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