NOTABLE:
Anibal Sanchez has plenty of experience at the plate from his earlier career in the National League, but perhaps he's gotten a bit rusty. He struck out and popped out on Saturday. He's now 22-for-253 (.087) in his career with 120 strikeouts.
Tigers third baseman Nicholas Castellanos was called out for runner's interference on an unusual play in the fifth inning.
Castellanos chopped a ball in front of the plate that was scooped up by catcher Austin Hedges.
Hedges' throw beaned Castellanos in the back right as his foot touched first base.
Runners generally have to run in the marked lane in foul territory and can be called out if they get in the way of a throw by being in fair territory. However, for the last step or so, umpires rarely call interference because a runner must step back into fair territory to touch first.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus, who was ejected for arguing a checked swing on Friday night, argued the call with home plate umpire Jordan Baker to no avail.
New outfielder Matt den Dekker made his Tigers debut when he pinch-hit for Sanchez in the seventh. den Dekker struck out. His contract was purchased from Triple-A Toledo on Friday when outfielder Alex Presley went on the seven-day concussion disabled list.
Sanchez pitched six strong innings and one of his two runs allowed was unearned. He had no one to blame but himself, however. The Padres got on the board in the third inning when Sanchez opted to go to third instead of first on a sacrifice bunt and flung the ball into left field.
Padres shortstop Allen Cordoba was drilled in wrist by a Sanchez fastball in the third inning. He left the game in much pain with what the team called a hand contusion. X-rays will determine if anything was broken.
The Tigers extended their losing streak to a season-high eight games. They haven’t lost that many since an eight-game skid from May 28 to June 5, 2015.
Greene, A. Wilson give up 5 runs in the 8th;
Greene allowed four runs on two hits and two walks over 1/3 of an inning.
He had allowed nine runs in his 35 innings pitched this season entering Saturday's game. Opponents hit just .190 (24-for-126) in that stretch.
It was Greene’s second blown save this week. After allowing one home run in his first 33 innings, Greene has been tagged for two in his last three.
Justin Upton went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored and Andrew Romine was 2-for-3 with two RBis and a run scored.
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/tigers-...217#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=491217
Boxscore.
ROARS:
Jose Iglesias made a truly impressive over-the-wall catch in the second, and in the top of the fifth he knocked in an RBI-double.
The guy who proposed on camera, because that’s hella brave and thankfully she said yes. At least someone left tonight’s game a winner.
Alex Avila making a strong case for his trade value by knocking a double in the top of the fourth and a single in the eighth. He also nearly got a home run, but it was the sixth warning track hit to be swallowed up by the massive Petco Park outfield.
Andrew Romine, saving the day over and over. He drove in Upton to reclaim the lead in the seventh. His two-hit game netted two RBIs, and he also scored a run.
HISSES:
The outfield. Or the lack of wind. I’m not sure which was the bigger problem tonight but the Tigers saw some monster hits just die on the warning track tonight.
That idiotic interference call at first.
The bullpen. Like this needs to be explained.
Jordan Baker. Umpires haven’t been kind to the Tigers this season, but Baker was an absolute nightmare for the team tonight.
STREAKS & INFO:
After today’s game, Justin Upton has gotten on base in 22 consecutive games, keeping himself in company with the likes of Aaron Judge (25 games) and Joey Votto (also 22 games).
Matt Den Dekker made his Detroit Tigers debut tonight, striking out in the seventh. He was a pinch hitter for Sanchez, and made only one appearance.
The Tigers have lost 13 of their last 16 games and are 7-14 in June, which was supposed to be a more favorable month of the schedule after a difficult May.