Detroit Tigers Game 3 Recap: Niko Goodrum and Cron Blast Tigers to Victory

"Trevor Bauer dominated the Detroit Tigers but CJ Cron and a strong performance from the pitching staff prevailed as Detroit takes the series in Cincinnati."

Game 3: Detroit Tigers 3, Cincinnati Reds 2

The Detroit Tigers overcame a dominant performance from Trevor Bauer. Led by Spencer Turnbull and a good performance from the bullpen, the Tigers won 3 to 2 over the Reds to start the season 2-1. Goodrum got the scoring started with a home run off Bauer that flew out of Great American Ballpark at 100.1 MPH (403 ft) in the 3rd inning.

The Reds would tie the game on a Joey Votta scoring in the 5th but Gregory Soto and Jose Cisnero would hold it down for 3 innings of scoreless relief before Joe Jimenez induced a double play in the 9th for his second save of the season.

On the weekend, Reds starters combined for just 3 earned runs on 18 1/3 IP, 3 runs, 11 hits and 33 strikeouts.

Detroit Tigers on the hill

Spencer Turnbull challenged the Reds’ hitters early on and it paid off as he rung up 8 in 5 innings pitched. He got himself in a jam earlier when he issued a walk to Jankowski and a pair of Texas League singles dropped in. A Votto single would score just one but he got himself out of a jam by getting former Tiger Nick Castellanos to strikeout. Castellanos went 1 for 4 on the day and overall on the weekend, went 3 for 10.

Overall, Turnbull had some issues with walks as he did issue 4 but I am nitpicking a bit. His slider and fastball command was excellent and was able to keep the Reds’ hitters off balance. Still, Turnbull could not earn the win. Among starters last year, Turnbull received the lowest run support in the league.

Gregory Soto made headlines himself. With his reworked delivery, Tigers’ fans witness one of the most efficient innings we have seen in a while from a Tigers’ reliever. 2 innings, no hits, and four strikeouts. His fastball was clocked at 98MPH and was able to induce 6 swinging strikes. His performance may of started a hashtag.

Jose Cisnero allowed a hit but no more and Joe Jimenez allowed the first run by a Tigers’ reliever since Friday after allowing a pair of doubles from Freddy Galvis and Aristides Aquino. There was a long discussion on the 9th after Jesse Winkler was hit by a pitch. That did not matter as Votto hit into a game-ending double play.

Detroit Tigers at the dish

Minus the Goodrum home run early, the bats were quiet again and filled with strikeouts. But it was a key at-bat in the 9th that set up the Cron home run. Miguel Cabrera drew a walk off Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen. Keep in mind Pedro Strop made quick work of the Tigers in the 8th but Lorenzen, who allowed the home run to Cabrera on Saturday, did not want to be burned again by Miggy. Instead, he was burned by Cron.

Detroit Tigers in the field

Two words. JaCoby Jones.

Christin Stewart ran down a few balls nicely and Grayson Greiner caught a good game, keeping Turnbull’s slider from dancing too far.

Next Up

Detroit comes home to Comerica Park for the home opener as Michael Fulmer takes the hill for the Tigers for an evening home opener starting at 7:10 pm.  Here’s how the pitching matchups fair.