May 27th, 2008 at 9:30 pm | 351 Comments | Print this post | Email this post | hype it up!

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PREGAME: It’s Jeremy Bonderman and Ervin Santana tonight as the Tigers try to snap a 19 inning scoreless streak.

Santana has been mediocre in his last 3 starts since coming off a complete game shut out. His pitch count has been running over 100 by the 6th inning despite the fact he isn’t walking many (only 15 in 66.2 innings). Of course I pointed out that Jon Garland wasn’t striking anyone out last night, and he fanned 5. So I’d expect Santana’s pitch count to be about 71 after the sixth.

The last time Jeremy Bonderman pitched in LAnaheim he surrendered 11 runs in only 2.1 innings. It was the beginning of the elbow problems for Bonderman. He’ll try to notch his 3rd straight quality start tonight.

It’s an odd lineup tonight reminiscent of the 2006 ALCS with Polanco batting 3rd.

  1. Granderson, CF
  2. Joyce, LF
  3. Polanco, 2B
  4. Ordonez, RF
  5. Cabrera, 1B
  6. Guillen, DH
  7. Renteria, SS
  8. Rodriguez, C
  9. Inge, 3B

DET @ LAA, Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Game Preview - Baseball-Reference.com

POSTGAME: Nice job Leyland. Way to take the guy that’s dealing out of the game. Things worked so well with Cruceta on Sunday. Beautiful.

And Lopez. Walking the .167 hitting number 9 hitter with 2 outs and becoming afraid to throw another pitch?

Jeremy Bonderman threw a grand total of 30 pitches for balls in 7.1 innings. Cruceta and Lopez combined to throw 22 in 1.1 innings. In-frickin-excusable.

 

351 Responses to “Game 52: Tigers at Angels”

  1. Kevin in Austin:

    Just saw a stat on the Angels broadcast that is interesting…Angels are batting .230 over their past 14 games and have scored 3 or less runs 10 times, yet are 9-5. Man that must be nice.

  2. Dave BW:

    Rod: “Larish has been tearing up the minors, but Gary Sheffield brings…”
    Me (yelling at my tv): “Nothing, Rod! He brings nothing!”

  3. Mark in Chicago:

    That’s because they get consistently good pitching, Kevin.

    And you’re right, that would be nice.

  4. Mark in Chicago:

    I hate to be pessimistic, but I felt at the start of this series there is absolutely no way we don’t get swept by Anaheim.

    I really hope they prove me wrong.

  5. Neal:

    Why bring up Larish if you’re not going to play him? So if Inge plays third while Guillen is at DH, Larish rides the bench. He only plays if Guillen is on 3rd.
    I like Caberra, and he will hit better, can he play 3rd at all? Larish seems like the only prospect position player we have ready to come up, Hessman is already past 30, so I understand the call up from that perspective. But if Caberra is blocking him at 1st, does he become a DH at age 25?

  6. Chris:

    No doubt in my mind that the Tigers are getting swept. This team has shown no way at breaking through decent pitching this season, and that is exactly what they are facing tonight and tomorrow. Santana, Saunders and that bullpen against a team of chokers. I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t even score a run.

  7. Dave BW:

    No doubt, Chris? No reason to watch, I guess. You should go do something else and then call me on Thursday, at which point I’ll tell you all about it while we both praise you for how prescient you are.

  8. Chris:

    Neal, my guess is that Larish could not make it to Anaheim yet.

  9. Tbone:

    Sweep? It’s not like the Angels are mashing the ball around the park. That win they tallied yesterday was almost an embarrasment.

  10. Neal:

    Dave BW, Chris is just frustrated, like the rest of us. He is just venting in a traditional unCoors manner. I think.

  11. Mark in Chicago:

    here, fishy fishy

    Neal,

    I don’t think Larish is with the team yet, he had to fly to LA from Toledo today. He might be available for a pinch AB later in the game. I think he’ll get some playing time once he’s around. You’re right, no sense in bringing him up if you’re not going to play him.

    Cabrera with a bomb, nice!

  12. Neal:

    Well, Caberra is hitting better already.

  13. Mark in Chicago:

    I started this whole “sweep” talk, blame me.

    It was just a gut feeling based on pitching matchups, and the typically rough time we have any time we’re out west. Tbone you’re right, the Angels aren’t crushing the ball, but they generally have superior pitching and we give away too many outs.

    Again, I really hope I’m wrong but the Angels are just so hard to play against, it’s not a good matchup for us.

  14. Andrew:

    They said in the pre-game Larish was on his way to L.A. and would be available tomorrow.

  15. Neal:

    My issue really is that the only position he can play is DH, and is blocked there by Guillen with Roids (in this case, the good kind?).
    The which came first question: was Guillen not able to bend over and field grounders because of the roids, or was it that lack of movement that caused the roids?

  16. billfer:

    Garrett Anderson likes to swing. First pitch pop out tonight. It makes last night that much more frustrating.

  17. Mark in Chicago:

    Bondo looks like a big boy pitcher today!

  18. Chris:

    I’ll be sure to be at the airport to greet Larish with flowers….:-)

  19. Neal:

    Wow, 6 up, 6 down, 19 pitches.

  20. Dave BW:

    Jeez, this could be over by midnight

  21. Neal:

    Chris, are you greeting Larish at LAX or is he coming into John Wayne in Santa Ana?

