Game 7

The last time the Tigers saw Jaret Wright, it was in Game 4 of the ALDS. They chased him after 2.2 innings on their way to a series clinching 8-3 victory. Wright's first start of this year was a brief one as well. He gave up 6 runs on 4 hits and 5 walks in 2.1 innings, in a 7-2 loss to Minnesota. He takes the mound for the Orioles tonight, going up against Nate Robertson. Jamie Walker will get his ring tonight as well. He has made it clear how he feels going up against his old team. For all those hoping for Brandon Inge to find a spot on the pine, your wish is granted. In his place...Neifi Perez. Yeah, I don't even know what to day about that, let's just go to the line-ups.

Line-ups:
Detroit (3-3)
Granderson CF
Polanco 2B
Sheffield DH
Ordonez RF
Guillen SS
Rodriguez C
Casey 3B
Monroe LF
Perez 3B

Baltimore (3-4)
Roberts 2B
Mora 3B
Markakis RF
Tejada SS
Huff DH
Gibbons LF
Millar 1B
Patterson CF
Castillo C

Pitchers:
Tigers - Nate Robertson (1-0, 3.18 ERA)
Orioles - Jaret Wright (0-1, 15.43 ERA)

Post-Game:

Tigers 3 Orioles 1

Nate Robertson, Curtis Granderson, and Placido Polanco were all the Tigers needed tonight to get the win. Nate did to the O's what Cabrera did the the Tigers yesterday. He pitched 7 1/3 innings, gave up only 4 hits, struck out five, walked one, and most importantly didn't allow a run. Curtis collected two more doubles, and had a big outfield assist to take a double away from Miguel Tejada in the 7th. Placido was 2 for 3 and had a great defensive stop to ensure Todd Jones got his 4th save of the season. Jonesy, with a little help from Polanco's glove, had his second 1-2-3 save of the year. It only took him 10 pitchers, 7 being strikes. Whether Brian Roberts heard Polly's footsteps, or the course of his throw was altered by the gravitation pull of his huge melon is up for debate. But the errant throw was the difference in the game, allowing 2 runs to score instead of ending the inning. Scary moment when Pudge took a check swing foul off the foot, and looked like he would have to leave the game. He stayed in, but with Vance Wilson on the DL, you have to hope that the post-game check up finds nothing serious.

Tiger Hero:
Nate Robertson. The best performance by a Tiger pitcher in this young season.

Tiger Zero:
Gary Sheffield. o for 4, 2 K's one with no outs and the bases loaded. Way too many strikeout for Sheffield. He's on pace from 184. Never in his career has he had more than 100. I'm not saying he will come anywhere close to that number, but the strikeouts would be a lot easier to deal with as long as he was hitting with his other at bats.


Tigers Record:
W - L
4 - 3