Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire got a dream scenario Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park.
Mired in an eight-game losing streak — all at home — the Tigers got a strong six-inning effort from ace Matthew Boyd, then a solid eighth inning from Joe Jimenez, setting the table for their reliable closer, Shane Greene.
But then things went wrong. Greene’s slider to Marlins outfielder Garrett Cooper caught too much of the plate, resulting in a two-out grand slam to left. The Marlins won, 5-2, extending the Tigers’ skid to nine straight losses.
It was the first blown save this season for Greene (0-2), who entered Thursday with a 1.