YPSILANTI —- Your old Uncle Mel sat in the press box at Oestrike Stadium in a sense of bewilderment!

Your old Uncle did not expect to see what unfolded Saturday afternoon under the bright golden sunshine and the clear blue afternoon sky at the home of the Eastern Michigan University baseball team and as you all know- is the most friendliest in the Mid-American Conference.

Uncle Mel joined Eastern Michigan University baseball coach Jay Alexander in disbelief after watching the Eagles dropped the last game of the regular season 6-5, to the University of Toledo and losing another three game series at home.

The lost is hard to take, because after 53 games, the Eagles season came down to winning just one game, which would allowed the Eagles a chance to make an appearance in the 2013 Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament being played in Avon, Ohio beginning Wednesday morning.

Instead, many of the Eagles’ baseball players will be sleeping in late that morning and then waking up in the city the sits majestically on the shoreline of the Huron River.

Alexander and Uncle Mel would have rather took in the sights of nearby Cleveland, get in a round of golf or just lounge next to the hotel pool after breakfast before the Eagles would have boarded the team bus for the short trip to the ball park.

Look, let Uncle Mel just ask a question.

Does your old Uncle think that Eastern Michigan University could have won the tournament?

Yes!

Stranger things have happen and when it comes to Mid-American Conference baseball it is anything goes-just ask Buffalo.

The Bulls were ready to claim the regular season title but were beat out of the title by Kent State University. The Golden Flashes won the title but also were awarded the first seed in the tournament but they came on strong at the end of the season and caught the Bulls.

In the West Division of the Mid-American Conference, it is not that they play bad baseball but all of the teams are so close that losing a series especially at home can cost dearly-just inquire the Eagles.

Making a triumph home coming back to Ball State University and Muncie, Indiana. Leaving behind the University of Michigan and the hot spot light, the former Wolverine baseball coach Rich Maloney returned to the nest in Ball State University.

Ball State University caught Northern Illinois University on the last day of the regular season but lost the West Division pennant by one game.

The Cardinals got themselves into that position because of couple of things, one of those things is that the Cardinals accomplished is that they took out the broom and swept away the Eagles. The other thing, Maloney said is that the Cardinals just started putting thing in order and started to understand what it takes to win in the Mid-American Conference.

“They got hot at the right time,” Maloney explained about his team’s success.

During that week end series against the Cardinals and again during the last weekend series against the Rockets, Alexander said, his team just did not do anything right and if you can’t win at home you are just not going to have any success.

“We didn’t do anything to deserve to win any way,” Alexander said about his team’s play against Ball State University. “The only thing that we did is show up on the field. We didn’t show up at the plate, none of the guys hit.”

For the first time in his coaching career, Alexander did not have a wining record at home.

“ If you can’t win at home you are not going to win and that is the bottom line,” Alexander said about the importance of winning conference games at home. “At home is supposed to be your saving grace you are supposed to do well and we didn’t. I think right now our record is losing at home and that is the first time in my career-ever!”

Instead of making some noise at the 2013 Mid-American Conference Tournament in Avon, Ohio at All Pro Freight Stadium starting Wednesday morning May 22, 2013m at 9 a.m. the Eagles will be doing something that they have not done in five years-staying home.

YPSILANTI —- The chances were there but Eastern Michigan University baseball team just couldn’t get the timely hit and for the first time as the baseball coach of the Eagles, Jay Alexander and his squad will not be playing in the Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament.

Eastern Michigan University only had to win one more game to get a chance to play in the tournament but the Eagles dropped a heartbreaker to the University of Toledo 6-5, Saturday afternoon at Oestrike Stadium.

Alexander disappointed after the game said that his team did not take advantage of playing the most important game at home, especially in the late innings.

“It’s disappointing, it’s sad and it is the whole nine yards, we made our bed and we laid in it,” Alexander said. “same bed we started at the beginning of the year we ended it, the little things and after every damn practice we talk about doing the little things well.”

The Eagles failed to communicate twice in the first inning, Rockets lead off batter center fielder Tyler Grogg dropped down a bunt that he beat out for a single. The next batter Toledo’s second baseman Deion Tansel in a sacrifice situation dropped another bunt down in a great spot.

