Game 48

I still hate Luke Scott.

But my love for Clete Thomas is growing by the day

Justin Verlander had his worst game in May, which is still better than most pitchers best days. Gave up 3 runs and struck out 5. In May JV lowered his ERA 2 full runs in his 6 starts in May, while striking out 56 along the way. He got out of a big bases loaded jam in the 5th, but was unable to avoid the Tiger Killing Juggernaut that is Luke Scott, and the game was tied in the 6th.

Enter Clete, who lead off the 7th with a solo home run, his second of the game. The 2 home runs tonight doubled his career total to 4. Thanks to some shoddy fielding the Tigers added two insurance runs in the 8th. They were not needed due to the bullpen doing its job. Joel Zumaya was the real hero. He recorded 4 outs (2 by strikeout with one of those being Luke Scott) on 12 pitches, all strikes. I think the Joel of 06 is back. Fernando Rodney started out giving up a single. That runner never got past 2nd, as Rodney sat down the next three to end the game, and the Tigers losing streak. And with KC and Minnesota losing, the Central lead grows, with Chicago now the team in second.

Tigers 6 Orioles 3
W: Verlander (6-3)
L: Albers (0-2)
S: Rodney (9)

Tigers Record:
W - L
27 - 21
1st Place AL Central (4 Games ahead of Chicago)