Erick Aybar scores from second on botched pickoff attempt by Tigers

We all know Erick Aybar is fast.  We found out just how fast yesterday on a botched pickoff attempt at second base by Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello.

More from Detroit Tigers

• MLB standings ordered by hard hit rate: Struggling Cardinals still cracking bats
• MLB rumors: Justin Verlander buzz, Astros target All-Star, Reds-White Sox deal
• Tigers young star takes vicious shot at Royals pitcher over sticky stuff allegations
• Immaculate Grid baseball: Answers, connections, hints for Grid 105 (July 16)
• Immaculate Grid baseball: Answers, connections, hints for Grid 102 (July 13)

With the Angels trailing 1-0 on the fifth inning, Porcello though Aybar was getting a little too much of a lead off of second base, so he whirled around and threw toward shortstop Eugenio Suarez covering second base.  The ball made it into center field, and that is where a somewhat routine botched play became a mess for the Tigers.

Notice how Aybar slowed down going into third base, but he never came close to stopping.  He waited for Detroit center fielder Austin Jackson‘s lazy throw back to the infield before turning on the afterburners and tying the game at one.  With Jackson’s half-effort throw back to the infield, the Tigers had no chance of catching Aybar at the plate.

It is plays like this, well this and the bullpen implosions, that define the Tigers and their lack of a World Series ring despite the plethora of talent that they assemble.  This play is a microcosm of the perceived failures of the Tigers over the last five years.

Detroit ended up losing the game 2-1.  You have to wonder if the outcome would have been different if they hadn’t given away a run in the fifth inning.