The Tampa Bay Rays’ typically deep, talented bullpen was too much for the Tigers’ offense in this one. A bit of sloppy defense and no batted ball luck doomed Detroit to a 5-2 loss in the first of four from Tropicana Park.
Tyler Alexander put together a very Tyler Alexander outing in this one. For the most part he pitched well, but a couple mistakes bit him along the way. Things didn’t start out very well though. The first pitch Alexander threw was crushed to center field for a solo shot by Yandy Diaz. Manuel Margot walked after Jonathan Schoop dropped a foul pop-up, and then Nelson Cruz was hit by a cutter that got in on his hands and nicked his right elbow.