Eagles third baseman Jamie Simpson and Eagles starting pitcher Paul Schaak failed to communicate and Tansel made it safely into first base.

Schaak threw just four pitches in the ball game and the Eagles fell behind the Rockets, 2-0 before the crowd of 211 could get comfortable in their seats.

“In the beginning of the game we practice that right side communication every single day we actually did it Wednesday,” Alexander said about the early miscommunication by the Eagles infield. “We practiced it again to go over it so we can defend it. We didn’t do it we broke down on the first bunt for a hit what are you going to do. The second one was miscommunication by guys out of position so that cost us a couple of runs there.”

“In my eyes, everything lost the game today,” Alexander said. “We didn’t do anything right!”

Another situation that the Eagles failed to execute, in the ninth inning with runners on first and second, the Eagles best batters coming up and they could not move the runners.

Eagles right fielder Sam Ott lifted a pop up to Tansel for the second out of the ninth inning leaving it up to Eagles designated hitter Lee Longo to be a hero and send the Eagles packing for the tournament and putting a little more pleasure in the air of celebrating Senior Day.

Instead Longo watched a pitch sail across the plate for strike three and the end of the season for the Eagles.

In the sixth inning the Eagles Longo hit a line drive into the left field corner for a double with no outs and the Eagles could not move him over or get him home.

Rocket relief pitcher Austin Schmidt released a wild pitch and Longo moving over to third base with two outs.

Eagles catcher Adam Sonabend and then Simpson hit a ground ball to Toledo’s shortstop Nate Langhals to record the first two outs and keeping Longo at third base. The next batter Eastern Michigan University left fielder Austin Wilson stood by the plate and watched a third strike go across the plate.

“Our two best hitters are up and we get two ground balls to the shortstop absolutely pathetic,” Alexander said. “Hit the ball the other way, the little things that we talk about and we had two of our best hitters up and we didn’t do it.”

The play of the game happened in the eighth inning when Eagles relief pitcher Kristian Calibuso after striking out the first two Toledo batters that he faced, he then gave up a two out walk to Toledo’s third baseman John Martillotta – a .212 hitter who did not have a hit in the game.

Martillotta steals second base and then scoring on a base hit by Grogg, Alexander said that was the run that beat the Eagles.

“In the eighth we get a freaking two out walk by Kristian,” Alexander said. “A two out walk and then he doesn’t hold the runner on he steals easy and then a base hit and guess what and there it is right there but it not that thing that lost the game it is everything all rolled up into one.”

Alexander said he will prepare for next season and he will be teaching doing the little things, he will be seeing a new group of players and he is hoping that they learn how to do the little things consistently.

“If you can’t win at home which we can’t we couldn’t win here this year,” Alexander said. “You are not going to win and that is the bottom line. At home is supposed to be your saving grace you are suppose to do well and we didn’t”

YPSILANTI — Well it comes down to just one game for Eastern Michigan University baseball team.

Eagles coach Jay Alexander and his team defeated the University of Toledo Friday night at Oestrike Stadium 10-4, so Saturday afternoon’s game against the Rockets is for the series but also for a bid to 2013 Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament beginning Wednesday morning May 23,2013.

Alexander and the Eagles needed the experience and the right arm of senior Joe Battistelli and he threw six innings and earning his third win of the season but most important it keeps the Eagles fate in there own hands.

Alexander said after the game Battistelli outing was his best of the season.

Battistelli threw 81 pitches and he had command of his curveball and Alexander said that it was impressive pitch from the bench.

“Outstanding we talked about it earlier he has to have the mind set to come in and relax,” Alexander said. “So right before he took the mound I said ‘listen just stay focused and do what you go to do’ do not try to do nothing special we just need for you to do your best.”

The Eagles scored six runs in the seventh inning to break open the game.

The Eagles offense led by the three hits off of the bat designated hitter Lee Longo, he also knocked in four runs for the Eagles.

In the big sixth inning Eagles right fielder Sam Ott was given an intentional pass to first base by Rocket relief pitcher Kyle Slack and loading up the bases for Longo.

“We have been working on that and I’m not kidding you working on his mind set,” Alexander said about Longo. “He is capable making sure that he can hit the ball hard. But he gets too amped up. He kept telling me that his mind is all ready on cruse control.”

