DETROIT, MI (WTVB) – Taijuan Walker returned from the disabled list and looked sharp as the Arizona Diamondbacks slipped past the Tigers, 2-1, in Detroit. Walker tossed five frames of one-run ball to earn the win.
Former Tiger Fernando Rodney locked down his 18th save after Randall Delgado gave up just one hit over three frames of relief.
David Peralta and Brandon Drury plated runs in the first inning to key the D’backs. Arizona has won seven of its past eight games.
Jordan Zimmermann took the tough loss for the Tigers, giving up both runs over eight innings. Alex Avila singled in the lone run for Detroit, which has lost five-of-six.
Detroit opens a four-game weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays tonight. Justin Verlander gets the start for the Tigers in the opener, while Alex Cobb gets the nod for the Rays.
The Tigers picked up some local prospects on the third and final day of the MLB Draft. Detroit took University of Michigan utility man Jake Bivens and his teammate left-handed pitcher Grant Reuss. Detroit selected right-handed pitcher Jeff Criswell from Portage Central High School, left-handed pitcher Jesse Heikkinen out of Holt High School and outfielder Steven Mann from Detroit Country Day.
The Tigers also drafted Ole Miss third baseman Colby Bortles, the younger brother of Blake Bortles, quarterback for the NFL”s Jacksonville Jaguars.
