The two most telling images from Monday's game both occurred in and around the home team dugout at Joker Marchant Stadium.

One was of Dontrelle Willis getting a standing ovation from appreciative Detroit Tigers fans. He pitched two scoreless innings for the second consecutive outing, and his persevering through two years of failure resonated with the crowd.

"They are rooting for me and I appreciate it," Willis said. "I think people relate to someone struggling and trying to bounce back. I wanted to pick it up for Maxie."