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Tigers working Rondon into late-inning spots
- Updated: September 23, 2016
DETROIT — The last time Tigers reliever Bruce Rondon pitched in a big game at Target Field with a postseason race in the balance, he helped clinch an American League Central title, striking out the middle of the Twins’ lineup in order in the eighth inning on Sept. 24, 2013.
That was almost three years ago to the day. It was also his last outing that season. His elbow issues, which had sidelined him for three weeks before that, flared up again, and kept him out of the playoffs, a loss that haunted Detroit in the AL Championship Series amidst two Red Sox comebacks. Rondon had Tommy John surgery the following spring.
On Thursday night, Rondon struck out the Twins in order again in the eighth, albeit after a leadoff walk. It didn’t clinch anything, but the two-run lead he protected ended up vaulting Detroit into position for the second AL Wild Card spot. It also earned Rondon possibly a little more currency in what has become a changeable late-inning mix ahead of closer Francisco Rodriguez.
“He’s pitching in the eighth inning a little bit more,” manager Brad Ausmus said, “so I guess in that sense, yeah.”
Rondon pitched …
