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PREGAME: The Tigers take another crack at Roger Clemens who they had no trouble hitting last week, they just had trouble scoring. The Tigers mustered 10 hits in 6 innings, but only 2 runs thanks to 8 strikeouts which all seemed to come with guys on base.
For the Tigers it will be Andrew Miller making his fast start since going on the DL on August 4th. Despite the great stuff, Miller struggles a little to put guys away and his lack of command can lead to hefty pitch counts. He hasn’t recorded an out after the 5th inning since July 6th.
I’ll be heading down to this game, and hopefully the result will be similar to when I saw Clemens pitch against the Tigers last year.
Who’s your Tiger tonight? I’m going out on a limb and going with Brandon Inge.
Game Time 7:05
NYY @ DET, Friday, August 24, 2007 Game Preview - Baseball-Reference.com
POSTGAME: You know you got your money’s worth when on the way home from a game you start to ponder where it ranks in terms of the greatest games you’ve ever witnessed live. When you’re doing at at 4:00am, you know it’s a special situation.
First things first, thanks to all of you for the awesome comments throughout the game last night. I was reading them on my Blackberry throughout the night and was amazed so many of us were toughing it out together.
On to the game, I made several good decisions last night. First, I had an unused ticket and was really debating taking my 6 year old son. I ended up not doing it, because while I love him to death and love going to games with him, this was the first time since Opening Day I had plans to go with my friends and I just didn’t want to be a dad that night. Second, we took a couple cars to the game because one friend had commitments in the morning and we didn’t know how late he’d want to stay. Worked out great with the one friend being able to leave at 8:30 when he recognized any baseball would be way late. So those staying were happy to be stayinig, and no one had to leave prematurely.
The theme for the night was pretty much, “there’s weird s*** happening tonight” and that held up throughout the game. Witness:
- Placido Polanco makes an error. That never happens.
- Pudge battles back from an 0-2 count to take a walk. That never happens.
- The game started at 11:05.
- Jason Grilli pitches not only a scoreless inning in Comerica Park, but he does it uneventfully.
- Pudge took another walk. Intentional and all, but still.
- I’m drinking coffee at a game in August - normally an activity reserved for those cold nights in April or September
So there we were at 2:30 in the morning concocting the most improbable ways for the Tigers to pull this off. Like having the Tigers load the bases against Mariano Rivera and then have Inge come through. Well, that one got half way there, and only some bad luck kept it from coming through.
Still the crowd stayed, and sure it was whittled down after a while. After that 10th inning the numbers really dwindled and I said to the usher, this place looks like 2003 right now. But it sounded much louder. And at that point everyone had formed this big kind of friendship, the kind of friendship that can only come from staying at a ballpark until ridiculous hours of the morning as everyone individually questions their sanity for staying and yet being too afraid to leave and miss something. It was kind of like one of those West Coast Red Wing playoff games that goes into OT, and you think to yourself “I can’t quit now, I’ve made it this far.”
Fortunately for those who stayed, they got the pay off. After a nice walk by Polanco it looked like a hit and run sign was missed with Sean Casey up and Polanco was picked off. And the Tigers went from a runner on 1 out situation to a 2 out none on situation. As so often is the case, the next batter gets a single after the runner is wiped off the bases.
I was imploring Leyland to pinch run for Casey, figuring that a gapper would go to waste with Casey on the basepaths. Instead Leyland stuck with Casey who managed to go first to third with relative ease on a blooper. Setting the stage for the Carlos Guillen. When he hit it I didn’t know if it was gone. I just new it was well hit and I didn’t care if it were a homer, I just wanted it to get over Matsui’s head. When it landed on the roof of the bullpen it was euphoria, it was relief, it was “I get to go home now, but I’m not tired anymore,” it was so worth it all.
I know the above thoughts are incoherent, but I’m working on a couple hours of sleep right now. For the bullets:
- I saw a player hit triples in consecutive innings as Granderson hit #20 and #21 which were the 4th and 5th that I’ve witnessed in person this year.
- Chants of MVP rang out with Ordonez at the dish, and on a night where he was a triple short of the cycle he certainly continues to build his case.
- When Jason Grilli came into the game, they announced him and instantly cut to very loud music making any boos that may have been there indistinguishable. And Grilli certainly earned some cheers with his performance.
