Game 31 Recap

Tigers 9 Mariners 7

Different opponent, same result. The Tigers racked up the extra base hits (9 of the teams 14 hits) and rode the offense to their 8th straight win. After the patented Jeremy Bonderman multi-run first inning, the Tigers came back to tie the game at 3 after hitting four doubles in the 2nd. The Tigers fell behind again in the 4th, but an Omar Infante 2 run triple put them back in the lead for good. Infante and Inge, batting 8th and 9th, drove in 7 of the Tigers 9 runs. Infante pulled for Granderson defense, was a home run shy of the cycle. Craig Monroe and Sean Casey both came closer to the .250 mark, with Casey at .245 and Monroe at .243 after this game. Brandon Inge in within striking distance of .200 at .186, and seem to be more comfortable at the plate. Bobby Seay made his case for some prime innings out of the bullpen with a 7 pitch 7th. Fernando Rodney seemed to revert to his early season self, and gave up 2 runs in the 8th. Todd Jones, should thank him. For if Rodney hadn't giving up those two runs, Jonesy would not have notched his 13th save of the season. That save came largely due to two amazing catches by Craig Monroe and Magglio Ordonez. Jonesy was nice enough to give up deep fly ball to center so Curtis Granderson could get some work too.

Tiger Hero:
Craig Monroe and Magglio Ordonez. Almost everyone got a hit in this game, but the two diving grabs by C-Mo and Maggs saved the game.

Tiger Zero:
Fernando Rodney. An easy target, but with Zumaya out a performance like this didn't inspire any confidence.

Time for a new feature. Due to Joel Zumaya's devastating 12 week finger injury, the Tigers bullpen is missing a vital component. Kurt @ Mack Ave. via Matt from Take 75 North list a number of potential candidates for replacements. Virgil Vasquez has been pitching great in Toledo, but the guy that comes closest to Joel is Eulogio De La Cruz.
So I give to you (with apologies to Derek Zoolander) The Eulgoogoolizer Watch.
The Eulgoogoolizer Watch:
Eulogio in his last two starts has allowed only 3 runs on 9 hits and one walk in 17 innings while striking out 20.
Status: Staying in Erie, but a couple performances like his last two, and he might be worth a look.

Tigers Record:
W - L
20 - 11
Tied 1st place AL Central