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Rally Goose: Tigers score 5 runs in 6th in a 6-1 win over Angels

A night that began with the anticipation of seeing right-handed pitcher Shohei Ohtani pitch for the Angels ended — after two rain delays — with #RallyGoose trending on social media and a Detroit Tigers' win.
Credit: Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press
Detroit Tigers Leonys Martin is met by JaCoby Jones after scoring against the Los Angeles Angels during first inning action Thursday, May 30, 2018, Comerica Park in Detroit, Mich.

James McCann missed the Rally Goose, but said the Detroit Tigers need to make decal or something after what transpired Wednesday night. Some fans may be kicking themselves Thursday morning for leaving due to the two rain delays at Comerica Park.

A night that began with the anticipation of seeing right-handed pitcher Shohei Ohtani pitch for the Angels ended — after two rain delays — with #RallyGoose trending on social media and a Detroit Tigers' win.

Comerica Park staff chased a goose off the field after the second rain delay and it flew away, crashing into LED board on the first base side, then fell into the seats. A woman retrieved the goose and the Tigers eventually announced the bird was healthy and had been released from Comerica Park.

McCann said he went to notify staff that the Tigers were running low on game baseballs and missed the goose.

"I came back and they're like 'You're not going to believe what you missed,'" McCann said. "I just saw the replay."

The Tigers went on to score five runs in the sixth inning and beat the Los Angeles Angels, 6-1, with some of the remaining fans yelling "Rally Goose" in the late innings of the game.

Nicholas Castellanos went 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI to lead the Tigers. Leonys Martin was 2-for-3 with two walks, an RBI and a run scored.

José Iglesias had a two-run single as part of the five-run sixth inning, before leaving the game with a right hip contusion. Iglesias told reporters after the game that the contusion wasn't serious and wouldn't be going on the disabled list.

Castellanos doubled on a line drive to left in the third inning to became only the second player this season to hit Ohtani's splitter. Castellanos' second double of the night came on a slider from Ohtani in the fifth inning.

"Him being so young and having these weapons, you could tell he really wasn't letting it all eat," Castellanos said.

Ohtani was throwing his fastball in the low-90s early in the game, but ramped up to 101 m.p.h. on a pitch to Jeimer Candelario in the in the fifth inning.

"He was 90 to 93 the first inning, and then all of a sudden he got it up to 101 against Candy," Castellanos said of Ohtani. "And the fact that he has that in his back pocket, you gotta respect that as a hitter.

"As far as me hitting his splitter, I got no idea what I'm doing when I hit, man. I just look for something to swing hard (at). He's got very, powerful stuff. When he comes to a place where he's harnessing that and he can play with that 101 whenever he wants, that's kind of a Justin Verlander-type deal. Him being so young, it's a process. Everybody wants him to be polished yesterday."

Ohtani allowed one run on three hits over five innings for the Angels. He walked three and struck out five.

Righty Cam Bedrosian allowed four runs on two hits and one walk over one-third of an inning for the Angels.

With the bases loaded and one out, Iglesias broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run single to left-center. Righty Jim Johnson replaced Bedrosian and Dixon Machado reached on a fielder's choice, which allowed JaCoby Jones to score. Martin and Castellanos each followed with RBI singles.

"I think it just speaks to the character of this ballclub," Castellanos said of the win. "How focused we are. How much we want to win as a group. Hats off to (Mike) Fiers to be able to stay sharp after the first rain delay."

Fiers allowed one run on seven hits over 5⅔ innings for the Tigers. He walked one and struck out four.

As for the goose, Castellanos said: "Best part of the day was he was okay."

"He seemed like a nice goose. I did see him crash. I was more worried about the goose crashing than warming up with Leonys and he was frustrated about that. I wanted to make sure (the goose) was okay."

Roster move

The Tigers selected the contract of infielder Ronny Rodriguez after the game and optioned catcher Grayson Greiner to Triple-A Toledo. Rodriguez, 26, hit for the cycle on Wednesday afternoon and finished 5-for-6 with two home runs, five RBIs and four runs scored in a 12-7 win at Syracuse.

"He'll be up here (Thursday)," Gardenhire said of Rodriguez. "It's time for him to come up. I think there's some stipulation with him in the minor leagues. He has to make a move or we're going to lose him. It's time. The guy is playing his tail off. He's been recommended by the whole staff down there. This guy deserves a chance. You know what? We're going to do that and give him this opportunity."

Rodriguez is batting .318 with 14 doubles, eight home runs and 35 RBIs in 48 games with the Mud Hens.

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