St. Petersburg, Fla. — Michael Fulmer saw manager Brad Ausmus and pitching coach Rich Dubee walking toward him after he finished the seventh inning Friday. He knew what they were coming to tell him.
“I kind of took two steps toward the other side of the dugout,” Fulmer said with a smile. “But they caught up to me and told me I was done.”
There was no need for Fulmer to throw another pitch. His work was done and the Tigers’ fourth straight victory was all but secured.
Making his first start since June 22, Fulmer was as oppressive and defeating as the dense heat outside the Tropicana dome.