Game 126 Recap

Later hours at my job, work on the new house, finalizing an upcoming wedding , team playing like crap. Not a good recipe for regular viewing of the Tigers. But tonight I was able to catch most of the game in between picks of my first Fantasy Football Draft of the year (LT with the 1st pick woohoo!!! Kevin Smith in the 10th..steal!).

If it weren't for Armando Galarraga the Tigers would be fighting Cleveland for last place. And if they played more often like they do when Armando's on the mound they'd be fighing for first. It seems like every time Galarraga's on the mound, the Tigers score double digits. In my not very thorough research, I counted the Tigers have score 6 or more runs in 7 of Galarraga's 12 wins. And imagine if Texas had kept Galarraga? An extra 10 wins would be putting them in the thick of the Wild Card race.

Matt Joyce is making his case for the starting LF spot for 2009 with authority. 2 Big HRs drove in four runs tonight. He also helped 3 unearned runs score to cap a 9 run 7th when a fly ball off his bat, confused the Texas outfielders and dropped to the ground. And hey, looks who decided to play? Gary Sheffield drove in a run on two hits. Sheff has 9 hits and 7 RBI in the last 5 games he batted in. Hooray to building trade value!

All in all, finally a good night to be a Tiger fan. And probably the last time I'll be catching a Tiger game until I'm back in Michigan on Saturday. Just hoping this is the team that shows up to play when I'm there next Tuesday

Tigers 11 Rangers 3
W: Galarraga (12-4)
L: Padilla (12-7)

Sigh...

Busy past few days. Didn't really miss much. The bullpen is still giving away games, the offense is maddeningly inconsistent.
I do this for fun, and this past few weeks have been anything but that. I have a bunch of things going on right now and sitting down and transcribing a gut-wrenching loss each night, isn't that high on my list of priorities. Still I'll keep watching and checking in from time to time, and hopefully this season can close-out with some positives.

Game 112 Recap

Another game given away by a horrible bullpen, and an offense that decided to take a nap after 5 innings. How did it end? I have no idea, as this game is in the 11th inning right now. I'm going to bed pondering which member of the bullpen will be the goat for this one.

Game 108 Recap

With a bullpen stretched to the limit, the Tigers needed a strong performance fro Justin Verlander. They didn't quite get that. JV gave up 6 runs and couldn't make it past the 6th inning. Tiger for a day Clay Rapada was force to eat it, as the Tigers really had no one that could pitch more than two innings. So Rapada stuck around for 1.2 innings and gave up three runs. Nine runs rarely will get you a win with a fully stocked Tiger line-up. It's a death sentence when the "Sunday Line-up" is thrown out there.

So the Tigers split another series. And this weekend isn't going to get any easier. They go to Tampa to take on the AL East leading Rays, while Chicago and Minnesota get the bottom two teams in the Central (KC and Cleveland Respective) to feast on. I was actually looking forward to this weekend, as Tampa is the closest the Tigers travel to Atlanta all year. But a wedding came up, and actually I'll be back in Michigan. Which is probably for the best. The way things are looking, if I had gone, I'd be front and center to watch the Tigers playoff chances die. I'll be back Monday, fingers crossed I still have a playoff chase to follow.

Tigers 4 Indians 9
W: Carmona (5-3)
L: Verlander (8-11)

Tigers Record:
W - L
55 - 53
3rd Place AL Central (6.5 GB Chicago)

Game 107 Recap

This was one weird game. A game I almost missed. First off the big Pudge news of course. But then, driving home I flipped the game off after listening to the bottom of the 3rd, in which the Indians took a 8-1 lead. A seeming need for abuse brought me to my computer and hour later, where the Tigers had cut the lead to one run.

Then Todd Jones happened...BOOOOO!!!!

Then Miguel Cabrera happened...YAAAAY!!!!!

Then Placido Polanco happened...BIGGER YAAAY!!!!

Then Fernando Rodney did a Todd Jones...BOOOO!!!!

Then I drifted in and out of consciousness for the remaining 4 innings. I thought I saw Bobby Seay have 5 K's and Casey Fossum get out of a no-outs bases loaded jam. But I also think I saw a leprechaun bungee jumping off my desk. But I do remember a big hit by Polly and a big error by the Indians first baseman to give the Tigers the lead. Casey Fossum bumbled his way to the final three outs in the bottom of the 13th and that was that.

I would really like to write a farewell to Pudge but that will have to come a different day as it is way past my bedtime. The series wraps up tomorrow afternoon, where I will be clueless of it's outcome due to crazy month-end fun at work.

Tigers 13 Indians 12
W: Fossum (2-0)
L: Rincon (2-3)

Tigers Record:
W - L
55 - 52
3rd Place AL Central (5.5 GB Chicago)

Game 106 Recap

Like clockwork, the Tigers follow-up an embarrassing loss with a offensive outburst. Everyone in the line-up had at least one hit, and the team as a whole hit 14.

The surprise is that most of the damage came from the 7-8-9 hitters. Gary Sheffield, Edgar Renteria, and Brandon Inge only combined to go 4 for 11. However, every one of those hits was for extra bases and all came with runners on base. The bottom of the order drove in 7 of the 8 runs, with the other run coming off a Miguel Cabrera solo HR.

Lately, Armando Galarraga seems to be hitting a wall the third time he faces hitters. Today was no exception. He left in the 6th after allowing the Indians to cut the lead to 3. Freddy Dolsi came in and got the final two outs of the inning. Joel Zumaya's arm seems to be fine as he threw 25 pitches in 1.2 innings of work. Looking at the play-by-play of the 8th inning, maybe it was one inning too long.

Closing out the game, Fernando Rodney found a way to give up a run without allowing a hit. He walked Grady Sizemore, who then took second base unchallenged. A deep fly-out go him to third. Then Fernando uncorked one and Grady trotted home on the wild pitch. Rodney then stuck out the batter to end the game. Not exactly Todd Jones, but not exactly Mariano Rivera either

Tomorrow looks like it could be a long for for Tigers fans. Cliff Lee vs. Nate Robertson. Why could Anthony Reyes make his Cleveland debut in this game?

Tigers 8 Indians 5
W: Galarraga (9-4)
L: Ginter (1-2)

Tigers Record:
W - L
54 - 52
3rd Place AL Central (5.5 GB Chicago)

Game 105 Recap

I slept on it...and the Tigers still sucked last night. Paul Fricking Byrd??? Of course today they'll probably win 14-3 or something and build my hopes back up again. I'm just wishing for a long streak one way or other so I know where this team stands.

But seriously, 4 hits against Paul Byrd, WTF?

Game 104 Recap

Is "Rodney" the way the Tigers will spell relief?

So once again, the Tigers were on the brink of the having a disastrous series to take them out of the playoff race. Once aging they avoid the sweep and go on the fight another day.

Zach Miner pitched another outstanding game, and doing a great job to solidly the 5 spot in the rotation. However, the biggest news of the day revolved around the bullpen. Todd Jones is out, Fernando Rodney is in as closer. Out and about this late afternoon, I missed Rodney's somewhat shaky debut. That is probably for the best. After this weekend's highs and lows, I don't think my heart could have taken another nail-biter. Still Jones might be needed to pitch in a tight situation tomorrow, as Rodney threw 40+ pitches and Zumaya left the game with a triceps strain. Though with the way Cleveland's pitching, and the way the Venezuelan M & M (Maggs & Miggy) boys are hitting...there might not be a save situation in the next four games.

Those next four games have added importance. Every game they win in Cleveland will catch them up with either Chicago or Minnesota who have a 4 game series of their own in the Metrodome. A 4 game sweep isn't necessarily needed, but the Tigers almost certainly will need to take 3 of 4 to stay on contention.

Tigers 6 White Sox 4
W: Miner (5-3)
L: Vasquez (7-9)

Tigers Record:
W - L
53 - 51
3rd Place AL Central (6.5 GB Chicago)

Game 103 Recap

What a difference a closer makes. The White Sox have a good one, and that's a big reason why they won the first two games of the series.

Justin Verlander had a bit of a relapse into his crappy April self. He gave up seven hits and his pitch count was in the hundreds by the fifth inning. That brought in Bobby Seay, who only allowed one hit in 3 innings of relief. Unfortunately that one hit brought in a run, and was followed by a sac fly. Still, Seay did pitch 3 strong innings; and Freddy Dolsi pitched in a perfect 2 innings to give the Tigers a chance to win.