Alexander sais that a key part of the game is that the Eagles kept the Rockets lead off man off of the bases.

“Keep there lead off guy off of the bases we have a chance to win,” Alexander said. “We got more two hits. We had five situations we had a guy in scoring postion we scored them every time.”

The Eagles want to take advantage of playing the biggest game of the season at Oestrike Stadium Alexander said.

“The success forn us wilol come if we are patient and if he is around the plate,” Alexander said about Saturday’s starting pitcher for Toledo Ryan Wilkinson. “Making sure that we don’t chase his pitches if we do that we will be fine.”

The season comes down to the last game of the season for the Eagles and if the Eagles can get just one more win – Alexander and the Eagles will be looking fine.

Arlington, Texas —- It had all the right hype, it was supposed to be must watch television but with all of the hype it just turn out to be – a great big mess.

Thursday night, the Detroit Tigers opened up a four-game series against the Texas Rangers, a battle between two first place baseball teams in the huge state of Texas and at the Rangers Ballpark.

The Texas Rangers defeated the Tigers 10-4 and starting out on the mound for the Rangers Yu Darvish and for the Tigers Justin Verlander.

A battle of pitching aces!

What started out as a night to remember turned out to be a night in which Verlander and Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland would like to forget.

Verlander gave up seven runs in the third inning before Leyland had no other choice but go to Tigers’ bullpen for relief help and replace Verlander on the mound.

The most runs given up by Verlander in just one inning, his ERA jumped from a eye-popping 1.93  to a head-shaking in disbelief 3.17, he labored for 2.2 innings throwing 70 pitches for the Tigers, giving up six hits, walking three and striking out two.

Thursday night’s outing is Verlander second shortest starts in his career, he only lasted two innings against the New York Mets back in June 22, 2012.

“I can tell things are a bit off, I know what I need to do. It’s just a matter of doing it,” Verlander said after the game. “It’s going to be the matter of working it out in the bullpen, repeating pitches and carrying it over into the game.”

“It wasn’t much of a night to begin with but I’d definitely say the whole game kind of carry-over from last start,” Verlander said talking about his last start at home against the Cleveland Indians. “I’m not somebody who is going home and pout about this, I’m somebody who is going to figure it out and figure it out in a hurry.”

Leyland is not worried about Verlander, he still believes in his ace and that everybody just need to relax.

“They can wonder, that is understandable,” Leyland said. “I’m not worried about him though, his stuff is there. The positive is that I won’t be asked about his velocity, he hit 99 tonight.”

That is 99 mile per hour and not 99 hit by a pitch batters or 99 hits.

It looked like the Tigers could get to Darvish early in the game the Tigers had him on the ropes ready to deliver the knockout punch but Darvish rope-a-dope the Tigers.

Darvish threw 130 pitches for the Rangers and Texas manager Ron Washington watched his ace settle down and retire 15 of the final 16 Tigers that he faced.

“The thing about Yu Darvish, he bends but he never breaks,” Washington said. “That’s a tremendous  lineup he went through. After that third inning, he settled in and found something that was working and he continued to pitch.”

Darvish found out that the Tigers can hit the fast ball a long way but what the Tigers have trouble with is a good slider and a change-up, pitches like that will make the Tigers’ batters get too impatient and start to lose focus in the batter’s box.

Darvish won his seventh game of the season by working eight innings, giving up seven hits and walking one Tiger batter and six Tigers batters were strikeouts.

“Wash asked me if I could go longer and he seemed like he wanted to go a little bit longer,” Darvish said. “And I felt really good so I wanted to go. The bullpen guys were pretty used up last series so I wanted to go.”

The first game of the series in Texas ended up as a mess but the beauty of baseball is that the next day it is a fresh start and you can forget the last game.

YPSILANTI — It all boils down to the final three-game series.

The Eastern Michigan University 2013 baseball season is coming closer to a conclusion and for Eagles baseball coach Jay Alexander and his squad it all comes down to a season finale against the University of Toledo. If the Eagles are going to get a seed to play in the 2013 Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament they have to win the series against the Rockets.

Last weekend, the Eagles baseball team traveled to DeKalb, Illinois to play Northern Illinois University in what Alexander described as a important three games for his team.

