Tigers defense decent, still needs tightening

(Photo: Robin Buckson / Detroit News)Detroit – He was asked Friday about the Tigers’ defense, which, after two tough weeks might be a topic a manager whose team was on a four-game losing streak could enjoy digging into.

Ron Gardenhire nodded. The Tigers have gotten passing grades, he implied, as they got ready for an evening series-opener against the Yankees at Comerica Park.

He likes the way Jeimer Candelario is handling matters at third base, even if there have been a couple of off-key moments. He thinks his infielders have held up rather fine, and his outfielders, too, including Nick Castellanos, who is beginning his first full big-league schedule in right field.

But there have been some…