And chances they had. Bases loaded in the seventh. A lead off double in the 8th. Another double with two outs in the 9th. Six chances to drive in the game tying run. The results were 4 strikeouts, a walk, and a infield pop-out.

The big hit did not come tonight. Some need to come tomorrow afternoon. If there is any situation where a game in July can be classified as "must-win" tomorrow's contest fits the bill.

Tigers 6 White Sox 7
W: Danks (8-4)
L: Verlander (8-10)
S: Jenks (21)

Tigers Record:
W - L
52 - 51
3rd Place AL Central (7.5 GB Chicago)

Game 102 Recap

Todd Jones served up a giant shit sandwich tonight. Another kick in the nuts to Tiger fans everywhere. If George Sherrill isn't a Tiger by the end of the weekend Todd jones throws one more pitch as a Tiger, I just might have to re-enact Sherman's March in downtown Atlanta. I might write a more in detail recap later, but drinking heavily seems like a much better option. In conclusion, eat a dick Todd Jones.

Edit:
It's a little over an hour later. I may have been a bit quick on demanding a trade that might not even fix the problem. I do stand by my sentiments on Jones. I've defended him in the past, and defending him just rewards you with looking like a jackass in the future. Well, no more Todd. Don't let the doorknob hit you in the ass on the way out. Here's hoping to Justin Verlander bailing the Tigers out tomorrow.

A Look Into The Future

With the All Star Game behind us, many have been reviewing the first part of the season and giving their guess on what will happen in the second half. Well trying to come up with a new angle can be pretty tricky. So that's why I chose to look way ahead, into the future...

The future???

Yes all the way to the Year 2000...

In the yeeeaaarrr 2000...In the yeeeeaarrrr 2000!!!

Curtis Granderson ends his term as the junior senator from Illinois, with a run for President. His campaign hits a snag when running mate Grady Sizemore is caught up in a scandal which comes to be known as Grady's LadyGate.

Todd Jones takes an interest in real estate. His homes are a hard sell once it is learned that as they are almost completed, they nearly collapse every time. Only by some miracle to stay upright and intact.

After having surgery to have a rib removed, Jeremy Bonderman has his best season as a starter. In the off season he heads to the doctors to have his entire rib cage removed. After doctors tell him that this is impossible, a distraught Bonderman retires.

Gary Sheffield becomes a best-selling author of self-help books. His latest title "Do It Your Own Damn Self, and Leave Me The F*@# Alone...and other tales of teamwork" enjoys its 5 straight week at the top of the NY Times bestsellers list.

At 85 years years old, Kenny Rogers throws out the first pitch at Opening Day. An uncomfortable scene results afterwards as Rogers refuses to leave the mound and wants to pitch the first inning as well. It seems after retiring two years ago Kenny has gotten back the itch to play.

Nate Robertson is still completely average in every way.

While in New York, Miguel Cabrera has an interesting double-header. He wins the Nathan's Hot-Dog Eating contest in the morning, and goes out and hits 3 HRs in that night's game at the newly renamed Hank Steinbrenner Rules!!! Stadium.

Magglio Ordonez's TLF (Tilde Liberation Front) leads a bloodless coup to take control of his native Venezuela. The deposed regime of Ozzie Guillen was easy to overtake, as Guillen commanded his troops to play "SmartWar". This consists of using your rifle as a club, and bunting at your enemy, instead of shooting the weapon.

Justin Verlander goes on to set all-time Tigers records for wins, strikeouts, ERA, and most body hair

Marcus Thames finally gets an invitation to the Home Run derby. The event is called before the first round is completed, as Marcus hits every ball out of the stadium.

Pudge Rodriguez is named as the manager of the Puerto Rico Toros, formerly the Florida Marlins. He promptly ends his retirement and declares himself the starting catcher.

Joel Zumaya's band "High Heat" building on their successful tour of the country, lands a cameo spot on Santana's 42nd record.

Fernando Rodney quits baseball to become a professional wrestler in Mexico. He is known as "El Sombrero Curvo".

In an effort to consolidate their abundance of young outfielders, Dave Dombroski tries an experimental fusion surgery and new outfielder Brematete Clevthoyce is born. He never sees the field as an unfortunate side effect to the surgery is an allergy to grass.

And finally...
Brandon Inge becomes a sidekick on Lou Dobbs Tonight, as Lou has taken a liking to Brandon for persevered in spite of having his job taken numerous times by Latinos

KC BBQed (games 100 & 101)

The remnants of the Royals after a series sweep

Two games, two 7-1 victories, to close out a series sweep of the Royals. 33 runs over the last three games, will have the attention of the White Sox on their way into Detroit for a huge weekend series. But lost in all this was how well the Tigers pitched in these games. The Tigers will hit, it's how they pitch that will determine their playoff chances.

Armando Galarraga was the latest and arguably the best, in the recent string of great pitching from Tigers starters. Armando was perfect through six innings, striking out six, and had all but two out recorded in the infield. 9 outs away from a KC masterpiece, David DeJesus lead-off the 7th with a full count single to end the perfect game. Jose Guillen ended the shutout a few batters later. Since Sunday's game in Baltimore Tigers starters have given up a total of 3 runs on 13 hits and 6 walks in 27.2 innings.

The reilevers did a pretty good job as well. In fact Freddy Dolsi seem to be the only pitcher that couldn't get a Royal out. Dolsi (with 4 hits and a walk) and Aquilino Lopez (2 hits) were the only relievers to allow more than one base runner. The standout had to be Fernando Rodney, who struck out four in last nights game.

Getting back to the offense, Miguel Cabrera must be sad to leave KC. All Miggy did was hit .500 and drive in 9 runs. After missing out on all the fun Monday, Magglio Ordonez made up for it in the last two games going 6-10 with 4 RBIs.

Now the question in the back of everyone's mind has to be: Is this the real Tigers team, or was was this performance Royals enhanced? Well the only way to know for sure will be visible in the the standings Sunday evening. A series win puts the Tigers 4.5 back, a sweep 2.5. If it goes the other way, the deficit is 5.5 and 8.5.

Game 100
Tigers 7 Royals 1
W: Rogers (8-6)
L: Davies (3-2)

Game 101
Tigers 7 Royals 1
W: Galarraga (8-4)
L: Greinke (7-7)


Tigers Record:
W - L
52 - 49
3rd Place AL Central (5.5 GB Chicago)

Game 100 Recap

Currently stuck in a rain delay, the Tigers are up 5-1 in the eighth. No news at to whether Magglio Jones will be making another appearance. But one things for certain, it's way past my bedtime. So recap of this game and tomorrow afternoon's contest tomorrow evening.

Game 99 Recap

Round of applause for Zach Miner. Yes, it's just one game, but the lack on control that lead to his demotion to Toledo, was not in effect tonight. Only one walk and 56 of his 88 pitches were strikes. They need someone to step-up in the starting rotation, and Zach certainly did a great job tonight.

Not that he really needed to. It seems that the Tigers might have taken issue with being shut out twice, while going 0-6 to the Royals this year. They asploded for 19 runs tonight. 10 of those coming in the 8th inning where poor Jimmy Gobble just couldn't do anything right. The Tigers started the inning with 6 straight hits. Then added a couple walks, including one with the bases loaded, and ended up bringing 15 batter to the plate. Miguel Cabrera and Matt Joyce went berserk. Going a combined 9 for 12, they drove in 11 runs with Joyce a double away from the cycle. 9 walks tonight put a lot of Tigers in scoring position, and 18 hits will score you some runs. Carlos Guillen also returned to the line-up with a good night. He went 3 for 4 with 2 walks, 2 RBI and 5 runs scored.

The Royals pitching was just feasted on tonight. Starter Luke Hochevar was run off in the 5th. Then the Tigers made the next three pitchers to combine for 103 pitches over the next 3 innings. The best pitcher of the night for the Royals was SS Tony Pena, who recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the 9th on 12 pitches. Add it all up, 208 pitches for the Royals tonight. 19 runs on 18 hits for the Tigers. And best of all both the White Sox and Twins lost, bringing the Tigers one game closer to both

Tigers 19 Royals 4
W: Miner (4-3)
L: Hochevar (6-8)

Tigers Record:
W - L
50 - 49
3rd Place AL Central (5.5 GB Chicago)

Game 98 Recap

I was listening to the above CD over the weekend, and after a Tiger performance like this today, it's hard not to follow the title track's advice to "Stay Positive".