  22. billfer:

    Santana’s throwing strikes. 40 pitches, 29 for strikes.

  23. scott pb:

    am i the only one not getting sound on fsn detroit tonight

    i am on the west side of the state

  24. Neal:

    Is Joyce’s time about up?

  25. Mark in Chicago:

    Bondo throwing strikes too. Very aggressive, it’s good to see.

  26. Adam:

    3 innings, 31 pitches.

  27. Dave BW:

    Great play by Inge!

  28. RoseTattoo:

    No sound in SW MI either — Charter?

  29. Dave BW:

    Mario suggests that the Tigers could get out of their rut by winning some series’

  30. Andrew:

    Watching this game makes me miss Inge as a regular at third.

  31. Neal:

    They might even win some games if they outscore the other team

  32. Neal:

    I know Billfer posted some stats based on offense and defense of a player before the season, runs generated vs. runs saved, how is that holding up for this season with Caberra and Guillen playing different positions, and Guillen playing it especially poorly.

  33. Sean C. in Illinois:

    “Mario suggests that the Tigers could get out of their rut by winning some series’”

    Why didn’t we think of that?

  34. Kevin in Austin:

    Man, Bondo is really fun to watch right now. I’m soaking up every minute of it, who knows how long it will last.

  35. Dave BW:

    Me too, Andrew, me too.

  36. Kathy:

    Andrew, let’s see how you feel about Inge when he gets up to bat. Now Carlos is at bat. My oh my, the thoughts going through my head and the jokes probably going around in MLB. Let’s hope the Dugout doesn’t get ahold of this.

  37. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Well, I’m already proud of them for scoring 1000 runs on paper. That’s not easy.

  38. Dave BW:

    This one is just cruising along, isn’t it? It’s possible that the Tigers could win this game AND Santana could help my fantasy team

  39. billfer:

    Three called third strikes on fastball tonight for Detroit. Too passive? Strange to say on a night where Santana’s pitch count is in the 50s in the 5th.

  40. Dave BW:

    “Well, I’m already proud of them for scoring 1000 runs on paper. That’s not easy.”

    Sean wins post of the day!

  41. greg:

    Ahhh….life is good, Guillen at DH, a major league quality fielder at 3B, Bondo with 4k’s/0BB’s.

  42. Dave BW:

    I’m a bit annoyed that Inge didn’t get to that groundball between first and second.

  43. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Give me a Tiger win instead, Dave. Keep me posted, folks. I’m following the game through comments today. Nerve-wracking.

  44. cib:

    Dave BW, you just beat Sean for great post.
    These west coast trips kill me. Not sure I can last til the end of this game.
    And, every time they show Carlos, I just find it disturbing. I don’t ever want to hear the word “lanced” again.

  45. Kevin in Austin:

    Great response Chris. Let me know if Larish appreciates your gesture.

  46. Kevin in Austin:

    Great scoop by Inge…I don’t know that Guillen makes that play.

  47. Kevin in Austin:

    Ditto.

  48. greg:

    How about that H & R folks? Would be interesting to see the response on angels blogs after that call.

  49. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Ha! I agree, cib. Dave’s post just lanced me.

  50. Andrew:

    Kathy, I don’t mind Inge batting. His approach seems much better this year. It’s easier to watch him this year in my opinion anyway. Besides, Guillen’s bat is still in the lineup, and that’s good enough for me. Those two plays by Inge just now help to drive home my point. I wouldn’t wish Guillen’s “condition” on anyone, but I like this defensive alignment and batting order tonight.

  51. Mark in Chicago:

    My goodness. Now I see why Angel fans complain about Scoscia running their team out of innings.

    Guillen/Cabrera/anybody else doesn’t make that play at 3rd that Inge just made, by the way.

    Sean,

    Angels had runners on 1st and second with one out and Pudge threw out Garrett Anderson at third attempting to steal. On the next pitch Mathis hit a rocket to third that Inge caught about 6 inches off the ground.

  52. Andrew:

    Ha ha, and there he goes with a hit.

  53. Kathy:

    Yea, Brandon got a hit!

  54. cib:

    Thanks, Sean, I feel creepy all over again.

    And Kevin, no, nobody (on the Tigers) except Inge makes that play. I sit in upper LF at comerica park watching everything at third, and most of the season has consisted of me saying, “Brandon would have made that play”

  55. Kevin in Austin:

    Someone’s ears were ringing. That’s his hit for the series.

  56. Mark in Chicago:

    Inge with a hit!! He can do it all!!

    Free Brandon Inge!!!

  57. Dave BW:

    Inge single. Is there anything this man can’t do??!?

  58. Tbone:

    Well, I’ve seen enough from Inge at 3rd tonight already to convince me he needs to stay there.

  59. Mark in Chicago:

    By the way, the Angels announcers just said that with their win tonight, the Texas Rangers have crawled back to .500.

    Think about that for a second.

    Guess it’s good we caught the Rangers early.

  60. Dave BW:

    And earlier, Sean, Inge did one of his “run halfway across the infield to pick up a groundball and get the runner at first” plays that we all love so dear

  61. Mark in Chicago:

    Not much you can do about that. Angels outguessed Leyland and executed perfectly.

    Nice play.

  62. Dave BW:

    Joyce strikes out for the third time. Oh Joyce.

  63. billfer:

    If there wasn’t a book on Joyce there sure is now. Breaking pitch on the inner half and he’s toast.

