LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) -Nate Robertson’s final line wasn’t impressive. It was how he wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam Tuesday in the Detroit Tigers’ 7-5 victory over Venezuela that caught his manager’s attention.
Competing for the fifth spot in the Tigers’ rotation with Dontrelle Willis, Robertson gave up three runs in three innings, but he worked his way out of the no-out jam in the first inning.
“Nate looked really good pitching out of that situation,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. “He’s got a long way to go but I saw some strides. Bases loaded, nobody out, and he got out of it. I think that was good.”
Venezuela’s team featured four Tigers, including starting pitcher Armando Gallaraga, first baseman Miguel Cabrera, and outfielders Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen.
Willis also struggled, allowing two runs – one earned – in three innings.
Robertson went 7-11 with a 6.35 ERA for the Tigers last season after starting 28 games. He said he just wanted a spot in the rotation.
fine. I just can’t get into deep counts. I am not feeling any pressure. I expect 32 starts this year and 200 innings. We have at least seven starters here and they can all pitch, so I am just going to do what I have to do and see where it ends up.”
Robertson induced three ground ball outs after loading the bases and said he was just trying to let the Venezuelan batters hit the ball. Robertson said he was just out to do some damage control.
“I wasn’t trying to do too much because speed kills,” Robertson said. “Keep it on the ground. That’s what I was trying to do.”
Tigers catcher Gerald Laird said Robertson never lost composure and had what it takes to grab the No. 5 spot.
“He just saw the bases loaded and told himself that he knows how to get out of this,” Laird said. “He wasn’t thinking, he was just throwing the ball the way he knows how. That’s what he needs to do. If he gets ahead of the hitters, he’s a great pitcher.”
Leyland said that Willis, who walked three and gave up two hits also was sharp, but is still trying to find his rhythm.
“He got better as the game went along,” Leyland said. “I can’t explain it, but I saw a lot out of him today. He got sharper as he got into the second and third inning.”
Gallaraga started for Venezuela and Leyland said he was impressed by Gallaraga’s three innings in which he allowed only two hits and no earned runs.
two RBIs and a single off of Willis. Guillen had two singles and Ordonez went 0-for-4.
Brent Clevelen had three RBI for the Tigers, two of them coming on a double off of Gallaraga. Marcus Thames also had two hits for Detroit.
NOTES: Three relievers looking for a spot in the Tigers bullpen didn’t allow a runner on base. Brandon Lyon, Bobby Seay and Freddy Dolsi got out nine straight to finish the game … Rick Porcello will start on Wednesday against Team Panama. He is a longshot to make the opening day roster, but Leyland said he isn’t counting Porcello out … Leyland refused to respond to reports or say that he had any interest that Barry Bonds may be attempting a comeback. Leyland managed Bonds from 1986-92 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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