They're swarming to Detroit's new Comerica Park, but that's not what the Tigers hoped for.
Juan Encarnacion hit a two-run triple in a five-run seventh inning that rallied the Tigers past Seattle, 6-5, last night, as swarms of flying insects descended on the ballpark.
Fans began running up the aisles as Seattle's Edgar Martinez batted in the first inning, swatting at the insects as they moved. Those who remained in their seats were constantly swatting at the bugs on themselves or others.
"I thought we were going to get bugged out in the first," Seattle starter Paul Abbott said. "It was amazing. A stampede from bugs."
Pitchers in the Tigers' bullpen started a small fire trying to ward off the attack. The game was never delayed, and fans returned to their seats as play progressed. There was no immediate word on what caused the swarm.
Michigan State University entomologist Howard Russell said if it's the species of flying ant he suspects, the insect will be around for another week to 10 days.
He said something must have caused the species to abandon its ground nest. Russell said the reason could be weather conditions or the length of the day compared to the length of the night.
Russell said he has received reports from Grand Blanc, Lansing and Frankenmuth, as well as Detroit concerning the swarms of bugs. But, he said not to worry - the insects are harmless.
Martinez hit his career-high 30th home run and Mike Cameron also homered for Seattle.
Detroit trailed, 4-1, before batting around in the seventh, getting five straight hits.
In other games:
YANKEES 10, RANGERS 9
At New York, Jorge Posada went 3-for-5 with a homer and five RBI and Tino Martinez hit a game-winning RBI single in the ninth inning to give the Yankees a victory over Texas.
RED SOX 3, ANGELS 1
At Boston, Brian Daubach singled in one run and scored two as the Red Sox overcame a 3-hour, 1-minute rain delay to beat Anaheim.
Tomo Ohka (3-2) allowed one hit in 52/3 innings as he won his third straight start.
TWINS 8, DEVIL RAYS 2
At Minneapolis, Cristian Guzman has three hits, including a two-run triple, his major league-leading 19th this season, and Danny Ardoin hit a bases-loaded double as Minnesota beat Tampa Bay.
INDIANS 7, ATHLETICS 5
At Cleveland, David Segui's go-ahead RBI double in the sixth inning sent the Indians to their fifth straight win.
For the second night in a row, the teams exchanged brushback pitches and trash talk. The starting pitchers for both teams were warned after head-high pitches emptied the dugouts and bullpens for some heated finger-pointing and animated conversation.
WHITE SOX 8, ORIOLES 4
At Chicago, Magglio Ordonez had three RBI and the White Sox made the most of nine walks and two Baltimore errors to win.
BLUE JAYS 9, ROYALS 8
At Toronto, Carlos Delgado had his fifth two-homer game of the season, hitting a go-ahead drive in the eighth inning as the Blue Jays won their third straight.
Delgado, who tied Chicago's Frank Thomas for the AL lead with 38 homers, hit a leadoff homer in a five-run seventh that tied the score at 8, then hit a go-ahead shot in the eighth.
In other news:
RANGERS: Pick says no
Outfielder Tyrell Godwin, a supplemental first-round draft pick by the Texas Rangers in June, rejected the team's contract offer and returned for his final semester at North Carolina.
Godwin was set to sign a $1.2 million bonus last week as the 35th overall pick, but the Rangers reduced the offer when an exam revealed a pre-existing knee injury, Baseball America reported.
INDIANS: Rincon back
Cleveland Indians lefthander Ricardo Rincon, who had bone spurs removed from his elbow in June, was activated from the 15-day disabled list.
