Sadly, the Skipper did not manage the last game against the Philadelphia Phillies because his mother unexpected passed away. Ausmus traveled to Connecticut to be with his family; so, he will not manage on Friday against the Oakland A’s either.
Bench Coach Gene Lamont managed the last game of the homestand and he will manage game one in Oakland, too. Unfortunately for Lamont and the Tigers, Ian Kinsler and Justin Upton were out of the lineup. Kinsler was not feeling well and Upton has a quad muscle issue.
The end of the homestand gave Al Avila an opportunity to discuss the ups and downs of managing and how he feels about Brad Ausmus and the job he is doing.