REGINA’S MOLLEKEN “SEEMED VERY COMPOSED”

Molleken on TSN2 Monday night

CLEVELAND – Regina, SK product Dustin Molleken offiically made his Major League Baseball debut when he came out of the bullpen for the Detroit Tigers in their 5-3 loss at the Indians on Monday evening.  His first career strikeout came against the Indians’ Mike Napoli.

Meanwhile Tigers manager Brad Ausmus refuses to make excuses for his team’s woeful record against the Indians.

The misery continued Monday as reliever Bruce Rondon gave up a two-run homer to Napoli in the seventh inning, leading Cleveland to the win.

The Tigers have lost all 10 of their games against the Indians – being outscored by a 65-23 margin – and had their season-long winning streak snapped at six.

Prior to the game, Detroit placed right-hander Jordan Zimmermann on the DL with a right neck strain. Ausmus said the injury has been bothering him for two weeks and flared up during an afternoon throwing session.

The right-hander Molleken was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to replace Zimmerman, and made his major league debut by following Norris with two scoreless innings.

The 31-year-old Canadian amassed 349 appearances in the minors while playing for 11 teams since 2003.

“Dustin seemed very composed, and I was happy for him,” Ausmus said. “He did an excellent job filling in when we needed him tonight.”

(AP)