The Tigers look to bounce back today after last night's let down. And they'll need to if they want to keep pace in the AL Central. Cleveland plays Cincinnati, who holds the worst record in the NL. This time their Saturday game is the featured national game on FOX...take that Roger Clemens' "comeback" game. Let's hope the Tigers can play like they deserve the attention. Especially with myself being one of the 40,000 that's going to be there in person.
Pitchers:
Tigers - Jeremy Bonderman RHP (5-0, 3.27 ERA)
Mets - Oliver Perez LHP (4-2, 2.80)
Post-Game:
Tigers 8 Mets 7
Fans nationwide got a glimpse in to the roller coaster ride that the bullpen has become this year. The tigers survived a three run 7th, where the Mets brought 9 batter to the plate, but left the bases loaded. Fernando Rodney also gave up a home run to David wright to lead off the 8th, but settled down and struck out 2 to get out of the inning with the Tigers still in the lead. Todd Jones was a few inches from getting a 1-2-3 inning with 2 strikeouts. My Preseason NL MVP candidate, Carlos Delgado, was the Tigers MVP by hitting an inning ending groundout in the 7th, and a game ending one in the 9th.
Tiger Hero:
Carlos Guillen and Placido Polanco. Guillen's three run homer put the Tigers in the bottom of the first. Polly's 4 for 5 day raised his average 10 points to .345
Tiger Zero:
Omar Infante. I don;t know how it looked at home, but he seems lost in centerfield today. And if he's not going to hit lefties, I don't see why Granderson can't start no matter who's on the mound.
Tigers Record:
W - L
35 - 26
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Game 60 Recap
Tigers 0 Mets 3
After Having success shutting down a Sosa in Texas, the Tigers ran into another Sosa that returned the favor. Jorge Sosa and Billy Wagner combined on the first shutout of the Tigers this year. The Tigers shouldn't feel special, Sosa has been doing that to teams all year. He's only allowed more than 2 runs a game once all season. I'd hadn't heard much about this guy coming into the game, and I knew he had a great year a couple years ago, but he's has been outstanding this year. I can't believe a guy pitching like this, in New York isn't getting a little more hype.
Chad Durbin gets the hard luck loss, his first since the first game he pitched this year. Hopefully the Tiger bats were just a little groggy from their early morning arrival back into Detroit.
Tiger Hero:
Chad Durbin. He kept the game close just in case the Tiger bats ever got to Sosa.
Tiger Zero:
Carlos Guillen. Still struggling, and struck out 3 times in the game.
Tigers Record:
W - L
34 - 26
2nd Place AL Central (2.5 GB Cleveland)
After Having success shutting down a Sosa in Texas, the Tigers ran into another Sosa that returned the favor. Jorge Sosa and Billy Wagner combined on the first shutout of the Tigers this year. The Tigers shouldn't feel special, Sosa has been doing that to teams all year. He's only allowed more than 2 runs a game once all season. I'd hadn't heard much about this guy coming into the game, and I knew he had a great year a couple years ago, but he's has been outstanding this year. I can't believe a guy pitching like this, in New York isn't getting a little more hype.
Chad Durbin gets the hard luck loss, his first since the first game he pitched this year. Hopefully the Tiger bats were just a little groggy from their early morning arrival back into Detroit.
Tiger Hero:
Chad Durbin. He kept the game close just in case the Tiger bats ever got to Sosa.
Tiger Zero:
Carlos Guillen. Still struggling, and struck out 3 times in the game.
Tigers Record:
W - L
34 - 26
2nd Place AL Central (2.5 GB Cleveland)
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Game 59 Recap
Tigers 11 Rangers 4
The day started off pretty good for the Tigers. With the 27th pick of the draft the Tigers selected Rick Porcello, a pitcher regarded by many experts as one of the top prospects in the draft. Largely because of this, Fox Sports' Dayn Perry (who predicted the Tigers wild card last year) says the Tigers had the best day one of the draft. Ian at Bless You Boys has all the draft day details you could ever ask for. As for Porcello, this wasn't some Brady Quinnesque draft day slide, this is like the Chicago Bears getting Calvin Johnson. Because of Porcello's choice of agent (Scott Boras) many teams passed on him due to the price he might demand. Mike Illich has no qualms about opening up the checkbook (funny how a 119 loss season changes your philosophy) and because of this The Tigers have seen the best players in the draft fall to them in the past two years.
As for that guy they picked last year, Andrew Miller will be rejoining the team after Nate Robertson's "tired arm" earned him a stint on the DL. Miller will face off against future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine on Sunday. In a strange quick of scheduling, Miller's next start will be against another 40+ year old lefty in Jamie Moyer.
