Thursday, March 20, 2008

Atlanta: Great When Tornado-Free

In addition to year-round golf, 60 degree sunny days in February, and no snow; tonight I came across another benefit of my move to Georgia. The Braves-Tigers game was televised locally.
This time my wish of a line-up with Miguel Cabrera was granted. I also was able to see Denny Bautista for the first time as well. Here's some notes from the game:

  • Verlander looked good early. He even had a single. He did lose a bit of control late, collecting 3 of his 4 walks in the last 1.1 innings he pitched
  • Tim Hudson looked just as good for the Braves.
  • Fox baseball expert Ken Rosenthal was in the Braves booth, and said he had picked the Braves to win the World Series. The article will be out in a few weeks, so we'll see whether he was just making nice with the Atlanta broadcast team, or is for real.
  • Speaking of the broadcast team, they were very complimentary of the Tigers, Jim Leyland in particular.
  • My first look at Cabrera was disappointing, 0-3 with a walk. Although that walk ended up being the go-ahead run (at the time).
  • Yorman Bazardo broke Jeff Francouer's bat causing him to hit into an inning-ending double play to end a threat in the 6th.
  • Todd Jones threw 2 full scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. He even had a strikeout.
  • Denny Bautista gets the loss, but some terrible fielding by Freddie Guzman, Mike Hessman, and Matt Joyce should get credit for the blown save.
  • Two of the guys Ian at BYB pointed out as possible targets for bullpen help, pitched tonight, Royce Ring and Tyler Yates. Ring had a 1-2-3 inning vs. the bottom of the order, and Yates gave up a go-ahead run while walking 3 in the top of the ninth. Yeah, I think DD will pass on these guys.

All in all, just other meaningless spring game. Nice to hear a non-ESPN perspective on the Tigers. The main thing is that it's one day closer to the real thing.

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