Game 52 Recap

Tigers 3 Devil Rays 5

The Tigers bats started off hot with a triple and a RBI single after the first two pitches of the game. The Tigers added two more runs on three more hits in the top of the first. Tiger fans if you weren't familiar with the work of James Shileds, innings 2-9 were a quick tutorial. Shields allowed exactly 2 hits the rest of the game, at one point retiring 13 straight hitters. Nate Robertson was unable to keep it a pitcher's duel as he allowed 4 runs on nine hits, and for the fifth straight start is unable to get to the 7th inning. Guess what two more injuries!!! Carlos Guillen left the game with a strained groin, and Nate Robertson looked hurt all game after doing something to his back early one. I saw the stat on the telecast today that the Tigers already this season have lost double the man-games to injury as they did all of last year. And after all this the Tigers are still one of four teams in the AL with 30+ wins. Yes, the Tigers lost a series to Tampa Bay, and yes the Tigers head into Cleveland who swept the Tigers at home last weekend, but as Big Al points out there's no need for panic in Tigertown...yet.

Tiger Hero:
Gary Sheffield. Sheff closed out the Tampa Bay series with this stat line: .500 BA, 5 runs, 6 RBI, and 3 home runs.

Tiger Zero:
Take your pick. Pudge, Omar Infante, Craig Monroe, yes even Magglio were all held hitless tonight.

Tigers Record:
W - L
30 - 22
2nd Place AL Central (2.5 GB Cleveland)