Tonight game was a continuation on the offensive outburst of yesterday's game. Another game scoring and recording hits in double digits. Brandon Inge should break his toe more often. Since returning from his injury he is 5 for 11, with 5 RBIs. Gary Sheffield hit another home run and has as many hits in the past 10 games as he did in the month of April. Lets hope the Tigers can keep the bats on fire as the NY Mets come into town this weekend, fresh off of getting swept by Philadelphia.
Tiger Hero:
Curtis Granderson. Two triples and 3RBI tonigh for Curtis. I think Curtis should start showing up in the line-up even if a lefty is on the mound.
Tiger Zero:
Carlos Guillen. Unlike Inge, Carlos hasn't really rebounded from his injury. He only had one hit in this series which the Tigers recorded 40 hits
Tigers Record:
W - L
34 - 25
2nd Place AL Central (2.5 GB Cleveland)
The day started off pretty good for the Tigers. With the 27th pick of the draft the Tigers selected Rick Porcello, a pitcher regarded by many experts as one of the top prospects in the draft. Largely because of this, Fox Sports' Dayn Perry (who predicted the Tigers wild card last year) says the Tigers had the best day one of the draft. Ian at Bless You Boys has all the draft day details you could ever ask for. As for Porcello, this wasn't some Brady Quinnesque draft day slide, this is like the Chicago Bears getting Calvin Johnson. Because of Porcello's choice of agent (Scott Boras) many teams passed on him due to the price he might demand. Mike Illich has no qualms about opening up the checkbook (funny how a 119 loss season changes your philosophy) and because of this The Tigers have seen the best players in the draft fall to them in the past two years.
As for that guy they picked last year, Andrew Miller will be rejoining the team after Nate Robertson's "tired arm" earned him a stint on the DL. Miller will face off against future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine on Sunday. In a strange quick of scheduling, Miller's next start will be against another 40+ year old lefty in Jamie Moyer.
Tonight game was a continuation on the offensive outburst of yesterday's game. Another game scoring and recording hits in double digits. Brandon Inge should break his toe more often. Since returning from his injury he is 5 for 11, with 5 RBIs. Gary Sheffield hit another home run and has as many hits in the past 10 games as he did in the month of April. Lets hope the Tigers can keep the bats on fire as the NY Mets come into town this weekend, fresh off of getting swept by Philadelphia.
Tiger Hero:
Curtis Granderson. Two triples and 3RBI tonigh for Curtis. I think Curtis should start showing up in the line-up even if a lefty is on the mound.
Tiger Zero:
Carlos Guillen. Unlike Inge, Carlos hasn't really rebounded from his injury. He only had one hit in this series which the Tigers recorded 40 hits
Tigers Record:
W - L
34 - 25
2nd Place AL Central (2.5 GB Cleveland)
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Game 58
Let's try this good team beating up a bad team thing again. Things should be different this game. Justin Verlander is coming off of his worst start of the season, but was pretty stellar in the month of May besides his last start. Kevin Millwood is making his second start after returning from the DL. In his last 5 starts Kevin Millwood is 0-3 with an 8.87 ERA and a .336 opponent batting average.
Line-ups:
Detroit (32-25)
C Granderson CF
P Polanco 2B
G Sheffield DH
M Ordonez RF
C Guillen SS
I Rodriguez C
S Casey 1B
C Monroe LF
B Inge 3B
Texas (21-37)
K Lofton CF
M Young SS
M Teixeira 1B
S Sosa DH
F Catalanotto LF
M Byrd LF
I Kinsler 2B
G Laird C
R Vasquez 3B
Pitchers:
Tigers - Justin Verlander RHP (5-2, 3.44 ERA)
Rangers - Kevin Millwood RHP (2-4, 6.69 ERA)
Post-game:
Tigers 10 Rangers 0
And that's how things are supposed to happen. The Tigers scored in the double digits for the 12th time this season. Gary Sheffield went crazy...on the field this time, driving in half of the Tigers runs. Magglio Ordonez set a new team record for doubles before the All-Star break, with his 29th. Curtis Granderson added another triple, extending his major league high total to 10. Justin Verlander's curveball it was wicked, it was filthy, it was durty, it was...wifilurty. That curve ball was the pitch that recorded strike three in all of his 6 k's on the night. Bobby Seay and Todd Jones turned in 1-2-3 8th and 9th innings to preserve the Tigers second shutout of the year.
Tiger Hero:
Gary Sheffield. No one in the AL has more home runs since May 1st than Sheff.
