Tigers ride 4-run 2nd to victory over Braves

March 18th, 2017

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Tigers capitalized on an apparent miscue to score four runs in the second inning en route to a 7-5 win over the Braves on Saturday at Champion Stadium.
With the Tigers leading 1-0 in the second and a runner on first, 's one-out grounder to newly acquired second baseman appeared as if it would result in an inning-ending double play. But the four-time Gold Glove Award winner could not handle the roller, and Detroit went on to score four runs off starter in the frame.
After walked to load the bases, ' comebacker struck Colon, who attempted to get the force at home but threw too high for catcher to keep his foot down. Thus , who singled to start the one-out rally, scored. ' bloop to left field bounced off the glove of shortstop , who was charged with an error, while Ryan skittered home. And ' single to left field scored Gose and Iglesias to give Detroit a 5-0 lead.

Colon was charged with six runs on eight hits while striking out four and walking two over 3 2/3 innings.
"I feel good," Colon said. "Right now, I'm just working on my pitches and that kind of stuff. I'm ready for the fight."
Suzuki keyed a two-run bottom of the second in response, doubling home before scoring on Colon's squeeze bunt. Suzuki helped the Braves threaten with a hard single through the box in his second plate appearance in the fourth, but Tigers starter Mike Pelfrey and reliever stranded Braves at first and second.
"Suzuki's been rolling the last two or three games," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "We still have two weeks left. Everybody's fine. As long as the guys are healthy, we're in good shape."
Pelfrey lasted 3 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out two.
Castellanos finished with three RBIs, adding an RBI ground-rule double in the fourth off Colon. The Braves chipped away with single runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth, but were unable to catch the Tigers.

Braves find production in lineup's bottom half
Tigers Up Next: Detroit will face Baltimore at 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday in Sarasota, live on MLB.TV. (1-1) will start for the Tigers in a bid for his second straight win. is scheduled to take the mound for the Orioles.
Braves Up Next: Atlanta will host St. Louis at 1:05 p.m. Sunday at Champion Stadium, live on MLB.TV, sending to the mound against . Teheran will make his third start of the spring and first since returning from the World Baseball Classic.
Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.