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Live Tigers blog: Tigers bats nearly silent in 10-2 loss

Al Willman
The Detroit News

After rallying late in Thursday’s 4-3 win over the Red Sox, the Tigers were plagued by an extreme lack of offense in Friday’s 10-2 loss.

J.D. Martinez hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning for the Tigers (64-58), who scattered three hits over the next seven innings.

The Red Sox (68-53) had a pair of two-run homers in the top of the first, from David Ortiz and Jackie Bradley Jr., before scoring two more each in the sixth, seventh and eighth.

That was more than enough for ex-Tiger Rick Porcello, who went seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out eight and walking two.

The two teams continue their four-game series tomorrow at 7:10. left-hander Daniel Norris (1-1, 3.47) goes for the Tigers while lefty Drew Pomeranz (9-9, 2.99) will pitch for the Red Sox.

Ryan sets Sox down in order in 9th

Left-hander Kyle Ryan took over for the Tigers to start the ninth inning, and did what no Tigers pitcher had done since the third inning — set the Red Sox down 1-2-3. He struck out Sandy Leon swinging on a 3-2 pitch. He then got Aaron Hill to ground out to shortstop Erick Aybar, who made a great spinning play to get the out. Ryan got Andrew Benintendi to strike out to end the half inning. Going to the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers are down 10-2. Victor Martinez (0-for-3), J.D. Martinez (2-for-2, home run) and Tyler Collins (0-for-3) are due up.

Tigers go 1-2-3 again

The Tigers were unable to get to Red Sox reliever Heath Hembree, who took over for ex-Tiger Rick Porcello to start the bottom of the eighth. Alex Presley — who pinch-hit for Miguel Cabrera — flew out to the warning track in right field before Erick Aybar grounded out to second. Dixon Machado — pinch-hitting for Miguel Cabrera — grounded out to Hembree, completing the 1-2-3 inning. After eight, the Red Sox still lead 10-2.

Tigers' Miguel Cabrera has a quick talk with home plate umpire Jerry Lane after the called third strike in the sixth inning.

Porcello went seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out eight and walking two.

Lowe loads bases, Sox score more

Right-hander Mark Lowe came in for the Tigers to start the eighth, and immediately pitched into a jam. Andrew Benintendi doubled to lead off the inning, before Dustin Pedroia hit an infield single. A Xander Bogaerts sac fly moved Benintendi to third, but a walk to Travis Shaw, who pinch-hit for David Ortiz, loaded the bases with one out. Lowe responded by striking out Mookie Betts for the second out, before giving up a two-run double to Hanley Ramirez — his second in as many innings. After eight, the Tigers are down 10-2.

Tigers offense disappoints in 7th

Offense has not been the strong suit for the Tigers against their former teammate Rick Porcello. That continued to be true in the bottom of the seventh inning. Casey McGehee grounded out to second base before Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit an infield single that Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts was unable to make the play on. Andrew Romine then grounded into an inning ending 3-6-3 double play. After seven, the Tigers trail 8-2.

Sox get two more, lead 8-2 in 7th

The Red Sox got two more runs off of Tigers reliever Bruce Rondon in the top of the seventh inning, after David Ortiz and Mookie Betts singled to lead off the inning. Hanley Ramirez doubled them in — the third straight hit of the inning — before advancing to third on a Jackie Bradley Jr. sacrifice fly. Rondon struck out Sandy Leon for the second out and Brock Holt to end the inning. Going to the bottom of the seventh, the Tigers trail 8-2.

Tigers offense goes quietly in sixth

The Tigers offense continued its woes in the bottom of the sixth inning. Miguel Cabrera struck out to start the half inning. Victor Martinez followed by flying out to left field, before J.D. Martinez walked with two outs, showing a whimper of a sign of offense for the Tigers, which has — with the exception of the first inning, on his two-run home run — been largely nonexistent. Tyler Collins continued his underwhelming 0-for-3 night with a strikeout to end the inning — his second — and after six, the Tigers trail 6-2.

