Tigers threaten in first but don't score

Detroit leadoff hitter Curtis Granderson jogged to first base after the second pitch of the game. Evidentially, the ball grazed his jersey. Home plate umpire Jerry Crawford said Granderson was hit with the pitch, though there seemed to be some doubt from Rays catcher Mike DiFeleice.

As Granderson broke for second, Placido Polanco grounds a ball through the hole vacated by Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett. Bartlett almost recovered in time to get his glove on the ball, but he wouldn’t have had a play. A nice piece of hitting there by Polanco.

Gary Sheffield flies out to Aki at second, but the highlight of the at-bat was Rays TV personality Todd Kalas was seen walking through the stands and fans behind home plate started calling his name. That should tell you what kind of an at-bat Sheff had.

Shields seems to be struggling with his command. He walked Marcus Thamas, which would really put the young right-hander in a bind, except Granderson was thrown out stealing third on the front end of an attempted double steal two pitches earlier.
Still, with Jacque Jones at the plate and two on, Shields isn’t out of trouble yet.
OK, he is now.

He just got Jones swinging.

The Tigers threaten but come away empty.