Sanchez Outstanding, Chen Shuts Down Detroit Tigers' Offense

In the first game of the series, both the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers combined for over 20 hits and 17 runs. Wednesday night was the complete opposite of that.

After a night where everyone and their brother collected a hit, neither team’s offense could not do much against either starter.

Anibal Sanchez was coming off a start where he went six strong innings, and got his second win as a Tiger. On Wednesday, Sanchez was impressive yet again.

Sanchez went seven strong innings, while giving up seven hits and only one run. The one run coming off a weak high chopper by Eric Hosmer that scored Mike Moustakas.

Sadly, the Tigers offense could not do anything to back up a tremendous start from Sanchez.

Bruce Chen was masterful on the mound on Wednesday night. Chen was doing whatever he wanted to do on the mound and getting Tigers hitters out at will.

The Tigers wasted a lot of scoring chances, starting on the first play of the game. Austin Jackson lead the game off with a double, and was then stranded at third.

Miguel Cabrera doubled to lead of the seventh inning, and later got to third on a deep flyout by Prince Fielder. Delmon Young would be hit by Chen’s pitch, putting runners on the corners with less than two outs. Jhonny Peralta struck out, and Jeff Baker grounded out to end the inning.

The biggest scoring chance — and most crucial– came in the ninth inning.  Greg Holland came out to close the game down for the Royals. Andy Dirks lead the inning off with a single, bringing Cabrera back up to the plate. Cabrera hit a smash out into the gap, but was robbed by Jarrod Dyson, which potentially was a game saving catch.

Fielder hit a single, putting runners at first and second. Young came up in almost an identical situation as the night before, except this time he struck out and didn’t almost hit a go ahead three run home run. After Young struck out, Holland struck out Peralta to end the game.

The Tigers now fall three games behind the Chicago White Sox, and are facing a must win game on Thursday.

Rick Porcello (9-9) will wrap up the series against Jeremy Guthrie (5-12). Guthrie has been outstanding in the month of August; putting up a 2-1 record with a 2.51 ERA.

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