DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers closer Joe Nathan was in a jam, with runners on the corners and only one out in the ninth inning of a scoreless game with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night.
Jose Bautista, among the American League leaders in homers and RBI, strode to the plate. However, Bautista also had hit into eight double plays -- something only four batters in the league had surpassed.
Nathan got Bautista to hit a weak grounder several feet on the shortstop side of second base. Romine had a clear shot at the ball, but inexplicably pulled up his glove and the ball dribbled into short center field to score the game's first run. The odd single opened the floodgates in what became a 5-3 loss to Toronto.
"It got through," said Romine. "It shouldn't have got through, and it got through."
Romine was clearly frustrated with that play and the loss that resulted.
When asked if he was trying to pick up the ball as quickly as possible to start a 6-3 double play, Romine said, "I wasn't thinking anything."
Should it have been a double play?
"I can't predict the future," Romine said.
Second baseman Ian Kinsler was also pursuing the ball, and while they did not come close to colliding, it appeared Kinsler possibly distracted Romine.
"You know I couldn't tell," said Tigers manager Brad Ausmus. "I'm not sure if Romine thought Ian was going to get to the ball or Ian thought Romine would get the ball. I haven't spoken to them about it.
"I thought it was going to be a double play ball at the time, but it was more in the middle than I could tell from my angle."
Romine dispelled the theory that Kinsler caused his indecision.
"Nope, nope," Romine said. "No confusion."
Romine has become the primary shortstop with Jose Iglesias on the disabled list while rehabilitating from fractures in both shins.
While Romine played strong defense to begin the season, he hasn't been making many big plays lately. He has six errors and a .956 fielding percentage that's next-to-worst among American League regulars. And his range factor is 25th of 29 major league shortstops with enough fielding chances to be ranked.
Factor in a .200 batting average, and Romine can't be feeling comfortable in his role.
Top shortstop prospect Eugenio Suarez is batting .302 at Triple-A Toledo after getting promoted following his hot start at Double-A Erie.
The Tigers must be looking at giving Suarez a shot in light of Romine's lack of production.
