PITTSBURGH -- There's nothing fancy about the way Alfredo Simon does his job. The Detroit Tigers
right-hander doesn't overwhelm batters with power or baffle them with
deception. Instead, Simon just rears back and throws, trusting his
defense to handle the bulk of the work.
"He doesn't get rattled," manager Brad Ausmus said. "I don't think his heartbeat gets up over 60 beats a minute."
Considering how easily Simon dispatched the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, overexertion was hardly necessary. Simon held Pittsburgh to two hits over eight solid innings as the Tigers held on for a 1-0 win to improve to 8-1 on the season.
"I just felt really comfortable today," Simon said. "When I was behind in counts I just tried to throw my slider for a strike, tried to throw that and tried to put the ball in play. The key was, when I was behind in the count, just try a different pitch."
Detroit won two of three in the interleague series despite scoring just seven runs. Simon (2-0) struck out only two but took advantage of solid defense behind him as the Tigers handed Pittsburgh consecutive home losses for the first time since last August.
Rajai Davis hit a leadoff homer in the sixth against Francisco Liriano (0-1) as Detroit shut out Pittsburgh for the second straight day. Joakim Soria worked a perfect ninth for his fourth save while filling in for injured Joe Nathan.
Detroit had just five hits off four Pittsburgh pitchers but received all the offense it would need when Davis hit his first home run of the season, turning on an 81 mph slider by Liriano for the 36th homer of his decade-long career.
"I did reach a little bit but I felt like off the bat I'm hoping that would go," Davis said. "It felt good off the bat."
A night after managing just three hits against Shane Greene in a 2-0 loss, the Pirates weren't any better against Simon. A surprise All-Star a year ago for Cincinnati, the beefy 33-year-old breezed through Pittsburgh's punchless lineup after surviving an eventful 5 1/3 innings in his debut with Detroit last Friday.
Simon didn't allow a hit until consecutive two-out singles by Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker in the fourth. Starling Marte grounded into a fielders' choice to end the threat and Simon went right back to work, retiring the final 10 batters he faced the Pirates' early offensive funk grew deeper. They're batting just .207 and haven't even earned a walk since Saturday.
"We're just a tick off and sometimes a tick off is a lot at the major-league level," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said.
EARLY EXIT
Home plate umpire Jerry Layne left the game in the top of the ninth inning when an 88 mph cutter from Mark Melancon struck Layne's mask. Layne pointed to his mouth in obvious pain and the game was delayed for several minutes as the crew tried to figure out what happened. There was some apparent confusion over whether Layne called the pitch from Melancon to Miguel Cabrera a strike or ball four.
"Jerry wasn't in the best position to explain," Hurdle said. "Hunter (Wendelstedt) said `I thought he said foul tip and he said `chipped tooth.' He just said it was a hard conversation to have."
After a lengthy review Cabrera was awarded first base. Second-base umpire Bob Davidson called the rest of the game in Layne's place.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: Pitcher Justin Verlander's return from a strained right triceps hit a speedbump on Wednesday when he ended a simulated game early due to fatigue. Verlander threw 80 pitches total, 35 in the bullpen and another 45 on the mound. Ausmus said Verlander will likely need another simulated game or a rehab start before he's ready to be activated off the disabled list but said any decision on Verlander's status won't be made until at least Friday. ... Nathan threw batting practice on Wednesday without any issues as he works his way back from a right flexor strain.
Pirates: Pitcher Charlie Morton will make a start at extended spring training on Saturday, where he will be on a 55-pitch limit. Morton is returning from offseason hip surgery.
UP NEXT
Tigers: David Price (1-0) takes a 21 2/3 regular season scoreless inning streak into Friday's game at the Chicago White Sox. Price hasn't given up a run in his last three regular season starts. The 29-year-old Price is 7-2 with a 2.89 ERA in 12 career games (10 starts) at Comerica Park.
Pirates: Pittsburgh gets a second look at Milwaukee when the teams open a three-game series at PNC Park on Friday. The Pirates won two of three against the Brewers on the road last week.
"He doesn't get rattled," manager Brad Ausmus said. "I don't think his heartbeat gets up over 60 beats a minute."