The Eagles won the weekend series against the Huskies 2-1 and created more drama for the Eagles against the Rockets at home inside Oestrike Stadium.

The Eagles success against the Huskies-hit the ball and hit the ball hard.

The Eagles scored 30 runs in the three game set, hit for a team average of .336 against the first place Huskies in the West Division of the league.

Alexander said his offense is as good as anybody in the league but at times he sits in the dugout watches his batters have bad approaches in the batter’s box.

before the trip to Northern Illinois University, Alexander believed that if his team could step up to the plate against the improved pitching staff of Northern Illinois University and have good appearances at the plate there would be a positive result.

The Eagles hitting woke up against the Huskies pitching staff but Alexander and his coaches also needed the Eastern Michigan University pitching staff to make an appearance.

They did show up and the staff did an okay job, giving up 21 runs to the Huskies but most important the bullpen came in and did a good job at protecting the lead for the Eagles.

Alexander is confident that his team will not be taking the Rockets lightly and it will take a superior effort from all phases of the Eagles baseball team- to get the victories needed.

Alexander and the Eagles were in a state of shock two weeks ago when they were swept away by Ball State University .

Alexander said after the series that Cardinal baseball coach Rich Maloney told him that his team is starting to put things all together at the right time of the season.

Alexander agreed and he also said, there is nothing wrong with the Eagles getting hot right now just before the tournament.

So the season’s climax against the University of Toledo begins Thursday May 16,2013 at 6 p.m. at the friendliest  baseball stadium in the Mid-American Conference-Oestrike Stadium.

There will be another night game schedule against the Rockets, Friday night at 6 p.m. and finally, the 2013 baseball season comes to an end Saturday afternoon May 18, 2013 at 3 p.m. and the Eagles will be celebrating Senior Day.

Alexander and the Eagles will be hoping to extend the season with MAC baseball tournament but for that to happen the Eagles have to arrive at the plate with a purpose and hit the ball hard and in between the Rocket outfielders and the rest of the phases will fall into place.

ROMULUS —- Well the suitcase is packed and Uncle Mel is ready to go and have a hot time in the city where neon and tumbling dice cohabitate peacefully.

Hold-on the phone that is on the desk is ringing and your old Uncle Mel is getting a summons from the boss, the chief and the Editor of the News Gathering Depot and when your old uncle enters the conference room they are sitting in the office chairs smiling and then they slid across the table an envelope.

“You are  going to love DeKalb at this time of the year,” Uncle Mel’s editor said as he slides the travel plans and orders across the table. “Oh man, the smell fresh farm land in the air! I almost wish I was going too.”

Eastern Michigan University baseball team will be opening up a Mid-American Conference three-game series against Northern Illinois University, Friday afternoon, beginning at 3 p.m. and to say this is the biggest series of the season for the Eagles is like saying that Mother’s Day is not an important celebration.

Everybody that will be wearing an Eastern Michigan University jersey knows that it is a huge series including Eagles baseball coach Jay Alexander.

Alexander said after the Eagles were sweep last weekend at home at Oestrike Stadium against Ball State University, that his team needs to compete against the Huskies with some pride and determination to secure a Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament seed.

“Only thing that we did is show up on the field, we did not do anything to deserve to win,” Alexander said about his teams demise against the Cardinals.

“I don’t know much about them, they are a surprise to me too,” Alexander said about Northern Illinois University. “They have a good coaching staff over there and they have those guys playing hard and they are pitching well.”

Alexander said that the lack of senior leadership is puzzling to him because he felt that they would step up but after the sweep by the Cardinals, the seniors where getting lost in the background.

There are a dozen seniors on this squad and they each know the tremendous pride that the baseball program at Eastern Michigan University provides to the school and to the community.

The baseball program is rich in tradition of not only making it to the conference tournament but also to the NCAA.

Before Kent State University made their appearance last season at the tournament in Omaha at the College World Series, the only other team to make that event was Eastern Michigan University, in fact the Eagles made back-to-back appearances in 1975 and 76.

The Eagles have won six regular season Mid-American Conference titles the last one in 2007 and four tournament titles.

