Let’s try this, Rich Dubee said.
It was in the middle of a long and laborious third inning when the Detroit Tigers’ pitching coach went out for a visit with right-hander Michael Fulmer, whose off-speed stuff was erratic, command off, pitch count climbing oh so early in Wednesday afternoon’s game against the Minnesota Twins.
“Just get as many quick outs as you can,” Dubee told Fulmer. “And see how deep we can get you.”
Fulmer’s response? “Challenge accepted.”
After allowing a lead-off home run to Brian Dozier in the first inning and then two more runs in a 41-pitch third inning, Fulmer settled into his reigning American League rookie of the year form, retiring the final 10 men he faced to earn his first win of the season, 5-3, over the Twins.