Game 86: Tigers at Mariners

PREGAME: Back in April the Tigers managed to come in and sweep the Mariners in 3 pitchers duels. Seattle’s offense was anemic at the time. However things have changed. While the offense still isn’t a juggernaut, Ichiro is doing that Ichiro thing again and Raul Ibanez and Kenji Johima are doing their part. The two highest paid M’s sluggers still are stuggling though. Richie Sexson has a sub 300 OBP and Adrian Beltre has a sub 400 slugging percentage.

Jerermy Bonderman will look to keep the M’s in check. He’s been awesome over his last half dozen starts, and he should be well rested. His last outing was cut short when he was pinch hit for after only 72 pitches, plus there was an off day since his last start.

He’ll be opposed by Joel Piniero. Piniero’s last start was only 2 2/3 innings. It was short enough to allow him to come in and record the last out in a relief appearance on Monday. He posts only a 46/35 K/BB mix in 98 innings.

POSTGAME: Bonderman was once again awesome. He didn’t have the gaudy strike out totals, but was in complete control the whole game. He was pitching ahead in the count and attacking the strike zone. Of his 110 pitches, 83 were for strikes. Most impressive was that he only went to a 3 ball count on 3 batters (twice on Yuniesky Betancourt). And in what was unusual for Bonderman, his offense gave him some runs to work with.

The Tiger bats comtinued to hit well getting men into scoring position with satisfying regularity. And once again, it was a total effort int that every body contributed with the bat. Even Curtis Granderson who was the only starter not to get a hit, walked had a HBP, hit a sacrifice fly, and stole a base.
Game Time 10:05pm