Your old uncle is thinking that it is time for the seniors to look at themselves in the mirror, pull up their stirrup and understand that they have the talent to play baseball and their coach Alexander does have confidence in them otherwise they would not be on the team.

If the seniors do not accept the roles as being team leaders then they are letting Alexander and his staff, their team mates and more important themselves down.

All Alexander is asking of the seniors to give their best out on the field and in the clubhouse-that is all that is required.

Even though Alexander does not know much about Northern Illinois University, baseball fans at Eastern Michigan University is hoping that the Eagles have enough talent and determination to surprise Northern Illinois University and come back home with a series win over the Huskies.

YPSILANTI —- Ball State University brought out the cleaning tools including the broom and successfully completed the weekend sweep of the weekend series against Eastern Michigan University at Oestrike Stadium, Sunday afternoon.

All weekend long, the Cardinals used good pitching, stellar defense and timely hitting against the Eagles.

The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 4-1, which helped with the celebration of Cinco de Mayo and the bus ride back to the freshly plowed corn field that surrounds the city of Muncie, Indiana a much easier ride down the expressway.

Eastern Michigan University could only scratch just one run against Ball State University starting pitcher Jon Cisna but he did not get the win.

Ball State University baseball coach Rich Maloney with two out in the fifth inning went to the mound made the motion and brought Tyler Jordan out of the bullpen to put out of the fire before it became an inferno of trouble.

Jordan faced Eagles’ designator hitter Lee Longo, who hit a ground ball that turned out to be a fielder’s choice and an error by second baseman Ryan Spaulding.

Maloney wasted no time in getting out of the dugout and making another call to the bullpen and getting his relief pitcher T.J. Weir into the game.

Weir came into game and just close the door on the Eagle hitters. His fastball darted and the breaking ball did the job and Weir recorded his third win of the season.

The Eagles hitters could only get five hits against the Cardinal’s pitching, striking out seven times and leaving nine runners on base.

Eastern Michigan University baseball coach Jay Alexander said after the game, his team did not come into the series focused and ready to play against the Cardinals.

“We didn’t do anything to deserve to win, “ Alexander said after the game. “The only thing that we did is show up on the field. We didn’t show up at the plate today. None of the guys hit.”

Eagles’ shortstop John Rubino was the only batter for Eastern Michigan University to have two hits against the Cardinals-both hits were singles.

Rubino scored the only run for Eagles in the fifth inning scoring on the error made by Spaulding.

“We just did not hit,” Alexander said. “Credit there pitching staff they did a very good job, what happens you run into a pretty good pitcher every now and then and there you go.”

“They came to play this weekend and we didn’t!,” Alexander said about the Eagles. “They did everything right and we didn’t do a lot of things right. They did all the little things well things that they haven’t been doing in the past.”

Alexander said that Maloney and his team are just starting to put things together and Alexander also says this is the right time of the season to start doing things right and gaining momentum heading into the Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament.

Alexander said a long time ago that his starting pitcher Joe Battistelli competed like a bulldog and that he is a pitcher that he likes to have out on the mound.

Battistelli gave up eight hits while working just 3 2/3 innings for the Eagles.

Alexander used three pitchers out of the bullpen, Taylor Dimmerling, Neil Butara and Kristian Calibuso appeared for the Eagles.

“Seniors are not stepping up and actually they are hiding right now,” Alexander said about the senior leadership on his team.

Eastern Michigan University have two midweek games both against Big Ten Conference teams, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor at Wilpon Complex Tuesday night, May 7,2013 starting at 6 p.m.

Wednesday afternoon May 8, 2013 the Eagles will travel to East Lansing to play Michigan State University at McLane Baseball Stadium starting at 3 p.m.

Alexander will be experimenting some but he said the only thing leading up to the midweek games and then the next weekend series against Northern Illinois University is a simple philosophy for his team to follow.

“They just need to show up!” Alexander said.

YPSILANTI —- Sometime there are things, that all you need is just a new coat of paint and a little cosmetic changes and suddenly that thing that was old-is all brand new.

The friendliest baseball stadium in the Mid-American Conference and the home of the Eastern Michigan University, the fashionable- Oestrike Stadium, with new brickwork done to the outside of the grandstand gives the stadium, a very retro look.