- Cameron Maybin is fast. Really fast. He stole a base on a pitch out and it wasn’t even close.
- Can’t say too much about the strike zone from my vantage point, but the players on both teams didn’t seem to happy.
- Lots of very patient at-bats tonight, and it paid of with 8 walks.
- Andrew Miller, still not efficient with 100 pitches thrown in 4 1/3 innings.
- As long as the game went, the bullpen should be okay for today with only Fernando Rodney and Tim Byrdak being unavailable. Everybody else just went 1 inning. Hopefully Bondo can go 7 or 8 strong though so that Leyland doesn’t have to dip too far in.
- Brandon Inge had some very nice at-bats tonight, picking up 2 walks and a hard luck line out with the bases loaded. What are ya gonna do about that one?
I don’t know if this win will be the start of something or not. No matter how exciting last night was, the team could still very well be gassed tonight and have a hangover. Regardless, the hometown team gave the hometown fans a memory for a lifetime on a stormy August night. The nice thing is that because they won we can debate signature wins and such, instead of lamenting “why did they even start that game and do that to the fans.” Funny how one swing can totally change your feelings about an evening.
{ 440 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ll take a Miller for my Tiger tonight.
I will need several Millers if he doesn’t do well tonight!
I’m going with Pudge. Pudge will walk tonight and have at least 1 RBI. No passed balls.
I’m also going with me. I’ll down 15 beers, 5 shots, and have at least one lengthy conversation with a mediocre looking girl. No hangover.
Enjoy the game Bilfer and don’t worry too much about the pitch counts - remember, they’re not that important. And while you are out on that limb, take Mr. Inge with you. Please.
Ken, if you can pull all of that off….you will be my “Tiger” hero for sure!
A few open ended questions for conversation starters. . . Who is the leader of this team? What is going on inside the locker room? Are things blowing up in there yet? Seems like every article I read has the same tone, that we’re a good team and things will turn around. All in a very calm tone, not worried, no need to change anything. Someone in that locker room (not Leyland) needs to light some serious fire under these guys, tell them to play with some passion.
brandon inge is definitely *not* my tiger tonight. he has slowly but surely eroded my confidence in him.
i’m going with maglio.
Might see a game delay due to the stormy weather heading east towards Detroit. We had a quite a downpour about an hour ago and its still extremely cloudy.
I think I’ve gotta go with Leyland. He’s gotta be well rested after the nap last night, so his moves should be better today. I see Casey and Maybin (assuming they play) coming through tonight on the field.
Marcus Thames, of course.
Sun just came out. Bet game won’t start until 8:00. We’ll see.
My Tiger is Bob Wickman! He was DFA’d by the Braves. Let’s do the same to Grilli and swap bad relievers!
I second that!
Polly is my Tiger tonight!
I went to post this but since I put links in, it’s requiring moderation so it won’t post until when Billfer moderates it, which is after the game. So…
Also, don’t know if anyone wants to know this but I’ll post it anyways.
Baseball Prospectus’ Playoff Odds reports have us at the following percentages:
The Original odds forumla has us at 27.82% to win the division, 3.76% to win the Wildcard, 31.58% to make the playoffs.
The Pecota Adjusted odds have us at 26.28% to win the division, 3.99% to win the wildcard, 30.27 to make the playoffs.
The ELO version odds has us at 25.28% to win the division, 1.42 to win the wildcard, 26.70 to make the playoffs.
Let the optimism reign down. I need a win tonight.
What is the word on the weather situation? When did Rod and Mario say that they’d be underway?
Danny Knobler says that Thames is hitting 3rd since Casey wasn’t working out there.
Lineup:
CF: Granderson
2B: Polanco
1B: Thames
DH: Magglio
SS: Guillen
C: Pudge
RF: Raburn
3B: Inge
LF: Maybin
As posted earlier it will probably be around 8:00 or so, BTW, Rod isn’t feeling well and Mario and some other guy are doing the broadcast. Guess yesterday’s game was too much for him to take.
