Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball: Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros 04/14/2021

MLB: Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros 04/14/2021

Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball’. Tonight, it is an American League battle, between Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros.

Tigers have been trying to rebuild for a few years now. In this series they won the first two games against Astros. They are going for the sweep of the AL West Powerhouse of the last few years.

For the Astros, this will be a different year as they will try and win their division without their table setter, George Springer. As the center fielder is now a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Tonight’s Starting Pitchers are a pair of right-handers. Michael Fulmer will start for the Tigers. While Lance McCullers, Junior will throw for the Astros.

It is Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros, coming up shortly.

Starting Lineups:

Detroit Tigers:
1. Robbie Grossman, LF
2. Jeimer Candelario, 3B
3. Wilson Ramos, C
4. Nomar Mazara, RF
5. Renato Nunez, DH
6. Jonathon Schoop, 1B
7. Akil Baddoo, CF
8. Niko Goodrum, SS
9. Harold Castro, 2B

Houston Astros:
1. Myles Straw, CF
2. Aledmys Diaz, 2B
3. Michael Brantley, Junior, LF
4. Yuri Gurriel, 1B
5. Kyle Tucker, RF
6. Carlos Correa, SS
7. Abraham Toro, 3B
8. Ronnie Dawson, DH
9. Jason Castro, C

The reason for no Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Martin Maldonado is that they are on an injured list. Astros according to Julia Morales is quiet on whether this is COVID-19 related.

Tigers are in their traveling gray uniforms, orange and navy lettering. Navy caps with an orange old english 'D'.  Astros are in their home white uniforms, navy lettering. navy caps with an orange star and white 'H'. 

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Grossman
2. Candelario
3. Ramos 
Lance McCullers, Junior now starting as Astros Pitcher.
MLB Scores:
​First Pitch around 6:11 pm CDT.
Grossman hits a lead-off double (7 pitches). Runner on 2nd.
Candelario strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 1 out.
Ramos lines out to Straw (5 pitches). 2 outs.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: DET 5, HOU 4
Mazara grounds out to Diaz (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Tigers strand a base runner.

Middle of 1st Inning:
DET 0, HOU 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Straw
2. Diaz
3. Brantley
Michael Fulmer (RHP) now starting as Tigers Pitcher.
Straw grounds out to Goodrum (5 pitches). 1 out.
Diaz grounds out to Goodrum (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Brantley lines out to Goodrum (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 1st Inning.

End of 1st Inning:
DET 0, HOU 0

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
5. Nunez
6. Schoop 
7. Baddoo
McCullers currently at 22 pitches.
Nunez gets hit by a pitch (1 pitch). Runner on 1st.
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Schoop draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Runners on 1st & 2nd.
RBI-DOUBLE: Baddoo hits an RBI-Double down the left field line (6 pitches). Nunez scores. DET 1, HOU 0
Goodrum hits an RBI-Groundout to Correa (6 pitches). Schoop scores. Baddoo holds at 2nd. 1 out. Runner on 2nd. DET 2, HOU 0
H. Castro grounds out to McCullers (3 pitches). 2 outs.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: DET 5, HOU 3
RBI-SINGLE: Grossman hits an RBI-Single to right center field (7 pitches). Baddoo scores. Runner on 1st. DET 3, HOU 0
Candelario gets called out on strikes (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Tigers scored 3 runs, in their half of 2nd Inning.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
DET 3, HOU 0

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
4. Gurriel
5. Tucker
6. Correa
Fulmer currently at 16 pitches.
Gurriel grounds out to H. Castro (4 pitches). 1 out.
Tucker grounds out to Schoop, unassisted (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Correa grounds out to H. Castro (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.

End of 2nd Inning:
DET 3, HOU 0

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
3. Ramos, 0-1
4. Mazara, 0-1
5. Nunez, 0-0
McCullers currently at 56 pitches.
Ramos draws a lead-off walk (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
DOUBLE PLAY: Mazara flies out to Straw (6 pitches). Ramos is out while tagging to 2nd. Straw to Correa to Gurriel. 2 outs.
Nunez flies out to Tucker (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Tigers side is retired. 

Middle of 3rd Inning:
DET 3, HOU 0

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
7. Toro
8. Dawson
9. J. Castro
Fulmer currently at 23 pitches.
Toro flies out to Grossman (1 pitch). 1 out.
Dawson grounds out to Goodrum (3 pitches). 2 outs.
J. Castro grounds out to Schoop (2 pitches). Schoop to Fulmer. 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 3rd Inning.

