DETROIT _ A historic losing season is still in play for the 2019 Detroit Tigers.
On Sunday in Oakland, they became the first team to lose 100 games this season. With 20 still to go, they need one more win to avoid the ignominy of breaking their own American League futility record of 119 losses set in 2003 (though they could still match it), and the Mets' major-league record of 120 losses set in 1962.
And, with 13 games left at Comerica Park, starting Tuesday with a three-game set against the Yankees, they still need to win four to avoid becoming the first team in the modern era to lose 60 games at home.
"No one wants to lose 100 ballgames," manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters after the 3-1 loss Sunday. "But when you're with a young ball team like this, I understand this. We've had some really bad streaks, and that's how you wind up losing 100. We've had too many of those bad streaks.
"But if you look at our team out there, there are a lot of rookies, a lot of young people playing and a lot of injuries to our pitchers. We don't try to use any excuses; people have to step up. As long as they are playing the game like they are playing and trying hard and giving everything they have, then you know what? The 100 losses mean nothing to me. I know that these guys give a flip, they are trying, and that's all I can ask for as a manager."
