Dioner Navarro's long fly ball to dead center field nearly gave the Dodgers their first four-game winning streak of the season. Instead, they'll have to settle for two out of three.
Austin Jackson had to get on his horse to snag Navarro's shot, which would have easily cleared the bases and given the Dodgers a win. But, the Tigers made good on four home runs and held on for the win, 7-5. The Dodgers are now 3-6 on their homestand.
The Dodgers finally had some reasons to feel good about themselves, as they sported wins in three straight games coming into this one. Ted Lilly was given the ball to try and extend that streak, but one batter into the game, he knew he'd be in for a long day. Casper Wells led off the game with a solo shot.
Looking to respond, Juan Uribe singled with one out. Andre Ethier flew out, but Matt Kemp cranked an RBI triple to tie the game. James Loney was able to find some room in left for an RBI single and 2-1 lead.
The lead didn't last long, as Lilly just couldn't get on track. Victor Martinez walked to set things up for Magglio Ordonez, who lifted a two-run shot to left to grab the lead back at 3-2.
The following inning, the Tigers went deep again, this time on a two-run bomb by Miguel Cabrera, putting them up 5-2. They definitely have some muscle, and it was on full display in this one.
Kemp singled to start the bottom of the fourth, and soon stole his 21st base. Loney walked to put two on with none out. Marcus Thames actually had a good at-bat for the first time in... well, forever, with an RBI single. An out later, Jamey Carroll flew out to right, and Ordonez gunned down Loney trying to scamper home. I'm pretty sure being fleet of foot is not a way to describe him.
Both teams went back and forth in the fifth. After Lilly gave up a two-out single to Brandon Boesch, Mike MacDougal relieved to try and get the last out. He didn't, as a single by Cabrera led to an RBI single from Martinez for the 6-3 lead.
The bottom of the fifth got very interesting, as the Dodgers sent eight men to the plate, but only came away with two runs. Tony Gwynn and Aaron Miles both singled to start. Uribe grounded into a double play, sending Gwynn to third. Ethier collected an RBI single to make it 6-4, and Kemp singled to keep the inning going.
Charlie Furbush then relieved Rick Porcello, and Loney greeted him with an RBI single to go down 6-5. Thames took a walk to load the bases for Navarro, who struck out to end the inning. Navarro has played well lately, but he didn't come through twice with the bases loaded, which has to be as frustrating as it gets.
Don Kelly added an insurance run for the Tigers with a solo homer off of Matt Guerrier leading off the eighth. Blake Hawksworth got a double play from Andy Dirks to get out of it. The Dodgers put two on in the bottom of the frame, only to see Joaquin Benoit blow away Miles for the final out.
It all came down to the bottom of the ninth, and the Dodgers showed some heart. Jose Valverde was in looking for his 17th save, and with one out, the Dodgers loaded the bases on a single by Ethier, a walk to Kemp, and a single by Loney. Don Mattingly called on veteran Casey Blake to hit for Dee Gordon, and he struck out. Navarro came so close to ending the game with a mighty swing, but give Jackson credit for tracking it down.
A sweep would have been great, even downright shocking, but the Dodgers will gladly take two of three. With the lifeless ball they played last week, they at least showed grit these three games, even in a losing effort in this one. They're only 34-42, so getting back to .500 will still require plenty of work.
Lilly never got rolling, as he went 4 2/3 innings for six hits, six runs, one walk, and eight strikeouts. The strikeouts were nice, but there aren't many pitchers who can survive three taters. His previous two starts have been awful, which is disappointing considering he had five good ones before that.
The offense outhit the Tigers 13-10, and took more walks at 5-3. But, a quick look at the men left on base tells the story, as the Dodgers left 14, and the Tigers left 5. Needless to say, that's a huge difference. Four homers to none for the away team made a difference as well.
Thursday will be an off day for the Dodgers. They will then welcome in the rival Anaheim Angels to finish up the homestand for three games. Rubby De La Rosa goes in the first game against a very solid Dan Haren.
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