Tampa Bay ended Detroit’s winning streak at five games with a strange game-winning fielder’s choice in the bottom of the 10th inning for a 3-2 win.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Tigers reliever Duane Below induced a ground ball by Elliot Johnson to third baseman Brandon Inge. Inge took the short throw to second base, but Sean Rodriguez was called safe at the bag, allowing Ben Zobrist to score the winning run.
It was another low-scoring affair in Tampa, with the winning team scoring five runs or less in all three games during the four game series. Austin Jackson got the Tigers on the board first with a sacrifice fly in the third inning, but Evan Longoria homered again in the fourth — his second of the series — to tie the game.
Former Tiger Johnny Damon doubled in a run in the fifth to give the Rays the lead, but Alex Avila continued his scorching August with a solo homer down the right field line to tie it back up.
Wade Davis started for the Rays and went nine innings, yet was only able to earn a no-decision. He allowed four hits and two runs on just 102 pitches.
Max Scherzer gave up four hits and two runs as well, but a high pitch count chased him after the fifth inning. Daniel Schlereth, Ryan Perry, David Pauley and Below (0-2) combined to finish the game.
Though Detroit dropped the game, they remained six games ahead of Cleveland, who lost earlier to Seattle. Chicago is also six games back and is in Los Angeles on Wednesday.