Detroit Tigers Day 4 camp.jpg

Detroit Tigers pitching prospect Drew VerHagen throws a bullpen session on Sunday on the back fields at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.

(James Schmehl | MLive.com)

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FINAL: TIGERS 12, MOCCASINS 0

The Tigers were expected to pound Florida Southern in their annual exhibition at Joker Marchant Stadium. And that's exactly what they did.

The Tigers poured on 13 hits -- good for 12 runs -- and seven pitchers combined for nine innings of three-hit ball as the Tigers punished the Moccasins, 12-0, in their annual exhibition marking the beginning of spring training games for Detroit.

My take? Don't read

anything

too much into today's game. Yes, six Tigers pitchers held Florida Southern to two hits in eight innings. But, remember, this is a college squad. There's a significant drop-off in talent and a massive learning curve.

EIGHTH INNING: TIGERS 12, MOCCASINS 0

Eugenio Suarez hits a solo dinger to left field to make it 12-0, Tigers. The Tigers continue to pour it on the Mocs -- 13 hits en route to 12 runs. Make the bleeding stop.

SEVENTH INNING: TIGERS 11, MOCCASINS 0

SIXTH INNING: TIGERS 10, MOCCASINS 0

Tigers take a 10-0 lead after Exposito beats out a double play ball and Francisco Martinez adds a run on a sac fly. At this point, there are no regulars in the Tigers' lineup. All players currently on the field aren't expected to make the club's Opening Day roster -- with the possible exception of Hernan Perez, who is stationed at shortstop.

FIFTH INNING: TIGERS 8, MOCCASINS 0

The Tigers blow open the game with a five-run fifth, highlighted by Steven Moya's two-run triple to deep right-center field. Don Kelly and Daniel Fields drive in a run apiece, too.

Side note: There was a short break in play after Lombardozzi knocked Florida Southern's Steven Burnham out of game with shot off his leg. He was replaced by Austin Barnett.

FOURTH INNING: TIGERS 3, MOCCASINS 0

Tigers outfield prospect Daniel Fields makes it 3-0 after he turns on a first-pitch fastball and sends a liner over the wall in right field. Fields, who is on the Tigers' 40-man roster, won't make the club's Opening Day roster, but he's certainly a candidate to be called up when the rosters expand in September.

Ray gave up a leadoff double to Szczerba before striking out the next two batters he faced. In all, he fanned five of the six batters he faced. Impressive.

THIRD INNING: TIGERS 2, MOCCASINS 0

A Steven Moya double down the first-base line drives in Jose Iglesias and Steve Lombardozzi to give the Tigers an early 2-0 lead. Meanwhile, Robbie Ray strikes out the side, in order, to keep the Mocs hitless through three.

SECOND INNING: TIGERS 0, MOCCASINS 0

That's it for Drew VerHagen. Six batters up, six batters down after a 12-pitch second inning. As expected, Robbie Ray will take the mound in the third. We're scoreless after two and still await our first baserunner after Martinez, Jackson and Dirks go down in order.

As expected, the players in Detroit's starting lineup are only getting one at-bat before being removed. Kinsler, Hunter and Cabrera all exit the game, in favor of Steve Lombardozzi, Steven Moya and Don Kelly, respectively.

FIRST INNING: TIGERS 0, MOCCASINS 0

It didn't take long for Castellanos to get his first action at third. He cleanly fielded a slow grounder off the bat of second baseman Conor Szczerba and threw him out for the first out, and made an over-the-shoulder catch to help VerHagen retire the side in order.

PREGAME CHATTER

Baseball is back, folks.

Brad Ausmus' managing skills will officially be put to the test for the first time this spring as the Tigers host Florida Southern in their annual exhibition game at Joker Marchant Stadium.

The game won't be broadcast on FOX Sports Detroit or MLB Network, and -- from what I gather -- it can't be heard on the airwaves, either. Fortunately for you, I'm here, in Lakeland.

I can't stream the game, so live video isn't an option, but I plan to give you a pretty detailed account of what's taking place on the field, as well as off it, too.

I'll be hanging out in the comments, offering some play-by-play and color commentary. Feel free to join me at noon -- about an hour before first pitch -- to talk all things Tigers.

If there's a detail I forget to cover, let me know in the comments and I'll be sure to fill in the gap for you. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m.

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