Taking some time off as my parents are in town. And anybody who gives me a new TV as a house warming gift will get my full attention. Only wish I could have seen Inge hit a home run or two in crystal clear Hi-def. Well there's always tonight.
I am trying to get a half assed mid-season review in but considering game recaps are a challenge, don't hold your breath. So if I don't get the big one done here's a miniature one:
First place? Yay!
Fingers crossed we can still say that in October.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Game 85
A little late with this, but WE DID IT!!!!!
Not only did Brandon Inge win the final vote, he's going to be a participant in the Home Run Derby. Pretty cool for a guy that was sulking on the bench at the beginning of the 08 season.
As for yesterday's game, see what happens when you give Edwin Jackson run support? A Gerald Laird double and Josh Anderson single drove in all the runs Edwin Jackson would need. It was a good thing Jackson was on, because Anderson's 2 RBI single was the last hit the Tigers would get against Cliff Lee.
It seems the Tigers had passed their squandering ways (insert blanket joke here) to the Indians. They were 0 for 9 with RISP and as a team stranded 10 men on base, with the lone run coming on a Ryan Garko solo HR in the 5th. On the other hand, two of the three Tiger hits against Cliff Lee drove in runs, and Marcus Thames added a 2 run HR after Placido Polanco walk in the 8th.
The bullpen wasn't perfect, but it got the job done. Which has been the case more often than not this year. Maybe the biggest break was Joel Zumaya being taken out after 2 pitches in the 8th. Bobby Seay completed the walk added one more of his own, and had runners at 2nd and 3rd with only one out. He then struck out Shin Soo Choo, and made Travis Hafner fly out to avert the crisis. Fernando Rodney did what he normally does in a non-save situation. Gave fans of the opposing team hope, before finally shutting the door.
Today it's Armando Galarraga, who's been pitching well lately, vs. Carl Pavano who has not. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Pavano's win win was against the Tigers after previously allowing 19 runs in his starts prior to meeting the Tigers
Tigers 5 Indians 1
W: Jackson (7-4)
L: Lee (4-9)
Tigers Record
W - L
47 - 38
1st Place AL Central (3.5 games ahead of Chicago)
Not only did Brandon Inge win the final vote, he's going to be a participant in the Home Run Derby. Pretty cool for a guy that was sulking on the bench at the beginning of the 08 season.
As for yesterday's game, see what happens when you give Edwin Jackson run support? A Gerald Laird double and Josh Anderson single drove in all the runs Edwin Jackson would need. It was a good thing Jackson was on, because Anderson's 2 RBI single was the last hit the Tigers would get against Cliff Lee.
It seems the Tigers had passed their squandering ways (insert blanket joke here) to the Indians. They were 0 for 9 with RISP and as a team stranded 10 men on base, with the lone run coming on a Ryan Garko solo HR in the 5th. On the other hand, two of the three Tiger hits against Cliff Lee drove in runs, and Marcus Thames added a 2 run HR after Placido Polanco walk in the 8th.
The bullpen wasn't perfect, but it got the job done. Which has been the case more often than not this year. Maybe the biggest break was Joel Zumaya being taken out after 2 pitches in the 8th. Bobby Seay completed the walk added one more of his own, and had runners at 2nd and 3rd with only one out. He then struck out Shin Soo Choo, and made Travis Hafner fly out to avert the crisis. Fernando Rodney did what he normally does in a non-save situation. Gave fans of the opposing team hope, before finally shutting the door.
Today it's Armando Galarraga, who's been pitching well lately, vs. Carl Pavano who has not. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Pavano's win win was against the Tigers after previously allowing 19 runs in his starts prior to meeting the Tigers
Tigers 5 Indians 1
W: Jackson (7-4)
L: Lee (4-9)
Tigers Record
W - L
47 - 38
1st Place AL Central (3.5 games ahead of Chicago)
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Game 84
Only one way to keep him in 1st...
