We saw two of last year's best pitchers to start things off in KC today: Zack Greinke (2009 AL Cy Young winner) against Justin Verlander (3rd place in the 2009 Cy Young voting).
Verlander went 5 innings and gave up 4 runs with 1 walk and 6 strike outs. Greinke went 6 innings, giving up 1 run with 1 walk and 4 strike outs. But there is only 1 Zack Greinke and after the 6th he was done.
The difference in this game was the difference between the bullpens. Detroit's was solid, KC's was not.
Fangraph of the game.
After JV was done Zumaya went out and threw a 7 pitch 6th inning. Coke took over for him and got 2 in the 7th. Perry came on, finished the 7th and took care of the 8th. Valverde came in for the 9th and there was some "questionable" fielding but got out of the inning without allowing a run. The Detroit 'pen only allowed 3 hits in the last 4 innings.
KC's bullpen allowed 4 hits and 5 runs in the first 1/3 of an inning after Greinke left the game to give Detroit a lead they would not give up. Austin Jackson not only got an RBI double on his first Major League hit and later scored, he also gunned down a run at the plate in the 7th inning from Center Field. Johnny Damon was 2 for 5 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Ordonez had a double and scored a run, Cabrera had 2 RBI and a run scored.
It was a solid win for the Tigers. A great way to start the year.
Tuesday is an off day and then we get to see Max Scherzer take the mound on Wednesday evening (8:10 start time in Michigan).
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