Tiger Zero:
Craig Monroe. One of two Tiger starters with an 0fer, but Sean Casey had a pretty sweet grab of a foul ball leaning into the stands.
Tigers Record:
W - L
33 - 25
2nd Place AL Central (2.5 GB Cleveland)
Line-ups:
Detroit (32-25)
C Granderson CF
P Polanco 2B
G Sheffield DH
M Ordonez RF
C Guillen SS
I Rodriguez C
S Casey 1B
C Monroe LF
B Inge 3B
Texas (21-37)
K Lofton CF
M Young SS
M Teixeira 1B
S Sosa DH
F Catalanotto LF
M Byrd LF
I Kinsler 2B
G Laird C
R Vasquez 3B
Pitchers:
Tigers - Justin Verlander RHP (5-2, 3.44 ERA)
Rangers - Kevin Millwood RHP (2-4, 6.69 ERA)
Post-game:
Tigers 10 Rangers 0
And that's how things are supposed to happen. The Tigers scored in the double digits for the 12th time this season. Gary Sheffield went crazy...on the field this time, driving in half of the Tigers runs. Magglio Ordonez set a new team record for doubles before the All-Star break, with his 29th. Curtis Granderson added another triple, extending his major league high total to 10. Justin Verlander's curveball it was wicked, it was filthy, it was durty, it was...wifilurty. That curve ball was the pitch that recorded strike three in all of his 6 k's on the night. Bobby Seay and Todd Jones turned in 1-2-3 8th and 9th innings to preserve the Tigers second shutout of the year.
Tiger Hero:
Gary Sheffield. No one in the AL has more home runs since May 1st than Sheff.
Tiger Zero:
Craig Monroe. One of two Tiger starters with an 0fer, but Sean Casey had a pretty sweet grab of a foul ball leaning into the stands.
Tigers Record:
W - L
33 - 25
2nd Place AL Central (2.5 GB Cleveland)
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Game 57
The Tigers head into Arlington facing, record-wise, the worst team in the majors. This isn't a team to be taken lightly, they lead the AL in home runs hit, but then again only the White Sox and Royals have worse OBP than Texas, so a lot of those home runs aren't doing a great deal of damage. Even if Tiger pitchers struggle to keep Ranger batters off the basepaths, Ranger pitching does a great job of giving those runs back. Texas' team ERA is one of two team ERAs above 5.00 (Tampa Bay being the other). Maybe Pudge Rodriguez will get his 3rd walk of the year as well, the Rangers are third in the majors in walks allowed. In injury news, Carlos Guillen and Brandon Inge return to the line-up today, and Vance Wilson begins a rehab stint in Toledo.
Line-Ups:
Detroit (32-24)
O Infante CF
P Polanco 2B
G Sheffield DH
M Ordonez RF
C Guillen SS
I Rodriguez C
M Thames 1B
C Monroe LF
B Inge 3B
Texas (20-37)
J Hairston Jr. CF
M Young SS
M Teixeira 1B
S Sosa DH
V Diaz LF
M Byrd RF
I Kinsler 2B
G Laird C
R Vasquez 3B
Pitchers:
Tigers - Nate Robertson LHP (4-5, 4.25 ERA)
Rangers - John Rheinecker LHP (No record)
Post-game:
Tigers 4 Rangers 7
Nate Robertson did not heed my advice. After allowing a lead-off single, he walked the bases loaded, then a single and grand slam later, and he was down 5-0 after facing five batters. A triple to the sixth hitter he faced ended his night. The Tiger bats mounted a comeback and cut the lead in half after the 2nd. But wasted opportunities came back to haunt them. They left five runners in scoring position with one out or less. It's not like the bullpen didn't give them every opportunity to get back in it. Jason Grilli, Zach Miner, and Tim Byrdak combined for 7 shutout inning, giving up only five hits and one walk, while striking out 8. After Marlon Byrd's triple in the first, no Ranger reached second base until Gerald Laird advance on a hit and run in the 6th. Fernando Rodney surrendered the bullpen's only run as he returned from the DL. Rodney was erratic as he gave up a run on two hits and a walk, had a wild pitch (and another that got away from Pudge, but no runner advanced), yet still struck out two in an inning of work.
Tiger Hero:
Jason Grilli. He hasn't allowed a run, has struck out 6, and given up only 5 hits in 7 innings of work, after getting hit in the leg with a line drive May 26.
Tiger Zero:
Nate Robertson. If what's causing his troubles can't be solved soon, I wouldn't be surprised to see his spot in the rotation given to Kenny Rogers when he is ready to return.
