Streaking Tigers pull down M’s
DETROIT – No one had to paint a picture for Horacio Ramirez before his latest blown lead and pounding.
The Mariners’ newcomer had heard all the horror stories about what can happen to pitchers who transfer over to the American League. He had seen a bit of it firsthand as well, judging by the 6.64 earned-run average he brought to the mound here Tuesday night against a Detroit Tigers team that smells the fear on tentative pitchers.
But nothing could have prepared Ramirez for what occurred during this 9-7 loss whenever the bottom three hitters in Detroit’s batting order stepped to the plate. When the smoke cleared, the trio of Craig Monroe, Omar Infante and Brandon Inge had combined for three doubles, a triple and seven hits off Ramirez to send the Mariners back down to a .500 record.
The crowd of 30,171 fans at Comerica Park had barely recovered from seeing Richie Sexson hit a three-run homer off Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman in the first inning when Ramirez gave it all back.
Ramirez yielded three runs in the second inning, saw his club score again in the fourth to take a 4-3 lead, then surrendered three more in the bottom of that frame to trail 6-4.
It seemed only a matter of time before the Tigers would record their eighth consecutive victory. Gary Sheffield hit a home run and Monroe was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded as the Tigers added a pair in the seventh off reliever Sean Green for a 9-5 lead.
Detroit had difficulties late, minus injured flamethrower Joel Zumaya, but an improving Mariners offense couldn’t score enough to undo all the early damage.
The Mariners added two in the eighth off Fernando Rodney – assuming Zumaya’s setup role – and nearly came through in the ninth against Tigers closer Todd Jones. But after Ichiro’s leadoff bunt single, left fielder Monroe made a diving catch to rob Jose Vidro of a hit.
Raul Ibanez then hit a ball to the deepest part of this cavernous ballpark only to have it caught. And Sexson appeared to have a run-scoring, extra-base hit to right field until Magglio Ordonez made a sliding catch with his glove outstretched for the final out.
“That could have been the game,” said Sexson, who had waved his arms in “pure frustration” that Ordonez caught the ball. “We could have tied it up after that.”
But there weren’t enough breaks for the Mariners to overcome a hot Detroit offense.
The bottom third of the order went 7 for 9 with seven runs batted in off Ramirez, with Infante hitting a career high-four. His big blow was a two-run triple to right in the fourth past a diving Ben Broussard to put Detroit ahead for good.
“It’s frustrating,” Ramirez said. “The team gives you a lead and you give it back.”