  64. cib:

    What’s with Curtis getting caught a couple of times already this year?? I hate that.

  65. Slashpyne:

    Hi, I just got back from a hard-fought T-Ball game, just in time to heard The Pasco Kid had a no-hitter going and see the first California-LA-Anaheim-North America Angels get a hit.

    Quick question for everyone- Does anyone else go back and read the game posts if they where unable to follow the posts during the game, or I the only dweeb who does that?

  66. Adam:

    Ok, Matty. I think I’ve become disenchanted with you. Remember when you used to make contact? It was a good time.

  67. Brian in Tampa:

    This game is moving at a great pace. I hope I can sleep on a Tiger win by midnight.

  68. Mark in Chicago:

    Joyce is overmatched against Santana. Hopelessly lost, the poor kid.

  69. Kevin in Austin:

    I definitely do Slashpyne. It’s a great way to get a feel for the game. Though lately, the posts during wins have turned from optimism to sarcasm.

  70. Brian in Tampa:

    Slashpyne - I’m a dweeb, too.

  71. Slashpyne:

    I want that retro 70’s Tshirt- I had one like that when I was a kid. Where have you gone, John Wockerfuss?

  72. Mark in Chicago:

    Slashpyne,

    I totally do that. No worries. Even worse, I’m generally here most nights posting.

    This game is 75 minutes old and we’re bottom 6. Incredible.

  73. Tbone:

    Billfer was way off - Santana’s already at 75 pitches after 6. Ha!

  74. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Thanks, Mark! This sounds really good, an engaging game. The lineup gave me a really good feeling the moment I saw it.

    Bring me a calzone. I smell a pennant!

    (I’m switching gears just for you, cib. Don’t wanna creep you out with all the other Guillen references I had lined up.)

    Dave, you are on FIRE, man.

  75. cib:

    Slashpyne, I even read the posts when I come home from having been at a game. Dweebette here.

  76. Adam:

    4 pitch walk. He’s found his old self!

  77. Mark in Chicago:

    Oh Joyce…

    http://arts.guardian.co.uk/pic.....79,00.html

  78. Dave BW:

    With two runners on and one out, Gary Matthews Jr hits a shallow flyball on the first pitch.

  79. Dave BW:

    Was that ever a wretched looking swing from Guerrero — nowhere near as pretty as Inge’s swing-and-miss swings.

  80. cib:

    Oh, go ahead, Sean, I’ll have to learn to live with it since I am sure it will be the topic of conversation in the paper and on all the radio shows from now on!

    I’m tired, so the best I can come up with is “Preparation DH.”

    Go ahead.

  81. Mark in Chicago:

    Oh Joyce…

    http://arts.guardian.co.uk/pic.....79,00.html

  82. Mark in Chicago:

    Gary Matthews Jr: future Tiger

  83. Dave BW:

    Guerrero K’s on a called strike to end the inning.

  84. Kevin in Austin:

    Sick. Props to Rex for calling it on the Angels broadcast.

  85. billfer:

    Nice one cib!

  86. Mark in Chicago:

    what

    a

    pitch

    Bonderman just froze Vlad with an 85 mph slider at the knees. I hate Hawk and DJ, but…..

    HE GONE!!

  87. Chris in Nashville:

    What a pitch on 3-2 to Vladdy…Bondy is pitching a gem tonight.

  88. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Let me guess - Tigers up 1-0?

    Oh - everyone’s on fire tonight. Funny stuff, and good to hear a little joy.

    So… are they playing any Seger for Carlos’s ABs tonight? (Do I get by on obscurity, cib?)

    Go Tigers! What’s happening?

  89. greg:

    Impressive, Vlad just might be the most intimidating hitter in the game(not going by stats, just his presence and plate coverage) and Bondo gets him.

  90. Dave BW:

    2-0. Ordonez was on base during the homer

  91. Adam:

    2-0, Sean.

    Woooooohoooo!!!

    I’m cleverless.

  92. tiff:

    I’m following along even when I could be watching or listening… you guys are too much fun and cracking me up something fierce tonight.

  93. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Is Bondo going with the slider more often tonight, or just pulling it out for special occasions like that?

    cib, that was great. Beats everything I had. I surrender.

  94. Andrew:

    Preparation DH. LOL

  95. Mark in Chicago:

    Adam,

    Do you mean witless?? ;-)

    haha

    Santana was still throwing 97 in that inning, BTW. He’s at 86 pitches, 63 for strikes. Can’t fault the Tigers for being aggressive, he’s been around the plate all night.

    Bondo’s at 67 pitches.

  96. billfer:

    You know, that was a pretty valuable at-bat by Cabrera. He saw 8 pitches which even with it ending in an out is a big deal when the first two outs of the inning were recorded on 2 pitches.

  97. Mike R:

    BOOOO MIGUEL CABRERA. He just popped out to first base. What a stupid bum. He’s the worst player in the major leagues! ASK FOR OUR MONEY BACK, DAVE!

  98. Dave BW:

    85 minutes in, and we’re halfway through the seventh. This is almost as fast as those early Verlander games where he would take about three seconds between each pitch.

  99. T Smith:

    Mark in Chi:

    Please, I beg you. No Hawk and DJ impressions allowed. I just lost some brain cells summoning the image.

  100. Adam:

    Let’s win it for Sheffield, men. FOR SHEFFIELD!

  101. Dave BW:

    That made me lol, Adam. I lol’d!

