Detroit Tigers: Rays get walk-off win two days in a row

The Detroit Tigers looked great against the Tampa Bay Rays for seven innings until they gave up two runs in both the eighth and the ninth.

The Detroit Tigers got off to a hot start against the Tampa Bay Rays in the rubber match of a three-game series, but they couldn’t hold their three-run lead. The Rays would score both the tying and winning run in the ninth inning, after scoring two to get within one in the eighth. The final score was 5-4.

Despite the loss, Matthew Boyd had a great outing today. Boyd pitched 7.0 innings and only allowed one run off of two hits, dropping his ERA to 4.24. Over this time he also recorded nine strikeouts and only two walks. This is a good sign for the starter, after having two really shaky starts against Kansas City and Seattle.

The bullpen and defense were the real problems today. Buck Farmer walked a runner in the eighth inning and then gave up a two-run bomb. Joe Jimenez came in to close the game in the ninth, but a walk, a hit, and a costly error allowed the tying and winning runs to score. The bullpen has been somewhat of an issue for Detroit all year and should be an area of focus over the offseason.

Detroit’s offense played well, getting ten hits and drawing three walks on the game. Harold Castro had a big two-run shot in the first and picked up another RBI in the seventh. Victor Reyes has also continued to look solid at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs. Aside from last night, the offense has been consistent lately, which is a good sign moving forward.

Detroit heads out west tomorrow for a four-game series against the Houston Astros. This is bound to be a tough series against the leaders of the AL West and the 2017 World Series Champions. Edwin Jackson will take the ball for the third time this season with Detroit against Wade Miley in the game tomorrow at 8:10 p.m. EST.