Sox get two more, chase Fulmer

Friday was not the night for Tigers starter Michael Fulmer. He was well on his way to another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the sixth, after his first strikeout of the game got Hanley Ramirez looking, before Jackie Bradley Jr. flew out to left field. Sandy Leon's two-out infield single and Brock Holt's single through the hole in the middle of the infield extended the inning for the Red Sox. Andrew Benintendi then knocked in Leon with a bloop single, adding to Boston's lead. Dustin Pedroia followed with an RBI single of his own. That was it for Fulmer, who gave way to Bruce Rondon. Rondon got Xander Bogaerts to ground out to stop the bleeding. Going to the bottom of the sixth, the Red Sox lead 6-2.

Fulmer went 5 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits, while walking one and striking out one. He threw 92 pitches (58 for strikes).

Offense absent in 5th for Tigers

Red Sox starter Rick Porcello worked a quick 1-2-3 bottom of the fifth inning, proving that runs are indeed at a premium for the Tigers tonight. After Andrew Romine popped out to shortstop to start the inning, Ian Kinsler then struck out swinging before Erick Aybar flew out to center field. After five innings, it’s still 4-2 Red Sox.

Fulmer gets in to, out of jam in 5th

Tigers starter Michael Fulmer got into a bit of a jam in the top of the fifth inning. After Miguel Cabrera robbed Andrew Benintendi on a screaming line drive that Cabrera extended on to make the diving catch, Dustin Pedroia then grounded out to Erick Aybar at shortstop before Xander Bogaerts hit an infield single to third base. Casey McGehee fired to Cabrera at first, but pulled him off the bag in the process. David Ortiz followed with a four-pitch walk. Fulmer got out of the jam by getting Mookie Betts to ground into a fielder’s choice. Going to the bottom of the fifth, the Red Sox still have a 4-2 lead.

Tigers offense still sluggish in 4th

The Tigers offense showed some signs of life in the fourth inning, though not many.

Victor Martinez grounded out to shortstop before J.D. Martinez singled — literally — through the glove of Xander Bogaerts at short. Tyler Collins then flew out to center field on a 3-0 pitch. Casey McGehee followed with a two-out single, moving J.D. Martinez to second. Both were stranded, however, when Jarrod Saltalamacchia struck out for the second time in as many at-bats. After four, the Tigers are still down 4-2.

Fulmer strands one in 4th

Tigers starter Michael Fulmer allowed only one hit in the bottom of the fourth, stranding it and continuing his strong outing — save for a troublesome first inning. Hanley Ramirez hit a line drive right at Ian Kinsler for the first out before Jackie Bradley Jr. flew out to Andrew Romine in right center field. Sandy Leon hit a ground-rule double that a fan grabbed as it bounced near the right field foul pole. Fulmer got out of the inning when Brock Holt flew out to a running Tyler Collins in shallow left field. Going to the bottom of the fourth, the Red Sox lead 4-2.

Ex-Tiger Porcello dealing for Red Sox

Red Sox starter Rick Porcello was also in a groove to start the third inning. He got Ian Kinsler to strike out swinging, before Erick Aybar went down on a check-swing called third strike. Miguel Cabrera grounded out to end the inning, and after three the score remains 4-2 in favor of the Red Sox.

Fulmer dials in

Tigers starter Michael Fulmer appears to have the first inning behind him. He set the Red Sox down in order for the second straight inning. He got all three outs on ground balls — none of which left the infield. Xander Bogaerts hit his to third, before David Ortiz grounded to second and Mookie Betts hit one right back to Fulmer. Going to the bottom of the third, the Tigers trail 4-2.

