SPORTS

Live Tigers blog: Tigers mount wild comeback, win 10-7

Al Willman
The Detroit News

The Tigers batted around in the top of the 9th inning, scoring eight times, to win 10-7 over the Rays in the first of a four-game weekend series in Tampa.

The win is the third in a row for the Tigers, who have outscored opponents 27-15 in that stretch.

The Rays attempted a rally in the bottom of the ninth, with a leadoff single by Evan Longoria. He was erased on a game-ending 6-4-3 double play by Brandon Guyer, sealing the comeback.

Jordan Zimmermann started for the Tigers (41-38), and struggled for the second outing in a row. He lasted six innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits while striking out three and walking two.

All seven of the Rays’ runs were scored with two outs.

Jake Odorizzi earned the win for the Rays (33-45), going five plus innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out seven and walking three.

The two teams continue the series tomorrow. Michael Fulmer (7-2, 2.40 ERA) starts for the Tigers while the Rays send former Tiger Drew Smyly (2-8, 5.32 ERA) to the mound. First pitch is set for 7:10.

Top 9th: Tigers score eight times, take lead

The Tigers started their rally with singles by Cameron Maybin and Miguel Cabrera, to put two on with nobody out. Victor Martinez followed with an RBI single, to make it 7-3.

Nick Castellanos loaded the bases with his single, still with nobody out. The next batter, Justin Upton hit an RBI single to center field. Steven Moya then hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Martinez. Jarrod Saltalamacchia singled in Castellanos, to make it 7-6. Pinch-runner Andrew Romine took second base, before Jose Iglesias walked to load the bases, before Erasmo Ramirez walked Ian Kinsler — tying the game. Maybin — in his second at-bat of the inning — cleared the bases with a three-run double. Going to the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers lead 10-7.

Bottom 8th: Rays add to lead

The Rays added to their lead in the bottom of the eighth, against Tigers reliever Anibal Sanchez. With two outs, Oswaldo Arcia singled, advancing to second on a wild pitch. The next batter, Hank Conger, doubled in Arcia. Logan Forsythe singled in Conger, making it 7-2. The Tigers are down to their last three outs, with Cameron Maybin, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez due up in the ninth.

Top 8th: Iggy doubles, Tigers blank

The only offense for the Tigers in the top of the eighth inning was a double by Jose Iglesias with two outs -- the first baserunner allowed by Rays reliever Matt Andriese in his second full inning of work, after replacing Jake Odorizzi in the top of the sixth. However, he was stranded when Ian Kinsler grounded out to Evan Longoria at third base. Going to the bottom of the eighth, the Tigers are down 5-2.

Bottom 7th: Sanchez tosses scoreless 7th

Tigers reliever Anibal Sanchez got the call to start the bottom of the seventh, and kept the Rays scoreless. He gave up a one-out double to Evan Longoria, who advanced to third on what was ruled a wild pitch -- but third baseman Nick Castellanos was slow to cover third, making a play impossible. However, Longoria was stranded to end the inning. After seven, the Rays lead 5-2.

Top 7th: Tigers go quietly

After scoring twice in the top of the sixth, the Tiger bats went back to being ice cold, as Rays reliever Matt Andriese retired them 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh. The Tigers are sending reliever Anibal Sanchez to the mound to start the bottom of the seventh, down 5-2.

Jordan Zimmermann went six innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits while striking out three and walking two.

Bottom 6th: Rays go in order

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann got his first 1-2-3 inning of the night. He got Oswaldo Arcia to ground out and Hank Conger to pop out, before Logan Forsythe grounded out to end the inning. After six, the Rays lead 5-2.

Top 6th: Tigers get on the board

The Tigers got on the board in the top of the sixth. After a walk to Jarrod Saltalamacchia and a single by Jose Iglesias, they had two on. Both advanced on a wild pitch by Rays starter Jake Odorizzi. Ian Kinsler then singled in Saltalamacchia, chasing Odorizzi. Right-hander Matt Andriese entered the game, giving up a sacrifice fly to Cameron Maybin -- scoring Iglesias. Miguel Cabrera followed by grounding into an inning-ending double play. After five and a half, the Tigers trail 5-2.

Bottom 5th: Zimmermann settles in

For the second consecutive inning, Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann stranded the only baserunner he allowed. Corey Dickerson hit a bloop single in front of left fielder Justin Upton -- advancing to second on a wild pitch. But that's when Zimmermann settled in, getting Nick Franklin to fly out to end the inning. After five innings, it's still 5-0 Rays.

Top 5th: Tigers offense remains lackluster

The Tigers were unable to sustain anything on Rays starter Jake Odorizzi in the top of the fifth inning. After Nick Castellanos walked to lead off the inning, he was doubled up two batters later on a Jarrod Saltalamacchia line drive to second base. Going to the bottom of the fifth, the Tigers trail 5-0.

