V-Mart lights into listless Tigers offense after loss

11:32 PM ET

DETROIT — Tigers veteran Victor Martinez had an unflinchingly honest assessment of the team’s display on Tuesday night.

The 37-year-old designated hitter gave credit where credit was due — tipping his cap to a phenomenal performance from Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Rich Hill — but indicted his own team’s meager display in a 5-1 loss.

“Bottom line: the guy threw good. We were horses— as an offense,” Martinez said.

Hill was tremendous in seven scoreless innings, giving up just four hits — all singles — no walks and striking out eight. However, the fact that the 36-year-old journeyman left-hander managed to blank a right-handed-heavy lineup loaded with offensive All-Stars was a bit befuddling.

More concerning is that, save for Monday’s performance, this has been a trend for the Tigers as of late. Offensively, they are scuffling.

“We’re not hitting,” manager Brad Ausmus said flatly when asked if he could pinpoint why the Tigers’ bats were silent again. “That’s my theory.”

That’s a stark reality for a team with as much depth and talent as the Tigers boast on offense. Heading into Tuesday’s contest, they ranked 14th in the league in batting average, 15th in slugging percentage and 11th in hits. With starter Mike Pelfrey on the mound Tuesday, the team failed to give him a single run for the fourth consecutive outing this …

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