SAN DIEGO -- To say that this loss was more frustrating than any of the others on this increasingly desperate road trip probably isn't fair.
The Detroit Tigers are mired in a losing streak that has stretched to eight games and the losses are starting to blur together.
But the 7-3 defeat to the San Diego Padres Saturday night was especially cruel because victory finally seemed within reach.
"We had it lined up like we wanted," said Tigers manager Brad Ausmus.
The Tigers' two most reliable relievers -- Shane Greene and Justin Wilson -- were ready to take the eighth and ninth innings.