Justin Verlander is the tourniquet, the stopper. He went 8.2 allowing only one run and three hits. He could have and maybe should have finished the game, but was yanked after his second walk of the inning in the ninth. He had thrown only 105 pitches at the time, and he regularly gone in the 110s, but today JV was shut down one out away from a complete game. At one point Verlander retired 16 in a row, before a double by Kevin Millar in the 7th. In every start since April 27th, Verlander's ERA has decreased. It has gone from 6.50 to 3.95. If the Tigers had just a few more guys pitching like this, I'd feel better about their chances.

At times, it looked like the Tigers were going to waste this performance by Verlander. After loading the bases in the first, the inning ending with the bases still loaded and no runs scored. Magglio's HR in the 3rd tied the game up, but the Tigers could only manage 3 base runners in innings 2-5. But just as the pitch count for Oriole pitcher Brian Burres hit 100, everything started to turn in the Tigers favor. Marcus Thames added a homer, and Brandon Inge and Ryan Raburn followed with hits to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead and send the O's to the bullpen. The Tigers tacked on two more insurance runs and that was that.

The Tigers head now the Kansas City who they have not beaten all year. The same Royals who have given the White Sox a handful in their weekend series.

Tigers 5 Orioles 1
W: Verlander (8-9)
L: Burres (7-6)

Tigers Record:
W - L
48 - 48
3rd Place AL Central (7.5 GB Chicago)

Game 97 Recap

Yeah that's about right. This one hurts, big time. Yes, the ump blew the call in the 10th, but the Tigers blew a 6-0 lead, and couldn't win after scoring 10 runs. And now we're reduced to hoping for a split tomorrow afternoon. No fun.

Game 96 Recap

When Luke Scott's not busy shooting his guns, he shoots up Tigers pitchers. His three RBI on two HRs were the difference in the game tonight for the Orioles. Armando Galarraga tied his career high in strikeout with 6, but also tied a career high in HR surrendered with 3.

Tigers bats racked up 14 hits, unfortunately when it came time for a big hit it was no where to be found. Three double plays helps Oriole pitching get out of jams, and in the end the Tigers leaving 9 men on base didn't help out much either. Potential trade bait, Pudge Rodriguez did his best job to drive up the price, going 4 for 4 with a 2 run homer tonight.

But if anything this might be one of those games where the law of averages kicks itself in. O's Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie had only 4 wins entering tonight's game, despite being tied for the league lead for quality starts with 12. So he goes out, doesn't pitch well, and of course, gets the win.

So I vote for Gary Sheffield to DH tomorrow. With Daniel Cabrera on the mound, one can only hope the results are the same as they were last season.

Tigers 4 Orioles 7
W: Guthrie (5-7)
L: Galarraga (7-4)
S: Sherrill (28)

Tigers Record:
W - L
48 - 48
3rd Place AL Central (7.5 GB Chicago)

Game 95 Recap

Rumor has it, that's Marcus Thames' arm...when he was three years old

The Tigers started off the 2nd half of the season showing some of the power that was experted of this line-up. Todd Jones also showed why he is perilously close to losing his closer job, by almost giving the game away in the ninth.

The Tigers bat's had pop tonight, going deep three times. Marcus Thames (naturally) had one and drove in another with a lowly single. Gary Sheffield had a homer, and was a Jay Payton play away from hitting two. Brandon Inge would like you to know he really likes playing third, as he had a couple good plays in the field and added a two-run shot. Edgar Renteria even chipped in with 2 hits and a walk. Lost in all this was the Return of the Tilde, who notched a hit in his first game back off a trip to the DL.

The Orioles had their chances, outhitting the Tigers 14-9. But were more than happy to shoot themselves in the foot, making some horrible decisions on the base paths that bailed Kenny Rogers out of jams early. Todd Jones, being the good Christian he is, must had taken pity on the poor Orioles as he gave back those chances they squandered in the ninth. To paraphrase Dean Wormer "Loading the bases with one out is no way to stay the Closer, son." I've defended Jonesy before, but it's apparent now that he might have the old "tired arm" find himself on the DL until the Tigers can decide what they want to do. Zumaya may not be perfect, but at least there's the variable of the strikeout thrown in. All Jones seems to be able to do is throw it and hope it hits a glove in the field somewhere. Which is like playing Russian Roulette with five bullets in the chambers. On the plus side, sans Jones, the bullpen did a good job. Both Rodney and Zumaya are looking more and more like the 2006 versions.

Tigers 6 Orioles 5
W: Rogers (7-6)
L: Olson (6-5)
S: Jones (18)

Tigers Record:
W - L
48 - 47
3rd Place AL Central (6.5 GB Chicago)

...And I'm back

Two weeks without TV and internet. It wasn't fun, but with a houseload of boxes to move and unpack, it went by quicker than I thought it would. In the midst of the unpacking I was taking a page out of my Grandpa's yearbook and following along on the radio. And the days I was really bored I would keep score along with the broadcast. Yes, I am that big of a nerd.

When I last posted the Tigers were 2 games about .500 and only 5 games behind the White Sox. Now, at .500 and 7 back. With Magglio coming back, 6 games against the Orioles and Royals, then a big series at home against the White Sox, that lead could easily by under 4 by the end of July.

So here's to what hopefully will be a long and exciting run down the stretch for the Tigers

Away Message

Real life will interrupt for the next two weeks. Moving into a new house this week (tomorrow actually). The walls are lined with boxes as I speak. After that a quick trip up to Michigan for the holiday weekend. And then back home where my internet will be hooked up sometime in the next two weeks. Yeah that's going to suck. I will have my trusty XM to follow along with the Tigers, hopefully they'll still be in the middle of the AL Central race when I am back up and running.

Have a great holiday weekend everyone, and be back in a few weeks.

Game 82 Recap

Missed most of this game, trapped at work finished month-end thing. However I did manage to get home just in time for the rally in the 7th and 8th inning. Another day another Mud Hen, as Matt Joyce's triple tied the game. Curtis Granderson put the Tigers ahead for good with a single right after that. It was Curtis' third hit of the night, putting his average at .301 for the season. Jim Leyland gave Todd Jones the night off, as he had just thrown 40 pitches in the last two days. Joel Zumaya filled in for Todd, in more ways than one. His ninth inning was Jones-like, allowing the tying and go-ahead runs to reach base before getting the final two outs of the game. So what have we learned? Well the Tigers are in until the final out (just like 2006), and maybe it wasn't the NL team. Maybe the Tigers are this good.

Tigers 4 Twins 3
W: Fossum (1-0)
L: Guerrier (4-3)
S: Zumaya (1)

Tigers Record:
W - L
42 - 40
3rd Place AL Central (5 GB Chicago)

Game 81 Recap

The only thing in Colorado worse than the Rockies right now

The Tigers received bad news, with Magglio making a visit to the DL. The guys in the outfield today picked up the slack. Curtis continued his push towards .300, Marcus continues his push to replace Thor as the Norse God of Thunder, and Clete Thomas continued his push toward Sainthood. But the story at the plate today was Dane Sardinha. His first major league hit was a big one as it put the Tigers ahead for good. It was a 2-out triple in which Sardinha must have borrowed an extra gear from fellow Hawaiian Shane Victorino to scoot into third safely.

It's not like the Rockies didn't have their share of chances against Kenny Rogers. But as I mentioned in the BYB game thread (if you have never been, what better time to come aboard) Kenny was as un-killable as Rasputin today. In the second the Rockies had just taken the lead, and Willie Taveras reached on bunt single. Todd Helton at the plate. Taveras gets gunned down yet again at 2nd, and the next pitch Helton strikes out. In the third, the Rockies had the bases loaded with no one out. Kenny got Jeff Baker to pop-up to second base, and two pitches later got Clint Barmes to hit into a inning-ending double play. In the 4th, two on, one out, no problem for Kenny as he gets another double play. That was the last time a Colorado player reached base. Kenny combined with Freddy Dolsi and Todd Jones to retire the last 15 outs in a row.

Exactly halfway throughout the season, and the Tigers are a winning ballclub. The Tigers have ruthlessly taken advantage of inter-league play, using it to post the best record in the Majors since the point they were the furthest from .500. 16-3 since June 6th. The Tigers have not lost a series and have swept 3 in that span. They now travel to Minnesota, who are as equally hot, going 14-6 with a 10 game winning streak in the same span as the Tigers.

