Final
Porcello pitches Tigers past Mariners
Sep 17, 2013 - 4:12 AM Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Rick Porcello struck out 10 over six strong innings and the Detroit Tigers went on to defeat the Seattle Mariners, 4-2, in the opener of a four-game set at Comerica Park.Porcello (13-8) scattered five hits and two walks, with his only real blemish coming on Abraham Almonte's solo home run.
"The changeup, he had a really good one," said Detroit manager Jim Leyland. "That might've been the best one I've seen him have."
Torii Hunter and Omar Infante each delivered two hits and an RBI for Detroit, which holds a comfortable lead over second-place Cleveland for the lead in the AL Central. Victor Martinez also knocked in a run in the victory.
Joe Saunders (11-15) was pegged with the loss, allowing three runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 frames. Seattle has dropped seven of its last eight contests.
"I thought Joe Saunders threw the ball well," said Seattle manager Eric Wedge. "It's a tough lineup and I thought he did a good job of pitching inside."
Saunders retired the first two batters in the sixth, but was unable to finish the inning. He walked Miguel Cabrera, then gave up three straight singles, with Martinez and Infante each driving in runs to give Detroit a 3-1 lead.
Tom Wilhelmsen was able to come in and strand runners at first and second, but the Tigers reached the reliever for a run in the seventh, with Hunter slapping a two-out single up the middle to score Alex Avila and create a 4-1 cushion.
Justin Smoak followed a Raul Ibanez double with an RBI single in the eighth to reduce the margin to two, but Joaquin Benoit closed the door in the ninth for Detroit, securing his 21st save of the season.
In the first inning, back-to-back singles by Hunter and Cabrera put runners at the corners, and Saunders' wild pitch while facing Prince Fielder allowed Hunter to score for a 1-0 Tigers lead.
Almonte's blast deep into the right field seats tied the score at 1-1 in the third.
Game Notes
The Tigers have won five of their last six games ... Prior to Monday's contest, Detroit had dropped nine of its last 12 games with opponents in the AL West ... Almonte, Ibanez and Smoak each had two hits for Seattle.
- SEATTLE: 2
DETROIT: 4
Final
Sep 16 10:02 PM - Dustin Ackley struck out swinging to end the game.
Sep 16 9:59 PM - Justin Smoak single to left scored Raul Ibanez with two outs. Runner on first and Mike Zunino due up.
Mariners 2, Tigers 4 Top 8, 2 OutsSep 16 9:38 PM - Torii Hunter single to left scored Alex Avila with two outs. Runner on first and Miguel Cabrera due up.
Mariners 1, Tigers 4 Bot 7, 2 OutsSep 16 9:27 PM - Omar Infante single to left scored Prince Fielder with two outs. On the play, Victor Martinez advances to second. Runners on first and second and Matt Tuiasosopo due up.
Mariners 1, Tigers 3 Bot 6, 2 OutsSep 16 9:04 PM - Victor Martinez singled to right scored Miguel Cabrera. On the play, Prince Fielder advances to third. Runners on first and third with two outs and Omar Infante due up.
Mariners 1, Tigers 2 Bot 6, 2 OutsSep 16 9:02 PM - Abraham Almonte two-out, solo Home Run (2) to right. Kyle Seager due up.
Mariners 1, Tigers 1 Top 3, 2 OutsSep 16 7:56 PM - Torii Hunter scores on a wild pitch with one out. Miguel Cabrera advances to second on a wild pitch. Runner on second with one out and Prince Fielder at the plate.
Mariners 0, Tigers 1 Bot 1, 1 OutSep 16 7:25 PM - SEATTLE: 0
DETROIT: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 16 7:09 PM
Related News
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/26/23: Kyle Keller, J.T. Realmuto, and Chad Smith Dec 26
- Breaking down the Tigers offensive projections for 2024 Dec 26
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/25/23: Mitch Garver, Yuki Matsui, and Joe Kelly Dec 25
- Mariners to sign Mitch Garver to 2-year, $24M contract Dec 24
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/23/23: Bryce Miller, Shelby Miller, and Ryan Minor Dec 23
- ZiPS, Holidays & Mariner Malaise - Meet at the Mitt Podcast Dec 22
- Tigers sign RHP Shelby Miller to a one-year contract Dec 22
- Friday Open Thread: Your Tigers Christmas wish Dec 22
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/22/23: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Rule Changes, and More RSN Fallout Dec 22
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/21/23: Trevor Gott, Eric Haase, and Adrian Houser Dec 21
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/20/23: Andrew McCutchen, Yuki Matsui, and TJ Hopkins Dec 20
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/19/23: Tom Murphy, Martin Perez, and Matt Carpenter Dec 19