CLEVELAND – The Detroit Tigers have beaten the Cleveland Guardians more than it seems like these past couple seasons, including in the ALDS last fall. They just can’t beat Tanner Bibee.
Lately, the Tigers can’t even hit the Cleveland righty and didn’t again in the series opener at Progressive Field, losing 3-2 and falling to 29-41. Well, the new guy – James Outman – hit Bibee when he smacked a solo home run to keep the Tigers in it early. He also made a spectacular play in center to give Tigers righty Jack Flaherty a chance to get out of a jam in the second inning.
Flaherty couldn’t take advantage, though, and left the game after three innings due to left leg soreness. The Tigers pitcher fell to 1-8 on the season.
At the plate
This is how it goes when the Tigers face Bibee. Lots of flailing. Lots of looking. Lots of strikeouts. Lots of bases left empty.
Outman crushed a 93-mph sinker that didn’t sink in the third inning, for a 418-blast that sailed deep into the right field seats. It was his first home run of the season and made A.J. Hinch look a touch prophetic.
Before the game, the Tigers manager said the Tigers had picked up Outman primarily for his speed and glove in centerfield, a position where they’ve struggled this season. He also said he liked his power.
Outman made a diving catch. Outman hit a home run.
Spencer Torkelson hit one, too, in the eighth inning. He was the last batter Bibee faced. That gives Torkelson 11 homers on the season, and it gave the Tigers a reasonable chance in the ninth inning.
On the mound
Flaherty was evaluated for left leg soreness after his abbreviated outing. He gave up two runs on three hits in the second inning … all with two outs. He couldn’t get the bottom of the order.
After Outman made his diving catch on a Steven Kwan flare to shallow center, it looked like Flaherty might escape despite allowing a leadoff double to Rhys Hoskins.
Then Patrick Bailey, added in a trade last month, singled on a 2-2 pitch to drive in Hoskins. Brayan Rocchio followed with a triple to the right-field wall, which would’ve been a double if Kerry Carpenter hadn’t misplayed the ball.
Hinch talked about improving the outfield defense during his pre-game meet with reporters and mentioned the team’s lack of playmaking there as a reason for grabbing Outman off waivers.
But then it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. The Tigers can’t beat Bibee.
The Guardians have won each of his past nine starts against the Tigers, including the postseason. He’s 4-0 with a 1.58 ERA in that span, and nowhere near that when he pitches against the rest of MLB.
He gave up two hits in seven innings plus one batter, and two runs – the Outman homer and the Torkelson homer.
Other than that, no other Tiger squared the ball all night. As usual, he kept Detroit off balance mixing in a low-90s sinker, a curve, a high-80s cutter and a mid-90s four-seamer. If the Tigers appear like they miss even when Bibee throws average heat down the middle, they do and have done so for the better part of a few years.
He struck out eight.
Next up: Skub Day!
Saturday’s reason for optimism? Tarik Skubal, of course. The Tigers’ ace returns just five weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. Skubal made a rehab start for West Michigan, the Tigers’ High-A affiliate, on Sunday, throwing five shutout innings and allowing two hits.
The Tigers would welcome a similar effort on Saturday (4:10 p.m., Detroit SportsNet) at Progressive Field. Mostly, they’re just grateful they get to welcome him back so soon.
Contact Shawn Windsor: swindsor@freepress.com. Follow him @shawnwindsor.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers stumped by Cleveland Guardians, Tanner Bibee again
