Game #84 Detroit Tigers (38-48) @ Toronto Blue Jays (39-45) - game recap

Niko Goodrum scored the winning run on a sac fly in the 10th inning as the Tigers edged the Blue Jays 3-2

After yet another loss on Canada Day, the Blue Jays were looking to get back on track and take the season series (and this series) from the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers had been struggling mightily before laying a beat down on the Blue Jays yesterday. Here is today's game recap.

Game highlights

•  The Tigers opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Victor Martinez singled home Nicholas Castellanos
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom of the 4th as Curtis Granderson scored on a Teoscar Hernandez ground out
• The Tigers took the lead in the top of the 6th as Castellanos scored on a ground out by John Hicks
• Ryan Borucki pitching line: 7IP 6H 2R (both earned) 0BB 8K 97 pitches (68 for strikes)
• Mike Fiers pitching line: 8IP 3H 1R (earned) 1BB 5K 89 pitches (67 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom of the 9th as Justin Smoak walked with the bases loaded to force in Devon Travis
• The Tigers retook the lead in the top of the 10th on a Jose Iglesias sac fly that scored Niko Goodrum
• Final score: Tigers 3 Blue Jays 2

My take

• Ryan Borucki was great in his second career start. He had a rocky start in the 1st inning, giving up 4 straight hits, but escaped the jam with just 1 run allowed. He allowed just 2 more hits and a run the rest of the way. This strong showing warrants a longer look when starters come back healthy. Borucki could replace both Jaime Garcia and Sam Gaviglio in the rotation if he keeps playing like this
• Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire made a costly mistake pulliing starter Mike Fiers after he pitched 8 solid innings with only 89 pitches. His closer Joe Jiminez nearly cost the Tigers the game, loading the bases on 2 walks (one intentional) and a double. Jiminez walked Smoak to force in a run but got Luke Maile to ground into a force out to escape the inning
• The Tigers won this won because they got timely hitting and their starting pitcher was just as brilliant as the Blue Jays starting pitcher
• The Blue Jays left 17 runners on base today and were 2-6 with runners in scoring position.
• Up next, Jose Bautista makes his return to Toronto as he and the NY Mets are in town for a quick two game series. Game 1 sees righty Marco Estrada pitching against Mets righty Zach Wheeler. The two teams split the 2 games back in NY with identical 12-1 blowouts. Will these two games also be high-scoring?