The Detroit Tigers have just completed a crucial offensive surge that tied the Cleveland Guardians in their three-game series.
They now want to capitalize on that impressive offensive showing and, on Wednesday, at the series finale at Cleveland, give Reese Olson the run support he deserves.
The Tigers had lost four straight games going into Tuesday, scoring seven runs in that time. Following a 1-for-9 performance with runners in scoring position in Monday’s 2-1 defeat to the Guardians, Detroit equaled its season high in runs scored on Tuesday, going 5-for-11 in similar circumstances.
During his four-hit night, Andy Ibanez launched a three-run blast in the second inning and opened the game with a home run. In the meantime, Ryan Vilade, who was recently called up from Triple-A Toledo, made his Tigers debut with his first two major league singles and his first three RBIs. In 2021, Vilade, 25, had three appearances for the Colorado Rockies.
The Tigers, led by manager A.J. Hinch, despite blowing an early 5-2 lead. “We needed it, obviously, and I’m really proud of the group,” Hinch said. For the last seven innings, the Guardians were held scoreless by four relievers from Detroit.
But in his six starts this season, Detroit has only managed four runs in the four innings that Olson (0-4, 2.70 ERA), the projected Wednesday starter, has been on the mound. Apart from giving up six runs in his second start of the season against Pittsburgh, Olson has been excellent despite having a 1.08 run-support average.
On Friday, Olson lost 3-0 to the New York Yankees despite giving up just two hits and two walks in five shutout innings. In his last four starts, he has given up four earned runs in 23 1/3 innings, but the Tigers have lost all four of those games despite their teammates scoring four runs.
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