2012 Detroit Tigers Spring Training (Games 11-15) - jhendricks316's Dynasty

jhendricks316's Dynasty Blog

2012 Detroit Tigers Spring Training (Games 11-15)

Posted on April 22, 2012 at 12:24 PM.

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Game 11 vs. NYM

The Santana vs. Verlander pitching matchup did not live up to its full expectations, as the Tigers offense got it going early. Prince Fielder slugged a 3 run homerun off of Santana in the 1st. Justin Verlander showed no trouble of getting outs, while Johan Santana struggled to keep things close. He was gone after 4 IP.

Justin Verlander ended up shutting out the Mets through 8 IP, but Daniel Schlereth, the situational lefty, surrendered a home run to Lucas Duda, ending the shutout. He prompted the call to Jose Valverde, who surrendered a double before closing the door shut.

Austin Jackson, Victor Martinez, and Placido Polanco had 3 hits each.

Game 12 @ WSH

Gio Gonzalez retired all 12 batters he faced, but gave way to Chien-Ming Wang because ofSpring Training. After fending off a 2nd inning scoring chance, Doug Fister retired 14 consecutive batters.

With two outs in the 7th inning, Delmon Young provided the Tigers' first hit. The suspense continued as this game went to extra innings. Doug Fister provided 8 and 2/3 shutout innings.

The Nationals threatened in the 10th with Jayson Werth's leadoff double, but did not score. However, in the 11th, singles by Xavier Paul and Ian Desmond eventually led to a double steal. Ryan Zimmerman was intentionally walked by Matt Guerrier, and Jose Valverde came into the game with the bases loaded. Michael Morse's ground rule double ended the game with a win for the Nationals.

Game 13 vs. NYM

The Tigers provided the first run of the game in the 4th. After John Mayberry, Jr's triple, Miguel Cabrera drove home Mayberry with a sac fly. This is Cabrera's first start since spraining his wrist. (Cabrera also homered in the 8th.)

Jeff Stevens, who came in to relieve Jon Neise, surrendered a double to Victor Martinez (who finished with 3 hits), and Jhonny Peralta drove in Martinez with a double of his own.

Brandon Beachy was effectively wild, despite posting a stretch of 15 consecutive batters retired. He threw a lot more balls than usual, but finished with 7 shutout innings.

Detroit loaded the bases in the 7th, but damage was averted. The Tigers' bullpen managed their way through the 8th without giving up a run. Randy Choate and Octavio Dotel closed out the game and secured the victory.

Game 14 vs. BAL

Brian Matusz began the game severely fatigued. Only the poor AI management can explain how he got the start.

Delmon Young cashed in on Matusz's fatigue and clobbered a solo shot in the 2nd. The Tigers rallied with 2 outs in the 3rd with a display of more power. Miguel Cabrera hit a 2 run home run to extend the margin to 3.

The Orioles would not back down. Adam Jones responded with a solo shot in the 4th, and Chris Davis went back-to-back with Jones. Jai Miller's RBI triple tied the game at 3. An RBI groundout gave the Orioles their first lead. In a half-inning, Max Scherzer was on the hook for the loss. After allowing a sacrifice fly, Scherzer was pulled.

Austin Jackson drove home Ryan Raburn in the 5th to bring the Tigers within one. JJ Hardy's double in the 7th re-extended the margin to 2.

Reliever Alfredo Simon began to unravel in the 7th. Brennan Boesch delivered a pinch hit RBI single, after a couple Tigers' hits. They were also helped by an error.

No more progress was made as Jim Johnson got the save for the Orioles.

Game 15 @ NYM

The "new look" Tigers' offense (highlighted by acquiring Michael Morse, Nelson Cruz, and David Murphy) got going early as Miguel Cabrera continued his home run dominance. He hit his 4th HR of Spring Training in the 1st inning.

After a Nelson Cruz leadoff double, a Daniel Murphy error allowed Detroit to score their second run. In the 3rd, Prince Fielder slugged a 2 run HR. Starter Mike Pelfrey was done after 4 IP. Fielder went clubbing again off of reliever Jenrry Mejia in the 6th.

A bloop single by Cruz extended the lead to 6-0. Jhonny Peralta extended the assault with a 3 run home run in the 7th. David Murphy went back-to-back with Peralta!

Give it up for Jordan Zimmermann! He went 7 and 1/3 innings without giving up a hit! An early error by Prince Fielder eliminated the bid for perfection. Pinch-hitting catcher Vinny Rottino grounded a ball between the foul line and Miguel Cabrera at 3rd base. Call it a "cheap" hit, but sadly, it ended the no-no bid.