DETROIT -- The Tigers might have sustained a significant blow to their championship hopes early in Saturday night's game against the Twins.
On a night Detroit was hoping to clinch another AL Central title, they lost center fielder Rajai Davis to an abdominal strain in the second inning. Davis was trying to beat out a two-out grounder when he slowed to a walk and ended up coming to a stop before he got to the bag.
Davis doubled over in pain, still a step from first base, and eventually limped slowly off the field with the help of Tigers trainer Kevin Rand. As Ezequiel Carrera ran out as Davis' replacement in center field, Tigers starting pitcher Kyle Lobstein gave Davis a consoling pat on the back as he passed the mound.
Although Davis hits ninth in Detroit's usual batting order, he would be a huge loss in the postseason. After sending Austin Jackson to Seattle in the David Price trade, Davis is the Tigers' only experienced center fielder.
He would have to replaced by either Don Kelly or Carrera in the starting lineup, which would hurt Detroit both offensively and defensively.