Tigers Record:
W - L
32 - 25
2nd Place AL Central (3.5 GB Cleveland)
Line-Ups:
Detroit (32-24)
O Infante CF
P Polanco 2B
G Sheffield DH
M Ordonez RF
C Guillen SS
I Rodriguez C
M Thames 1B
C Monroe LF
B Inge 3B
Texas (20-37)
J Hairston Jr. CF
M Young SS
M Teixeira 1B
S Sosa DH
V Diaz LF
M Byrd RF
I Kinsler 2B
G Laird C
R Vasquez 3B
Pitchers:
Tigers - Nate Robertson LHP (4-5, 4.25 ERA)
Rangers - John Rheinecker LHP (No record)
Post-game:
Tigers 4 Rangers 7
Nate Robertson did not heed my advice. After allowing a lead-off single, he walked the bases loaded, then a single and grand slam later, and he was down 5-0 after facing five batters. A triple to the sixth hitter he faced ended his night. The Tiger bats mounted a comeback and cut the lead in half after the 2nd. But wasted opportunities came back to haunt them. They left five runners in scoring position with one out or less. It's not like the bullpen didn't give them every opportunity to get back in it. Jason Grilli, Zach Miner, and Tim Byrdak combined for 7 shutout inning, giving up only five hits and one walk, while striking out 8. After Marlon Byrd's triple in the first, no Ranger reached second base until Gerald Laird advance on a hit and run in the 6th. Fernando Rodney surrendered the bullpen's only run as he returned from the DL. Rodney was erratic as he gave up a run on two hits and a walk, had a wild pitch (and another that got away from Pudge, but no runner advanced), yet still struck out two in an inning of work.
Tiger Hero:
Jason Grilli. He hasn't allowed a run, has struck out 6, and given up only 5 hits in 7 innings of work, after getting hit in the leg with a line drive May 26.
Tiger Zero:
Nate Robertson. If what's causing his troubles can't be solved soon, I wouldn't be surprised to see his spot in the rotation given to Kenny Rogers when he is ready to return.
Tigers Record:
W - L
32 - 25
2nd Place AL Central (3.5 GB Cleveland)
Monday, June 04, 2007
Games 55 & 56
Game 55
Tigers 9 Indians 5
Game 56
Tigers 9 Indians 2
So just like like that most of the panic in Tigertown has subsided. Maybe it's due to the fact that Jose Mesa will no longer be terrorizing the hearts and minds of Tiger fans. More importantly the now Mesa-less bullpen did not allow a run in six innings of work Saturday and Sunday. That bullpen gets another big arm back with the return of Fernando Rodney tomorrow in Texas. Hopefully Rodney will bounce back from his time of the DL just like Jeremy Bonderman did. And for some more good news Detroit's offense that racked up 34 runs on 54 hits against the top team in the AL Central, rolls into Texas to face the worst team in the majors.
Tigers 9 Indians 5
Game 56
Tigers 9 Indians 2
So just like like that most of the panic in Tigertown has subsided. Maybe it's due to the fact that Jose Mesa will no longer be terrorizing the hearts and minds of Tiger fans. More importantly the now Mesa-less bullpen did not allow a run in six innings of work Saturday and Sunday. That bullpen gets another big arm back with the return of Fernando Rodney tomorrow in Texas. Hopefully Rodney will bounce back from his time of the DL just like Jeremy Bonderman did. And for some more good news Detroit's offense that racked up 34 runs on 54 hits against the top team in the AL Central, rolls into Texas to face the worst team in the majors.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Game 54 Recap
Tigers 11 Indians 12
I have only one comment for this game...WHY THE HELL WAS TODD JONES ALLOWED TO THROW 46 PITCHES?????
It's September '06 all over again. The Tigers find new and horribly frustrating ways to lose. Bill at Detroit Tigers Weblog pretty much summed up the way I feel, so I'll direct you to that post so I don't have to relieve the horror of last night debacle again.
I Have some family happenings the rest of the weekend, so more than likely I have recap of Today and tomorrow's games, sometime Sunday night. Let's hope I have something positive to write about.
I have only one comment for this game...WHY THE HELL WAS TODD JONES ALLOWED TO THROW 46 PITCHES?????
It's September '06 all over again. The Tigers find new and horribly frustrating ways to lose. Bill at Detroit Tigers Weblog pretty much summed up the way I feel, so I'll direct you to that post so I don't have to relieve the horror of last night debacle again.
I Have some family happenings the rest of the weekend, so more than likely I have recap of Today and tomorrow's games, sometime Sunday night. Let's hope I have something positive to write about.
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