Tigers vs White Sox Game 1

Game Recap

After the original season opening game was postponed, due to inclement weather, a little anticipation was built up. Dare say antsy-ness. We’ve waited six months, what’s one more day?

The Tigers and White Sox game didn’t disappoint. There was action, damn near from the opening pitch. Or maybe I was just excited.

The White Sox wasted little time getting on the board. In the bottom of the first, with a man on first base, Melky Caberra stepped to the plate. He hit a line drive to right field, driving in Tyler Saladino and his mustache, and although Saladino scored, Melky got thrown out going for the triple.

At the top of the second inning, the Tigers had men on first and third with no outs. 24 year old Jacoby Jones steps to the plate, making his first Major League debut. One would think he would be nervous, under the bright lights, and hype of opening day…

That’s right, his first career home run over the left field wall to make the score 3-1 Detroit!

Pitcher, Jose Quintana faced 2/3 of the lineup in the 2nd and was seemingly a little rattled— judging by how many balls he threw. He routinely stayed out of the strike zone.

After Ian Kinsler got walked, there was a quick meeting on the mound. Maybe to see where Quintana’s head was at. He got ahead in the count against Nick Castellanos fairly quick, throwing two quick strikes. Then he dug himself a hole with three straight balls. Then, he had to do the inevitable — throw it down the pipe.

Nick apparently still feeling it from his superb spring training, picked up where he left off and boosted a rocket over the right field wall, making the score 5-1.

 

Fast forward to the top of the fourth inning, Quintana seemingly had things under control. With two outs after sitting down two Tigers, Ian Kinsler was the only thing standing in his way of sitting down, and… he gave up another big home run.

Detroit hit 211 homers in 2016. They already had three before we entered the 5th!

In the bottom of the fourth, the Sox inched closer, making it it 6-2, then 6-3.

Only problem with that was, Justin Verlander remembered he was Justin Verlander.

In the end, the Tigers pitchers held their ground, after their bats did the heavy lifting early on.

Tomorrow is game 2 of this 3 game series. First pitch is @ 2:10. I expect the White Sox to tighten up a bit, but Detroit showed me two things today: Confidence and determination. I expect more of the same Wednesday.

See you tomorrow.✌🏿