By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
Tigers 10, Rays 7– .The Tigers overcame a 7-2 deficit in the ninth inning to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night.
Detroit had 12 batters come to the plate during its eight-run frame. Ian Kinsler tied the game 7-7 on a bases loaded walk before Cameron Maybin cleared the bases with a three-run triple.
The Rays jumped out to a 5-0 lead, scoring one run in the first inning and four in the third.
The Tigers responded with two runs in the sixth before Tampa Bay added to its lead with two runs in the bottom of the eight.
Detroit scored eight in the ninth to overcome a last inning five-run deficit for the first time since the 1998 season.
Maybin paced the Tigers with a double and four RBIs while Kinsler chipped in with two RBIs.
Detroit’s starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann picked up a no-decision, allowing four earned runs on nine hits while striking out three batters in six innings.
Former starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez picked up the win for the Tigers while Francisco Rodriguez notched a save.
The Rays were led by Nick Franklin with a double and three RBIs.
The Tigers are now 41-38 on the season, good for third place in the American League Central Division behind the first-place Cleveland Indians.
Detroit will look for its fourth straight win with a victory against the Rays on Friday night.
Record: 41-38
3rd Place in AL Central Division (7.5 games behind first-place Cleveland)
1.5 games behind Kansas City for last Wild Card spot
Magic # to clinch a playoff spot: 86
Magic # to clinch an AL Central Division title: 92
Next Game: 07/01/2016 @ Tampa Bay Rays 7:10 p.m. @ Tropicana Field
Hitting stats: Cameron Maybin 2B (5) 4 RBI (20), Ian Kinsler 2 RBI (49), Victor Martinez RBI (43), Justin Upton RBI (34), Steven Moya RBI (8), Jarrod Saltalamacchia RBI (23), Jose Iglesias 2B (13), Andrew Romine SB (4).
Pitching stats: Anibal Sanchez W (5-8) 2 IP 4 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 2 K, Francisco Rodriguez SV (22) 1 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 0 K, Jordan Zimmermann 6 IP 9 H 5 R 4 ER 2 BB 3 K.
