Bullpen Shows Signs Of Stability

The Tigers' relievers look to be back on track.

The beleaguered bullpen has been stitched back together, protecting another lead as the Tigers beat Minnesota 4-2 for their fourth win in a row overall and their ninth straight over the Twins dating back to last season.

The problem had been the setup men, not closer Jose Valverde.

Valverde is now 14-for-14 in save chances after closing out the victory. He caused a little nervousness, walking two batters, before completing a scoreless inning.

The key to the recent resurgence has been the return of Joaquin Benoit to stability. Benoit has now worked six scoreless outings in a row. So if Benoit and Valverde appear in the same game, there's a good chance it's a win for the Tigers.

The Tigers got another key performance from Al Alburquerque, who walked a batter with two outs in the seventh inning to load the bases but stunned Trevor Plouffe with a 97 mph, 1-2 third strike instead of the two-strike sliders he has become known for.

Dave Purcey has done well in his limited time with Detroit. Daniel Schlereth, who hit a batter with the only pitch he threw, has been in and out but gives manager Jim Leyland late-inning options. Ryan Perry has disappeared to the minors, and Enrique Gonzalez has just disappeared.

The way baseball teams are constructed today, if they can control the last three innings, they can control their destinies.

It's a formula that's working for Detroit as of today.

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