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PREGAME: Ahh, the Metrodome. Yeah.
Anyways, tonight we have ourselves a rematch of a couple of lefties. The first time Mike Maroth and Johan Santana hooked up the Tigers got the upper hand with some homers by Magglio Ordonez and Marcus Thames. Brandon Inge got the last big fly with a walk off homer off of Jesse Crain.
The Twins will be without Joe Mauer who is on the DL. And Luis Castillo has some sore legs and took the day off yesterday.
Game Time 8:10pm
POSTGAME: There’s just something about taking a game from Johan Santana. Not in the “I hate him” sort of way, but more in the “how are we going to win this game?” sort of way.
Much like the last time they hooked up, the Tigers made Santana throw a lot of pitches the first time through the lineup. Then the second time they started jumping on the first pitch fastballs. The damage was limited, thanks in part to a couple sweet plays by Jason Kubel, but it was enough as Mike Maroth managed to allow only 1 run in his best outing of the year.
It seemed like the Tigers were the beneficiary of the metrodome more than the Twins for a change. Both triples (Guillen and Granderson) were turf induced, and Guillen’s RBI single probably doesn’t make it through on grass either.
And not to be cynical or anything, but as it gets into the late innings does anyone else think of the term “insurance runs” and think they are really “Rodney runs.” Things continue to be a struggle for him.
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I have compared a couple of stats from last year to this year. I am not sure what to make of it, but it’s food for thought.
After 33 games
W L RS RA Starting Rotation Bullpen
2006 20 13 167 118 18-11 w 7 SO’s 2-2
2007 21 12 179 155 12-4 w 0 SO’s 9-8
Tigers 3.5 games behind Chi after 33 games in 06
2006 2007
Rogers 5-2
Verlander 3-3 3-1
Maroth 4-1 2-0
Bonderman 3-2 2-0
Robertson 3-2 3-2
Durbin 2-1
Magglio Ordonez has the most doubles in the Major Leagues with 18 - let’s see if he can add to that tonight.
Once again I will not be able to watch the game as it occurs. Gameday or the radio tonight.
Craig Monroe would have still had his hitting streak going if Leyland hadn’t pinched for him in the last game. Ah, well.
I do remember mentioning at one point a strange thing. After a Tigers rout against a starting pitcher, sometimes the pitcher is placed on the DL. Adam Loewen is just the most recent one in mind.
But Jeff Weaver has now been placed on the 15 day DL after his game against us.
Way to go. That was all power 3 rows back.
Hmmm, interesting. Remember BJ Ryan’s meltdown when we were in Toronto? DL the next day as well. Either we’ve been really lucky, playing against pitchers with simmering, undetected injuries, or our batters are pretty dang tough.
Early lead thanks to Sheffield. Woot.
I doubt Jeff’s actually hurt. The Mariners had to do something, he’s been killing ‘em every 5 days. The only thing that hurts is swallowing that “sweet” off-season signing.
That was a nice freakin play.
Out of the first 10 hitters, all but one saw at least 4 pitches.
And then they have a 5 pitch inning.
Couple well hit balls though.
Is it just me or can mike not throw his fastball anymore? Does anyone remember how fast he threw last year pre-surgery?
Nevermind he just started throwing it. Like I thought high 80’s.
And Guillen has the hardest leg of the cycle out of the way.
Thames and Monroe…Are you kidding me? Make contact. Just make contact. Can’t waste these opportunities against Santana.
At least we got the two there…who gave Craig the nod with 3 straight balls to pull the trigger on the fourth?
Maroth…so good today.
Joe Table!
Yeah, good game Maroth. Now let’s keep it together, Mr. Table.
HAHA on Gameday it says
Pitcher Change: Jose Mesa replaces Mike Maroth.
Pitcher Change: Jose Mesa replaces Jose Mesa.
Coaching visit to mound.
How does one replace himself?
He better start replacing himself right about now.
How many times can Leyland go to the well with Jose Mesa. Isn’t this playing with fire? This is a three run lead with vs. the Twins, not an eight run lead vs. the Devil Rays. Sheesh.
Well, we survived an inning with Mesa. Whew!!!
Well, it’s not like we have Zoom…and Seay’s been working pretty steady.
I miss Mesa.
Morneau homers: Of course he does.
Anyone else feel the wheels coming off?
Wow…I’m a Rodney fan but wow…he has no confidence right now.
GUILLEN!!! a double from the cycle!!!
If you’d have told me in the sixth that we’d end up with 7 or more runs in this game I would have slapped you.
Was wondering if anyone has found a website to see the games free or cheap online play by play or shortly after! Thx
Twins lose, Cleveland loses (hopefully), Boston loses, Milwaukee loses….
Good day for us then.
Sox won though.
What have we learned thus far? Mike Maroth is better then Johan Santana.
Hey Billfer, I know what you mean about taking one from Santana. I don’t hate him either, in fact I admire him a lot, but to be the best you have to beat the best, and Santana certainly qualifies there. Although both times we’ve seen him, he’s seemed pretty touchable.