Tigers back on track with 16-2 stomping of Kansas City

For the first time since 1917, two Tigers, Omar Infante and Andy Dirks, had five hits in the same game and for only the second time since 1936, they had at least 26 hits in a game as Detroit took their frustration from Wednesday night out on the Kansas City Royals, 16-2.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Tigers are the first team in more than 90 years to lose a game by at least 14 runs and win the next game by at least 14 runs. The last such squad was the 1922 St. Louis Browns, who lost 17-2 and then prevailed, 15-1. Both games were against Cleveland.

Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez allowed one run in seven innings to lower his ERA to 2.61. And with the win, Detroit lowered their magic number in the AL Central division to 16, despite Cleveland defeating the N.Y. Mets, 8-1. The Tigers continue their weekend series with the Royals this Saturday night at 7 pm in Kansas City.


MAGIC NUMBERS AROUND THE LEAGUE

NL EAST - Atlanta down to 9, despite losing to Philadelphia & Washington losing to Miami
NL WEST - L.A. Dodgers down to 11, despite losing to Cincinnati & Arizona losing to San Francisco
AL EAST - Boston down to 14 with win over the N.Y. Yankees & Tampa Bay losing to Seattle
AL WEST - Oakland down to 22 with win over Houston & Texas losing to the L.A. Angels
NL CENTRAL - Pittsburgh remains at 22 after losing to St. Louis, 12-8