Magglio Ordonez Breaks Ankle; Tigers Lose Vs. Toronto

By: Tyler Ward

Detroit's Magglio Ordonez broke his right ankle on Saturday, while the Tigers ended up losing the game 3-2. He broke it while sliding into home plate and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

Blue Jays manager said, "That was just terrible to see. What a player, and he's so important to that team. He's a player that I have always admired on and off the field, so you really hate to see that."

The Tigers have been injury-plagued this season, with third baseman Brandon Inge breaking his hand less than a week ago. Carlos Guillen also suffered a calf injury in the game, but it is unknown if the injury is serious or not. Ordonez is expected to be placed on the 30-day disabled list. 

Struggling Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello matched up against over-achieving Shawn Marcum in the Detroit-Toronto game on Saturday. Porcello was optioned to Triple-A affiliate Toledo on June 20th, but was recalled just a few weeks ago on July 17th. He has struggled heavily this season, including losing tonight to put him at 4-8 on the year. Porcello had a great debut season last year for Detroit, going 14-9 with a 3.96 ERA - he finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting, placing behind Oakland's Andrew Bailey and Texas' Elvis Andrus.

In the first inning, Vernon Wells grounded out to first, but scored Dewayne Wise on the play. This was Wells' 53rd RBI of the year, and the Blue Jays were off to a fast start.

Jose Bautista put the Blue Jays up 2-0 in the third, singling to center and driving in Edwin Encarnacion. With the bases loaded, Toronto came up with nothing more as Porcello got Aaron Hill to pop out, ending the inning. 

The Tigers answered in the bottom of the inning when AL MVP candidate Miguel Cabrera doubled to center, scoring Austin Jackson. Ordonez tried to score, but was thrown out at home plate and landed on the disabled list in the process. Toronto was still up 2-1 after the inning, with Ordonez's attempt being the third out.

Toronto's Baustista got his second RBI of the night in the fifth when he grounded into a fielder's choice and scored Dewayne Wise yet again. That was all pitcher Shawn Marcum needed. He gave up a run in the sixth inning when Scott Sizemore added an RBI single. 

The game was then 3-2 in Toronto's advantage and it ended that way when closer Kelly Gregg pitched a perfect ninth to get his 22nd save of the year. Marcum (9-4) pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up eight hits and two earned runs. His ERA is at 3.36 for the season, the best of his five year career. Detroit's Rick Porcello (4-8) pitched 6 innings, giving up five hits, four walks, and three earned runs. With the win, Toronto went over the .500 mark, having a 49-48 in the tough AL East. They remain fourth in the division, 12.5 games behind the leading New York Yankees. Detroit dropped to 50-45, 2.5 games out of the division lead.