End of 3rd Inning:
DET 3, HOU 0

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Schoop, 0-0
7. Baddoo, 1-1, RBI
8. Goodrum, 0-1, RBI
McCullers currently at 71 pitches.
​Schoop hits a lead-off single to left field (1 pitch). Runner on 1st.
Baddoo grounds out to McCullers (3 pitches). Schoop advances to 2nd. Runner on 2nd. 1 out.
With Goodrum at-bat, Schoop advances to 3rd on a wild pitch by McCullers. Runner on 3rd. 
Goodrum draws a base on balls (6 pitches). Runners on 1st & 3rd.
H. Castro strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Grossman gets hit by a pitch (1 pitch). Bases Loaded.
PITCHING CHANGE: Joe Smith (RHP) replaces Lance McCullers, Junior, as Astros Pitcher. Bases Loaded. 2 outs. DET 3, HOU 0
​2-RUN-SINGLE: Candelario hits a 2-run single to right field (6 pitches). Schoop and Goodrum score. Grossman advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. DET 5, HOU 0
RBI-SINGLE: Ramos hits an RBI-Single to right field (3 pitches). Grossman scores. Candelario advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd. DET 6, HOU 0
Mazara leaves the game on a 2-1 count.  Mazara may have an oblique injury, according to Kalas and Bloom. 
PINCH-HITTING: JaCoby Jones pinch-hitting for Nomar Mazara. 
Jones draws a base on balls (8 pitches). Bases Loaded.
PITCHING CHANGE: Brandon Bielak (RHP) replaces Joe Smith, as Astros Pitcher. Bases Loaded. 2 outs. DET 6, HOU 0
​MLB Scores:
Nunez grounds out to Correa (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Tigers get 3 runs, in their half of 4th Inning.

Middle of 4th Inning:
DET 6, HOU 0

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Straw, 0-1
2. Diaz, 0-1
3. Brantley, 0-1
Fulmer currently at 29 pitches.
DEFENSIVE SWITCHES: JaCoby Jones stays in the game to play center field. While Akil Baddoo moves from center to right field.
​Straw grounds out to Candelario (4 pitches).  1 out.
Diaz strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 2 outs.
Brantley with a 2-out single (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Gurriel doubles to left field (4 pitches). Brantley advances to 3rd. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
Tucker grounds out to Schoop (1 pitch). Schoop to Fulmer. 3 outs.
Astros strand a pair of base runners.

End of 4th Inning:
DET 6, HOU 0

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Schoop, 1-1
7. Baddoo, 1-2, RBI
8. Goodrum, 0-1, RBI
​Bielak currently at 5 pitches.
Schoop flies out to Tucker (6 pitches). 1 out.
Baddoo strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Goodrum gets called out on strikes (5 pitches)). 3 outs.
Tigers go down 1-2-3, in their half of 5th Inning.

Middle of 5th Inning:
DET 6, HOU 0

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Correa, 0-1
7. Toro, 0-1
8. Dawson, 0-1
Fulmer currently at 52 pitches.
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Correa grounds out to H. Castro (5 pitches). 1 out.
Toro draws a base on balls (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Dawson reaches on a 4-6 fielder's choice (5 pitches). Toro is out at 2nd. Runner on 1st. 2 outs.
HOME RUN: J. Castro hits a 2-run homer off Michael Fulmer (4 pitches). Dawson scores. DET 6, HOU 2
​Daniel Norris (LHP) warming up in Tigers Bullpen.
Straw strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros get couple of runs, off the homer by Jason Castro.

End of 5th Inning:
DET 6, HOU 2

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
9. H. Castro, 0-2
1. Grossman, 2-2, RBI
2. Candelario, 1-3, 2 RBI
Bielak currently at 19 pitches.
H. Castro draws a base on balls (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Grossman lines out to Straw (9 pitches). 1 out.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #3: MVR: DET 5, HOU 2
Ryne Stanek (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
Candelario singles to left field (3 pitches). H. Castro advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Ramos flies out to Diaz (1 pitch). 2 outs.
Jones strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Tigers strand a pair of base runners.

Middle of 6th Inning:
DET 6, HOU 2

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Diaz, 0-2
3. Brantley, 1-2
4. Gurriel, 1-2
​PITCHING CHANGE: Daniel Norris (LHP) replaces Michael Fulmer, as Tigers Pitcher.
Diaz with a lead-off walk (5 pitches). Runner on 1st.
TIGERS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: DET 4, HOU 2
Brantley singles to left center field (8 pitches) Diaz advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
RBI-SINGLE: Gurriel hits an RBI-Single to center field (5 pitches). Brantley advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd. DET 6, HOU 3
Buck Farmer (RHP) warming up in Tigers Bullpen.
Tucker pops out to Grossman (5 pitches). 1 out. 
PITCHING CHANGE: Buck Farmer (RHP) replaces Daniel Norris, as Tigers Pitcher. Runners on 1st & 2nd. 1 out. DET 6, HOU 3
​Correa reaches on a 4-6 fielder's choice (2 pitches). Gurriel is out at 1st. Brantley advanes to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
Toro flies out to Jones (9 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros get a run, but strand a pair of base runners.