Tigers 4 Rockies 3
W: Rogers (6-5)
L: Reynolds (2-6)
S: Jones (15)

Tigers Record:
W - L
41 - 40
3rd Place AL Central (4.5 GB Chicago)

Game 80 Recap

80 games down and they're back where they started. Granted it didn't look that way after the Todd Jones Experience dropped trou and pooped all over the lead given to him. But Miguel Cabrera was not having any of that, and ripped a shot to the right-center wall to give the game back for the Tigers. The Tigers were 12 games below .500 22 days ago. Now they are back in the hunt. They just need to show they can play like this against teams in their own division.

Justin Verlander threw a lot a pitches yet again (118 to be exact), but was solid enough to leave the game in line for the win. Zach Miner had trouble early, but recovered to hand the ball to Fernando Rodney. Fernando took another big step, striking out his first batter, and then getting a groundout. He walked the next batter, but got the final out of the 8th on his next pitch. Then Todd Jones blew his first save of the year. Jones has games now and then where he just can't hit his spots and his aim is off. And if that's the case. 4 run 9th innings happen. The only good thing about this is that usually Jones will follow up an outing like this with a quick save.

Oh, yeah Ryan Raburn hit a Grand Slam. The Scrub came in after Magglio left the game with an lat/oblique strain. His next at-bat he had a good sac bunt, that resulted ina run scored when the pitcher threw the ball away. Next time up, the grand slam. His walk in the 9th ended up being huge as he was the winning run on Miguel Cabrera's double. Raburn makes his case for more playing time, throwing his hat into the ring with Marcus Thames, and Clete Thomas. It's nice to see the Tigers bench contribute and that there aren't any Perezes in sight.

So day game tomorrow, expect the Sunday line-up to be in full effect. Especially with Maggs leaving the game. But a win puts the Tigers over .500 for the first time all season. Weird.

Tigers 7 Rockies 6
W: Dolsi (1-2)
L: Fuentes (1-3)

Tigers Record:
W - L
40 - 40
3rd Place AL Central (5 GB Chicago)

Game 79 Recap

CLETUS!!!!

Clete Thomas and Eddie Bonine. Two guys that if I didn't follow the Tigers, I probably would think that they were involved in NASCAR. Instead they were involved in the Tigers beating the Rockies tonight. Clete followed up his 2 bases loaded walks, by reaching base all four times he stepped to the plate tonight. A walk (naturally), a double, and two singles tonight and it's looks like Tigers LF platoon is solid no matter whose playing.

As for Bonine, in his third major league start he held the defending NL champs to just one run on 5 hits. And this was the real Rockies line-up (minus Todd Helton) not the AAA squad they have been fielding most of the year due to injuries. He only struck out 2, but didn't walk anyone. He didn;t allow a hit until the 5th, and prior to the Garrett Atkins single, the only Rockie to reach base was Matt Holliday who was hit by a pitch in the first.

Not to be lost in the former Mud Hen praise, is the Grand Re-Opening of Grandyland. Curtis had two triples to cap a 4-hit night. That's 11 hits on the homestand, and extending a hitting steak to 15 games. In those games his average has risen from .235 to .294, and his OBP has jumped from .294 to .343. The quality of the starting pitching has been a huge reason for the turn-around of the Tigers recently, but the resurgence of Curtis has played a large part as well.

7 runs and not one home run. 3 triples though. Kinda of weird that the ball was traveling just not out for the tigers. And don't look now, the Tigers send Justin Verlander to the mound tomorrow to try to reach .500 for the first first time since the season started.

Tigers 7 Rockies 1
W: Bonine (2-0)
L: Jimenez (2-8)

Tigers Record:
W - L
39 - 40
3rd Place AL Central (5 GB Chicago)

Game 78 recap

Clete Told me to "Walk this way!"

Clete Thomas scoffs at your "swing the bat for runs". He can just stand there and it happens, twice. OK so maybe it wasn't so much about Clete and more that Cardinal pitchers had contracted Rodneyitis. It must have been a disease that someone had else had to catch for him to be cured, as Rodney was refreshingly effective today. I guess that's just the way it's going for the Tigers lately. Less than a month ago, they were playing the role the Cardinals played, hitting well but not well enough, and maddeningly horrible bullpen performance. Now the Tigers are the ones getting timing pitching and the clutch at-bat.

Yes it's only three games, it seems whomever that dude impersonating Gary Sheffield the first part of the year has been discovered and banished to Siberia. The real thing is back and swinging. Three games three big hits. Sadly, due to the rain delay yesterday, I was asleep when Sheff's bloop ended the game last night. But thanks to modern technology (thank Jebus for internet on phones to circumvent strict internet filters at work) I was following right along when Sheff served up a game tying home run today.

Another team another series win, another inch in the crawl back to the top. Now the Rockies roll into town as Inter-league play ends, with .500 on the horizon.

Tigers 3 Cardinals 2
W: Seay (1-1)
L: Parisi (0-4)

Tigers Record:
W - L
38 - 40
3rd Place AL Central (5 GB Chicago)

Game 76 Recap

One day at a time, one day at a time. Right, Schneider?

So, the Tigers dropped one. No big deal right? The starting pitching was bound to have a bad start sooner or later. It happened tonight with Kenny Rogers. 9 hits and 5 runs was not typical of the Kenny we've seen in the past few starts. Nine hits doesn't usually lead to good things. Especially against one of the better road teams in the majors. Kenny got out of a few jams early, but couldn't get out of them all.

Yes it was a loss tonight, but there are some positive things to dwell on. Gary Sheffield is back in the line-up and just like Nuke LaLoosh, he announced his presence with authority. Sheff had a no-doubter in the 7th, which coincidentally is where he was hitting in the line-up tonight. I like that spot for him. Put him down there in a no-pressure spot and just worry about driving the ball. If he does regain some of the HR swing, look for Marcus Thames to reap the benefits on hitting before him. Speaking of Marcus, he has 12 hits since inter-league play started. Also swinging a hot bat is Curtis Granderson, who extended his hit streak to 12 games.

but the most positive thing about tonight, was the fact that Fernando Rodney actually survived an inning of work. It wasn't 2006 Rodney, but that fact he showed that he can actually record three outs was a step in the right direction. That he didn't allow anyone to reach base, icing on the cake.

So here were are again. Tigers drop the first game of a series. All I'm thinking is bounce back strong tomorrow against Kyle Lohse. He's 9-2 this year? Really??? Is there another Kyle Lohse? Nope, same guy I'm thinking of. Well let tomorrow's start be the beginning of the regression to the mean for Mr. Lohse.

Tigers 4 Cardinals 8
W: Looper (9-5)
L: Rogers (5-5)

Tigers Record:
W - L
36 - 40
3rd Place AL Central (5.5 GB Chicago)

Un-Bury Them

The Tigers have begun to Dig-Dug themselves out of a hole

OK, maybe I was a little quick to pull the trigger a few weeks ago. But the team we've seen the past 12 games is not the one we saw the first three months of the year. At the time when I considered them done, the Tigers had just dropped 12 game below .500 after getting humiliated 10-2 in Oakland. They had just finished a 3-6 road trip losing 3 of those games in the 9th inning or later. The couldn't get the timely hit, field the ball, or throw strikes.

What changed?

Well, runners are no longer stranded, the infield can field a ground ball, and the starters are going deep into games. More importantly, after two horrendous performances on the mound by Dontrelle Willis and Fernando Rodney, the Tigers came back and won. In both of those wins the Tigers were patient and attacked vulnerable bullpens to get the win.

There has only been one loss in the last nine games. Despite that loss comes after the aforementioned Rodney fiasco, I wasn't worried about another losing streak being started. I can't explain why, but i just did. Part of it may have been knowing that the next 5 games were against the Giants and the Padres. Part of it might have been seeing a team play like they expected to win for once, instead of a team with that "what's going to happen now?" look about them. And wouldn't you know it, be the end of Inter-league play, the Tigers could very well be a game or two away form the .500 mark.

Now let's not get the playoff tickets printed yet. They still have a steep climb to reach that mark. But the fact that the prospect of making the playoff isn't that far-fetched is more than I would have though t a few weeks ago.

