosted the New York Yankees in Lakeland, Florida. Here are some observations from the game.

Detroit Tigers fans saw another start from Michael Fulmer on Friday, as the right-hander took the hill against the Yankees.

The reigning Rookie of the Year matched up with Masahiro Tanaka, allowing four hits in 3.1 innings of work.

Fulmer was tagged for three earned runs and a pair of walks, while striking out two.

All three of the runs scored against the starter came in a stretch in the fourth inning when the Yankees strung together three extra-base hits.

In addition to Fulmer, the Tigers were able to get a number of reserve players into the game. These included infielders Argenis Diaz, Brendan Ryan, A.J. Simcox and Efren Navarro.

In the outfield, Andrew Romine, Mikie Mahtook and Juan Perez saw action.

John Hicks replaced Alex Avila behind the plate.

Despite the Tigers not registering a hit, there was plenty of observations to be had.

Here are some of them.

Fulmer Recovers Early

After allowing a hit and a pair of walks in a long first inning of action that included plenty of three-ball counts, Michael Fulmer turned things around.

The future ace of the Tigers was efficient in the second and third innings, posting clean frames in the process.

Little Luck Against Tanaka

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Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka pitched 4.1 hitless innings, striking out six.

Detroit got runners on base early as Nick Castellanos and J.D. Martinez drew early walks. Castellanos in particular turned in a solid at-bat.

However, outside of those two early base runners and Dominic Ficociello reaching on an error, the Tigers couldn’t get anything going.

Ficociello and Justin Upton also hit balls hard, but Detroit failed to register a hit.

Bullpen Keeps Yankees Off the Board

Despite the offense failing to get things going, the Detroit Tigers’ bullpen held the Yankees to just the three runs.

Brad Ausmus’ relievers allowed three hits and three walks, but kept New York scoreless after Fulmer exited the game.

Blaine Hardy, Drew VerHagen, Ruben Alaniz, Chad Bell and Edward Mujica combined for 5.2 shutout innings.

Next: Potential Tigers X-Factors for 2017

The Detroit Tigers return to action on Saturday against Atlanta. Ausmus and company will hit the road for the matchup against the National League East franchise.