Another step closer.

Tigers 5, Mariners 4 (Magic # = 4)

Doug Fister (31 GS, 201.1 IP, 3.71 ERA, 3.27 FIP, 4.4 WAR) was one pitch away from having a phenomenal start but will have to settle for a strong one as he went 7.2 innings, gave up 4 runs (3 on a HR), while walking one and striking out 10. Aside from the 5th inning bomb by Ackley, Fister handled the Mariners easily and kept his team in the game while they charged back. The Tigers had jumped out to a 3-1 lead on a Hunter HR, Martinez double, and Infante bases loaded walk across the first three innings, but the Ackley dinger left them trailing 4-3. Hunter, Fielder, Martinez, and Infante all registered hits in the 7th to push across two runs in the inning and the Tigers took the lead for good. Smyly and Benoit grabbed the final four outs and earned the club its 89th win with three against the White Sox coming this weekend. Also of note, Jose Iglesias was struck on the hand but X-Rays were negative. Prince Fielder also ate a fan’s nacho, so…yeah.  Max Scherzer (30 GS, 201.1 IP, 2.95 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 6.1 WAR) will take the ball for the first of the set.

The Moment: Martinez doubles home Fielder in the 7th to take the lead – although Fielder didn’t exactly beat the tag.