West Coast Swing Part 2

"Everyone was burying us, and they should've. They should've. We weren't playing very good. I understand that. But we were never going to give into that. Now, people are getting a little more excited again because we're playing better, so hopefully we'll continue to play better."
- Jim Leyland after yesterday's sweep of the Dodgers

Count me as one of the buryers. I didn't foresee a 8-2 homestand and the Tigers picking up 5 games in the standings. Also count me as one of the excited. You won't hear much from me these next few weeks post wise. A pending purchase of a new house, and games past my bedtime look to keep me away from teh computer. But I'll be watching/listening as much as I can. Hoping these past few games weren't a fluke, but a return to normalcy.

Go Tigers!

Game 67

Tigers are on a roll

This is why I love/hate baseball. Last Wednesday the Tigers were 8 games back and I was despondent. This week, still eight back, but cautiously optimistic due to a four game winning streak (and 6 out of seven with the one being the Dontrelle Willis game). The winning ways seem to stem from some outstanding pitching from the starters. Only Todd Jones and Freddy Dolsi have been needed out of the bullpen the past 4 games for a cominbined total of 5.2 innings of work. When your starters go 7-8 innings deep, there's a good chance you're going to win a game or two.

Tonight was the first shutout for the Tigers of the year. Armando Galarraga just keeps winning. Marcus Thames keeps hitting, and making plays with his glove as well. And Cory Wade, take a lesson from Daniel Cabrera. You won't like it when the Tigers are angry. When Tilde angry, TILDE SMASH!!!!

28-3. That's the Tigers record when 5 or more runs are scored. Now we can't expect a shutout every night, and I certain don't expect one tomorrow when one of Toledo's Finest takes the mound. But with Rodney and Zumaya not only looking healthy and back to 2006 levels, added to the aforementioned Dolsi and Jones; the Tigers bullpen turns from question to exclamation point. I'm starting to believe that this pitching staff will be able to keep teams below 4 runs on a consistent basis. Well maybe not everyone, but surely the 4 NL West teams they face in the inter-league series. LA, San Diego, San Francisco, and Colorado all are in the bottom 5 in runs scored in the NL.

So good luck to you, Eddie Bonine tomorrow afternoon. Keep it close and let's hope the Tiger bats do their thing.

Tigers 5 Dodgers 0
W: Galarraga (6-2)
L: Lowe (4-6)
S: Dolsi (2)

Tigers Record:
W - L
30 - 37
4th Place AL Central (8 GB Chicago)

Game 66 Recap

Mandy Wright/DFP

Now put Big Mig on the map if he walk it off...true dat Li'l' Wayne.


Maybe it was the pitching, maybe it was the 14-pitch Miguel Cabrera at-bat, maybe it was the "ginger ale", but something has gotten into the Tigers. Miguel Cabrera's shot in the bottom of the ninth clinched the game today, as the Tigers swept the first place White Sox.

Ok maybe the fact the Tigers starters actually strung together three good games, and maybe the Tiger offense realizes it's easier to score runs if you get hits when people are on base. Hey, whatever it was, I'll take it and more of it while were at it. The Dodgers roll into town, after dropping two to San Diego. Let's join Boston in hoping beating L.A. stays in fashion.

Tigers 2 White Sox 1
W: Jones (2-0)
L: Dotel (3-3)

Tigers Record:
W - L
29 - 37
4th Place AL Central (8 GB Chicago)

Game 65 Recap

Three, oh yeah, it's a magic number!

Justin Verlander is Back!!!

Ok, so maybe it's just one game, but JV showed that he could maintain the good stuff that had been showing up in his last few starts. His 1st complete game of the year, and 3rd win clinches a series win over the White Sox.

Miguel Cabrera had a huge at bat in leading off the second. He fouled off 9 pitches on his way to a 14 pitch at bat that resulted in a walk. In that at bat Miguel Cabrera saw more pitches than Justin Verlander had thrown in the game. The walk lead to Marcus Thames first hit off of Javier Vasquez in 9 at-bats, which landed in the bullpen to drive in 3. The Tigers never looked back. Now they look to tomorrow to complete the sweep.

Tigers 5 White Sox 1
W: Verlander (3-9)
L: Vasquez (6-5)

Tigers Record:
W - L
28 - 37
4th Place AL Central (9 GB Chicago)

Game 64 Recap

If a streak is going to start, what better way then to start it then against the team in first place. After the White Sox leave town the next five teams the Tigers play are as of tonight at least 3 games below the .500 mark (Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Rockies, and Twins). In that same span the White Sox the best team in the majors, their neighbors to the North Side, the Cubs. If the Tigers can sweep the Sox it's not out of the question to assume the Tigers could make up four games by the end of June. By my count that would put the Tigers four games back of the Sox.

Now, for this to happen you have to think the Tigers can: A) Actually sweep the White Sox and B) win games they are supposed to against lesser opponents. Two things that they haven't done all year. I'm not quite ready to get a shovel out and un-bury them. I'm not sold on the White Sox, in fact their manager isn't either. Several days ago Ozzie Guillen was calling for changes. Funny how a seven game win streak changes that. Still, the starting pitching has been playing a bit over their heads, and they could be in for a second half swoon.

Seeing a game like how the Tigers played tonight, it makes it all the more frustrating. You know they can do it. You see them actually doing it. Yet usually a game like this is followed by a huge disappiontment. Fingers crossed that isn't the case.

Tigers 6 White Sox 4
W: Robertson (4-6)
L: Contreras (6-4)
S: Jones (11)

Tigers Record:
W - L
27 - 37

Game 60 Recap

New faces, same results.

A slew of injuries brought up a new face (Michael Holliman) and brought back some familiar ones (Denny Bautista and Brett Clevlen). But the song remains the same. One bad inning by a Tiger pitcher, and not enough offense does the Tigers in. Verlander looked great in 6 of the seven innings he pitched. He struck out eight, but was unable to get out of a bases-loaded jam in the 4th, which scored the 3 runs needed to beat the Tigers. Again the Tigers have a starter surrender only 3 runs, yet he'll get tagged for the loss. Lucky 2 or the 5 Tiger hits were Home Runs, otherwise this could of been yet another shutout.

I think I'm just going to post a picture from the Wings Stanley Cup run to make me feel better...

ANDRE J. JACKSON/DFP

These go to Eleven

From NHL.com

The Wings win their 11th cup. My hockey fandom was on life-support after the events of 2004-2005. Maybe it was being out of Detroit most of the season, maybe it was the dominating way the Wings rolled through the playoffs, maybe it's the crappy season the Tigers are putting forth; but watching this team win the Cup was amazing.

Bury 'Em

I got into my car to drive home from work just in time to hear the end of the 7th, so yes there might be residual anger from the bullpen asploding yet again. But, let's face it, the 2008 Tigers are not making the playoffs.

Right now they sit 8 games back of Chicago. Yes it's still only June and 103 games are left; but to make up any ground the Tigers are going to have to win a series or two. The have only won 5 so far this season. 3 were against the other last place teams in the AL East and West. 8 Games is not insurmountable for a team capable of stringing together wins, something the Tigers just can't do. I'd be willing to change my tune if the Tigers go out and win 10 out of the next 13, but who really thinks that's going to happen?

For some reason this team cannot score runs consistently. Sure they can run up absurd numbers on terrible pitchers. But then they'll turn around a disappear for upwards of 10 innings at a time. Case in point last night's debacle: 12 free base runners, only 4 scored. I've been waiting for the offense to break out since spring training. One month's an anomaly, two months is a trend, three is fact. The bats aren't as good as we thought they were.

As for the pitching, Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney coming back are like a band-aid on a bullet wound. When back up, they should be used sparingly, lest we have another injury on our hands. This team just gave up 18 runs on 23 hits to Oakland. A team that features Bobby Crosby hitting a whopping .263 as a leader in batting average. In a slump? Tiger Pitching is your cure.

Don't get me wrong, I'll still watch. If 2003 didn't make me stop, nothing will. But let's stop kidding ourselves, this team just isn't going to win that much. And unless Dave Dombrowski can find a GM dumb enough to unload some people on (looking at you Bill Bavasi and J.P. Riccardi) we're stuck with them all year. Here's hoping to a Wings victory tonight, so it can take the sting off the rest of this summer

West Coast Swing

With most of these weekend games ending way after my bedtime, posting will be a little light the next few days. While starting the road trip losing on a walk-off walk isn't the best way to start things, the great starting pitching has continued tonight. Jeremy Bonderman was perfect through 4, and still has kept the Angels off the scoreboard into the 7th innings as I type this. So while the games may be going on while I sleep, I'll be doing the same thing as if I were watching them live...dreaming of a Tiger win.

