Tigers 4, Rockies 2: Carlos Gonzalez hurt again; Colorado rallies late, falls short

The Rockies outhit the Tigers, 9-8, on Friday but six walks issued by Colorado pitchers helped Detroit earn a 4-2 victory on Friday.

Justin Verlander allowed some solid contact to Rockies hitters, who picked up eight knocks in eight innings. However, a few instances of warning track power combined with Colorado's 1-for-11 performance with runners in scoring position helped Verlander limit the damage.

Nolan Arenado crushed a ball to left field in the first inning, but Tigers left fielder J.D. Martinez caught the ball before it hit the top of the wall. An inning later, Carlos Gonzalez and Drew Stubbs both barreled up offerings from Verlander, but Comerica Park's vast outfield and thick air assisted the star hurler with keeping the ball in the park.

Franklin Morales threw well for the Rockies through four innings, but the erratic lefty surrendered three runs in the fifth and finished with four walks compared to just two strikeouts in six innings of work. Nick Masset relieved Morales in the seventh and allowed a run on a couple of hits and a pair of walks before Boone Logan kept Detroit off the board in a promising eighth inning that saw the veteran southpaw strike out two batters in a 1-2-3 frame.

Yes, there was an injury. Don't think you're getting off that easily! Gonzalez slid feet first to catch a foul pop fly off the bat of Victor Martinez for the third out of the fifth inning, but CarGo's already injured left ankle appeared to get caught on a lip on the wall, forcing the star outfielder to exit the game.

Since returning from his finger-induced stint on the disabled list, Gonzalez's ankle has given him all sorts of problems and is probably related to his putrid performance during that time. CarGo went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before leaving the game, lowering his already awful .176/.222/.333 post-DL line entering Friday. CarGo has walked only three times and whiffed on 21 occasions in 54 plate appearances since July 11.

The Rockies clawed back from a 3-0 deficit to make it a 3-2 game when Justin Morneau, Brandon Barnes and Wilin Rosario singled and Josh Rutledge reached on a run-scoring fielder's choice against Verlander in the seventh. However, DJ LeMahieu and Charlie Blackmon struck out to end Colorado's chances of adding on.

Down 4-2 in the ninth against Tigers closer Joe Nathan, Rosario singled again and LeMahieu walked to put the tying runs on base with two outs. However, Charlie Blackmon once again failed to come through, this time flying out to center to end the game.

The Rockies will try to avoid losing their sixth consecutive road series when they send Tyler Matzek to the hill to face Rick Porcello on Saturday.

Source: FanGraphs