Jack Flaherty's uneven start, putrid defense spoil Tigers' chances of series win over Red Sox

The Tigers were feeling good coming off of two decisive wins over the Red Sox at Fenway. Even their loss in the series opener offered something to be optimistic about: Casey Mize was absolutely dominant over almost seven innings, even if the offense left something to be desired.

Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez followed with their own gems. Both went six innings and only gave up one run. Skubal struck out 10 and Valdez struck out seven.

It was up to Jack Flaherty to follow the excellence of his rotation mates and take the Tigers to a series win. He looked excellent his last two times out — 11 2/3 innings, two earned runs. Despite a little bit of a walk problem, he was off to a good start.

That wouldn't carry over into his fifth outing of the season. He had an awkward first, giving up a single and a walk but not allowing any damage. In the second, another walk, single, and then an egregious decision to throw to third instead of trying to tag the runner in a rundown of Marcelo Mayer allowed Boston to go up by one. By the end of the inning, Flaherty would walk in another run. Two more walks in the fourth would take him out of the game.

The Tigers went up thanks to a pinch-hit single from Jahmai Jones in the sixth; the Red Sox matched it with a Roman Anthony single off of Brant Hurter.

Despite a nice attempt at a rally in the ninth, the Tigers would go down 8-4 after a slew of bad pitching behind Flaherty and some unforgivable defense.

Tigers throw away chances of Red Sox series win with bad pitching, terrible defense

Tyler Holton is on the hook for most of the runs the Red Sox put up — he gave up a single, a walk, and then three consecutive singles in the seventh that gave Boston a three-run lead. He was helped by his defense, though; some misplays from Hao-Yu Lee and Gleyber Torres spoiled what should've been easy outs.

Lee made up for it somewhat with a leadoff double down to the Tigers' last three outs. The Tigers scored three, cutting the deficit to two runs, but the rally died with a Dillon Dingler groundout after Riley Greene scored two on a double.

This was a topsy-turvy, altogether unpleasant game to witness over one's morning coffee. All told, the Tigers' pitching staff walked more batters than they struck out. Lee, despite getting the first two hits of his major league career (including an RBI), has looked very spotty on defense.

The Tigers just gave this one away. At least they're back home to see the Brewers next, after they have hopefully gotten a stern talking-to from AJ Hinch in the clubhouse. Because boy, do they look like they need it after this game.

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