Memorial Day

Today is a day to remember and honor those who have fallen defending this country. Sometimes the life of a soldier intersects with the life of an athlete. As with Ted Williams and other players who left pro sports to fight in WWII.

Here is a story of Pat Tillman, who gave up millions to serve, and ending up giving his life. He is just one of the 4,514 who have died in the Middle East. If you see a soldier today, buy him a beer or shake their hand. He/She is the reason we have the day off. And they're the reason we have the freedom to enjoy the the day.

Game 48 Recap

I came home from work sat down for a second on the couch, resting a minute before I planned to listen to the Tigers. The quick resting of the eyes quickly turned into a full blown nap. I woke up an hour later, but decided against moving and fell back asleep. I think I made the right decision.

While I missed a comeback in the 7th, I also missed the bullpen blow up in the 8th. I missed Gary Sheffield hitting a home run. I also missed Armando Galarraga attempt to give the 5th spot in the rotation back to Dontrelle Willis, and Willis promptly show that he's not ready for it.

So maybe it was that Seattle is that bad. The Yankees, whose offensive woes are similar to the Tigers, went off for 13 runs tonight. One good inning isn't going to cut it.

Side note: I have family in town for the long weekend, so in addition to showing them Atlanta, the Pistons, and the Red Wings, the Tigers probably won;t get much attention this weekend. Maybe it's for the best?

Tigers 4 Twins 9
W: Slowey (1-4)
L: Galarraga (3-3)

Tigers Record:
W - L
20 - 28

Game 47 Recap

Tigers bats must be sad to see Seattle pitching leaving. The Tigers rung up 30 runs over the series. The Tigers also seemed to find their power, as they had 11 doubles, 2 triples, and 6 home runs.

Gary Sheffield was almost perfect at the plate today, going 3 for 4 with a walk. Matt Joyce and Brandon Inge continued their hot hitting, both adding home runs. Jeremy Bonderman wasn't spectacular, but he was solid. It was Bonderman's fifth start allowing 3 runs or less. While he only struck out 2, he only walked 2.

Minnesota rolls into town for the Holiday weekend. With the Twins on the mound we'll see if the bats are back, or if the Mariners' pitching was just that bad.

Tigers 9 Mariners 2
W: Bonderman (3-4)
L: Bautista (3-6)
S: Dolsi (1)

Tigers Record:
W - L
20 - 27

Game 46 Recap

A series win? So what??? So let's dance!!!

Now that's a little more like it. A two-out rally in the 2nd and a huge 3rd provided all the offense the Tigers needed for the win tonight. A win that clinches the first series victory for the Tigers since they swept the Yankees in New York nearly a month ago.

In the 3rd, 11 Tigers batted, 7 scored. The inning started out with 5 straight singles, then Marcus Thames smashed a Jarrod Washburn "fastball" to deep left for a Grand Slam. Every Tiger except Edgar Renteria had a hit in this inning...yes that included the ice-cold Gary Sheffield. Tiger bats when quiet after that, partially due to the rainstorm that settled in over Comerica.

Kenny Rogers didn't pitch great, but when you're spotted 9 runs you usually escape with a win. He gave up 4 runs on 8 hits in 5.1 innings. Zach Miner and Francisco Cruceta combined to shut down the Mariners for the remaining 3.2 innings. Neither allowed a hit and only a walk apiece. Miner lowered his ERA under 7.00 for the first time since April 5th.

Now for the sweep tomorrow afternoon with Jeremy Bonderman facing Miguel Bautista.

Tigers 9 Mariners 4
W: Rogers (4-4)
L: Washburn (2-6)

Tigers Record:
W - L
19 - 27

Game 45 Recap

It's just one game, but it appears the stale and stagnant atmosphere might be lifted a little tonight. Those words were from former Tiger Jason Grilli. Tonight the Tigers hit like Grilli was pitching to them. Edgar Renteria was a double away from the cycle, going 4 for 4 with a HR and 5 RBI. Magglio, Curtis Granderson, and Carlos Gullien also added HRs with Guillen's hit to straightaway centerfield. Weird that the guy that's been supplying most of the power these past few weeks, Matt Joyce, went hitless tonight. Joining Joyce in that club was Gary Sheffield. With Grilli and Jacque Jones gone, those looking for a scapegoat might be starting to point their eyes at Sheff...until Todd Jones blows a save.

Justin Verlander had a season best 7 K's to match season-tying bests of hits (4) and runs allowed(1). While the velocity wasn't there (according to MLB GameCast he only topped 94 mph once) the location was. Only one of the 7 K's was the third strike a fastball. He did throw over 100 pitches through 6 innings of work, but finally got run support and his second win of the year.

If you hadn't stuck around for the end and flipped over to the Piston game, you might have been surprised to see the Tigers were sweating out the final innings. Seattle racked up 9 of their 13 hits and 7 runs in the final three frames, including 4 in the bottom of the ninth. This brought Todd Jones into the game with 2 on and one out. He promptly got Miguel Cairo to ground into a game-ending double play.

Carlos Silva was supposedly the best on the three pitchers the Tigers would face this series. Silva was also a guy who seemingly had the Tigers number with the Twins over the past few years. So it would seem the rest of this series would bode well for the Tigers. But if we've learned anything this season, is that nothing is certain. One game back toward normalcy, tomorrow needs to be a second.

Tigers 12 Mariners 8
W: Verlander (2-7)
L: Silva (3-3)
S: Jones (7)

Tigers Record:
W - L
18 - 27

Game 43 Recap

Just when I think I'm out...They pull me back in

Whew. Another precarious 7th inning for the Tigers pitching, this time they were able to squeak out. Armando Galarraga was perhaps thrown out there one inning too long, as he walked the first two batters he faced. Clay Rapada came in and walked Eric Byrnes to load the bases. A Sac Fly and a single later the D-Backs were a base hit away from breaking it open. Then Aquilino Lopez got Justin Upton to hit a ground ball to Carlos Guillen, who didn't screw up and turned a double play to end the inning. In the 8th inning Pudge helped out with a veteran play, letting a popped up bunt drop with a runner at first. Pudge then proceeded to gun down the lead runner, and Ramon Santiago turned the DP to deflate the surging Diamondbacks.
The offense still has work to do, as Matt Joyce still is the only power source on the Tigers. But they did do something that made them successful in the past, a 2 out rally. Their two runs in the 5th came on a Galarraga walk, a Curtis Granderson single, an error which allowed Matt Joyce to reach base, then Carlos Guillen hit a 2 run single. This is one of the better teams in the majors so a 3-2 win isn't much to get nitpicky about. Especially when it breaks a 5 game losing streak.

Tigers 3 Diamondbacks 2
W: Galarraga (3-1)
L: Scherzer (0-2)
S: Jones (6)

Tigers Record:
W - L
17 - 26

Game 42 Rec...aw who gives a crap?

We've over the one quarter mark of the season, and I have seen roughly 40+ games of the most disappointing Tiger team ever. At least in the early 2000s they had the excuse of having no talent. There's no excuse for the performances taking place this year. I'm running out of ways, and the patience to write "The Tigers sucked monkey balls tonight" over and over.

Apologies go out to Jeremy Bonderman, who pitched his ass off against probably the best team in the majors, yet has nothing to show for it. One can only hope Zach Miner pitched his last game in a Tiger uniform.

Tigers 3 Diamondbacks 4
W: Haren (5-2)
L: Miner (1-3)
S: Pena (1)

Chilling Proof of Tigers Crapitude:
W - L
16 - 26

Game 40 Recap

Utterly pathetic. Another wasted quality start. 7 runs in 5 games against the Royals. Tonight being the 2nd shutout. The 6th shutout of the year. 1000 run offense my ass. This really sucks.

Tigers 0 Royals 2
W: Hochevar (3-2)
L: Verlander (1-7)
S: Soria (10)

Tigers Record:
Too crappy to admit to

Game 39 Recap

E6??? SONUVA....

Another wasted game. An air-brained errant toss by Edgar Renteria spoiled Nate Robertson's quality start. It also is a perfect example of the Tigers season. Not satisfied with the simple easy play, they go out and try to swing for the fences...and miss horribly. The only positive I can salvage from this, is that I'm glad I didn't buy the Extra Innings package for DirecTV. I would be even more angry if I had shelled out $200 to watch the Tigers play games like this.