VOTE INGE...AND VICTORINO
Just like last night's game, on paper, Grienke vs. French seemed like a huge mismatch. Fortunately for the Tigers games are not played on paper.
The Tigers jumped out quick on Greinke, scoring more runs (3) in the first two innings, than they had in previous 18. It was only 3 the Tigers would score all game, but the pitching staff would make it stick.
Jim Leyland let Luke French stick around long enough this time to pick up the win. But the real key is the solid bullpen work tonight. Fu-Ne Ti took over with a runner on base, got a double play to end the inning. Brandon Lyon was the Lyon that was supposed to challenge for the closer position this spring, as he struck out the only 2 batters he faced. In came Fernando Rodney, coming off of 48 pitches over the last two nights. He sat down the side 1-2-3 striking out the last two outs and is 19 for 19 in save opportunities.
So a series win, and a off day awaiting the struggling Cleveland Indians. An off day you should be spending sending one more Tiger to the All-Star Game
Tigers 3 Royals 1
W: French (1-0)
L: Greinke (10-5)
S: Rodney (19)
Tigers Record
W - L
46 - 38
1st Place AL Central (2 games ahead of Chicago)
Just like last night's game, on paper, Grienke vs. French seemed like a huge mismatch. Fortunately for the Tigers games are not played on paper.
The Tigers jumped out quick on Greinke, scoring more runs (3) in the first two innings, than they had in previous 18. It was only 3 the Tigers would score all game, but the pitching staff would make it stick.
Jim Leyland let Luke French stick around long enough this time to pick up the win. But the real key is the solid bullpen work tonight. Fu-Ne Ti took over with a runner on base, got a double play to end the inning. Brandon Lyon was the Lyon that was supposed to challenge for the closer position this spring, as he struck out the only 2 batters he faced. In came Fernando Rodney, coming off of 48 pitches over the last two nights. He sat down the side 1-2-3 striking out the last two outs and is 19 for 19 in save opportunities.
So a series win, and a off day awaiting the struggling Cleveland Indians. An off day you should be spending sending one more Tiger to the All-Star Game
Tigers 3 Royals 1
W: French (1-0)
L: Greinke (10-5)
S: Rodney (19)
Tigers Record
W - L
46 - 38
1st Place AL Central (2 games ahead of Chicago)
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Game 83
Before we get to the recap...
DO IT NOW
As for the game, Justin Verlander vs. Bruce Chen, you would think advantage Tigers right? Well you obviously haven't been watching Tiger baseball this year. Things were looking bleak for the Tigers after the top of the 3rd inning. Verlander's pitch count was entering the 50s and the Tigers trailed 3-1. Luckily Placido Polanco flexed some muscle and the score was tied 3-3. I don't have the time or the patience for the research, but I'd wager the Tigers record when Polanco drives in a run is a good one.
Then in the 5th inning Bruce Chen turned back into the Bruce Chen we know and love. A Polanco RBI single and a Marcus Thames 3 run home run, put the Tigers ahead 7-3. The Royals clawed back with 2 in the 6th, but Polanco struck again in the bottom of the sixth to give the Tigers back the 3 run lead.
The bullpen was far from perfect. 3 hits and 3 walks in 3 innings. But the most important stat of all, runs allowed was frozen at zero, allowing Fernando Rodney to pick up his 18 save, and securing the win for the Tigers.
Tomorrow it's Luke French vs. Zack Greinke. For once I would like the pitcher who's not supposed to win be the one in the Old English D
Tigers 8 Royals 5
W: Verlander (9-4)
L: Chen (0-3)
S: Rodney (18)
Tigers Record
W - L
45 - 38
1st Place AL Central (2 games ahead of Chicago)
DO IT NOW
As for the game, Justin Verlander vs. Bruce Chen, you would think advantage Tigers right? Well you obviously haven't been watching Tiger baseball this year. Things were looking bleak for the Tigers after the top of the 3rd inning. Verlander's pitch count was entering the 50s and the Tigers trailed 3-1. Luckily Placido Polanco flexed some muscle and the score was tied 3-3. I don't have the time or the patience for the research, but I'd wager the Tigers record when Polanco drives in a run is a good one.
