Advertisement

Rain halts Michael Fulmer's quest for AL ERA title

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 28: Manager Brad Ausmus #7 of the Detroit Tigers takes the ball from Michael Fulmer #32 during the fourth inning of the game against the Cleveland Indians on September 28, 2016 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Brad Ausmus takes the ball from Michael Fulmer on a rainy night in Detroit. (Getty Images)

Baseball and bad weather do not mix. Right now, no one knows that better than Detroit Tigers rookie Michael Fulmer. A long rain delay during the Tigers’ game against the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday cost him the chance to qualify for the AL ERA title, which would have made him the first rookie to lead either league in ERA since 1976, when the Tigers’ own Mark Fidrych led the AL with a 2.34 ERA in 250.1 innings.

Before his start on Wednesday, Fulmer had a 2.95 ERA — lowest in the league — and had pitched 155.2 innings, leaving him just 6.1 innings short of the 162 innings he needs to qualify for the ERA title. He managed just 3.1 innings against the Indians, allowing one run through three innings before a 45-minute rain delay. He surprisingly came back to pitch the fourth inning, and it didn’t go well. He got a groundout but allowed two singles (both would come around to score) before manager Brad Ausmus pulled him from the game.

Spending nearly an hour on the bench couldn’t have been great for Fulmer’s arm. Plus, he’s had problems facing the Indians all season.

[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Baseball contest now]

Fulmer’s issues against the Indians didn’t hurt the Tigers in the long (or rain-shortened) run, since they won 6-3. And despite falling short of qualifying for the AL ERA title, Fulmer has a good attitude about it.

And there’s still a chance he could qualify! His 3.06 ERA is still lowest in the league, he needs just three more innings to get to 162, and the Tigers have four games left in the regular season. If Brad Asumus needs a relief pitcher, Michael Fulmer’s available!

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

– – – – – –

Liz Roscher is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at lizroscher@yahoo.com or follow her on twitter! Follow @lizroscher