Well, if they can’t get up for Roger Clemens and the Yankees, they have no business playing this game. I say this is the night that everything gets turned around. From now on all our starters turn into aces, the bullpen becomes unhittable, Maggs stays Maggs, Polly stays Polly, Guillen turns it up a notch, Thames hits a HR every other game, Granderson learns how to hit lefties, Casey hits another HR, Rodriguez takes a walk, and Inge even finds a way to contribute. Leyland unscrambles his brain and pushes all the right buttons, the Tigers win their last 35 games and cruise into the playoffs. How’s that for optimism?
Watching on MLB Extra Innings. It looks like we’ll get the Yankee broadcast crew on the Extra Innings package instead of Mario and Rod Allen’s fill-in. I followed yesterday’s game on ESPN Gamecast at work. Let’s hope for a much better result tonight. My brother in MI went to the game yesterday. He watched Inge closely and said the guy is losing interest in playing. He said the Tigers were pull-happy hitter hitters and that Zum’s fastball did not get over 95. If the rains stops, we’ll find out a lot about the Tigers tonight.
Mario just said he’s hopful the game will start shortly. It’s still raining lightly, however.
Is it still raining?
Kathy answered my question before I asked it.
Raburn is my Tiger for tonight. Or tomorrow. Or whenever this game gets played…
Rod must have been sickened by yesterday as much as we were.
Still looks like it’s raining pretty hard. yankees broadcasters suggesting at least 30 minutes away.
OK, the grounds crew is out on the field.
It was raining sideways in Ferndale for a bit…jebus
Kathy is the grounds crew taking the tarps off or putting them back on? MLB Xtra Innings is not very good about updating the situation at all.
Taking them off.
The crowd that’s left is probably crocked. Course, Billfer wouldn’t do that. C’mon already.
Mario says between 9:30 and 10:00. The tarps are off.
Mario says the game will start sometime between 9:30 amd 10.
Tarp is back on and it is sprinkling. Yankees are mulling in the dugout. No Tigers to be seen.
Looking at the radar, I don’t think they’re playing tonight.
DH tomorrow?
At least the Tigers found a way not to lose tonight…(I’m feeling rather cynical)
At least the fans can have fun for a change!
Any word?
“Oh my goodness! We got a natural disaster!”
Crash Davis
Bull Durham
1988
It would be a real shame to call this game and take it from the fans.
Any fans left there? ha ha
It hasn’t been raining for the last 10 minutes. The tarp is still on the field. I can’t believe they aren’t making a decision one way or another.
Certainly the team has bonded by now.
Tarp is coming off now.
WXYT said 11:00pm start.
1105 start time. I’m thinking we’re going to see a big strike zone tonight. Can’t wait for post game fireworks.
wowoo is there anyone left?
Paul in Ca had it right…….well played…I came home from an extended post work happy hour thinking I missed the game…and low and behold…I have a WHOLE LIVE GAME TO WATCH……we better win now
Gotto be worst grounds crew i have ever seen
I just started thinking….what was the last extended rain delay when playing the Yanks? After Game 1 of the ALDS….we were down 1-0, had lost 5 straight to blow the AL Central…….maybe this little rain delay while playing the Yankees can get us going again like it did then!
CHris I was thinking the exact same thing!
Still quite a few fans here considering. I’d say 15k. Just spoke with an usher who said they can’t start an inning after 1AM. This is teetering on the ridiculous.
Where are you, Billfer. Wave at the camera, so we all can see you.
Please!
Great minds think alike Jim! If they can’t start an inning after 1AM, why the hell are they doing starting the game? Might as well play a DH tomorrow, they basically are now anyway.
4 hours of watching Jim Leyland, Dave Dombrowski, Kenny Rogers life stories. I’ve almost got them memorized.
Now they’re showing Bondo’s story. and umm, umm, umm.
K.C. just won. Tonight is our night!
And the futility of our offense shows…I wonder when was the last time we scored more than five runs in two consecutive games :\. This is about as bad as I’ve seen the Indians play recently, with opportunity after opportunity gone by the boards. Any time we got a runner on third base, the next batter immediately either popped the ball up or struck out on three straight pitches. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life…two months of baseball in which you average like 3 runs per game. I’m amazed we’re still even above .500.
Ouch. Clearly an out on the replay.
Stellar start to this game.
