Tigers Tied for First

The Tigers pounded the Mariners 8-1 tonight to move into first place for the first time all year.  More accurately, they are tied for first with the reeling Indians who were shutout by the Yankees 4-0 today. 

Max Scherzer rebounded from three consecutive poor starts to hold the Mariners to one run on four hits in seven innings.  In his three previous starts, he had allowed 19 runs and saw his ERA climb to 4.68.  He went through a similar bad stretch last year, but was one of the best pitchers in baseball once he got going.  Hopefully, he can do the same this year.

The Tigers got to rookie Michael Pineda for six runs (five earned) in 5 1/3 innings.  This was the first time he had given up more than four runs in any start.  He came into the game with a sterling 2.33 ERA.

As has often been the case lately, the Tigers had several big offensive contributors.  Austin Jackson, Brennan Boesch and Victor Martinez had three hits apiece and Johnny Peralta added his ninth home run.  Two of Jackson's hits were triples making him the second Tiger this week to hit two triples in a game. The other, of course, was Alex Avila on Thursday night.  Jackson getting a pair of three baggers was a little less surprising.

The Tigers now lead the series 2-1 and will try to win it tomorrow when Rick Porcello faces Felix Hernandez.