Hiroki Kuroda' only at 89 pitches to start the inning, so he heads back out for the eighth. I'm not sure if I've ever seen the entire Yankee rotation look so great with the offense looking so horrible at the same time. It's really something and those men on the mound deserve so much better. Kuroda makes Jhonny Peralta his 10th strikeout victim of the day. Unsatisfied, Kuroda gets Alex Avila too on a called strike three, a wicked two-seam fastball that moved over to the top of strike zone. 11 strikeouts now for Kuroda, but Omar Infante singles up the middle. That sends Joe Girardi to the mound. However, Kuroda convinces Girardi to let him stay in to fact Austin Jackson. He's now at 100 pitches, but he still feels like the best option, especially given the weariness of the bullpen after last night's marathon.
Jackson singles to right field on 1-1 pitch, but Swisher fires behind the runner to nab Infante at second. Unfortunately, second baseman Jeff Nelson butchers the call and he's safe. Great. #RobotUmpsNow. This is ridiculous. We see on replay within seconds that he was clearly out, but can't implement the correct ruling? Foolish. Kuroda departs after 7.2 sterling innings. Look at this garbage. Not even close.
via pbs.twimg.com
Boone Logan comes in from the 'pen, and Avisail Garcia in to pinch-hit for Berry. Of course he makes the blown call hurt by singling to right field to score Infante. Tigers 1, Umpires 1, Yankees 0. Girardi's gone from the game after arguing the call. I don't blame him, I wouldn't want to be in this game any longer either. Joba Chamberlain replaces Logan, and he gives up a RBI single to Cabrera to make it 3-0. Of course. Pour salt on the wound. New pitcher again! Clay Rapada in. He walks Prince Fielder to load the bases. Of course. Let's try the fifth pitcher of the inning! In comes Cody Eppley to face Delmon Young, and he strikes him out to mercifully end it.
Did I mention it should still be 1-0? Ugh. This is just a joke. Instant replay now. A one-run game is way different than a three-run affair. The Yankees have six outs to play with to try to dent home plate even once. Hope for the best.