I am exactly the same as you, I get way into the games (ask my gf, she’s sick of it already) and refuse to admit “good game” right away when we lose.

I’m definitely not down on the Tigers, I saw the same encouraging things you did. I’m just trying to be careful not to get too giddy or ahead of myself.

You’re going to have to continue to follow games online, I’m sorry that’s just the way it is. We need some wins.

I hope you have that weird feeling tonight, too. Yes, I think last night’s game was pretty big. It made me feel a lot better about the Tigers, and I really hope it does the same for the team.

Good answer on all counts. I thought you might be a little down on the Tigers, applying a bit of a double standard, but it seems I may be the slightly giddy one. This is the 3rd game I’ve followed online (they’ve won all 3 - and now I’ve jinxed myself for sure), and I was on the edge of my seat like it was Game 4 of the 2006 ALCS. Just so glad they came through. And didn’t waste my time.

Yes, that’s the kind of fan I am. If the Tigers don’t win when I’m following the game, they’ve wasted my time. Much later, I may concede that it was a “good game.” Not right away.

I thought Tigers fans might enjoy the write up I did about last nights win over the Red Sox. Hope you check it out and if you like it - let me know! Fun to hear from fans of other teams too.

I too saw some positive things in this game, such as continuing to battle despite giving up some big leads, a handful of 2-out RBIs, and some good execution when presented with scoring opportunities. And I agree with you about trying to hit-and-run to make some things happen, even if the execution wasn’t always great. Hopefully these are signs that the team is starting to get it’s act together. I definitely agree that it’s a start and they made Papelbon and Sox pay for the opportunity to win the game. I just contend that it was luck, not the Sox, that presented them that opportunity.

They pushed across 2 runs in the 9th against one of the better closers in the game hitting exactly one ball out of the infield (and just barely, at that). Most often, the breaks don’t fall that way, but credit the Tigers for taking advantage by executing properly once the opportunity presented itself. Lugo’s error was really the only things Boston did “wrong” (i.e., had control over the outcome and didn’t execute). The perfectly placed check swing single and the broken bat single were good pitches where Papelbon was unlucky. Throw in some good execution when good fortune gave them the opportunity and you steal a win. Most nights Papelbon closes the door and you and I are lamenting a 6-game losing streak.

To your specific points, if the Red Sox had pulled off a 9th inning like that, I would have felt it was an “unfortunate” loss, just as it’s a fortunate win for the Tigers. Again, I can only think of one spot where Boston had a chance to control the outcome and didn’t execute (Lugo’s error). Everything else was weakly hit balls, none of which travelled more than 150 feet. Up by a run in the 9th, I’ll take my chances with weakly hit ground balls and soft liners.

The Tigers definitely looked alive for this game and the starting pitching and defense were passable, at least (although it looks to me like Guillen may have some range issues at third, also. Need to get Inge back in there every day). I agree it’s good that Leyland is showing some confidence in a struggling Sheffield (you and I are in the minority on that around this board, though…), and he’s doing some things to try and get the guys going. It’s still a long season.

You raise an interesting point regarding what the Red Sox players think, and I won’t pretend to know what’s inside their collective heads. But you may be absolutely right. My guess is they took some positive things out of this game as well and weren’t able to close it off at the end. I checked a couple of Red Sox game threads, and the feeling there seems to be A LOT of rage towards Lugo (think Grilli x50) and a feeling that the Sox should have won the game. Papelbon said, “We didn’t get many breaks,” and “When they get little breaks like that, they’re going to make you pay for it.” Not sure what this illustrates, but interesting nonetheless for purposes of our discussion.

Bottom line, if they had tagged Papelbon for some bullets all over Comerica that took incredible plays from the Sox to turn into outs, I would have felt it was a llittle unlucky to lose that game. Again, I base this on the 9th inning alone. But that didn’t happen, we got excuse-me check singles and a well-timed error, coupled with good execution when it mattered. These things tend to even out over time, and I will take any win I can get right now, but it’s hard to get too excited over blowing a couple big leads and then stealing one in the 9th.