Notes: Andrew Romine contributing to Tigers' defensive success
DETROIT -- In the 13 games in September, Andrew Romine has started seven at shortstop.
That includes Sunday's game against the Cleveland Indians.
It could be part of the reason that the Tigers' defense has looked a little better.
"I am hoping it's peaking and it peaks for the rest of the season," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "We've had some bumps in the road defensively, both in the infield and the outfield. Hopefully that's a thing of the past.
Rookie Eugenio Suarez is batting just .200 (2-10) on the home stand and has had a few miscues on defense, which can happen as a young player when you struggle at the plate.
Although for the season Romine is batting just .224, this home stand he's hitting .308 (4-13).
Torii Hunter made a couple of nice plays in right field in Saturday night's 5-4 win, including a diving catch on Yan Gomes' ball in the eighth.
Hunter had said in late August that the Tigers' defense had slipped and needed to improve.
"You can tell guys are starting to clean it up a little bit," Hunter said. "The outfield, the infield, we're playing a lot better. Romine's playing pretty good defense at short. It's a lot of fun. Just having the playoff race. September's always good for the fans and for the players. We just gotta keep it going, stay consistent. Baseball's a tough game. I think we'll be fine."
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
Although closer Joe Nathan converted his seventh straight save and his 31st overall Saturday, for a second he wasn't so sure.
With two out and a runner on, Indians pinch hitter David Murphy hit a ball that looked like it might drop in fair territory.
"I threw him a really good sinker, down and away," Nathan said. "When it came out of my hand, I knew it was clean, I knew it was a strike, and I thought was it was just going to be a 3-2 count, because I thought he would just take it, being a pitcher's pitch. But then I saw his bat reach out.
That's the one where you all of a sudden, your heart drops. I thought for sure the game was tied. Saw it slicing, and was just hoping and praying it sliced enough, and it did."
Nathan then got Murphy to fly out to left field to end the game.
V. MARTINEZ HITTING FOR POWER
Victor Martinez hit a home run off Indians starter Danny Salazar Saturday night, extending his career best to 31 home runs.
The 31 homers are tied for the fifth-most in a season by a Detroit switch-hitter in team history.
It also marks the most by a Tigers switch-hitter since Tony Clark hit 31 in 1999.
LOTS OF RELIEF
The Tigers' bullpen contributed four scoreless innings in Saturday night's 5-4 victory.
Al Alburquerque, Joakim Soria, Joba Chamberlain and Joe Nathan all escaped unscathed.
Since Aug. 24, the Tigers' relief pitchers have a 1.76 ERA with just 39 hits allowed, 24 walks and 44 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings.
