Lack of batting practices not affecting Tigers hitters

DETROIT -- The combination of bad weather and travel have limited the chances for the Tigers to take pregame batting practice. It has not shown in the concentration level manager Jim Leyland has seen in his hitters.

"I think we've had the best concentrated at-bats for the last seven or eight days that I've seen us have in a long time here," Leyland said, "and I'm including last year. I'm not saying we have never done it in the past here, because we have. I'm saying that for six, seven days, I'll tell you what, these guys have been grinding out their at-bats as good as you can ask them to do it. And I told them that last night."

That includes the two losses to the Nationals. Leyland liked the at-bats they put up against Jordan Zimmermann on Wednesday.

"They've really been in a stretch where they're really grinding out their at-bats and not giving at-bats away," Leyland said. "That's precious."