Chemicals in grass might have caused Liriano's allergic reaction

Detroit — So, remember that allergic reaction that forced Francisco Liriano to miss his first start after the All-Star break, the one that put a nasty rash all over his torso? The Tigers think they finally found out what caused it.

“Believe it or not,” manager Ron Gardenhire said, “he’s allergic to grass. This is a bad sport for him to be in.”

Actually, the allergic reaction may have been caused more by the chemicals used to treat the grass.

“The way he explained it, where he lives (in Miami) they were redoing a lawn in his neighborhood, laying down sod,” Gardenhire said. “And they were spraying chemicals on it. Liri said he smelled it and it really bothered him.

“That’s what he thinks he had a reaction to — the chemicals.”

More: 'Supposed to be easy:' Tigers hang on, sweep Reds

Pitchout thwarted

The Tigers bench — Gardenhire and bench coach Steve Liddle — sniffed out a steal in the third inning and called for an old-fashioned pitch-out — just like they did against Brian Goodwin in Kansas City last week.

This time, though, speedy Billy Hamilton was running.

Pitcher Drew VerHagen and catcher John Hicks executed the play well, but Hamilton stole the base anyway.

"He just outran the ball," Liddle said.

Adduci homer

Jim Adduci has hit two home runs since being summoned from Toledo last month. The one he hit on Wednesday, though, is one he will remember for a while.

"That one felt good," he said of the 424-foot liner that left his bat at 103 mph. "That was probably the first home run I've hit in my career that wasn't like two rows in, where I was praying it would go out.

"When I hit that one, it was like, 'Oh, yes. Finally. I hit a true home run.'"

Adduci had a single and a home run, then was replaced by Ronny Rodriguez. Rodriguez also had two hits and an RBI.

"So as a collective unit at first base, we had a pretty good day," Adduci said.

About Niko

Niko Goodrum had two hits including a double (five of his last six hits have been for extra bases). But in a game filled with slick defensive plays, he may have made the slickest in the fourth inning.

With the Tigers up 2-0, the Reds had a runner at third with two outs. Phillip Ervin hit a hard ground ball up the middle. Goodrum ranged behind second base, crossing with shortstop Jose Iglesias. 

He backhanded the ball and made a quick jump-throw across his body on a hop to first base. Out. Run saved.

Around the horn

The Tigers and the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps have agreed to a two-year extension in their player development contract, in a deal announced Wednesday.

The deal extends the Tigers' relationship with the Whitecaps through the 2022 season. West Michigan has been a Tigers affiliate since 1997.