DETROIT (AP) – Between an injury-riddled starting rotation and a dysfunctional bullpen, the Detroit Tigers know they don’t have a realistic shot at the second AL wild card.
Alfredo Simon gave the Tigers and 33,727 fans a little hope Thursday night.
Simon threw a one-hitter in his first career complete game, a 4-0 victory over the Texas Rangers.
“That’s probably the best he’s thrown all year,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “What I really liked was the pace of his game. He got the ball, got on the mound and made the next pitch.”
Texas entered play 1½ games behind the Los Angeles Angels for the second wild-card spot, while the Tigers were three games further back.