Tigers’ Bullpen Shines In 12-Inning, 8-7 Win Over Mariners

The Detroit Tigers‘ five relievers — Kyle Ryan, Justin Wilson, Francisco Rodriguez, Alex Wilson and Anibal Sanchez — helped lead their team to an 8-7, 12-inning home victory over the Seattle Mariners on Monday night.

Tigers’ Bullpen Shines In 12-Inning, 8-7 Win Over Mariners

They held the Mariners to one run while allowing seven hits, walking one and striking out seven. The only run Seattle managed to score off the bullpen came in the eighth inning, when Ketel Marte doubled off Justin Wilson and scored on a single by Leonys Martin to tie it 7-7.

“Willie, he did give up the run unfortunately, but from that point on, we were clean and smooth all the way through,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “Got out of some tight situations with both Alex Wilson and Sanchey.

“But ultimately they held them when we needed to hold them until we scored some runs.”

Detroit had used four relief pitchers on Saturday in Kansas City and four more in Sunday’s 13-inning, 2-1 loss to the Royals, thus leaving the short-handed bullpen exhausted.

On Monday, both Alex Wilson and Sanchez escaped jams in the last three innings, when Seattle had runners reach third base only to leave them stranded all three times.

Alex Wilson pitched the 10th and 11th innings, allowing three hits but no runs, while Sanchez (4-7) only allowed one hit in the 12th.

Tigers starter Mike Pelfrey lasted just five innings, allowing six earned runs and 12 hits– both season highs– before leaving with Detroit trailing 6-5. The right-hander expressed his appreciation for his teammates after the five relievers came to pick up his slack.

“They were great,” said Pelfrey, who has one win in 14 starts this season. “Obviously, Kyle Ryan I thought was great, especially in the situation he got in there with (runners on) first and third or whatever. Alex Wilson, I thought was great too. Guys were great and obviously the extra innings didn’t help these guys but they kept going, so pretty good job.”

Pelfrey gave up hits to Seattle’s first two batters, before the Mariners exploded for four runs on five hits and a walk in the second inning to gain a 4-2 lead.

The Tigers were unable to regain the lead until Justin Upton hit the first two of his home runs in the seventh to put Detroit ahead 7-6. Upton won it with a walk-off homer leading off the 12th.

Sanchez, who was sent to the bullpen three weeks ago in an effort to straighten himself out, turned in his sixth consecutive effective appearance in relief while showing he’s probably ready to rejoin the rotation soon.

He faced four batters in the 12th and stranded Adam Lind at third by getting Marte to line out to third baseman Nick Castellanos.

“I just tried to keep the score right there,” Sanchez said. “We got a chance to win this game and I can’t allow any runs. Keep the score right there and anything can happen.”

“I feel really good,” Sanchez then continued. “Right now I feel I’m able to put the ball in any corner. I think the speed, the movement, everything is back. Outing by outing, I feel better and better.”

The two teams will face off again for the second game of their four-game series at Comerica Park on Tuesday night. The Mariners will send lefty James Paxton (1-2, 2.86 ERA) to the mound, while the Tigers will start right-hander Justin Verlander (7-5, 3.87), who is riding a three-game winning streak and has won five of his past six starts.

DETROIT, MI – JUNE 20: Anibal Sanchez #19 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the 12th inning at Comerica Park on June 20, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. Sanchez got the win in the Tigers 8-7 victory. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)