Tigers Blue Jays article 2 - kdutch98's Dynasty

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Tigers Blue Jays article 2

Posted on June 14, 2022 at 03:11 AM.

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TIGERS COME FROM BEHIND TO SLAM BLUE JAYS

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It was another improbable comeback. But, this season, the Detroit Tigers have made the improbable probable. The Tigers, some how, some way, found a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. This time trailing 6-1 in the 9th inning, down to their final two outs. In a game where they could get virtually no offense going against Kevin Gausman Tim Mayza, and Julian Merryweather. Still, they found a way to win.

The Tigers had to piece together a bullpen game, using 7 pitchers. Still, they found a way to win.

Wily Peralta started the game. Manager A.J. Hinch had hoped to get 3 or 4 good innings from Peralta, who has struggled most of the season. He got 5 innings of 1 run ball. Still, he left the game with the Tigers trailing 1-0, because, quite simply, Kevin Gausman was eating them alive. The Tigers trailed 2-0 in the 7th, before a Juan Soto home run cut the deficit to 2-1. It was Soto's 27th of the season, second with the Tigers. But the bullpen couldn't keep it close. Tyler Alexander allowed a pair of runs in the 7th, then Joe Jimenez and Andrew Chafin each allowed a run in the 8th, before Michael Fulmer came in and shut down the Astros in order.

Still, all looked lost for the Tigers. 6-1 Blue Jays, Tigers down to their last 3 outs. And then, it happened.

Kyle Dutcher led off the 9th by grounded sharply to first. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. dove and knocked it down, picked it up, and threw to the covering Julian Merryweather...but it wasn't in time. Infield single, which extended Dutcher's hitting streak to 30 games. Man on first, no outs, still down by 5. But then Javier Baez walked. Juan Soto singled to right, scoring Dutcher. 6-2, runners on first and second, no outs. Then Miguel Cabrera blooped a single just in front of the left fielder Gurriel Jr. Bases loaded, tying run at the plate, no outs. Now the impossible seemed possible. But, Spencer Torkelson struck out. Now, bases loaded, 1 out, Eric Haase at the plate. Eric Haase does not hit right handers well. He was just 3-17 with 1 home run against them this season. Plus, he doesn't run all that well. Both Victor Reyes, and Willi Castro were on the bench. Both hit right handers better.

But, Hinch rolled the dice. "I figured, we were down by 4. The chances of stringing together 2 or 3 hits was probably pretty slim. We needed a big fly. When Eric connects, it usually goes a long way. I figured it was our best chance"

He was right.

With a 2-2 count, Blue Jay's closer Jordan Romano hung a curve ball, and Haase didn't miss it, sending it deep into the upper deck in left field, 400 feet away, just inside the foul pole for a game tying grand slam. The improbable happened, yet again. Tie game. 6-6. Ross Stripling would come on and get out of the inning with the game still tied. but the Tigers still had the momentum.

Michael Fulmer went out in the bottom of the 9th, and struck out the side. You could tell the Blue Jays were deflated. In the top of the 10th, with the ghost runner on second, Kyle Dutcher laced a double into right field, giving the Tigers a 7-6 lead. Stripling got the next two hitters out, but then Miguel Cabrera, in the midst of a renaissance season, hit a 2 run home run into the left field seats, giving the Tigers a 9-6 lead. Gregory Soto then went out and struck out the side in the bottom of the 10th, securing the most improbable win of the Tigers season to this point.

You had to see it to believe it.

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DETROIT TIGERS STATS