Well, when it rains pulled oblique muscles, it pours pulled oblique muscles. Approximately four minutes after Game 3 started, the Rangers had a 1-0 lead. The crowd in Detroit was desperate for a reason to cheer -- any reason. As Colby Lewis mowed the Tigers down over the first three innings, the crowd was understandably reserved.
Tigers vs. Rangers: Victor Martinez Hits Solo Homer, Hurts Side
Victor Martinez led off the fourth inning, and he sent a line drive into the right-field seats. It left the park in an instant, and the crowd went berserk. The Tigers are a good team, but they aren't back-from-a-3-0-deficit good. The home run reminded everyone that a win was possible tonight, and a win tonight meant that a win tomorrow was possible, and by golly, the Tigers could head back to Texas just one win away from the World Series!
Then Martinez left the game and walked down the clubhouse steps because he hurt himself on the home run swing.
...
Man.
As he was hobbling down the steps, he pointed to his right side, just above his waist. That seems like an oblique tweak, but I guess it could be appendicitis, a pine-tar rash, or a swollen dingerz gland. Anything’s possible. But it’s probably an oblique thing, which could mean that tonight isn’t the only game Martinez will miss. Just brutal.
Update: He didn’t leave the game at all! He’s back, and he walked to load the bases in the fifth! I couldn’t tell he was still in the game because he didn’t take the field after his homer, and I can’t think of a good reason why he couldn’t.
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