Considering how easily Simon dispatched the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, overexertion was hardly necessary. Simon held Pittsburgh to two hits over eight solid innings as the Tigers held on for a 1-0 win to improve to 8-1 on the season.
"I just felt really comfortable today," Simon said. "When I was behind in counts I just tried to throw my slider for a strike, tried to throw that and tried to put the ball in play. The key was, when I was behind in the count, just try a different pitch."
Detroit won two of three in the interleague series despite scoring just seven runs. Simon (2-0) struck out only two but took advantage of solid defense behind him as the Tigers handed Pittsburgh consecutive home losses for the first time since last August.
Rajai Davis hit a leadoff homer in the sixth against Francisco Liriano (0-1) as Detroit shut out Pittsburgh for the second straight day. Joakim Soria worked a perfect ninth for his fourth save while filling in for injured Joe Nathan.
Detroit had just five hits off four Pittsburgh pitchers but received all the offense it would need when Davis hit his first home run of the season, turning on an 81 mph slider by Liriano for the 36th homer of his decade-long career.
"I did reach a little bit but I felt like off the bat I'm hoping that would go," Davis said. "It felt good off the bat."
A night after managing just three hits against Shane Greene in a 2-0 loss, the Pirates weren't any better against Simon. A surprise All-Star a year ago for Cincinnati, the beefy 33-year-old breezed through Pittsburgh's punchless lineup after surviving an eventful 5 1/3 innings in his debut with Detroit last Friday.
Simon didn't allow a hit until consecutive two-out singles by Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker in the fourth. Starling Marte grounded into a fielders' choice to end the threat and Simon went right back to work, retiring the final 10 batters he faced the Pirates' early offensive funk grew deeper. They're batting just .207 and haven't even earned a walk since Saturday.
"We're just a tick off and sometimes a tick off is a lot at the major-league level," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said.
EARLY EXIT
Home plate umpire Jerry Layne left the game in the top of the ninth inning when an 88 mph cutter from Mark Melancon struck Layne's mask. Layne pointed to his mouth in obvious pain and the game was delayed for several minutes as the crew tried to figure out what happened. There was some apparent confusion over whether Layne called the pitch from Melancon to Miguel Cabrera a strike or ball four.
"Jerry wasn't in the best position to explain," Hurdle said. "Hunter (Wendelstedt) said `I thought he said foul tip and he said `chipped tooth.' He just said it was a hard conversation to have."
After a lengthy review Cabrera was awarded first base. Second-base umpire Bob Davidson called the rest of the game in Layne's place.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: Pitcher Justin Verlander's return from a strained right triceps hit a speedbump on Wednesday when he ended a simulated game early due to fatigue. Verlander threw 80 pitches total, 35 in the bullpen and another 45 on the mound. Ausmus said Verlander will likely need another simulated game or a rehab start before he's ready to be activated off the disabled list but said any decision on Verlander's status won't be made until at least Friday. ... Nathan threw batting practice on Wednesday without any issues as he works his way back from a right flexor strain.
Pirates: Pitcher Charlie Morton will make a start at extended spring training on Saturday, where he will be on a 55-pitch limit. Morton is returning from offseason hip surgery.
UP NEXT
Tigers: David Price (1-0) takes a 21 2/3 regular season scoreless inning streak into Friday's game at the Chicago White Sox. Price hasn't given up a run in his last three regular season starts. The 29-year-old Price is 7-2 with a 2.89 ERA in 12 career games (10 starts) at Comerica Park.
Pirates: Pittsburgh gets a second look at Milwaukee when the teams open a three-game series at PNC Park on Friday. The Pirates won two of three against the Brewers on the road last week.
