HOUSTON – This was the inning Daniel Norris was supposed to fall apart. The Detroit Tigers had seen it many times in the past.
After three solid innings, a leadoff walk. A double. A reliever warming up in the bullpen.
But this time, the young Tigers left-hander did not wilt to his weakest form. He did not try too hard. He quickly coughed up the lead, on a sacrifice fly, but he began to get stronger.
Norris would retire 10 straight batters after that sacrifice fly. He would look like a different pitcher, this time for the better.