Detroit Tigers Win Wild Home Opener against Boston Red Sox

The Detroit Tigers topped the Boston Red Sox on opening day at Comerica Park. This game had it all.  Pageantry, Pizza, and Pudge.

It was a Home Opener to remember for many Detroit Tigers Fans, as Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez was on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and the Tigers unveiled a Mr. I symbol in the grass at Comerica Park.

Tom Hanks famously said, “There’s no crying in baseball,”  but he obviously didn’t see Comerica Park, as many fans in attendance were moved to tears by the beauty of the tribute to Mr. Ilitch, a man who brought baseball to Detroit for many years and has left an enduring legacy.

Michael Fulmer pitched six scoreless innings in his first Opening Day

The Tigers earned their ninth consecutive Opening Day victory at home with a wild come from behind win against the Boston Red Sox.

The Tigers led 4-0 after six innings of scoreless baseball that was pitched by last year’s Rookie of the Year, Michael Fulmer.

Fulmer had several shaky innings, but he was able to pitch skillfully out of jams to get the Tigers critical outs when needed.

Once again, the Tigers bullpen almost proved to be the team’s downfall, as Justin Wilson came on in the seventh inning, and surrendered one run.

Wilson was quickly replaced by Bruce Rondon who ended the threat in the seventh.

The Eighth Inning Saga

The eighth inning proved to be the most eventful, as the Red Sox put up five runs on Tiger pitching as Fernando Rodriguez came on to make the save, and instead gave up a three run home run to Pablo Sandoval, making the score 5-4.

The Red Sox brought up reliever Heath Hembree, who finished off Nicholas Castellanos and Miguel Cabrera.  Hembree then walked Victor Martinez, who was responsible for two of the Tigers RBIs.  Justin Upton followed Victor Martinez with a masterful at bat, drawing a walk.

After two men were on base the Sox put in pitcher Joe Kelly to face Mikie Mahtook, who promptly hit a double, driving in Andrew Romine to tie the game. The next at-bat was perhaps one of the most important of the game, as JaCoby Jones drew a walk which drove in the winning run.

Next: Detroit Tigers All-Decade Team of the 1990s

In the ninth inning Tigers closer Fernando Rodriguez came on once again in an attempt to make the save and successfully closed out the game, shutting the door on Boston’s hitters.