  102. Tbone:

    Rod on Itzuris: “That kid is smooth. Hmmm-hmmm. S-M-O-O-V-E kinda smooth”.

    Heh.

  103. Adam:

    Is anybody warming?

  104. cib:

    Thank you, guys.
    But Sean, please, go ahead. It’s past my bedtime which is probably why the Seger reference is not kicking in. But what the heck, I’ll try to hold out til end of the game.

  105. Mark in Chicago:

    Sorry, T Smith, I’ll lay off the Hawk and DJ impressions. If you must know, I threw up a little in my mouth as I was typing it.

  106. Dave BW:

    OH DEAR LORD was that an amazing play by Granderson. He robbed Kotchman of a couple RBI there

  107. Mark in Chicago:

    Wow, Grandy with a great catch!!

    First mistake Bondo has made all night and Granderson makes a great play to bail him out.

  108. greg:

    Granderson makes it look easy

  109. Dave BW:

    Attn: first “Mr. Snappy” usage by Rod

  110. Tbone:

    How nice is it to see the defense picking up the pitcher for a change?

  111. Mark in Chicago:

    Nasty pitches by Bondo right there. He just carved up Mathis on three pitches to get out of the 7th.

  112. Kevin in Austin:

    Goodness does Bondo have great stuff tonight. Let’s hope that he can go 9.

  113. Slashpyne:

    This is the Bondo I was expecting this year!

  114. Mark in Chicago:

    Well fortunately, Tbone, Kotchmann hit it where one of the only two guys on our team capable of bailing a pitcher out can actually catch it.

  115. Brian in Tampa:

    Bondo needs to finish this game. Save the pen for tomorrow. Great D. I’m pretty sure that is the first time I thought that all year.

  116. T Smith:

    This team is actually fun to watch tonight. Great pitching, stellar defense.

  117. cib:

    Why is it I still feel stressed out unless we have like 12 runs??

  118. Dave BW:

    Santana’s facial hair is irking me. It is atrocious.

  119. Brian in Tampa:

    I’m sure that fall down by Guillen felt good on the rear end friends

  120. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Uh-oh. I sense a disturbance in the force. Are they out of the inning yet?

    MAN, I wish I could see this one.

    The Seger thing’ll come to you, cib. I’m hoping the delayed reaction thing will be make it funnier.

    The Tigers had BETTER pull this one out. Our good spirits are not to be wasted.

  121. Slashpyne:

    I don’t miss Shef…

  122. Mike R:

    Since we’re winning and in good spirits around here (and making fun of Rod Allen) I bring you this just pure gold that makes me laugh like I’ve never laughed before — no matter how many times I’ve seen it.

    Rod Allen and Mario Impemba in a, well, little different style.

  123. Dave BW:

    They’re batting in the 8th, Sean. Torii Hunter just took a single away from Renteria with a diving catch.

  124. Brian in Tampa:

    Sheff who?

  125. greg:

    Good chemistry on the boards tonight.

    :-)

  126. Mark in Chicago:

    Slashpyne,

    who?

  127. Adam:

    We can’t win with only 3 hits, can we? CAN WE?!

    WIN ONE FOR THE GARY!

  128. Brian in Tampa:

    Mike R

    I think I whizzed on myself after that link.

  129. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Rear end friends. Too much, Brian. (Meaning funny.)

    Yes, I also feel a little nervous without some more runs. Even if Bondo is crusing. By the time I type and post this, I’m thinking… 4-0? 2 run shot? Please?

  130. Dave BW:

    Bonderman with 80 pitches in the 8th, but in the worst jam of the night. Runners on first and second, no outs

  131. Mark in Chicago:

    Bondo at 79 pitches, he may be able to finish this game.

    That said, I hope Leyland has somebody up to start the 9th if we’re up 2-0.

    Infield single by Willits to start the 8th followed by another single by Rodriguez (not Pudge, the bad Rod on the Angels).

    2 on , 0 out.

  132. Mike R:

    Brian in Tampa: it’s just a classic link. I’ve watched it probably 50 times and it never gets old. The first time you see “Rod” I always crack up.

  133. Adam:

    Two on, nobody out. Bad juju.

  134. billfer:

    No intentional walk. No intentional walk. No intentional walk.

  135. Dave BW:

    Pitching change? Come on, Jim

  136. Brian in Tampa:

    I don’t like taking Bondo out here.

  137. Mark in Chicago:

    Bondo out, Cruceta in.

    Oh dear Lord.

    One out, runners on 2nd and 3rd.

  138. Joey the K in Portland OR:

    I”ve got a bad feeling about this….

  139. Adam:

    Seriously? At least use Lopez, a guy who could actually get out of this without scoring both of Bondo’s runs.

  140. Dave BW:

    Bondo certainly doesn’t like it either

  141. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Greg, you know as well as I do that message boards are a very individualistic thing. It’s every poster for his/her self. You making me laugh has nothing to do with me making someone else laugh, and I challenge you to offer proof to the contrary.

    Well, given the pace of the game - could the hour be at hand?

  142. cib:

    Oh god this can’t be happening. It’s late, I must be asleep and dreaming - hey, it’s chilly out, it must be February and the season hasn’t even started, this is all a dream right??

  143. Brian in Tampa:

    Bondo owned Matthews this game.

  144. Dave BW:

    Hold your breath, kids.

