Live Tigers blog: Angels walk off, win 11-9
A wild night in Anaheim ended with a walkoff on Tuesday night, as the Tigers lost their fifth in a row, 11-9 to the Angels.
C.J. Cron hit the game-winning 2-run homer with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth -- his second long ball of the day. He finished 2-for-4.
Former Tiger Jefry Marte was 4-for-4 with two singles, a double and a home run.
Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez lasted only three innings, giving up six runs on eight hits, while walking two and giving up three home runs.
Hector Sanchez started for the Angels, going 6 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on five hits, while striking out nine and walking two. Both starters had no decisions.
Ian Kinsler was 2-for-4 for the Tigers, hitting his first-career grand slam in the seventh inning.
Both teams finish their three-game set Wednesday. First pitch is set for 7:05 Eastern (4:05 Pacific).
Top 9th: Tigers go in order
Angels closer Huston Street, activated Monday from the disabled list, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the Angels, keeping the game tied, 9-9. The Angels are sending Albert Pujols (1-for-3), C.J. Cron (1-for-3) and former Tiger Jefry Marte (4-for-4, single, two doubles, home run) to the plate in the bottom of the ninth against Tigers reliever Mark Lowe.
Bottom 8th: Angels go 1-2-3
Tigers reliever Justin Wilson -- the fourth pitcher of the night for the team -- set the Angels down in order in the bottom of the eighth inning. Shortstop Jose Iglesias made a nice play to end the inning, going 360 degrees to throw (still off-balance) to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. After eight, the Tigers and Angels are tied, 9-9.
Top 8th: Tigers tie game
With one out in the top of the eighth inning, Victor Martinez tied what has turned out to be a wild game in Anaheim. He sent a solo home run -- the fifth of the game for the Tigers -- over the wall in right, making it 9-9. The next batter, Nick Castellanos, nearly gave the Tigers the lead, doubling off the glove of Angels left fielder Rafael Ortega. The ball was hit deep to left center field, and coming off the bat appeared to have the distance to go out. Castellanos was stranded on base to end the inning, but after seven and a half, the Tigers and Angels are tied 9-9.
Bottom 7th: Tigers hold Angels
Tigers reliever Alex Wilson, who replaced reliever Warwick Saupold (right groin strain) after one batter in the sixth, worked a scoreless seventh inning. After allowing a double to Jefry Marte (4-for-4) and an infield single to Cliff Pennington, the Angels had two on. Pennington appeared to injure his leg, and was run for by Johnny Giavotella. Carlos Perez lined into a 4-3 inning-ending double play, and after seven the Tigers trail 9-8.
Top 7th: Tigers rally
The Tigers rallied in the top of the seventh inning. After Nick Castellanos struck out swinging to start the inning, Justin Upton walked, putting a runner on base. The next batter, Cameron Maybin struck out looking, after appearing to tweak something on his right hand earlier in the at bat. James McCann then walked, to put runners on first and second -- for the Tigers' first time in the game -- with two outs, ending the night for starter Hector Santiago. Reliever Cam Bedrosian walked Jose Iglesias to load the bases. Ian Kinsler followed with his first-career grand slam, over the wall in left, chasing Bedrosian. J.D. Martinez lined out to end the half inning, but going to the bottom of the seventh, the Tigers are down only one, 9-8.
Bottom 6th: Things go from bad to worse for Tigers
Things continued going wrong for the Tigers in the bottom of the sixth. Kole Calhoun reached on an infield single to lead off the inning -- a play in which Tigers reliever Warwick Saupold appeared to injure his right groin. Calhoun hit the ball toward second base, where first baseman Miguel Cabrera ranged to try and make a play on the ball. He threw behind Saupold -- who was covering first -- forcing the right-handed pitcher to try and dive sideway to catch the errant throw. Saupold went down immediately, clutching his groin. Alex Wilson replaced Saupold, and gave up a single to Mike Trout. Albert Pujols grounded in to a 6-4-3 double play, before C.J. Cron grounded out to Nick Castellanos. After six, the Tigers remain down, 9-4.
Top 6th: Tigers chip away at Angels' lead
With one out in the top of the sixth inning, the Tigers offense appeared to wake up, if only briefly. Ian Kinsler singled past the outstretched glove of a diving Kole Calhoun, before J.D. Martinez hit a 2-run home run -- the third of the game for the Tigers -- to cut into the Angels' lead. The Tigers have only scored by way of the long ball, and after five and a half innings, they trail 9-4.
Bottom 5th: Angels go scoreless for first time
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Tigers reliever Warwick Saupold kept the Angels off the scoreboard for the first time. After allowing a single to Cliff Pennington to lead off the frame, Carlos Perez grounded into a double play before Gregorio Petit struck out swinging to end the inning. After five, the Tigers are down 9-2.
Top 5th: Tiger bats remain quiet
For the third inning in a row, Angels starter Hector Santiago set the Tigers down in order. Through five innings, Santiago has allowed two runs -- both solo home runs -- on three hits, while striking out six and not walking any Tigers. After four and a half, the Angels are on top, 9-2.
