the last 4 days Detroit has won 2 and lost 2

On Friday evening Detroit lost to Seattle 3-2. Brad Penny allowed 3 runs on 8 hits in 7 innings pitched but took the hard luck loss. Two home runs allowed did him in. Penny fell to 5-5 on the season. Victor Martinez supplied all the offense for Detroit with a 2-run homer, his 6th of the year.

Saturday night Detroit cruised 8-1 behind Max Scherzer. This was Scherzer's best outing in about a month. He had earned a win in his last start, but that was more due to strong offensive support he got. On Saturday though he took a no-hitter into the 5th inning and allowed 1 run on 4 hits in 7 innings pitched. He improved to 8-2 on the season.

Jhonny Peralta hit his 9th homer of the season, a 2-run shot. Austin Jackson was 3-5 with 2 triples and 2 RBIs. Victor Martinez was 3-4 with a double and 2 RBIs. Don Kelly also drove in a run.

Brennan Boesch was 3-4 on the night as well, adding to his recent hot hitting.

On Sunday Detroit was shut down by Felix Hernandex. That's why King Felix may be the best pitcher in the American League right now, though Justin Verlander is making his case.

Seattle scored 2 in the 8th and 2 in the 9th to break open a tight game and send Rick Porcello to the loss. Porcello went 7 and gave up 3 runs on 6 hits. He fell to 6-4 on the season.

Alex Avila was 2-4 with 2 RBIs. Victor Martinez was 2-3 with an RBI, but Detroit fell 7-3. Seattle and Detroit split the 4 game series.

Last night Tampa came to town to make up an earlier rain out. Ramon Santiago tripled home Victor Martinez with 1 out in the bottom of the 10th to win it for Detroit 2-1. David Purcey was the 6th Tiger pitcher and earned his first win of the season. Joaquin Benoit allowed the tying run in the 8th to deny Phil Coke his elusive 2nd win of the season.

Of bigger significance was the fact that Phil Coke pitched 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing 4 hits. His best outing since returning from the DL. Magglio Ordonez also returned from the DL. He played right field. He was 0-2 but threw out a runner at the plate, which was big in a tight game.

Victor Martinez was 2-5 with the other Tiger RBI. Alex Avila was 2-4 with a double and Austin Jackson was 2-5. Jackson has now pushed his batting average over .250

Detroit is now percentage points behind Cleveland in the Central, and start a series with them tonight.