  145. Sky:

    Not a lot of confidence there in Bondo….he deserves better, Leyland

  146. T Smith:

    Yeah… I kinda wanted Bondo to pitch out of it. It’s not like either one of those hits were roped. I’m not quite trusting Cruceta here….

  147. Mark in Chicago:

    please throw strikes.

  148. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Oh man - this does not sound good. Cruceta? Why on earth?

  149. Adam:

    K, plz. K, plz. K, plz. PLZ?!

  150. Mike R:

    Sean C: I like the way you think! Get the chemistry nonsense out of here! ;-)

  151. Mike R:

    FILTHY!

  152. Slashpyne:

    nice K

  153. Joey the K in Portland OR:

    Nice! Don’t get cocky kid!

  154. Mark in Chicago:

    given Leyland’s option of either Lopez or Cruceta here, I’m not sure taking Bondo out was the right call. I’m more sure that going to Cruceta over Lopez was not the right alternative.

    Here’s hoping it works out.

  155. Adam:

    K! THX!

  156. Brian in Tampa:

    Nice pitch. One more to go.

  157. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Did they do the intentional walk? Please say no.

  158. Tbone:

    Cruceta vs. Vlad. Eek!

  159. Dave BW:

    Matthew K’s on a great pitch. For strike one, he swung and missed at a near-wild pitch.

  160. Brian in Tampa:

    High Cheese please!!!

  161. Mark in Chicago:

    nasty stuff by Cruceta to K Matthews looking for the second out.

    Vlad up, Cruceta might be pitching around him.

    Here’s a silly question: is anyone warming? Anderson is up next, does Seay want another crack at him?

  162. Adam:

    K? PLZ!!!! K?!?! PLZ!!!!!

  163. Mike R:

    I’d love to see Cruceta go up high with the heat. wild pitch as i type this, 2-1 tigs.

  164. Dave BW:

    Wild pitch. 2-1.

  165. Brian in Tampa:

    Way to overthrow the splitter.

  166. Adam:

    You have to be kidding me.

  167. Mark in Chicago:

    Angels on the board courtesy of a wild pitch by Cruceta.

    3-2 count on Vlad

  168. Mike R:

    Where’s the cheddar? The stinky cheese? The high heat? The gas? The rocket? The high smoke? Throw something to change the eye level, please. God.

  169. Adam:

    Don’t you dare let Bondo’s other run score you sorry SOB.

  170. Slashpyne:

    Damn these low-scoring nail-biters!

  171. Tbone:

    Please not another Cruceta implosion…

  172. Sky:

    Did anyone not expect this?

  173. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Thanks, Mike. You make a pretty good clubhouse guy yourself. I think we’ll keep you around.

    I tell you, tuning back in to find that Cruceta got out of it would help MY chemistry right about now.

  174. Adam:

    YOU SORRY SOB I’LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU EVER EVER EVER!!!!

  175. Dave BW:

    2-2. Wheee!

  176. Mark in Chicago:

    base hit by Anderson to tie it.

    Ouch

  177. cib:

    That’s it for me. You know, if I were Bondo, I’d kill Leyland right now. I know I’m an old lady and I’m always talking about how baseball was when I was a kid, but you know, a guy would stay in the game and either pitch out of it or make his own mess. But you wouldn’t have someone else making the mess for him.

    I don’t know how much longer I can take this. This just sucks.

  178. jason:

    Whaa whaa whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa….

  179. Brenden:

    Screw this team…gosh..fricken….this one is on Leyland…all Leyland. Such absolute bull crap to bring this guy in…………………………

  180. Tbone:

    I fear we’ve seen the best the Tigers can deliver. I’m off to bed in hopes that good juju comes our way…

  181. Mark in Chicago:

    Anybody else feel like Cruceta will give up another run before dominating the next hitter when it no longer matters?

  182. Dave BW:

    Oh Jim, Jim, Jim, Jim, Jim.

  183. billfer:

    Now they get activity going?

  184. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Is it over? In a good way? A not too bad way? I mean the inning.

  185. Mike R:

    And where is Dontrelle to face the LH hitter? Where is the matchup play at all? Where is Jim Leyland for that matter? What the hell is going on? How many times can I ask a question in one post? 4? 5? 6? IS Aquilino Lopez really JUST NOW getting up in the pen? Has he not watched this inning?

  186. Dave BW:

    Wait, where did Sky and Brenden come from???

  187. Mike R:

    And 10. The answer is 10 questions in a post.

  188. T Smith:

    I must say I with cib on this one.

  189. Brenden:

    Leyland screwed this game up…..my fricken gosh….I can’t believe this…

  190. Kevin in Austin:

    Oh man, Leyland is managing himself out of another win.

  191. billfer:

    Walk in the run or grand slam?

  192. Sky:

    I said it last night….I will repeat………..our relief pitchers absolutely never do their job………..NEVER!

    Someone cite me one game this year when they did……and I do not mean with 10 run leads!

  193. Mark in Chicago:

    Should have brought in Lopez. I know it’s easy in hindsight, but it felt right at the time, too.

    Please, just get us out of this inning, Cruceta.

