The Tigers dropped the first game of their three game set with the Rays last night and the loss now puts them seven games back of first place in the loss column and just one game above .500.  Tuesday night, I need to write a piece for the Hardball Times on the Tigers final two months of the season and if the losing continues, I’m going to have a hard time being optimistic.

Things started well enough for the Tigers yesterday.  They drew four walks in the first inning for their first run and then Miguel Cabrera tripled home a run in the third to make it 2-0.    Unfortunately, that was it and they picked up just three hits beyond that point.  In the bottom of the third, the Rays tagged Zach Miner for a pair and just like that, the game was tied.  Carlos Pena homered for the winning run and two of the Rays five runs scored without someone reaching base.  The second run came on a passed ball and the fourth one came on a wild pitch.

Brandon Inge was busy behind the plate.  He was two for five, which isn’t bad.  He gunned down B.J. Upton and Akinori Iwamura but Carl Crawford, Upton and Eric Hinske all stole bases. 

The Tigers have an unusual 6:10 start time tonight.  Must be something going on in the St. Petersburg area.  It’ll be Kenny Rogers going up against Andy Sonnanstine.

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