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PREGAME: It’s the last game of a 10 game road trip that has already been deemed successful. They’re also coming off a game featuring some late inning heroics. Do they have enough juice to take one more before heading home?
Maybe they can draw on the history of Jackie Robinson. Gary Sheffield, Marcus Thames, Craig Monroe, Curtis Granderson, Lloyd McClendon, and Pudge Rodriguez will be among the MLB players wearing the retired 42 today. For more on the day, check out Bless You Boys.
The Tigers send out Nate Robertson who is coming off a sterling performance against Baltimore in which he went 7 1/3 innings on only 80 pitches and allowing only 5 baserunners.
Josh Towers will be making his second start of the year. In his first start we last 5 2/3 innings while allowing 10 hits, but no walks and 6 strikeouts.
Game Time 1:07
POSTGAME: Three singles and a walk. That combination would probably make for a nice rally some inning, but not spread out across 9. The offense which had been showing signs of life the last few days crawled back into a hole. What was most frustrating is that this was a lineup full of starters, against a pitcher that hasn’t done much since 2005. And yet they had to rely on a thrown away pick-off attempt and Granderson’s legs to plate a run.
Nate Robertson was good, but he would have needed a shut out to win this one. Still, he was in line for a no decision until Sean Casey cut off a Gary Sheffield throw home. I don’t know that Royce Clayton would have been out, but there certainly would have been a play. Compounding the problem, Casey didn’t even throw to 2nd to cut down John Macdonald advancing.
Granderson picked up the 2nd error of his career when he air-mailed everybody in the 2nd inning. The error didn’t cost the Tigers though as it set-up an outfield assist for Granderson on the next play ending the inning.
Even with the loss today, the 6-4 road trip has to be considered a success. The Tigers won despite not generating a whole lot of offense. They are probably lucky to have the record they have, but there’s no reason to apologize for that.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Pudge is wearing it too.
Tigers and Wings off to quick starts! Nice.
C’mon wings, make it 3-0…
Big Frank may run worse than Casey. It’s definitely close…and that’s saying something.
My MLBTV feed keeps failing. UGH! Was Overbay thrown out at home?
It looks like shooting practice for the Wings today…17-3 SOG…
Go Tigers!
Yeah, Overbay was thrown out at home EASILY.
Also, I think we should leave the wings outta here. This is for the tigs, there are plenty of other blogs where u can talk about the wings
Looking like Towers has settled in. If so, that’s too bad.
I missed it. How many 42s are on the field today?
5 tigers players, 3 blue jays, and Lloyd Mcclendon
Ah! Just caught the Overbay out! Wow! Granderson bulls-eyed that throw!
Impressed with Vernon Wells play today. That guy can cover some ground. Gotta give him props.
Looks another tight one this afternoon. This has been one heck of a series.
I sure hope they put B.J. Ryan in to close again. He he he he.
Gum time! Here we go.
Must have been the wrong brand of gum. 1-2-3 inning.
Well, the odds were against us to steal two in a row from the Jays. Their pitching was pretty dominant today.
Not too bad for the first big road trip of the season.
Bummer. Great pitching, but darn those cold bats.
I didn’t get to see the game. Was Towers really tough or did it look like our boys were just content with taking a split in this series?
Is the weather still crappy up in Detroit? I think the weather has really had an effect on the team so far.
Cold Bats
Tigers Team Leaders, OPS, after today’s game
(Note: 2006 American League OPS: .776)
1. C Granderson .872
2. P Polanco .748
3. M Ordonez .719
4. M Thames .708
5. C Guillen .692
6. I Rodriguez .681
7. O Infante .667
8. N Perez .667
9. C Monroe .656
10. S Casey .529
11. G Sheffield .491
12. B Inge .487
13. M Rabelo .000
The weather is predicted to be in the 40’s and 50’s and even cooler in the evening. However, predictions for good weather are very good for the following week. I wonder when Kenny plans on returning to the team.
We have an off day before the ChiSox. Skip Durbin?
I say no, but am interested in other’s thoughts. He should get a chance to start at home once before getting bumped.
Leyland made it clear in today’s pre-game show that he would not skip Durbin in Chicago, that he’d get five starts this month and then they’d decide what to do if anything.
Neifi is batting 100 points higher than team average. Let’s get him in there!