Tigers Have a Day For Firsts
by Jason Baird

The Tigers started their 08’ season with a loss in extra innings.

Justin Verlander was the first of six pitchers to take the mound for Detroit and pitched through six innings giving up four hits (one home run), four runs and one walk going 6-0 career against the Royals.

Newly acquired Miguel Cabrera, playing his first game as a Tiger went yard in the fifth inning of the opener. It was the first homer of the season for the team.

Fans rose to their feet in the eleventh as Royals SS Tony Pena dropped a single in front of Inge at center to score the go-ahead run making the score 5-4.

Joakim Soria pitched closer for the Royals giving up a double to Clete Thomas for his first major league hit. Inge advanced the runner to third with a sacrifice bunt. After Renteria went down on strikes for the second out, Polanco took the plate. A contact hit to third made for a routine throw to first to give the Tigers their first loss of the season.

The Royals defeated the Tigers 5-4 in the bottom of the eleventh inning. Denny Bautista gets credited with the loss.

The Tigers next game will be April 2nd against the Royals. The game is scheduled to start at 1:05 p.m. Kenny Rogers is expected to start on the mound.