Well, friends, my daughter and I went down there, stupidly I saw the clouds but did NOT go into the little burger pub on Woodward and Grand Circus at 6:40, no we went into the park and ended up having to stand WAY TOO CLOSE to lots of strange people for a very long time. (Hey Billfer was that you? LOL)
Finally stayed long enough to get into our seats, thought maybe a 9:30 start would be reasonable, but then they re-covered the mound and it started to rain again and I just could not do it. Every Yankees series there is a monsoon on the night I have tickets. I think this is really unsafe for the players, and unfair to fans. They could have played two on Sunday or Monday.
Kathy, I had to laugh, I was on the phone with my parents letting them know we were safe, and getting updates from them, and my mom told me that they were watching a “very interesting program about Dave Dombrowski!!”
Maybe the Skipper should make a visit to the 3rd base.
Polly’s streak is over - bummer!
Nice toss by Pudge and Miller looked good in the 1st. The crowd that’s left sounds loud, too.
Sloppy first. For once they don’t take advantage of Tiger’s miscues.
No Kathy. Hernandez should go out to 3rd first. If Leyland comes out, Inge would have to leave.
call it wishful thinking, call it blind optimism, call it whatever you want, but I have a feeling about the way this game is setting up… that come Sept/Oct, we’re going to be talking about that night late in August when we played till 2 or 3 in the morning, and the energy turned the season around. Of course we still have a game to win, but it just feels right
Way to go Mags!!!!!!! 2-run dinger.
The whole game is going to be sloppy. Too late, rhythm off, tired, it will be a miracle if there are no injuries incurred. I’m really kinda angry, there was no way I was going to sit there til 2 AM or more with a 13 year old, after having been at the office all day to start with. I feel as if they owe me a game, I’m a supportive fan and they are going to be accruing interest on my playoff ticket money for a month too!! Between yesterday and this evening, ugh.
just got home; sorry you guys been waiting around, but now i get to watch whole game. sweeet. maggs!
Heads up play, Paul. You’re right.
I think Billfer was standing next to that Asian girl who caught the ball.
Well, that’s it. I need to stay away from the ballpark I guess!! I can’t stay up, thank goodness for Tivo.
I’m still upset about the Polanco error. Clearly an out.
Inge is my Tiger!
Seriously, this is last chanceville. You look at who the Royals were sending out a rehabbing starter–a guy with about a 60 pitch count–and beats Sabathia. We have to take advantage!
Night, cib. You deserve a good night’s sleep.
Nice swing Pudge, we really don’t want to get to 3-0.
Count should be 4-1 thus far.
3-2! expect a miracle!!
I know this is a family website, but what the hell!!? He swung at ball six. Can we not give him the take sign? It’s just beyond ridiculous.
Clemens threw 8 pitches to I-Rod - 7 of them were balls. I am so sick of that guy flailing away at whatever is dished up there.
Man, that half inning was a microcosm of the second half of this bloody season.
Sweet double play. Needed it bad.
Nice! Polanco!
Could almost see that one coming from A-Rod…
2-out walks seem to always make us pay this year. We also seem to give up 2-out walks much more this year as well.
Two walks, two runs.
Here we go again. Stephen’s microcosm continues into this inning.
Okay A-Rod is just…ridiculous…how on earth did he hit that one out??
Going to get my 2nd drink (it’s only 11p in Austin).
Agreed on Pudge, totally changes the complexion of the inning. If Pudge would just take the walk he KNOWS he can get easily. They’d have one on and nobody out. Clemens would have to pitch from the stretch, maybe they start a rally. But heaven forbid he take a walk, get on base, and actually see a good pitch to hit in the next at bat.
Pudge is costing the Tigers runs, almost every single game. The frustrating thing is, in his case, its something he has control over, something he can easily change. But he chooses not to. I bet his approach at the plate has cost the Tigers at least 10 games this year.
I think Pudge would rather have the Tigers lose, than have the Tigers win whilst he takes a walk.
I agree about Pudge too…imagine how many more scoring opportunities the Tigers would have if he took a walk every now and then? That forces the starter to make more pitches too. Instead, though, Pudge strikes out and Clemens saves at least three or four pitches.
Helluva at-bat!!!!
Nice AB by Curtis. Oh, to have a righty on the mound!
