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Miscues sting D-Backs in loss to Tigers
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Arizona Diamondbacks' Max Scherzer throws against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 17, 2008, in Phoenix.
The Associated Press
Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Upton (10) is forced out on a double play during the eighth inning of a baseball game as Detroit Tigers' Placido Polanco throws to first Friday, May 16, 2008 in Phoenix.
The Associated Press
Pudge Rodriguez saw a lot of strikes on a lot of sinkers from starter Armando Galarraga, but it was what Rodriguez did not see that helped him make the play of the game Saturday.
Read Jack Magrduer's blog, 'Inside Baseball'
After Stephen Drew singled to open the eighth inning, Orlando Hudson popped a bunt in front of the plate, starting a quirky double play that helped Detroit hang on for a 3-2 victory over the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Disgusted with himself for the apparent popout, Hudson stayed at the plate and turned toward the D-Backs dugout, still holding his bat.
Rodriguez let the ball drop, then threw to second to force out Drew. The relay to first doubled Hudson easily.
“When I saw the ball come down and didn’t see him go by me, that’s when I let the ball drop,” said Rodriguez, a likely Hall of Fame catcher who has 13 Gold Gloves.
“He just had a little bit of a brain cramp,” manager Bob Melvin said. “He just lost sight of the ball.”
That was not the only uncharacteristic play by the D-Backs, who at 27-16 still have the best record in the majors.
Conor Jackson committed an error on Matt Joyce’s ground ball to load the bases in a scoreless game in the fifth inning, and Carlos Guillen followed with a two-run single, making both runs unearned.
The inning started when Max Scherzer, likely making his last start before exiting the rotation to make room for Doug Davis, walked Galarraga with two outs and nobody on.
“For me, I have to work ahead,” said Scherzer, who fell to 0-2 but whose ERA dropped to 2.33. “That starts at strike one. I want 1-2 counts, not 2-1 counts. They lead to walks.”
Scherzer gave up three hits, walked four and struck out five in five innings.
Galarraga gave up one hit and walked five.
“He had a good slider,” Galarraga said of Scherzer. “He threw more sliders than fastballs.”
Turning point: With a runner on first base in the eighth inning, Orlando Hudson failed to run out a bunt and Detroit catcher Pudge Rodriguez turned it into a double play to preserve Detroit’s 3-2 lead.
Stat of the game: Miguel Montero had a pinch-hit RBI single in the seventh inning, his third hit and third RBI in eight pinch-hit at-bats.
Unsung hero: Juan Cruz pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings and has struck out four of the eight Tigers he has faced in the series.
Packing the house: A sellout crowd of 48,804 showed up, as a Chris Young figurine was given away to fans and country performer Trace Adkins played a postgame concert .
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