  194. Brenden:

    Yep Leyland….leave him in there…he’s doing great…so stupid…

  195. Adam:

    SCREW YOU CRUCETA, I DON’T KNOW WHY WE EVEN WANTED YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE! YOU STINK, YOU EFFING STINK! AND THEY PUT THE VIDEO OF YOU STRIKING OUT GARY MATTHEWS JR, A .214 HITTER, AS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR THIS GAME! BUT BONDO HAD 7 K’s, DID NOT EVER HAVE THREE OF HIS OWN GUYS ON BASE, AND PROBABLY WOULD HAVE PITCHED OUT OF IT, SO I HATE YOU!!! I HATE YOU I HATE YOU.

    :D

  196. Mike in Seattle:

    Ugh. That is all.

  197. Sean C. in Illinois:

    I hope I will at least see some comments from Leyland on this. Don’t they have to question him about a mess like this?

  198. Slashpyne:

    ninth inning- gut-check time

  199. Brenden:

    Mine as well stop watching this one, because I know they will lose it by some freak incident….

  200. Mike R:

    So, Bill, I may need a link to the good ol’ fireleyland.blogspot.com site tomorrow after I recap this dandy! ;-)

  201. Brian in Tampa:

    AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!! I’m tired. SLEEPY TIME!!!

  202. Dave BW:

    I know, Adam! Our lives are irreparably destroyed!

  203. Adam:

    Looks like it’s gonna be another walk-off win for the Halos tonight guys.

    And they’re playing so badly too…such a shame.

  204. Mark in Chicago:

    well that’s heartbreaking. at least bondo’s ERA went down.

    Meanwhile, weve had one hit since the 2nd inning and we’re suddenly supposed to start scoring runs again?

  205. Dave BW:

    “well that’s heartbreaking. at least bondo’s ERA went down.”

    We have to focus on the little things

  206. Sean C. in Illinois:

    How bad is the damage? The Tigers HAVE to win this one, if not for The Gary, then for us. We had some really really good vibes going on their behalf. I don’t want to be let down like this.

  207. Dave BW:

    It’s tied. Santana’s still cutting through our lineup, though.

  208. Brian in Tampa:

    Golly Jim. Santana is still in, but somehow Bondo isn’t. He gave up 2 crap hits , and you yank him. I think it’s past Jim’s bedtime. He’s confused.

  209. Mark in Chicago:

    it’s 2-2 in the 9th, Sean. Both runs charged to Bonderman, although they both scored because of Cruceta.

  210. jason:

    I guess the bright side of this could be that when (if) Zumaya and Rodney come back, we can get rid of some of this bullpen trash. Then we just have to pray those two guys remember how to pitch after a year.

  211. Mike:

    Boooooooooo… yes I’m booing online. I can’t believe I decided to spend my summer in Detroit to watch this crap.

  212. Adam:

    Not even going to pinch Thames for Joyce. Incredible.

  213. Mike in Seattle:

    Why would you pull Bonderman there? I know everyone is asking the same question, but come on…not at all surprised to see Santana still in there, though.

    This is a weird team…

  214. greg:

    I like Cruceta’s stuff, but his command is too inconsistent to use in high leverage situations right now. Love his upside but I’d much rather see Lopez in that situation…

    well, actually I would have liked Bondo to stay in there, but Lopez seemed liked their best option out of the pen.

  215. Brenden:

    Yep….sweep the Mariners…lose a series to Twins, and now on the verge of losing one to the Angels…..this team lacks consistency and is no better off today than they were at the beginning of the season…

  216. Jon Reynolds:

    Wow… Should we start the Fire Leyland chants in Detroit soon?

  217. Slashpyne:

    Joyce looks like he has lost a confidence.

  218. Adam:

    So, does Matty still get a start tomorrow after his Golden Sombrero?

  219. Dave BW:

    Joyce k’s for the fourth time! It’s kind of impressive, really.

  220. Sean C. in Illinois:

    I am glad Bondo’s ERA went down, though. I’ve been sorely vexed by this of late.

  221. ron:

    Cib, baseball was much better when you were a kid. Half these guys should not even be in the big leagues. This is watered down baseball.

  222. Mark in Chicago:

    rough game for Joyce, 4 K’s. He had no shot up there.

    oh Joyce…

    http://arts.guardian.co.uk/pic.....79,00.html

  223. Dave BW:

    I know, Sean, sometimes I wake up in tears screaming his season stats

  224. Adam:

    Santana might still get a win out of this! HAHAHA.
    HAHAHA. Man, I wonder if my laugh would be normal if baseball didn’t make me completely bat$#!t insane?!? HAHAHA.

  225. Dave BW:

    I swear Billfer’s traffic must double when we’re losing

  226. Adam:

    NOW he uses Lopez. Oh NOW I get it.

  227. Mark in Chicago:

    greg,

    Agree completely about Cruceta. Leyland should have gone with Lopez if he insisted on pulling Bonderman.

  228. Sky:

    Does anyone still think the Tigers will get over .500 this year?

    Just doing a poll………

    I honestly feel, think, opine that they will not……..likely they will finish dead last………

    By the way, the starter have suddenly been excellent….hitting has disappeared again……..relievers have not shown up this year. Zumaya and Rodney will make no difference. They will both be hurt walking out to the mound in their first appearance and be out for 6 more months. But they still get paid so what the heck……….

  229. Brenden:

    Should have brought in Lopez in the 8th…or left Bonderman in….you know…somebody who can actually pitch….not Cruceta….

  230. Adam:

    Leyland doesn’t want to win, he just wants to extend it.

    Leyland on Extenze - “What can I say? It got bigger.”

