For the second time today, Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann escapes a bases-loaded jam. His scoreless innings streak reaches 12.
The Tigers lead 2-0 after five innings.
It’s typically a bad sign when the pitcher gets on base. Pirates starter Gerrit Cole singled off Zimmermann to start the fifth, and from there, John Jaso singled off the glove of shortstop Andrew Romine.
David Freese, who was the 2011 World Series MVP in St. Louis, singled to load the bases.
But Zimmermann got back-to-back pop outs to end the threat from Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco, who slammed his bat in frustration.