End of 6th Inning:
DET 6, HOU 3

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Nunez, 0-2
6. Schoop, 1-2
7. Baddoo, 1-3, RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Ryne Stanek (RHP) replaces Brandon Bielak, as Astros Pitcher.
​Nunez flies out to Straw (3 pitches). 1 out.
Schoop gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 2 outs.
MLB Scores:
Alex Lange (RHP) warming up in Tigers Bullpen.
Baddoo strikes out swinging (). 3 outs.
Tigers go down 1-2-3, in their half of 7th Inning.

Middle of 7th Inning:
DET 6, HOU 3

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Dawson, 0-2
9. J. Castro, 1-2,  2 RBI
1. Straw, 0-3
​PITCHING CHANGE: Alex Lange (RHP) replaces Buck Farmer, as Tigers Pitcher.
Dawson with a lead-off single (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
The game has passed 3 hours. 
J. Castro strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 1 out.
Straw reaches on a 6-4 fielder's choice (2 pitches). Dawson is out at 2nd. Runner on 1st. 2 outs.
Diaz gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros strand a base runner.

End of 7th Inning:
DET 6, HOU 3

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Goodrum, 0-2
9. H. Castro, 0-2
1. Grossman, 2-3, RBI
​PITCHING CHANGE: Brooks Raley (LHP) replaces Ryne Stanek, as Astros Pitcher.
Goodrum strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 1 out.
H. Castro flies out to Straw (1 pitch). 2 outs.
Grossman grounds out to Gurriel (3 pitches). Gurriel to Raley on the put out. 3 outs.

Middle of 8th Inning:
DET 6, HOU 3

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Brantley, 2-3
4. Gurriel, 2-3, RBI
5. Tucker, 0-3
​PITCHING CHANGE: Gregory Soto (LHP) replaces Alex Lange, as Tigers Pitcher.
Brantley reaches on a fielding error by Schoop (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Gurriel draws a base on balls (6 pitches). Brantley advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Tucker pops out to Goodrum (2 pitches). 1 out.
Correa singles to right field (1 pitch). Brantley and Gurriel advance 90 feet. Bases Loaded.
DOUBLE PLAY: Toro grounds into a 6-4-3 double play (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Astros strand the bases loaded. 

End of 8th Inning:
DET 6, HOU 3

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Candelario, 2-4, 2 RBI
3. Ramos, 1-3
4. Jones, 0-1
PITCHING CHANGE: Ryan Pressly (RHP) replaces Brooks Raley.
Candelario doubles to right field (1 pitch). Runner on 1st.
Jose Cisnero (RHP) warming up in Tigers Bullpen.
Ramos grounds out to Correa (5 pitches). Candelario advances to 3rd. Runner on 3rd. 1 out.
Jones strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Nunez grounds out to Toro (). 3 outs.
Tigers stand a base runner.

Middle of  9th Inning:
DET 6, HOU 3

Bottom of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Dawson, 1-3
9. J. Castro, 1-3, 2 RBI
1. Straw, 0-4
PITCHING CHANGE: Jose Cisnero (RHP) replaces Gregory Soto, as Tigers Pitcher.
​Dawson draws a lead-off walk (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
J. Castro draws a base on balls (4 pitches). Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Bryan Garcia (RHP) warming up in Tigers Bullpen. 
PINCH-RUNNING: Garrett Stubbs pinch-running for Jason Castro. 
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Straw singles to center field (5 pitches). Dawson and Stubbs move 90 feet. Bases Loaded.
PITCHING CHANGE: Bryan Garcia (RHP) replaces Jose Cisnero, as Tigers Pitcher. Bases Loaded. No outs. DET 6, HOU 3
​Diaz gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 1 out.
Brantley pops out to Grossman (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Gurriel draws an RBI-Walk (6 pitches). Dawson scores. Stubbs and Straw move 90 feet. Bases Loaded. 2 outs. DET 6, HOU 4
Tucker gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros get a run, but stranded the bases loaded to end the game. 

Final:
DET 6, HOU 4
DET: (6-6)
HOU: (6-6)
W: Fullmer (1-0)
L: McCullers (1-1)
PoG: Fulmer (DET) W, 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 K, BB
ToG: 4:00

Final Thoughts:
Tigers jump off to a 6-0 lead, but the Astros Bullpen kept Houston in the game. But Houston was unable to cash in on bases loaded opportunities in the last two innings of the game. 

Tigers will head to Oakland to face the A's, starting on Friday. While Astros will head to Seattle, to face the Mariners, starting on Friday. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Junior. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball'. Thanks  for visiting this page.