To the outside world, it looked like the Detroit Tigers were facing a critical moment against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, Aug.10.

Matt Vierling, a major part of the glue of this team, was back on the injured list , leaving Tigers manager A.J. Hinch to shuffle his defense once again – Javier Báez, I need you back out in center ...

The Tigers’ once-massive double-digit lead in the American League Central had shrunk down to just five games – Crap, it’s time to start checking the standings again. BIG SWINGS, LITTLE BALL: Detroit Tigers sluggers Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene show how a single can be bigger than a home run

And they had lost four of six games, and 13 of 21 since the All-Star break. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

But here’s what the

See Full Page