  231. Brian in Tampa:

    This is the most posts I’ve ever seen in my short stint here.

  232. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Look, I’ll hang around for extra innings, but only with assurances of a Tigers win. What’s it gonna be, people?

    How in the world is Santana still in? I guess I was so excited about Bonderman I forgot that the Tigers can’t hit.

  233. West Coast Tiger:

    I am Booing Loudly not the players but Jim Leyland. He has a pattern of pulling his starters so they don’t lose games. Bonderman deserved the chance to win that one. If you going to change pitchers why pring in Cruceta who constantly throws that splitter in the dirt. You are asking for a wild pitch. I think Leyland is the most under performing person out there. My 14 year old even said why Cruceta with men in scoring position.
    Granderson needs to step it up period.

  234. Slashpyne:

    I am sooo sick of the Tigers relievers walking crappy hitters.

  235. Mark in Chicago:

    the crowd is booing because lopez keeps stepping off.

    hey angel fans, if your punk manager didn’t insist in sending every other baserunner on an attmepted steal, we wouldn’t have to step off and delay the game. so how about booing your own manager?

  236. billfer:

    It looks like Lopez is afraid to throw a pitchnow.

  237. Adam:

    My hopes:

    LOSE NOW or WIN LATER.

    Note there is no LOSE LATER.

  238. Mark in Chicago:

    Sean,

    I guarantee the Tigers will, but it may not be tonight.

  239. Brenden:

    2 walks in a row…..yup…that’s the game…….

  240. Brian in Tampa:

    My head hurts. I’ve been banging it repeatedly on my desk.

  241. Sky:

    Sean, I hate to disappoint you…I want them to win very badly….but I deeply expect them to lose. The Tigers just do not win these kinds of games. Or have you not been watching?

    Look at this…….Lopez has walked two winning runners.(one is enough of course) Game over!

  242. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Actually, Dave, I think a lot of the volume tonight was from a lot of positive back and forth earlier. It was fun while it lasted. Now the Tigers need to win. For vindication.

  243. Brian in Tampa:

    Way to go Jim. Good night people.

  244. Mark in Chicago:

    Lopez just walked the .206-hitting Maicer Izturis

  245. Sky:

    Do I know this team or what?

  246. Adam:

    YAY! THE .214 HITTER WINS THE GAME!

    Eff my life.

  247. Slashpyne:

    Sky,
    Yes, I think the Tigers will finish above .500. They will take off once Leyland is fired and Shef released…

  248. Chris in Nashville:

    This season is a nightmare that just won’t end.

  249. Mark in Chicago:

    …and then gave up the winning hit to Matthews.

    well, at least I didn’t have to stay up late to watch this trash.

  250. Brian in Tampa:

    If I’m Bonderman I destroy the clubhouse.

  251. Brenden:

    I don’t know why I watch this bull crap anymore….It’s the same thing over and over….They absolutely rock teams like Seattle and you think they have some momentum, but they don’t. This team is done for the season and actually have been done for a few weeks. I just cannot believe Leyland when he says this team will start playing better. Honestly, enough is enough. Honestly, in my opinion, I think it is time to start cutting some of the salary by dumping some of these guys and start planning for next year. And I am really starting to doubt the abilities of Leyland….That was such a bad call to bring in Cruceta instead of leaving in Bonderman….

  252. Kevin in Austin:

    Ouch. I’m about ready to call for Leyland’s head. He can’t motivate his hitters and he can’t manage his bullpen.

    That said, some of this loss has to be blamed on the offense. 3 hits is embarrassing.

    Also, check out my first post (first one of the game…)

  253. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Mark

    I accept your offer of a future Tigers win. Looks like an offer I can’t refuse.

  254. JML:

    I have a new policy, at least for a while. I am no longer watching this team live. I am recording games on my DVR and if I see they won I will watch the game. I simply can’t take games like this any more. Frankly, it looks like this will free up a lot of time for me….

  255. ron:

    Well, that’s a little more conventional way to blow a game. Go Tigers.

  256. Mike R:

    Post game wrap up will be done shortly. Is there anyone good at making websites and would like to make one for free for me? I’m going to go legit with the FireLeyland.com thing.

  257. greg:

    can we send Leyland to the minors?

  258. Sky:

    This is really sad and tragic…..too many nice people getting hurt…..just on account of baseball.

  259. T Smith:

    How good does Bondo have to pitch to get a W ? I guess if he just resolves to throw a no-hitter thru 9 he stands about a 50% chance at picking up a W

    That’s back to back to back impressive outings squandered

  260. Joey the K in Portland OR:

    whats that 0-20 when scoring runs or less now? This one was really frustrating.

    And who the heck is Sean Rodriguez?! the comes in hitting something like 2 for his last 30, gets 2 hits, we walk him and his .140 batting average and he scores 2 of the 3 runs. Unreal.

    As I said very frustrating tonight.

  261. West Coast Tiger:

    This is pathetic. Jim Leyland should be shown the door. He has mismanaged this group from the get go this year. I have been thinking this for 3 weeks. The last 2 nights should be wins. He is solely to blame.

    I’m sorry Jim but this is not a game it’s a business. You talk about calling guys out, you should apologize to the team and to all the fans for this one. Our defense gave everything tonight, had a 2 run lead against a very good pitcher and Bonderman was pitching the game of his season. You know the pen has confidence issues. Bonderman’s pitch count is still very low and he’s been around the plate like nobody’s business (For a Tiger). I didn’t think their could be a more heart wrenching loss, after last nights. The only redeeming factor is you didn’t make us wait until extra frames.

