PREGAME: Things were looking good earlier this afternoon. Michigan was beating up on Wisconsin, and the Mariners held a 7-2 lead before a rain delay settled in moments after the 5th inning was completed. While the Wolverines held on, the Mariners collapsed when play resumed and as I write this they are trailing 11-7. So the Tigers will have to wait until at least tomorrow to have a chance to celebrate their first playoff birth since 1987.
Tonight the Tigers will turn to Kenny Rogers to get them one game closer. He’ll be opposed by Mark Redman in a battle of soft tossing lefties.
Game Time 7:10pm
POSTGAME: A certain Tiger returns to the lineup and the bats came alive. Welcome back Chris Shelton! I kid of course, but it was nice to see all the members of the early season lineup swinging the sticks together again. The first inning was, long, fruitful, unreal, fun…Curtis Granderson and Carlos Guillen combined for the cycle in that first inning.
Kenny Rogers did a good job of making sure this game didn’t turn interesting. Really the only downside from the game was Mike Maroth surrendering 3 runs in the 9th inning. In his last 2 outings he’s allowed 3 homers. Now in Maroth’s defense, he’s made 3 appearances spread out over 15 days. For someone used to going out every 5th day it is probably an adjustment, not to mention the fact he is coming off of surgery.
Maroth is teetering on the edge of not making the playoff roster. The Tigers can get by without him, but I’m rooting for Maroth. He endured so much during the 20 loss season and was a sacrificial lamb that season. For what he went through in 2003 and for being an all around good guy, I’d love for him to contribute to a post season run.
At least the Orioles are giving the Twins an honest fight. 4-4 after 4 innings in Baltimore.
Polanco’s in the 9 spot. And Chris Shelton has been freed! He’s batting #8.
Look out…here comes Shelton. And I’m not sure I mean that in a good way.
Did I mention Granderson’s amazing? I love that kid.
Man, we gotta stop this first-pitch swinging stuff.
What an opportunity for Shelton to get well…
PP!!!!
And Granderson’s batting AGAIN in the first inning…double by Polanco, hit by Shelton…I’m quite encouraged! It’s 6-0 at the moment, by the way.
Wow. Wow.
Has anyone ever hit for the cycle in one inning? Granny just needs a single and a double, and there’s only one out…
Haha…he might hit for the cycle this game…wouldn’t that be something?
When’s the last time we had 9 runs in the first inning?
Well, anyway. This trumps our 8 run inning against the O’s. Which was our biggest inning of the season.
Granderson better go for the cycle. He has a HR and a Triple in the first inning. All he needs is a single and a double.
How must the Gambler feel. He hasn’t even thrown a pitch and has a 10-0 lead. I sure hope Leyland gives Jones the night off.
Pete, Are you comfortable having Neif play tonight so we can increase the number of fan club members ?
For those of you that dont know, Pete is Perezident of the Neifi for Perezident fan club 😉
Dang, I woke up a little late for the game and see those 10 runs! This might be one game I download after it is over…
Ok, time to get Pudge and Guillen out of there. Let Kenny get his win and then pull him too. Tata, Miller, Grilli and Miner can finish this one up.
Jeff, I agree……….. lets keep the guys fresh. Theother guys could use the reps as well, Get Santiago, Wilson etc out there. It would be unfortunate to have some one pull a hammie or get knicked up when its a blow out.
Steve
How about Polly, first game back (I know its K/C) 3-4 with 2 RBI’s. Yeah we didnt miss him did we.
I’m a little bummed to see Rogers out there in the 6th. At only 58 pitches, he could have been ready to go by Wednesday. Would have given Leyland a chance to juggle guys or just give everyone a breather. He probably wouldn’t have done it anyways, but options are always good.
Jim Leyland must have this Blog on is wireless dugout laptop. He is doing what we suggested. :0)
I agree with Jeff M that there doesn’t seem to be much of a point in leaving Rogers in.
Hes at 101 pitches, why not keep him frsh for next week againt Toronto?
LOL, a complete game? Are you kidding me? I’d love to hear the rationale.
I don’t have too much of a problem letting Rogers go as long as he did. If it was a younger guy, then you probably pull him earlier. Plus Rogers didn’t exactly work so hard today. Maybe Rogers felt more comfortable pitching a normal game. You don’t really know whats going on down there.
….plus the rotation is set up to have Rogers pitch on tuesday october 3rd on normal 4 days rest after his next start I think.
It sounds like backseat driving. I have no problem with it. Rogers can handle it fine and requested it.
From Jason Beck’s gamestory:
Asked about it afterward, Rogers said with a chuckle, “I was working on talking him into letting me stay out there a little longer. I just felt fine and I just pitched six [innings] last time because I didn’t feel so great. I wanted to go a little longer. That was my goal was to pitch some innings and earn it.”
I”m mad, MLBEI doesn’ have any of the Tigs/KC series on this weekend!
That’s a good explanation, but it still seems like he could have given at least an inning to one of the kids.
So it appears the tigers are gheadin to the playoffs. Well…the Yankees are a eam that I certainly worry about. But yo, this is exciogting. This is unbelievable.
Sean Casey we need you. You are our difference maker. You can hit a steady consistent 6th, definite. And we got Polanco back.
Ride on Tiges. We can still pull it out this season. We can beat the yankees. BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bilfer, I too love what Maroth has done for this team. But I just don’t know what he can contribute to a playoff team, unless it’s mopup duty, ala last night.
I’d be real nervous if he came into a tight situation in the playoffs. I just don’t think he’s back to where he needs to be effective. It seems to me that his stuff doesn’t seem to move as much or maybe its just pitch selection. Or maybe he’s holding something back…who knows?
Chris Y, I have to agree. The minute Maroth came in, I had a strong suspection KC was going to start playing long ball. Maybe he can come back to form by next spring, but I would be extremely nervious with him in there during any other role than the one he played last night.