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)