Pirates Edge Our Tigers 4-1 at PNC as Ashcraft Cruises Through Eight

Rough night in Pittsburgh, as our Tigers dropped Game 2 by a 4-1 count at PNC Park to knot this series at a game apiece. Braxton Ashcraft was the story on the mound for the Pirates, scattering five hits over eight innings, striking out four and walking nobody on just 80 pitches. The lone dent our bats put in him came in the fifth, when rookie Brett Callahan went yard — a bright spot on a quiet evening for the offense. Keider Montero was perfect through four before it unraveled: a leadoff walk to Esmeryln Valez, then a 422-foot Oneil Cruz blast to right-center, his 15th and his first since June 2. Spencer Horwitz and Bryan Reynolds tacked on RBI singles, and Mason Montgomery slammed the door in the ninth for his fifth save. The Tiger's have now lost four of five, sitting 61-65 and 4.5 back in the AL Central. But the series is even, and the rubber match is right there for the taking today at 12:35pm first pitch.