Tigers 2 Royals 3
W: Nunez (3-0)
L: Cruceta (0-1)
S: Soria (9)

Tigers Record:
W - L
16 - 23

Game 38 Recap

It was wishful thinking that the Tigers would win every game against the Yankees this season. So you kind of knew they would drop one this weekend. Today was the day. Whatever Kei Igawa did last night, Darrell Rasner did the opposite. He befuddled Tigers bats allowing only 4 hits while pitching into the seventh. Jeremy Bonderman had his patented bad first inning, the problem was he also added a bad 4th and was yanked in the 5th. The Tigers fell behind and were never able to catch up.

Tigers 2 Yankees 5
W: Rasner (2-0)
L: Bonderman (2-4)
S: Rivera (10)

Tigers Record:
W - L
16 - 22

Game 37 Recap

Who says the Tigers aren't lucky. Tonight they drew the first start of the year for Kei Igawa, and promptly showed why he belongs in the minors. Todd Jones also showed why he rivals high cholesterol as the cause of heart attacks with his performance in the 9th tonight.

It started off with a bang for the Tigers offense with a Pudge lead-off double. Placido did his thing, moving Pudge to third with a groundout. Then a Carlos Guillen sac fly gave the Tigers the lead. The Tigers then jumped all over Igawa in the 3rd and 4th innings. They scored 5 runs on 9 hits, the majority of those singles. While they did chase Igawa in the 4th they really didn't stretch the Yankee bullpen that much. The Tigers didn't have a base runner after a Pudge walk(?!?) in the 6th.

Kenny Rogers got himself out of a few jams, and stuck around to the seventh for his 3rd quality start in a row. His only real mistake was a home run to Jason Giambi, that tied the game in teh 2nd. With the quality start the Tigers now have 2 starters with ERAs under 6 as Kenny's sits at 5.86 after this start. The Tigers look to continue the damage on Yankee call-ups as they face Darrell Rasner, who took Phil Hughes spot in the rotation.

Tigers 6 Yankees 5
W: Rogers (3-3)
L: Igawa (0-1)

Tigers Record:
W - L
16 - 21

Game 36 Recap

Yes, Joe Strummer, it does appear this season is going "Straight to Hell"

You need more than just a scorecard to follow this year's Tigers, you need the DSM-IV. The Tigers offense has switched from Manic to Depressing so many times this year, the concession stand should sell lithium. And here we are again, less than 24 hours after an uplifting come from behind victory...a dull thud of a game. But, is the offense really to blame? Just once I would like to tune into a game in the third inning and not see the Tigers at a multi-run deficit. A good game for the starter is reaching 100 pitches by the 6th inning. If thier's going to be one coach fired for the Tigers struggles, it has to be Chuck Hernandez. 3 Tiger starters have ERAs over 6. Those are bad numbers in slow-pitch softball, let alone the Major fricking Leagues. Still, amazingly, there is hope. It seems no one in the AL Central wants to win. The Tigers are only a half game ahead of Seattle for the worst record in teh AL, yet there are only a 4 game win streak away from going to the top of the Central. It's just that whole "winning games" thing that's proving to be troublesome.

Tigers 1 Red Sox 5
W: Beckett (4-2)
L: Verlander (1-6)

Tigers Record:
W - L
15 - 21

Game 35 Recap: A Photo Essay

This game drained the crap out of me. They say a picture worth a thousand words, so here's tonight's game in the best pictures Google Image Search can find:

After the 4 run 3rd

After the Red Sox made it a 5-4 game

After Mike Lowell's hit gave the Red Sox the lead

After the Strikeout-throwout to end the 8th

During the 9th

After Placido Polanco's game winning hit

Wow, break out all the cliches for this one. "They needed this." "This could start something." You know after these last five games, I'll take it. It sure beats the hell out of what was coming out of everyone's mouths after those games. Now here comes the big But, it needs to be followed with a good performance tomorrow. This game means nothing if the Tigers get shutout tomorrow. Here's hoping tomorrow's the game Verlander returns to form.

Tigers 10 Red Sox 9
W: Jones (2-0)
L: Papelbon (2-1)

Tigers Record:
W - L
15 - 20

Game 34 Recap

Here's all you need to know about the Tigers struggles. A 42 year old knuckleballer 2 hit the Tigers through 8 innings, needing only 98 pitches. Another in a long line of terriblly frustrating games that have gone on way too long this season. This could get ugly.

Tigers 0 Red Sox 5
W: Wakefield (3-1)
L: Robertson (1-4)

Tigers Record:
W - L
14 - 20

Game 33 Recap

8 walks in 5 innings. The Tigers should have had Daisuke Matsuzaka on the ropes, yet they could only manage 2 hits with all those men on base and only got one run out of it. 8 free base runners, only one run. It doesn't matter what order you put them in if they can't hit. Now with Jacque Jones getting DFA'ed, where does the blame shift to next? This could be a long series against a good Boston team.

Tigers 3 Red Sox 6
W: Matsuzaka (5-0)
L: Bonderman (2-3)
S: Papelbon (10)

Tigers Record:
W - L
14 - 19

Game 32 Recap

I thought the Tigers had turned the corner, that these let-down games would be few and far between. I guess I was wrong. Kenny Rogers pitched well, the Tigers out hit the Twins, yet they still lost. Jason Grilli's gone so we can't kick him around, but Zach Miner and Jacque Jones are still around, so let's fire away.
Jacque Jones has one hit in his last 26 at bats. He has only 13 hits on the season, tying his with Curtis Granderson who has roughly half the at-bats. His .244 OBP is dead last on the Tigers by nearly 40 points. It would be one thing if he was providing stellar defense, but as witnessed today, it would be better if he just ran the ball in or rolled it underhand to the infield. I don't think I'm alone in wanted to see Clete Thomas, Ryan Raburn, or even Brandon Inge penciled into left field soon.
As for Zach Miner, I thought he would be the key to the Tigers Bullpen. I thought he would be the 7th inning guy to pass the lead along to Todd Jones. I'm glad I was wrong, Miner's been the one low point in what has been a surprisingly decent bullpen. He's averaged a run allowed in every inning he's pitched (17.1) and walked way too many people. I don't really know much about Freddy Dolsi, but could he do much worse than Miner right now? Don't answer that. And if dropping a game after a 6 run first to get swept wasn't bad enough, the Red Sox and Yankees roll into Comerica for 7 games. Blurgh.

Tigers 6 Twins 7
W: Guerrier (2-1)
L: Miner (1-2)
S: Nathan (11)

Tigers Record:
W - L
14 - 18

Game 30 Recap

After sweeping the Yankees and winning 8 of 10, the Tigers were flying high heading into Minnesota. Tonight's performance burst that bubble. Now this isn't necessarily a setback for Armando Galarraga. He pitched as well as you could ask a #5 pitcher to pitch. It didn't help that Aquilino Lopez completely blew up tonight as well. Lopez gave up 4 runs on 6 hits, while only managing to get one out in the 7th. He had only given up 1 run on 13 hits in 17 inning pitched so far this season. So I'll chalk up tonight as just one of those games that happen when you play 162 in a year. And to be honest after the 4 run 7th I switched over to Game 6 of the Hawks-Celtics. Say what you will about the Pistons, but at least the switch stayed on and they beat the Sixers. While the Pistons are opening their 2nd round series tomorrow, the Celtics will be playing a 7th game on Sunday to try and get past an 8th seed.

Tigers 1 Twins 11
W: Hernandez (4-1)
L: Galarraga (2-1)

Tigers Record:
W - L
14 - 16

Game 29 Recap

With the Pistons and Red Wings potential closing out their playoff series (Pistons won 100-77, Red Wings up big in the 2nd as I type), it's hard to believe that a series sweep of the Yankees might get third billing on the night. In thier last trip to Yankee Stadium the Tigers got their first sweep since 1966. Then again this is a Yankee team featuring the likes of Chad Moeller, Alberto Gonzales, Ross Ohlendorf, Chirs Britton, and Jonathan Albaladejo. Hey a sweep's a sweep, so there will be no complaining here.
The Yankees jumped on Nate Robertson early, but The Venezuelan Power Station of Maggs and Miggy decided to go nuts and combine for 5 RBI on 5 hits. Cabrera had a triple and a HR, while Maggs had a double to go with 2 singles. Oh yeah Ramon Santiago is on fire. He chipped in a triple and 2 RBI as well. Tonight also marked the debut of Francisco Cruceta, who looked a little shaky and had trouble finding the strike zone working the 9th. But he followed in the footsteps of Zach Miner by getting out of the mess he created with no runs allowed. With tonight's win the Tigers move to a game of .500 and are just 1.5 games back of the White Sox for first place in the Central. So after that disaster of a start, the Tigers start May right back in the thick of things. Just like we knew they would all along, right?

