Great, until Valverde time.

Indians 4, Tigers 3

On Mother’s Day, the Tigers lost the rubber match of the three game series against the Indians despite a strong effort from Rick Porcello (1-2, 32.1 IP, 6.68 ERA, 4.46 FIP, 0.2 WAR) who allowed 2 runs in 6 innings of work while limiting the Indians to 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6. This marks his third consecutive quality start and during those three starts he has averaged 8.4 K/9, which is very good for a groundball pitcher. The offense was provided mostly by backup catcher Brayan Pena, who had three hits including a 2 run homerun, but also via an Infante sacrifice fly. Valverde entered the game in the 9th win a one run lead and gave it away with two walks and a single, forcing the Tigers to deliver in the bottom of the 9th which they were unable to do, sending the game to the 10th inning where they gave up a run and couldn’t match it. The loss drops the Tigers to 20-15 and just their 4th series loss in 12 tries this year. They will welcome the Astros to Comerica Park for three starting tomorrow behind Anibal Sanchez (3-3, 45.2 IP, 1.97 ERA, 1.48 FIP, 2.2 WAR), the league’s best starting pitcher by WAR so far this season despite having one fewer start than his competitors Wainwright, Buchholz, and Verlander.

The Moment: Pena’s homerun just clear the right centerfield wall.