Game 105 Recap

Tigers 5 A's 2

Yet again, a Toledo Mud Hen puts up a great performance and leads the Tigers to a win. This time it was Jordan Tata, who got the win (as I write this Todd Jones has just applied the shaving cream facial) in his first major league start. Just as important as pitching well, Tata pitched seven innings, something a Tiger starter has only done three times since July 17. Chad DurbinTodd Jones help rebuild some bullpen calmness after a nuclear weekend, by pitching a scoreless inning a piece...babysteps....babysteps. Tata also received help from Curtis Granderson who put on a base running clinic tonight, by turning singles into runs. After a lead off single, he went from 1st to 3rd on a Polanco single, and subsequently scored on a Sheffield fielder's choice. After another single in the 6th he never stopped running and scored from first easily after centerfielder Mark Kotsay bobbled the ball. Then in the 7th, he took 2nd on a Kotsay
and overthrow to the plate, and was driven in by a Polanco double. Speaking of Polly he was 3 for 5 on the night, and lifted his average to .343. That places him just .004 back of Ichiro for 2nd place in the Majors in batting average. Bottom line Tigers needed a win bad, and not only did they get one, they got it while looking like a contender.

Tiger Hero:
Jordan Tata. Call him the Tourniquet. Tata scattered 6 hits, while striking out 5, and walking two.

Tiger Zero:
Gary Sheffield. 0 for 4 tonight. Add to that the Anti-Selig comments, and possibly some time off. There's a fine line between crazy and stupid, and Sheff may have crossed it.

Tigers Record:
W - L
61 - 44
1st Place AL Central (Cleveland 1 GB)