7:05PM,EDT,April 15,2015
PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Detroit - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Francisco Liriano pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Davis struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Kinsler grounded out to pitcher. | 0 | 0 |
| Cabrera grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Alfredo Simon pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Harrison struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Polanco lined out to center. | 0 | 0 |
| McCutchen hit by pitch. | 0 | 0 |
| McCutchen caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Francisco Liriano pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| J.D. Martinez singled to left center. | 0 | 0 |
| Céspedes struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| J.D. Martinez stole second. | 0 | 0 |
| Castellanos lined out to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| McCann struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Alfredo Simon pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Walker popped out to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| Marte grounded out to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Álvarez grounded out to first. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Francisco Liriano pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Iglesias singled to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Iglesias stole second. | 0 | 0 |
| Simon struck out bunting foul. | 0 | 0 |
| Davis flied out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Kinsler lined out to center. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Alfredo Simon pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Cervelli flied out to center. | 0 | 0 |
| Mercer flied out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Liriano lined out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Francisco Liriano pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Cabrera grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| J.D. Martinez struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Céspedes grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Alfredo Simon pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Harrison grounded out to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Polanco grounded out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| McCutchen singled to left. | 0 | 0 |
| Walker singled to right, McCutchen to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Marte grounded into fielder's choice to third, McCutchen out at third, Walker to second. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Francisco Liriano pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Castellanos singled to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Castellanos caught stealing second, pitcher to first to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| McCann struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Iglesias walked. | 0 | 0 |
| Simon grounded out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Alfredo Simon pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Álvarez grounded out to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Cervelli flied out to center. | 0 | 0 |
| Mercer struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Francisco Liriano pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Davis homered to left center (400 feet). | 1 | 0 |
| Kinsler lined out to right. | 1 | 0 |
| Cabrera flied out to right. | 1 | 0 |
| J.D. Martinez struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Alfredo Simon pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Lambo hit for Liriano. | 1 | 0 |
| Lambo flied out to center. | 1 | 0 |
| Harrison grounded out to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Polanco lined out to first. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Jared Hughes pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Hughes relieved Liriano. | 1 | 0 |
| Céspedes struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| Castellanos singled to center. | 1 | 0 |
| McCann struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| Iglesias struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Alfredo Simon pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| McCutchen popped out to shortstop. | 1 | 0 |
| Walker grounded out to first. | 1 | 0 |
| Marte flied out to right. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Tony Watson pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Watson relieved Hughes. | 1 | 0 |
| Simon grounded out to catcher. | 1 | 0 |
| Davis grounded out to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Kinsler lined out to right. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Alfredo Simon pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Álvarez grounded out to second. | 1 | 0 |
| Cervelli flied out to center. | 1 | 0 |
| Mercer grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Mark Melancon pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Melancon relieved Watson. | 1 | 0 |
| Cabrera walked. | 1 | 0 |
| J.D. Martinez flied out to left. | 1 | 0 |
| Céspedes grounded into double play, third to second to first, Cabrera out at second. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 9th | SCORE | |
| Joakim Soria pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Romine at third base. | 1 | 0 |
| Soria relieved Simon. | 1 | 0 |
| Hart hit for Melancon. | 1 | 0 |
| Hart grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 0 |
| Harrison flied out to left. | 1 | 0 |
| Polanco struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit Tigers | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| Davis CF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 15 | .250 | .429 | .438 |
| Kinsler 2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | .342 | .395 | .447 |
| Cabrera 1B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 | .432 | .500 | .676 |
| J.D. Martinez RF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 | .282 | .300 | .615 |
| Céspedes LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 21 | .308 | .325 | .462 |
| Castellanos 3B | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | .235 | .308 | .412 |
Romine 3B
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .800 | .500 |
| McCann C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 | .182 | .250 | .182 |
| Iglesias SS | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 | .481 | .533 | .556 |
| Simon P | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Soria P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Totals | 30 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 136 | |||
| BATTING HR: Davis (1, 6th inning off Liriano 0 on, 0 Out) RBI: Davis (2) GIDP: Céspedes Tigers RISP: 0-5 (McCann 0-1, Davis 0-1, Simon 0-1, Kinsler 0-1, Castellanos 0-1) Team LOB: 4 | ||||||||||
| BASERUNNING SB: J.D. Martinez (1, 2nd base off Liriano/Cervelli); Iglesias (4, 2nd base off Liriano/Cervelli) CS: Castellanos (1, 2nd base by Liriano) Picked Off: Castellanos (1st base by Liriano) | ||||||||||
Game Information
| Stadium | PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Attendance | 19,509 (50.9% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 2:52 |
| Weather | 64 degrees, cloudy |
| Wind | 9 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Jerry Layne, First Base - Hunter Wendelstedt, Second Base - Bob Davidson, Third Base - David Rackley |
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