Wounded Tigers Take Two of Three From Reds

Jim Leyland wanted to get out of town without facing Aroldis Chapman but didn't make it.  Instead his wounded Tigers hung the second loss in as many appearances on the "Cuban Missle" with a nationally televised 7-6 win..

The Tigers had just got Austin Jackson back from the disabled list on Saturday.  Brennan Boesch sprained his right ankle sliding home in Saturday's game.  The Detroit starter, Drew Smyly developed the "worst blister I've seen in my life", according to Leyland.

Still his club clawed its way back from a 6-2 deficit by beating Chapman and the rest of the Reds' bullpen, which has been statistically the best bullpen in the National League most of the season.

Todd Frazier hit a two-run home run to put the Reds up 6-2 after he gave Cincinnati a two-run lead with a single in the second inning that plated a pair of markers.  Zack Cozart homered to lead off the third, his seventh and Devin Mesoraco clubbed his fourth.

Homer Bailey gave up an RBI double to Delmon Young in the fourth and a home run to Jackson with two outs in the fifth.  Bailey maintained the lead into the seventh.  He struck out Matt Young and got Jackson on a ground out but couldn't finish the inning.  Quintin Berry singled on Bailey's 112th pitch.

Dusty Baker went to his bullpen with the heart of the Tigers' lineup coming to the plate

Jose Arredondo, who hadn't allowed a run in four appearances, walked Miguel Cabrera.  Sean Marshall came on to face Prince Fielder like he did on Saturday.  Coming into the series, Fielder was just 5-for-23 lifetime against Marshall with 10 strikeouts.  Also lefthanders managed a meager .136 off Marshall this season.

The percentages were in Marshall's favor but for the second straight day, Fielder singled home a run off the Reds' lefty.

Logan Ondrusek got the dangerous Delmon Young on strikes to end the seventh but immediately got into a jam in the eighth.  He walked Ramon Santiago and surrendered a single to backup catcher, Gerald Laird.

Baker wanted to stop Detroit right here.

The Reds' manager went to Chapman, who just had a streak of 20 straight appearances without an earned run allowed.

The odds were again in the Reds favor.  Boesch had to face the Chapman with a sprained ankle.  He hit a hard ground ball past Brandon Phillips into right field.  It would have been a sure double play the way Boesch was running had the ball been six inches to the left.  The hit loaded the bases.

Chapman hit Matt Young on the elbow to force in a run.

"Matt's jersey made a great play.  It was the only chance he had," Leyland joked.

Jackson tied the game with a double.  A wild pitch brought Young home with the go-ahead run.

"Sometimes it happens," Baker said.  "I don't care how good you are.  Chapman spoiled us by being so good and he will be great again."

The streaking Pittsburgh Pirates beat Kansas City this afternoon to pull into a tie for first place in the NL Central.  St. Louis is two games back.