The Detroit Tigers planned for their bullpen to cover six innings Saturday.
But Casey Mize — who tossed three perfect innings on 34 pitches in his Sept. 5 outing — wasn't as electric against the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays. Under strict workload restrictions, Mize's pitch count forced his exit after two innings, meaning the relievers needed to cover seven frames.
Upon Mize's departure, the Rays already had the runs they needed.
But the Rays continued to pile on runs, handing the Tigers a 7-2 loss Saturday in the second of three games to even the series at Comerica Park.