By Justin Cousineau
In Play Magazine
Detroit was no Lakeland, Florida on opening day as the weather struggled to hit 40 degrees causing people to bring blankets and winter clothes. The game was played mainly in overcast with unpleasant winds but it wasn't enough to discourage Tigers fans from skipping school and work.
Despite the cold Tim Allen threw the ceremonial first pitch and Comerica Parks 2nd largest crowd was in attendance to watch their Tigers take on the Cleveland Indians.
Rick Porcello kicked things off in Detroit pitching decent numbers only allowing two earned runs, one coming from DH Travis Hafner in the top of the second inning, and striking out three. The Tigers only having two strikeouts all game both coming in the first inning they still struggled to get men on base early allowing the Cleveland Indians to have a quick lead.
Tigers having their lowest offensive numbers so far this season still got the job done advancing their record to 3-1. With two outs bases loaded in the 5th Magglio Ordonez was able to hit the ball hard enough in the cold weather to third baseman Jhonny Peralta causing him to have a throwing error. The error allowed three runs to score and Ordonez to advance to third base. It's not the way you expected a hitter like Ordonez to take the lead for his team but if it puts your team in the lead you take it as it comes.
The Tigers struggled to hit anything in the gaps or hard up the middle. Its tough to blame the lack of quality hits on the weather because all these players are used to cold weather late in the season and opening day.
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