Tigers Win Grapefruit Opener

Image credits: Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

The Detroit Tigers started their Grapefruit League season with a thrilling 7-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, thanks to a walk-off single by Justice Bigbie in the ninth inning. The Phillies had taken an early 5-0 lead in the fifth, but the Tigers rallied to tie the game in the eighth. The Tigers' pitchers struggled to throw strikes initially, but the bullpen locked them down for the rest of the game, allowing the minor league hitters to mount a comeback.

Kenta Maeda, who is in the final year of his two-year contract, showed a positive sign with his pitching, consistently throwing 91-92 mph in his first inning and ramping up to 93 and near 94 mph in his second inning of work. Matt Manning, who is fighting for his major league life, showed a harder curveball but struggled with location and consistency. The Tigers used several pitchers, including Tim Naughton, Matt Gage, and Brendan White, who all had their ups and downs during the game.

The Phillies' top prospects, Justin Crawford and Aidan Miller, made their spring debuts in the sixth inning, with Crawford making solid contact on a lineout that clocked a 108.4 mph exit velocity. The Phillies' first home run in the spring came courtesy of Buddy Kennedy, who sent a two-run shot over the left field wall in the fifth inning. Cal Stevenson doubled in the third inning and came around to score the Phillies' first run on an RBI single from Johan Rojas.

The game saw several notable performances, including a multihit game from catcher Josh Breaux, who had a solo homer in the sixth and a single in the seventh. The Phillies used seven pitchers, with Nabil Crismatt getting the start and allowing one hit and no runs over two innings. The staff collectively limited walks, with only three pitchers issuing one walk apiece. The game was a thrilling start to the Grapefruit League season, with the Tigers coming out on top in the end.

The Tigers' win was a testament to their grit and determination, as they came back from a 5-0 deficit to win the game. The team's minor league hitters played a crucial role in the comeback, with several players making key contributions. The game was also notable for the use of the automated strike zone, which is being tested in the Grapefruit League this season. The system appeared to work smoothly, with only a few minor issues during the game.