Bottom 4th: Rays strand one

Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann allowed another baserunner in the fourth inning -- a one-out single from Logan Forsythe. He advanced to second when Brad Miller grounded out on a hit-and-run, but was stranded there when Evan Longoria flew out to left fielder Justin Upton. After four, the Rays maintain a 5-0 lead.

Top 4th: Odorizzi mows Tigers down

The Tigers can't seem to figure out Rays starter Jake Odorizzi. For the second straight inning, the Tigers went 1-2-3, but this time Odorizzi struck out the heart of the Tigers order -- fanning Cameron Maybin, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, all swinging. After three and a half, the Tigers are down 5-0.

Bottom 3rd: Zimmermann can't catch break

After getting the first two outs relatively quickly, things got tricky for Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann. On a 0-2 pitch to Evan Longoria, the ball was popped up in foul territory, but hit something in the roof of Tropicana Field -- causing the ball to be ruled dead -- and dropped between first baseman Miguel Cabrera and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Longoria doubled two pitches later. The next batter, Logan Morrison, walked to put two on. Brandon Guyer singled in Longoria, making it 2-0. Corey Dickerson followed with an infield single to load the bases. Nick Franklin -- pinch hitting for Desmond Jennings, who appeared to tweak his left leg on a double in the second inning -- hit a bloop three-run double. Zimmermann struck out Oswaldo Arcia -- the eighth batter of the inning -- to stop the bleeding. After three, the Rays lead 5-0.

Top 3rd: Tigers go 1-2-3

The Tigers could not muster anything on Rays starter Jake Odorizzi in the top of the third inning. He set the Tigers down in order, getting Jarrod Saltalamacchia to line out and Jose Iglesias to ground out, before fanning Ian Kinsler to end the inning. After two and a half, the Tigers are down 1-0.

Bottom 2nd: Double play saves run

Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann benefitted from the infield behind him in the bottom of the second. After striking out Corey Dickerson to lead off the inning, he gave up a double to Desmond Jennings. Then, an infield single to Oswaldo Arcia put runners at the corners with one out, for the second inning in a row. That's when the infield went to work. Zimmermann induced an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play to end the threat. After two, the Rays are up 1-0.

Top 2nd: V-Mart walks, stranded

Victor Martinez led off the second inning with a walk. After that, the Tigers went in order. Nick Castellanos flew out to left, Justin Upton struck out looking and Steven Moya struck out swinging. The Tigers trail 1-0, going to the bottom of the second.

Bottom 1st: Moya error leads to run

Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann allowed a leadoff double to Logan Forsythe, who took third when right fielder Steven Moya misplayed the ball. Two batters later, Evan Longoria walked to put runners at first and third with one out. Logan Morrison then hit a sacrifice fly to Justin Upton, scoring Forsythe. Longoria got to second on a wild pitch, but was stranded there. After one, the Rays lead the Tigers, 1-0.

Top 1st: Double play ends inning

The Tigers, whose offense scored 17 runs against the Marlins in the last two games, got off to a slow start against the Rays. The Tigers got a one-out single from Cameron Maybin, but nothing more, as Miguel Cabrera grounded into an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play. Going to the bottom of the first, the game is scoreless.

How to watch: Detroit Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Jordan Zimmermann, coming off an ugly outing against the Indians, takes the mound Thursday night at 7:10 p.m. as the Tigers open a four-game series in Tampa Bay.

Zimmermann lasted just 3.2 innings last Friday, giving up nine hits and seven earned runs in the Tigers’ 7-5 loss to Cleveland.

Nick Castellanos, just 24, has become one of the Tigers’ most dangerous hitters, and he has shown significant improvement in his third-base defense. Lynn Henning explains how it has put him on the verge of his first All-Star assignment.

If the Tigers are going to avoid falling on their face this summer, they’ll surely need their arms, John Niyo writes.

Tigers Hall of Famer Al Kaline has seen a lot of great hitters over the years. The greatest Tigers hitter he’s seen? Miguel Cabrera.

TIGERS LINEUP

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B

2. Cameron Maybin, CF

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. Victor Martinez, DH

5. Nick Castellanos, 3B

6. Justin Upton, LF

7. Steven Moya, RF

8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C

9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Jordan Zimmermann, P

RAYS LINEUP

1. Logan Forsythe, 2B

2. Brad Miller, SS

3. Evan Longoria, 3B

4. Logan Morrison, 1B

5. Brandon Guyer, RF

6. Corey Dickerson, LF

7. Desmond Jennings, CF

8. Oswaldo Arcia, DH

9. Hank Conger, C

Jake Odorizzi, P

TIGERS VS. RAYS

When: Thursday, 7:10 p.m.

Where: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Pitching matchup: RHP Jordan Zimmermann (9-4, 3.81 ERA) vs. RHP Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 3.93 ERA)

Local TV: Fox Sports Detroit

National TV: None

Internet streaming: MLB.TV (blacked out in Detroit market)

Local radio: 97.1 FM

Satellite radio: SIRI Internet 849