Bottom 4th: Sanchez goes, Angels score 3
Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez was lifted prior to the fourth inning, having allowed six runs on eight hits in only three innings of work. Warwick Saupold replaced him, and did little better. Carlos Perez led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a double, before scoring two batters later on a double from Kole Calhoun. After loading the bases, C.J. Cron hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Calhoun, before former Tiger Jefry Marte (3-for-3) singled in Mike Trout. The Tigers are down 9-2 after four innings.
Top 4th: Tigers go 1-2-3 again
Angels starter Hector Santiago, working with run support, appears to have found a rhythm against the Tigers offense. He set the Tigers down 1-2-3 for the second straight inning, capping it with a swinging strikeout of Nick Castellanos. The Tigers, whose only runs have come on solo home runs by Miguel Cabrera (first inning) and Justin Upton (second). After three and a half, the Tigers trail 5-2.
Bottom 3rd: Sanchez allows third homer
Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez has struggled mightily getting through the first two times through the Angels' order. With one out in the bottom of the third inning, former Tiger Jefry Marte hit a solo home run to dead center field, adding to the Angels' lead -- his second hit of the day. After three innings, the Tigers trail 6-2. Pitch count is an issue for Sanchez, who has thrown 64 through three innings, to go with his six runs allowed.
Top 3rd: Tigers go in order
Angels starter Hector Santiago worked quickly in the top of the third, retiring the Tigers in order. With two outs, it looked like the Tigers had a chance to extend the inning, but Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun made a leaping catch on a hard-hit ball off the bat of J.D. Martinez. After two and a half innings, the Tigers remain down 5-2.
Bottom 2nd: Sanchez gets tagged for 3 more
With one out and runners at the corners (Cliff Pennington single, moved to third on a hit-and-run by Gregorio Petit), it looked like Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez had both gotten into some trouble, but just as quickly got out of it. Catcher James McCann threw out Petit -- who was leading too far off first base. However, Sanchez walked Kole Calhoun, bringing up Mike Trout. Trout hit a 3-run home run to left center, which barely made it over the fence. After two, the Tigers trail 5-2.
Top 2nd: Tigers get run back
Continuing the trend set by Miguel Cabrera in the first inning, Tigers left fielder Justin Upton did something he hadn't done in 31 days: Hit a home run. His solo shot to left tied the game for the Tigers with one out in the top of the second. The next batter, Cameron Maybin, singled off the glove of Angels starter Hector Santiago, and with James McCann up to bat he appeared to steal second base. However, the call was reviewed and overturned -- it took 1 minute, 24 seconds to determine that Angels second baseman Gregorio Petit applied the tag to his right foot. McCann then struck out swinging, to end the half inning. Going to the bottom of the second, the Tigers and Angels are tied 2-2.
Bottom 1st: Angels get to Sanchez early
The struggles for Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez continued Tuesday. He allowed the first two Angels to reach -- single to leadoff hitter Kole Calhoun and a walk to Mike Trout. Albert Pujols grounded into a double play, allowing Calhoun to get to third with two outs. The next batter, C.J. Cron, smacked a 2-run home run to left, putting the Angels ahead 2-1. Sanchez gave up another single -- to former Tiger Jefry Marte -- before inducing an inning-ending ground out to Rafael Ortega on his 25th pitch of the inning. After one, the Tigers trail 2-1.
Top 1st: Cabrera launches solo shot
With two out in the top of the first inning, Miguel Cabrera did what no Tiger has done since Saturday: Hit a home run. His long solo shot to left field gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead heading to the bottom of the first.
How to watch: Detroit Tigers vs. Los Angeles Angels
The Tigers are in one of their funks again and will try to snap out of it Tuesday in a 10:05 p.m. game against the Angels.
The Tigers have lost three in a row and four of their last five, and sit four games back of the first-place Royals in the AL Central.
Anibal Sanchez, the Tigers’ starter Tuesday night, is in a funk of his own, having lost in three consecutive starts. He is 0-4 with one no-decision in his last five starts. His ERA has ballooned to 6.04 and his WHIP is 1.58. Tony Paul thinks Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey should take up residence in the bullpen.
Off the field, the MLB draft is fast approaching and Lynn Henning analyzes a handful of prospects who might interest the Tigers when the No. 9 pick in the first round rolls their way June 9.
TIGERS LINEUP
1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. J.D. Martinez, RF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Nick Castellanos, 3B
6. Justin Upton, LF
7. Cameron Maybin, CF
8. James McCann, C
9. Jose Iglesias, SS
Anibal Sanchez, P
ANGELS LINEUP
1. Kole Calhoun, RF
2. Mike Trout, CF
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. C.J. Cron, DH
5. Jefry Marte, 3B
6. Rafael Ortega, LF
7. Cliff Pennington, SS
8. Carlos Perez, C
9. Gregorio Petit, 2B
Hector Santiago, P
TIGERS VS. ANGELS
When: Tuesday, 10:05 p.m.
Where: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, Calif.
Pitching matchup: RHP Anibal Sanchez (3-6, 6.04) vs. LHP Hector Santiago (3-3, 4.58)
Local TV: Fox Sports Detroit
National TV: None
Internet streaming: MLB.TV
Local radio: 97.1 FM
Satellite radio: SIRI Internet 849