The Atlanta Braves handed the Detroit Tigers a 5-2 loss at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Monday in spring training play. Despite Tomás Nido's 1-for-2 with a home run and an RBI effort at the plate, the Tigers could not pull even when it mattered. On the mound, Framber Valdez turned in a solid outing, working 3.0 innings of scoreless ball with three strikeouts. The Braves out-hit the Tigers 9-5 on the day. The loss is a minor bump as the Tigers continue fine-tuning ahead of Opening Day. The exhibition season is about preparation, and today provided the kind of reps the coaching staff needs to see.
Key Performers
Tomás Nido was the key contributor at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a home run and an RBI. His power was on full display throughout the game. The Tigers will be hoping for more of the same as the spring continues.
Brett Callahan chipped in, going 1-for-2 with a home run and an RBI, Jake Rogers added to the attack, going 1-for-1, and Kerry Carpenter provided support, going 1-for-2. The Tigers showed flashes of offense but could not piece together the big inning they needed.
On the other side of the diamond, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. led the Braves offense with a 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI day. Cal Conley also contributed, going 2-for-2 with two RBI. José Azocar added a 2-for-3 effort as well. The Braves offense proved to be too much for the Tigers pitching staff to contain on this particular day.
On the Mound
Framber Valdez got the start, battling through his outing, working 3.0 innings while allowing 0 earned runs on 2 hits with three strikeouts. He threw 43 pitches in the outing. The coaching staff will review his performance as they continue mapping out the pitching plan for the regular season.
The bullpen combined for 5.3 innings of work, allowing 3 earned runs while striking out five. The Tigers continue to sort through their relief options as they build their Opening Day bullpen. Every inning pitched in the spring is an opportunity for pitchers to make their case for a spot on the roster when the games start counting.
Among the relievers, Casey Mize stood out with 3.0 innings of 1-run work, striking out two. It was an impressive showing that could factor into roster decisions.
How It Happened
Braves got on the board first with a run in the fifth inning. Braves added two runs in the sixth. Braves tacked on a run in the seventh. The Tigers countered with a run in the seventh. Braves struck back with a run in the ninth. The Tigers answered with a run in the ninth. The Braves were able to score in four separate innings, keeping the pressure on throughout the contest. Braves out-hit the Tigers 9-5, with 3 errors committed between the two clubs. A crowd of 6,091 was on hand to take in the action.
Looking Ahead
Despite the result, the Tigers will take the lessons learned from this game and move forward. Spring training is about preparation and evaluation, not wins and losses, and the coaching staff gained valuable information about the roster today. There is still time to make adjustments before the regular season begins, and games like this one are part of that process.