Tigers 8 Yankees 4
W: Robertson (1-3)
L: Albaladejo (0-1)

Tigers Record:
W - L
14 - 15

Game 28 Recap/ Grilli's Gone!

Being month-end and working in the financial field, I was stuck at work until nearly 9 and missed the big pre-game news of Jason Grilli's trade to Colorado. Grilli's no longer "Gone Wild", he's just gone. Yeah Grilli at Coors Field, what could go wrong? Now there's an open roster spot...

Enter The Crucetaean!!!

Francisco Cruceta will finally join the team, after spending months in Visa hell, and a few weeks blowing away minor leaguers in Toledo. Cruceta a few weeks ago, was the magical name that would help a struggling bullpen. Turns out that he'll be joining a pen that has arguable been the most consistent (in a good way) part of the Tigers. Add that to tonight's win, and it appears the Tigers have finally gotten back to living up to the pre-season hype.

As for the game, it appears Jeremy Bonderman needs to have a bad 1st inning to do well. He loaded the bases and gave up 2 runs in the first, then only allowed 3 Yankees to reach base while pitching into the 8th. Placido Polanco and Gary Sheffield continued their return to normalcy. Actually I'll go out on a limb and say if Polly hits 2 HRs in a game, he's healed. Sheff had 2 hits and inched his average closer to the .200 mark. Curtis Granderson came of the bench due to lefty Andy Pettitte starting for the Yankees, but still managed to hit yet another extra base hit, coming in for defensive purposes later in the game. The Tigers picked to right time to get everything going, with big series with the Red Sox and Diamondbacks looming.

Tigers 6 Yankees 2
W: Bonderman (2-2)
L: Pettitte (3-3)

Tigers Record:
W - L
13 - 15
Tied 3rd Place AL Central
2 GB Chicago

Game 27 Recap

Todd Jones made it a little closer than it had to be, but the Tigers held on and got a nice bounce-back win after their loss on Sunday. Kenny Rogers looked like he wouldn't make it out of the 3rd inning, throwing 75 pitches in the first three. However he recovered and made it through the next 3 innings allowing only 2 hits, to get the win and the quality start. Placido Polanco and Gary Sheffield showed signs that they are healing, with Polanco going 4 for 5 and Sheff hitting a HR. Curtis Granderson continues to play out of his damn mind, adding another HR, double, and 2 walks. Quad 20s look like it was just the beginning of the Granderson offensive output. The relief pitching hasn't been as good as it has the past couple of weeks, but it didn't lose them the game. That's all you can ask of those guys. I would right more but Wings-Avs is in progress so to the TV I go to see if all 3 Detroit teams in action tonight can win.

Tigers 6 Yankees 4
W: Rogers (2-3)
L: Hughes (0-4)
S: Jones (5)

Tigers Record:
W - L
12 - 15

Game 26 Recap

After a long week at a new job, I was looking forward to enjoying the Tigers on a real TV as opposed to the grainy MLB.TV feed I've been accustomed to. Joe Morgan and his inane banter, quickly had me running to the computer room, watching a game on a monitor while listening to my XM radio. The outcome tonight left something to be desired, the past week's games have shown a return to form that was sorely needed. Justin Verlander's velocity trouble's may have been solved with him hitting the high nineties early and often, but the accuracy is more of an issue. He walked 4 and of his 102 pitches only 57 were strikes. And 7 hits against a team as skilled as the Angels, isn't going to cut it either. Jered Weaver was wild early, but regrouped and shut down the Tigers until teh 7th inning. When a pitcher was throwing as well as Weaver was tonight it's hard to get in any offense. The Tigers finally get a day off tomorrow before they head to New York to attempt to start a new winning streak.

Tigers 2 Angels 6
W: Weaver (2-3)
L Verlander (1-4)


Tigers Record:
W - L
11 - 15

Game 22 Recap

The last strike thrown by Frank Francisco

The story going into the game was The Big Switch of Guillen and Cabrera's respective positions. The end of the night, the story was something completely different.

It was a long night at the ball park tonight. After 2 innings of Kenny Rogers sucking (granted, early on, the Tigers D didn't help him out any with an errors and a pitch that got past Pudge), it looked like it would be even longer for Tiger fans. Then the Tigers rallied to tie the game in the 2nd. The Tigers took the lead in the 3rd, but Rogers gave it back in the 4th on a bases loaded walk. It his third of the inning and the last batter he faced. Clay Rapada came in a got a inning-ending double play to keep it tied. The Tigers took the lead for good with a Magglio sac fly in the bottom of the inning. Then for poops and giggles, they unleashed their fury in the 6th inning. Breathe it in. 15 batters, 12 runs, 7 hits, 3 walks, 2 HBP, 1 HR, and a partridge in a pear tree. Overlooked in that orgy of offense, will be how well the Tigers bullpen performed again. 5.2 inning only 2 hits, no walks and 6 strikeouts. Now Texas did empty the bench after the 6th, but Clay Rapada pitched a perfect 1.2 innings when the Tigers needed a tourniquet after Kenny Rogers horrible start. With Grilli's second perfect performance at home, you would think Zach Miner will be packing his things for Toledo with the more than likely impending arrival of The Crucetaean. Look for more fireworks tomorrow despite the 1-10 day game record. After having 4 bullpen guys throw over 150 pitches the Texas bullpen's has to be hurting.

Tigers 19 Rangers 6
W: Rapada (2-0)
L: Francisco (0-1)

Game Notes:

• The first 1-2-3 inning for either team was recorded in the top of the 5th by Clay Rapada.
• The Tigers drew 10 walks and 2 HBP, taking advantage of Texas pitchers lack of aim. Through 7 innings Texas pitchers threw 213 pitches.
• Every Tiger starter had a hit, an oddly enough the only starter without an RBI was the red-hot Edgar Renteria.
• Carlos Guillen was back in the field and back to hitting. After going 0 for 8 as a DH, he was 3 for 4 with 5 RBI.
• GrandyLand re-opened with a 2 for 4 night, walking twice and picking up 2 RBI
• OK, I will stop picking on Jacque Jones for the time being. He had a HR and lifted his batting average above the Mendoza Line.
• Only 4 of the the Tigers 14 hits were of the extra-base variety.
• With the rain out of the Cleveland game, the Tigers are now ahead of the Indians in the standing. They are now only 3 games back of the White Sox.

Tigers Record:
W - L
8 - 13

Game 21 Recap

4 2 out RBI and 8 extra base hits...that's a little bit more like it. Of course let's not start bleeping each other's bleeps just yet as The Wolf would say. This is what the Tigers are supposed to do to teams like the Rangers. Still offensive fireworks aside, the most encouraging thing of the night was Justin Verlander's incredible, shrinking ERA. Verlander picked up his first win of the season, and shaved a little over a run off his ERA. While it took his over 100 pitches to get through just 6 innings, the hits were scattered and he only walked 2. You know it going to be a good night when Ramon Santiago goes deep. His HR in the 3rd, was the 3rd of the inning and finished off a 5 run inning. Jacque Jones is making it hard to clamor for a Clete/Raburn platoon. He went 2 for 3 with both hits hit to deep centerfield for a triple and a double.

Tigers 10 Rangers 2
W: Verlander (1-3)
L: Padilla (2-2)

Game Notes:

• Edgar Renteria is just ridiculous. He went 4 for 4 tonight, making bringing his average to .333. He is hitting .430 with 3 HRs and 14 RBI in the past 10 games.
• Ramon Santiago's last HR was his first since August 1st, 2003. That was before his was traded for the Mariners for Carlos Guillen.
• With Jacque Jones two hit night, he no longer has a sub .200 average. Leaving Marcus Thames (.172) and Gary Sheffield (.192) as the only Tigers below the .200 mark.
• Also Thames is the only Tiger not to hit a double.
• Miguel Cabrera's 2 RBI put him ahead of Renteria for the team lead.
• Jason Grilli pitched a perfect 9th inning. It was his first complete inning without allowing a baserunner at Comerica since September 6th of last year.
• Texas is now in sole possession of the worst record in the AL.
  

Tigers Record:
W - L
8 - 13