Chicago -- It might have been the go-ahead run Tuesday night, but instead it was an inning-ending groundout and a scary moment for the Tigers.
With the game tied at 3 and Miguel Cabrera batting with runners at the corners and two out in the 11th, Cabrera hit a liner up the middle that deflected off pitcher Addison Reed to shortstop Alexei Ramirez.
Cabrera tried to slide at first to beat the throw but was out. He then remained on the field as head athletic trainer Kevin Rand and manager Jim Leyland ran out to check on him.
Cabrera remained in the game.
Leyland waited until Wednesday morning to see how Cabrera would feel before finally putting him in his customary spot, playing third base and batting third in the lineup.
"He's got a beat-up left leg," Rand said. "He fouled a ball off his knee (in New York), he fouled a ball off his shin, he's dealing with the hip flexor. It was just a combination of everything, nothing specific."
Cabrera went without a hit Tuesday for the first time since going 0-1 July 28 against Philadelphia.
Pena finds success listening to teammates
Catcher Brayan Pena, a career .257 hitter, is currently batting .306 after going 3-5 Tuesday night, which included the game-tying RBI single in the eighth inning.
It was Pena's sixth three-hit game of the season. In his last 10 games, Pena is batting .405 with two home runs and six RBIs.
Pena, who has said that his role on the team is to back up catcher Alex Avila, currently on the 7-day concussion list, is pleased to be contributing.
"It's all about concentration," Pena said. "I just want to be there and I want to play hard for my team. I want to play hard for my guys. I'm just trying to focus, I'm just trying to have good at-bats. Like I always say, I don't want to let my teammates down, I don't want to let the fans and the Skipper especially, who give me opportunity to be out there.
"My concentration level when I get to home plate, I think is the one that's helping me out a lot because I had a good conversation with Torii Hunter and Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder and they always told me you have to go to home plate and have a game plan. You have to go out there and concentrate. Ever since I had that conversation and I'm playing a little bit more, I'm feeling a lot better."
Leyland said that Pena has given the team a lift.
"He's done a terrific job for us, there's no question about that," Leyland said. "He's got some big hits, he's got a lot of energy but we'll give him off (Wednesday)."
Bryan Holaday started at catcher Wednesday.
Not Bonderman's fault
Reliever Jeremy Bonderman took the loss in Tuesday night's extra-inning game after he walked Avisail Garcia, made a throwing error on Jeff Keppinger's sacrifice and then allowed Alejandro De Aza's game-winning single in the 11th.
"It's my fault," Bonderman said. "You just can't walk leadoff guys, you can't afford to give them free passes. Just didn't get it done."
Leyland said Bonderman did not deserve the blame.
"He's doing great," Leyland said. "It wasn't his fault. He walked a guy and made a throw, that's nobody's fault. He doesn't have to feel bad about that. That's the human part of the game. He stuck his chest out and took responsibility and I appreciate that. But that's not necessary."
Injury updates
Avila returned to Detroit after the Yankees series after being placed on the 7-day concussion list.
For now, Avila is not allowed to do any activity.
"Right now with Alex, we're just waiting for all symptoms to go away," Rand said. "He still suffers right now from just a very mild headache."
Rand said once Avila was symptom-free, he could begin baseball activities.
Right-hander Octavio Dotel, on the 60-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation since April 20, pitched a scoreless inning for the Lakeland Flying Tigers Monday night. He had one strikeout.
"Dotel, he threw one inning, 13 pitches, threw the ball very well," Rand said. "No complaints. He felt good (the next day) and he's got another inning (Wednesday)."
Toledo Mud Hens outfielder Nick Castellanos has not played since being hit by a pitch on the right wrist Aug. 10.
"X-rays were negative," Rand said. "It's just a day to day thing for him."
According to the Toledo Blade's John Wagner, Castellanos took balls in the outfield Tuesday but did not take part in batting practice. Wagner said Mud Hens manager Phil Nevin expected Castellanos to be back in the lineup Wednesday night.