Ball State University found the friendliest stadium in the league very hospitable Saturday afternoon by defeating Eastern Michigan University 6-4 to keep things interesting in the Mid-American Conference West Division.

Gone is the well-used and worn out scoreboard that at the time of its use, was state of the art with all of the Atari characters. It’s replacement is a modern simplistic but functional scoreboard. Green in color and rectangle shape and most important, working light bulbs that is an improvement which is appreciated by everybody.

Returning to the helm of the Cardinals is former University of Michigan baseball coach Rich Maloney and he is happy to be back home in Muncie, Indiana.

“Well Ball State is such a special place for me the first time around,” Maloney said after his team’s victory over the Eagles. “I have been received so well, my family has been received so well and we are thankful.”

Eastern Michigan University starting pitcher Paul Schaak worked seven innings giving up seven hits and striking out four Cardinals but it only took one inning that doomed the Eagles.

Eastern Michigan University baseball coach Jay Alexander said, after the game his team is just not taking ownership of doing just the little things during a baseball game to get a win.

Alexander has six seniors on his squad and he is looking toward them to light a fire under the rest of the team and lead them to Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament.

“We just can’t stop the bleeding any time it happens, we don’t have the right doctor,” Alexander said. “We can’t stop bleeding. How does one routine play not made which all ways kick you in the butt equal four runs?”

Top of the second inning with one out and Cardinal left fielder Blake Beemer standing at first base after reaching on a fielder choice.

Schaak facing Ball State’s third baseman Billy Wellman hit a ground ball that Eagles third baseman Jason Simpson fielded and what looked like an inning ending double play, the ball fell out of Simpson’s hand and the Cardinals runners were safe on the error. Suddenly the Cardinals scored four runs and gained the momentum.

“It always happens to us,” Alexander said. “Nobody steps up and takes ownership of picking each other up, the team stuff. You would not understand the team stuff we talk about and helping each other out and picking each other up.”

The Eagles fought back and cut into the lead in the fourth inning when Eagles designated hitter Lee Longo waited patiently for a fastball from Cardinal starting pitcher Chris Marangon and when it arrived, Longo lifted the ball off of his bat into the wind and over the left center field for his fifth home run of the season.

A senior that Alexander is counting on to be a team leader is center fielder Daniel Russell.

In the fifth inning after hitting a run producing double by Russell, he decided on his own to try and take third base on a fly ball to center field by John Rubino and caught by Cardinal outfielder Wes Winkle.

Russell tagged up and ran toward third base only to be cut down by an accurate throw by Winkle ending the threat.

“We don’t do the little things,” Alexander said. “But we will keep on pushing.”

The Eagles will be looking to avoid the sweep by the Cardinals Sunday afternoon at Oestrike Stadium starting at 1 p.m.

HOUSTON — And a Howdy Partner to y’all and welcome to the state of Texas and the home of the best country music troubadour-George Straight, the best tasting chili in the world and some people say the worst major league baseball team and the newest member of the American League-the Houston Astros.

The Detroit Tigers opened a four-game series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park, Thursday night May 2, 2013.

The Astros came home early in the morning after completing a road trip to the city of New York and against the Yankees. It was a late night and a early start to the day for the Astros.

The Detroit Tigers made the Astros’ day even longer by playing an extra inning game going 14 innings before ending the game at midnight central daylight saving time with a 7-4 victory over the Astros.

“We’ll enjoy this one,” Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland said early Friday morning.

Tigers’ utility man Don Kelly drove in the game-winning run with a base hit into right field, getting Austin Jackson home after he lead off the 14^th inning hitting his sixth double of the season off of Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel.

Houston Astros manager Bo Peters did not want his team to get beat by Miguel Cabrera or Prince Fielder so he choose to intentionally walk both Tigers’ hitters and that loaded the bases for Kelly.

The winning Tigers pitcher Luke Putkonen arrived in Houston just hours after getting the call from Toledo.

“Luke had a pretty good curve,” Leland said about Putkonen.

“Felt I had a curveball that I could bury and throw out of the zone,” Putkonen said. “It felt good.”

Leyland started Rick Porcello against the Astros and in the first innings Houston’s catcher Jason Castro put a charge into a Porcello offering and hit his second home run of the season that traveled a long way up into the left field seats.