Then in the 5th inning Bruce Chen turned back into the Bruce Chen we know and love. A Polanco RBI single and a Marcus Thames 3 run home run, put the Tigers ahead 7-3. The Royals clawed back with 2 in the 6th, but Polanco struck again in the bottom of the sixth to give the Tigers back the 3 run lead.
The bullpen was far from perfect. 3 hits and 3 walks in 3 innings. But the most important stat of all, runs allowed was frozen at zero, allowing Fernando Rodney to pick up his 18 save, and securing the win for the Tigers.
Tomorrow it's Luke French vs. Zack Greinke. For once I would like the pitcher who's not supposed to win be the one in the Old English D
Tigers 8 Royals 5
W: Verlander (9-4)
L: Chen (0-3)
S: Rodney (18)
Tigers Record
W - L
45 - 38
1st Place AL Central (2 games ahead of Chicago)
Monday, July 06, 2009
Game 82
First if you haven't done so go and...VOTE INGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So with the holiday weekend and family in town, i was able to take a nice relaxing weekend away from the team that has given me several a gray hair this year. I come back and get double pants poopings by Zumaya and Rodney. Ah, to be a Tiger fan.
The good news:
Armando Galarraga pitched his best game since Opening Day. He went 7 innings for only the 4th time all season, striking out 7 and allowing one run on five hits. Armando was in line for the win until the aforementioned bullpen snafu. Ryan Raburn did his best to secure victory for the Tigers. His solo HR put the Tigers in the lead in the 6th, and tied the game in the 8th.
The bad news:
C'mon Joel, Willie Friggin Bloomquist??? The worst part of the loss was that noted facepuncher Ramon Colon got the win. Tiger bats were not without blame. They wasted 5 walks by starter Gil Meche, and were 0-4 with RISP. Hitting into 3 double plays. Do. Not. Want.
The question now is, will the Tigers add Bruce Chen to the list of less than mediocre pitchers who have shut them down. Or will they treat him like the AAAA pitcher he is.
Tigers 3 Royals 4
W: Colon (1-0)
L: Rodney (0-2)
S: Soria (13)
Tigers Record
W - L
44 - 38
1st Place AL Central (1.5 games ahead of Minnesota)
So with the holiday weekend and family in town, i was able to take a nice relaxing weekend away from the team that has given me several a gray hair this year. I come back and get double pants poopings by Zumaya and Rodney. Ah, to be a Tiger fan.
The good news:
Armando Galarraga pitched his best game since Opening Day. He went 7 innings for only the 4th time all season, striking out 7 and allowing one run on five hits. Armando was in line for the win until the aforementioned bullpen snafu. Ryan Raburn did his best to secure victory for the Tigers. His solo HR put the Tigers in the lead in the 6th, and tied the game in the 8th.
The bad news:
C'mon Joel, Willie Friggin Bloomquist??? The worst part of the loss was that noted facepuncher Ramon Colon got the win. Tiger bats were not without blame. They wasted 5 walks by starter Gil Meche, and were 0-4 with RISP. Hitting into 3 double plays. Do. Not. Want.
The question now is, will the Tigers add Bruce Chen to the list of less than mediocre pitchers who have shut them down. Or will they treat him like the AAAA pitcher he is.
Tigers 3 Royals 4
W: Colon (1-0)
L: Rodney (0-2)
S: Soria (13)
Tigers Record
W - L
44 - 38
1st Place AL Central (1.5 games ahead of Minnesota)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Games 75 & 76
bad migraines and a west coast trip had me sidelined the past few days. Will be back up after tomorrow's game
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Game 74
Thinking the game started at 7 Central time, I decided to get one more game in for Tiger Woods '10 for the Wii. I tune in at 8:05...I decided to go back to playing Tiger Woods.
I feel good about my decision.
I feel good about my decision.
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