Tigers get two back in 2nd

The Tigers got two runs back in the second, on a two-run home run from J.D. Martinez. The leadoff hitter, Victor Martinez, reached safely when Hanley Ramirez misplayed the ground ball, and then Red Sox starter Rick Porcello — covering first base — missed the throw from second baseman Dustin Pedroia in shallow right field. Pedroia was charged with an error on the play. Tyler Collins struck out for the first out, before Casey McGehee walked — putting another runner on for the Tigers in the inning. Jarrod Saltalamacchia then struck out, for the second out. Andrew Romine grounded into a force to end the inning, but after two the Red Sox lead 4-2.

Fulmer recovers, sets Sox down 1-2-3

Tigers starter Michael Fulmer bounced back from his uncharacteristic first inning, setting the Red Sox down in order in the top of the second. Brock Holt flew out to left field, before Andrew Benintendi (second base) and Dustin Pedroia (third base) grounded out. Ian Kinsler made an impressive play to get Benintendi, ranging to shallow right field to get the out. Going to the bottom of the second, the Tigers are still down 4-0.

Tigers offense looks lethargic in 1st

It’s still quite early, but it looks like runs may be at a premium for the Tigers tonight. Former Tiger Rick Porcello set the Tigers down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the first inning, on what looked to be a low-energy top of the order. Ian Kinsler flew out to left field before Erick Aybar and Miguel Cabrera each grounded out to second base. After one, the Tigers are down 4-0.

Fulmer tagged for four quick runs

The Red Sox got to Tigers starter Michael Fulmer early.

After Fulmer got Dustin Pedroia to ground out to Ian Kinsler at second base — who fired an off-balance throw to get his counterpart at first — the next batter, Xander Bogaerts, singled before David Ortiz smashed a two-run home run, giving the Red Sox the early lead. Mookie Betts then hit a shallow fly ball to J.D. Martinez in right field for the second out. Hanley Ramirez followed with a single, extending the inning. Ramirez then stole second, with Jackie Bradley Jr. at the plate. Tigers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia threw to shortstop Erick Aybar covering second, but the throw was off-line, allowing Ramirez to slide in safely. Bradley Jr. then hit a two-run shot of his own, adding to Boston’s lead. Sandy Leon flew out to Martinez to end the half inning. Going to the bottom of the first, the Red Sox lead 4-0.

How to watch: Tigers vs. Red Sox

Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer looks to build upon his case for AL Rookie of the Year as he squares off against Red Sox’s Rick Porcello Friday night at Comerica Park. First pitch is 7:10 p.m.

Fulmer is coming off his first career complete game, where he stymied the Texas Rangers in a four-hit shutout. In the 18 games he has started this season, the Tigers are 16-3.

The Tigers will look string together their second straight win after rallying in the eighth inning and escaping with a 4-3 win Thursday to snap a three-game skid.

It was an improbable victory and one that shows the Tigers may not go quietly the rest of the way no matter how it dire it sometimes appears, writes Bob Wojnowski.

Porcello, a familiar face who spent six seasons with the Tigers, returns to his first big-league home but has put Detroit in his rearview mirror as the Red Sox are fixated on the playoff chase, writes Lynn Henning.

TIGERS LINEUP

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B

2. Erick Aybar, SS

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. Victor Martinez, DH

5. J.D. Martinez, RF

6. Tyler Collins, LF

7. Casey McGehee, 3B

8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C

9. Andrew Romine, CF

SP Michael Fulmer

RED SOX LINEUP

1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

2. Xander Bogaerts, SS

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Mookie Betts, RF

5. Hanley Ramirez, 1B

6. Jackie Bradley Jr., CF

7. Sandy Leon, C

8. Brock Holt, 3B

9. Andrew Benintendi, LF

SP, Rick Porcello

TIGERS VS. RED SOX

What: Second game of a four-game series

When: Friday, 7:10 p.m.

Where: Comerica Park, Detroit

Pitching matchup: RHP Michael Fulmer (10-3, 2.25 ERA) vs. RHP Rick Porcello (16-3, 3.30 ERA)

Local TV: Fox Sports Detroit

National TV: MLB Network

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

Local radio: 97.1 FM

Satellite radio: SIRI 209, XM Internet 849, Sirius XM Internet 849