Bats go quiet as Rockies downed in Motor City

By Thomas Harding | MLB.com

DETROIT — The difference between a pitcher being called “effectively wild” and just plain wild has more to do with the offense than anything he does.

Rookie left-hander Christian Friedrich threw nearly as many balls as strikes and walked five in five innings but limited the damage by giving up three hits and three runs, two earned. Often, the Rockies have a fighting chance with that. But Tigers starter Doug Fister and the bullpen held the Rockies to six hits in a 4-1 victory at Comerica Park on Saturday afternoon in front of 41,800.

The loss was the Rockies’ ninth in the last 10 games. It came a day after they had 16 hits — a season high for a road game — and broke loose for eight runs in the 10th inning of a streak-busting 12-4 victory. MORE>>>