Disheartening.

Blue Jay 3, Tigers 2

If it weren’t for the poor offensive showings this week, watching Max Scherzer (24 GS, 161 IP, 3.13 ERA, 2.88 FIP, 4.2 fWAR) duel with Marcus Stroman would have been a perfect way to spend a Saturday. However, the lack of punch from the Tigers offense lately made it a little more stressful watching the Tigers only really threaten and score in a two run 6th inning. But that looked like all they would need as Max Scherzer showed up and did his thing north of the border. Max was excellent pretty much start to finish, going eight innings while allowing four hits, no walks, a run while striking out 11 in dominating fashion. It was pretty much vintage Scherzer when they needed him to be vintage Scherzer. Ausmus gave Nathan the 9th inning and you will never guess what happened! He faced five batters, allowed a run, got an out, and left them loaded for Soria who needed five pitches to dance his way out of it and send this one hurdling into extras. Carrera walked, but Ausmus wasted an out bunting him over and nothing came of it, which then got a lot worse when Soria had to leave with an injury to his side/back area before throwing another pitch. Joba gave up an infield hit and a double to end it. The Tigers will play for the series behind David Price (24 GS, 179.1 IP, 3.11 ERA, 2.98 FIP, 4.0 fWAR) who was terrific in his debut.

The Moment: Max finishes off the Jays in dominant fashion with a marvelous 8th inning.