(Borat voice) “Niiiiiiiiiiice!”
All right Curtis! Now that was an at bat!
Great at bat by Curtis. Double and a triple already today.
See, that’s all i want from my team. Quality at-bats.
Great job Maybin(hey Ivan, did you see that?….. learn anything?), Cameron refrains from swinging at pitches outside of the strike zone, which leads to a walk, which leads to Clemens pitching from the stretch, and Curtis has a great AB, tripling home Maybin! A rally has commenced!
Ahh…and Polance hits to the right side of the infield for an RBI….nice!
That’s the way its done
Clemens pitch count getting up there. So far, so good.
Let’s hang on to a lead for a bit, what do you say?
Dude, we have got to attack Lefties. I’m sure that’s what Chuck H is saying right now.
Miller got tired of the two-out walk and decided to get right down to business this inning with a lead-off walk.
Miller showing his potential and his maddening weaknesses.
How great would it be to enter playoffs with TJ-Zoom-Rodney 7 thru 9 innings and Miller as lefty specialist?
Miner or Durbin as the long man.
11th slot goes to Seay.
No Cheeseman.
Of course, that would involve Rogers getting healthy.
GOT to get the lefty here.
Grilli up in the pen. Miller stop walking matsui.
Cheeseman warming up. God no.
Last batter for Miller either way.
Wow. How Damon and the Ump held off on that one is beyond me.
Damon having better at bat, then Pudge has had all second half.
Ok, I’m not an early hook guy and I’m a big Miller fan, but you gotta pull him here because a). he hasn’t pitched in the majors in 20 days b). he’s a kid c). it’s the yankees.
Stephen - I’m with you, as long as the right is anyone other than Queso man. B/c we all know it’s not, I’m for Miller in the 5th.
OMG!!!!
He didn’t swing…
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh *&$%, I’m about to be struck by lightning.
Well hell… if Pudge can get a walk, we can get a win.
(knocks on wood)
It’s raining frogs… Pudge at first base via a ball four pitch he didn’t swing at.. amazing
Wow!
Irod walked!
WOOHOO!!
As Jack Buck said, ‘I don’t believe what i just saw.’
I was reading the earlier posts about Pudge not walking just as he took that walk.
OH THE IRONY!!!
Pudge walks!…..Pudge walks!…..
Whatever else happens tonight, we shall mark this miracle sight of Pudge standing at 1st courtesy of a good, old fashioned base-on-balls.
If Inge gets a hit, well…
Pudge gets a walk on the same night that Polanco makes an error? Weird stuff is going down tonight.
BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
OMG, i’m going to my roof and jumping off. I think tonight i might be able to fly.
If Maybin bunts for a hit, I’m going to streak thru Brooklyn.
Drink #3. Cheers to Inge.
LOL! …Stephen
and Inge follows up with a free pass of his own……
and the earth didn’t rotate off of its axis?!?!
Uh, can anyone say season-turning inning?!
Two Trips!!!
Yes!
%&*# Yeah!
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!
GRANDERSON!!
Now the big question. Will JL have Miller start the 5th?
I can’t believe that I’m about to type this….
Those 2 runs wouldn’t have without Pudge’s (and Inge’s) patience at the plate. The inning would have already been over.
Nice work.
Okay - I guess I’ll have to change my pick, Granderson is now my Tiger. Amazing what a walk can do for team, Pudge…
anyone but Grilli, for the love of all things good in the world, anyone but Grilli…
The rain is looking like its coming back….
Granderson’s been my Tiger for a while now… we’re lucky to have him.
If we have the lead, the rain is our friend.
Once the game is official, they will call this game over in a hurry if the rain is falling.
Maybin might have some speed. Holy Moses.
aargh.
These games are going to be the end of me. Can we keep a lead for at least one-half inning? Is that too much to ask?
Dear god, it’s me a tiger fan. please give us a double play.
I don’t know how you let this kid throw 100 pitches.
Why is Raburn diving for that ball with a three-run lead! What the $#$%#$%#$%
Oh the Tigers pitching staff…
#4
thanks posada for dogging it.
man that delay was just too much for me tonight… here’s to hoping i wake up to pleasant news and a box score that makes me happy
BLAH. that sucks.