  262. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Well, I’m sorry. Just sorry. Like the Tigers.

    Having followed this game (sort of) from start to finish, I understand better than I have before the frustration with Leyland and his pitching moves. Does he just not answer questions about it, or does no one in the Detroit media call him on it?

    We’ve got to find something to rally around. Eiher that or break out the gallows humor, full-blown. Do we have to be 12 games under to go the way of Mariners fans, or can we start now?

    Hey, Dave - the Yankees may have been 21-29, but they were never 21-31. Lame joke.

  263. Slashpyne:

    I think I need a break from this team…No more Tigers until the Wings and Pistons are done. I just can’t take it anymore, I am regreting my switch to Direct TV and buying the Extra Innings package. I’d watch the Mariners, but they are almost as bad. At least I don’t care nearly as much if they lose.

  264. Kathy:

    Well, so much for the good chemistry theory.

  265. Kevin in Austin:

    Listening to Leyland, he blamed the loss on a non-existent offense.

  266. T Smith:

    There is an element of Flagellantism here… enduring these games night after night is kind of a self-inflicted torture. I may be with JML for a while until the wounds heal. This was just brutal.

    This game was rated NC-17 folks.

  267. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Well… Sheffield is on the DL. Inge was at 3B, and maybe he’ll just stay there, kind of accidental-like. Can’t risk irritating Carlos’s buddies. Larish is here, so maybe there is some acknowledgment going on that there will indeed be a 2009 season. So there is some interest amidst the despair. And how about Bonderman. That’s something Io hang your hat on. Joyce? Well, they were patient enough with Jacque Jones with less cause. What Billfer says about the inside curve makes me think he’ll be going down, but I rather hope he won’t have to. Can’t a team full of professional hitters like Guillen and Sheffield help the kid?

  268. Kevin in Austin:

    GOODNESS…FSN guy just asked Leyland how tough was it to pull Bondo at 83 pitches…Leyland’s response - “no brainer.”

  269. Jeff Molby:

    Billfer, can you create a No Whining Section for those of us that want to share the ups and downs of a game without the ridiculous hyperbole?

  270. Brian P:

    Jim Leyland, on being asked about his decision to pull Bonderman after 83 pitches: “No brainer. No brainer.”

    Haha.

  271. Joey the K in Portland OR:

    slashpyne since you have MLBEI you might want to start checking out the Rays games, I hear they actually win!

  272. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Kathy

    Team (Tiger) chemistry or message board chemistry? I thought we were great tonight. We just played fundamentally good weblog. If we keep this up, the Tigers are going to become a mere distraction. And maybe that’s for the best.

  273. Slashpyne:

    Jeff M,
    I’ve been posting on this site since at least 2005, and this is the first year I have really felt like whinning!

  274. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Leyland’s response - “no brainer.”

    He’s an honest man.

  275. mj:

    i just read all the comments and am happy to see i’m not the only one upset with leyland’s handling of bonderman tonight. out after only 83 pitches in the 8th? are you kidding me? yes, he got into a jam, but he was dealing all night. leyland needed to show him he’s confident in his stuff and give him the chance to get out of it. if he couldn’t and took the loss, so be it. then again, we’d all be saying he left him in too long.

    but god bless scioscia for leaving santana in the game. that’s what a real manager does. fire leyland.

  276. Kathy:

    I still can’t stop thinking about Carlos!

  277. Jeff Molby:

    Slash, you’re fine. I don’t feel good about this team either, so I don’t expect anyone to be happy. It’s the half-a-dozen or so people that only post when they’re predicting failure, moaning about failure, and demanding that we release 80% of the payroll.

  278. Mike R:

    Jim Leyland: Dream Maker.

  279. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Kathy

    Well, think about Maggs instead. I’ve been meaning to ask you to lighten up on the “Magglio is a real man” stuff. We’re all starting to experience feelings of inadequacy now because of it. I used to have hair that long!

    Seriously, you mentioned something about Magglio as a hitter recently. I think he’s the best hitter the Tigers have had since Al Kaline. I hope he stays healthy and sticks around for a long time, because he’s just plain good.

  280. Chris:

    God, when things are going wrong, then things are flat-out going wrong. The Angels are the worst team to have to play in the midst of a losing month.

    This is a red hot pitching staff. The Angels have won 6 of their last eight while averaging about 2.6 runs per game during that span. That is unbelievable. They have 10 wins this month where they have scored less than 5 runs. The Tigers have only one of those all season.

    Angels are the anti-Tigers right now. Everything is going right. Even when things go wrong, everything is going right.

  281. Kathy:

    What scares me to death Sean, is that there was an article in the paper talking about what if they break up the team who would go, who would stay…..that kind of thing. An anonomous insider from the Tiger organization said Ordonez would go because he has the most value. Just can’t bear to think of Maggs on another team.

  282. stephen:

    Ah Joyce. The portrait of a hitter as a young man wearing the golden sombrero.

  283. Sean C. in Illinois:

    Mike R, at first I thought that was the title of a short film project (it would make a good one). I also used to think you were exaggerating about Leyland. Maybe not.

    Might I suggest “Jim Leyland: Dream Weaver” instead? That way you could use the song (by permission, of cou