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Teammates celebrate Christin Stewart's homer. (Screengrab: mlb.com)
Well, the Tigers are off to a great start. Enjoy -- it's not likely to last.
Pitcher Jordan Zimmermann gave up one hit, struck out four batters and walked none in 70 pitches as the Tigers beat the Blue Jays in Toronto in an extra inning contest in the season's first game.
Chris McCosky of The Detroit News writes of Zimmermann:
Using all four pitches, with no fastball exceeding 91 mph, he dispatched the first 20 Blue Jays hitters on just 60 pitches. And he was one strike away from taking perfection into the eighth.
But Teoscar Hernandez reached out on a slider off the plate and slapped a ground ball up the middle. Second baseman Josh Harrison made a diving stop going to his right. But he couldn’t get up quick enough and his throw from his knees was late. Infield single.
Zimmermann finished the seventh and departed -- 70 pitches, one hit, no walks and four strikeouts. Tigers relievers Joe Jimenez and Victor Alcantara followed with scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth.
Rookie Christin Stewart hit a two-run homer in the top of the 10th. Closer Shane Greene earned the save in at Rogers Centre.
The Tigers' home opener is next Thursday, April 4.
Graphic: mlb.com