Porcello worked seven innings giving up three earned run, two home runs but he did strike out seven all-in-all not a bad start for Porcello but it was not a work of beauty either against the Astros but the Tigers bullpen painted a beautiful picture for Leyland and for the Tigers.

“Porcello was really good,” Leyland said. “An excellent job.”

The Tigers relief pitchers struck out 11 Astros, only walking two and only giving up only one hit the last seven innings.

The Tigers’ offense did not leave Porcello hanging because they came back to tie the score at three in the eighth inning.

With two out and nobody on base in the eighth, Tigers’ first baseman Fielder got hit by pitch when Wesley Wright lost control of a fastball that hit Fielder on the arm.

Fielder not happy with Wright’s pitch and while he walked down toward first base, nothing was said but there was a lot of eye contact being made by Fielder.

Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez hit a Wright fastball on a line heading for the corner into right field for a base hit.

Astros right fielder Rick Ankiel tried to surround the ball but the ball hit Ankiel’s glove darted off to the side and Ankiel slipped fell down trying to recover the ball.

Fielder running hard around the bases and when he was heading into third base, he was waved around the base by third base coach Tom Brookins to tie the score.

The four-game series against the Houston Astros continues at 7:05 Central Daylight Time, Friday night May 3, 2013 at Minute Maid Park.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. —- Finally good weather and Eastern Michigan University baseball.

Central Michigan University opened up the game in the sixth inning by scoring five runs and defeated Eastern Michigan University 10-1, at Theunissen Stadium, under the sunny sunshine and the clear blue sky that reached beyond the horizon.

Eastern Michigan University pitching did not have an answer to Central Michigan University first baseman Cody Leichman , he had five hits and three RBI’s against the Eagles.

Eastern Michigan University opened the first inning against the Chippewa by getting the first two on base with no outs but Central Michigan University starting pitcher Taylor Lehnert got out of the jamb without giving up a run or a hit.

“It probably had a lot to do with me, they have a freshman on the mound, he is pretty good but I made a decision to go with to let my third hitter hit and it did not pay off,’ Eastern Michigan University baseball coach Jay Alexander said about the Eagles first inning. “Sometime it does and sometime it don’t but in that situation get guys over and get two runs in it would hover been a lot bigger than getting zero.”

Lehnert threw a complete game for Central Michigan University only giving up just five hits and one run securing his third win of the season.

Alexander placed the ball in the glove of his starting right hand pitcher Brain Valente, who worked 3 2/3 of an inning giving up seven hits and four earned runs before being replaced by Joe Battistelli to get the last out of the inning.

“We are a little up and down right now. We got some freshman we got to play we are trying to struggle to find that guy in the second spot of the rotation,” Alexander said after the game. “Losing (Steve) Weber and (Kendall) Lewis who were supposed to be back this year that is hurting us a lot.”

Alexander said that his club is a group of guys that fight for everything that happens out on the diamond.

‘We are fighters, those kids are fighting hard and they are playing hard,” Alexander said. “Today’s game is uncharacteristic of us not being able to put anything together. They had the momentum and we did not steal it back.”

Alexander played small ball to gain the momentum from the Chippewa and giving Eagles right fielder Sam Ott a chance to hit away, but Ott lifted a fly ball onto the teeth of the wind blowing straight in from left field and the ball became an out. Next up to the plate the Eagles dh Lee Longo, he popup to the shortstop for the second out.

The rally came to an end when Eagle catcher Adam Sonabend  could not get a ground ball through the infield.

The Eagles could only get five hits including two hits from lead-off man Daniel Russell and infielder Jamie Simpson to lead the offense for the Eagles.

The Eagles defense did not play sharp either against the Chippewa in the sixth inning by making two costly errors.

Alexander believes that his defense is a continue project for the season but will get better with time and by plying in games.

“It has uncharacteristically Johnny (Rubin) is our best defender but he got some errors though but he has errors that balls that he is getting to and nobody else could and he is still young,” Alexander said about his defense. “One of our issues is our guys are making all of the errors are young they are freshman and we need them to play older they are very talented and they can do the job.”

Alexander and the Eagles will be back Sunday afternoon at Theunissen Stadium for the rubber game of the series beginning at 1 p.m.