You think the Tiger Bullpen is bad?

Bullpens everywhere were under fire yesterday. The Tigers pen surrendering 3 runs over 5 innings was one of the best performances of the day. Let's take a look around the league shall we?

Brewers vs. Cubs: Kerry Wood gives up 3 runs in the top of the 9th, then new Brewers closer Eric Gagne promptly gives the three back. Bob Howry gives up the go ahead run in the 10th and the Cubs waste the heroics of Kosuke Fukudome

Nationals vs. Phillies: Tom Gordon gives up 5 runs while only getting one out in the top of the ninth. His ERA...135.00

White Sox vs. Indians: Chicago threw some money at the bullpen, Octavio Dotel was not worth it yesterday as he gave up 3 in one inning of work and got the loss. Cleveland's Joe Borowski is also in mid-season form giving up a home run on the way to his first save of the year


But I was a witness to the most amazing bullpen performance of the season...

The Jose Mesa Gas Can Award for Bullpen Atrociousness goes to...

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Atlanta Braves: The Braves used 8 pitchers last night. Chris Resop, Will Ohman, and Pete Moylan combined to give up 2 runs over two innings to give Tom Glavine a ND. But wait, there's more. Royce Ring came in got the last out to end a threat in the 7th, then Manny Acosta happened. He gave up 4 runs on two HRs in the 8th. Jeff Bennett added another run in the top of the 9th. So the Braves are down 5 in the bottom of the 9th, game over right? Wrong. Damasco Marte starts out the 9th with a strikeout and 2 walks. Enter Pirate "closer", Matt Capps. He proceeds to walk the next two batters on 9 pitches bringing in a run. Chipper Jones follows that with a 2 RBI single. Capps gets Mark Teixeria to pop-out, and popped Brian McCann up as well, but miscommunication allowed the ball to drop between outfielders and the game was tied. Skip past the scoreless 10th and 11th innings, and we get to Brave Blaine Boyer who gave up a 3 run HR in the top of the 12th. Franquelis Osoria made it interesting, giving up 2 in the bottom of the 12th, but held on for the win for the Pirates.

Final lines for the bullpens:
ATL - 7 IP 10 hits, 5 walks, 3 HR allowed, 12 runs surrendered
PIT - 6 IP 5 hits, 6 walks, 1 HR allowed, 7 runs surrendered

What a wild, weird, night.