2008 Season, Game Post

Game 61: Indians at Tigers

40 Comments

PREGAME: The Tigers are on Fox again today, and that’s gone so well this season. At least the Tigers get to face a lefty starter so there is some hope. Although that hasn’t helped the last two times they faced southpaw starters.

It’s Aaron Laffey and Kenny Rogers doing battle today. And because of the generosity of DTW reader Mark, I’m going with my family. Thanks Mark!

CLE @ DET, Saturday, June 7, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com

Game Time 3:55

POSTGAME: Winning kicks losing’s ass. I don’t know if it was the Stanley Cup being on the field before the game, or they were rallying around Bonderman, or if it was just time for them to finally win, but a late inning come from behind win is always nice.

I was at the game, and as I mentioned earlier thanks Mark, and perched above third base. Unfortunately, you guys are stuck with some pictures today (after the jump)

When Kris Draper and Brian Rafalski brought the cup out there was one Tiger who seemed particularly interested – Carlos Guillen. After the first pitches were thrown Guillen broke off from warming up and jogged up to the players as they were carrying the Cup off the field to see it/them. You have to wonder if Guillen was dreaming of what it would be like to walk out on to the ice at the Joe carrying the World Series trophy.

After his curiosity was satisfied Guillen went back to playing catch with Mike Hollimon, a purveyor of the high socks look and wearer of number 46.

The slumping and maligned Edgar Renteria was the lead-off hitter in an all righty lineup. Renteria was sporting the high socks and a new orange bat. Or perhaps it was a Jacque Jones leftover. If it was a Jones bat, it saw far more life today than it did in one month in the clutches of Jacque. Renteria had 3 hits including his 2nd grand slam of the year against the Indians.

Rogers pitched pretty good and notched another quality start. He received the help of some excellent outfield defense from Ryan Raburn and Brent Clevlen, but was also victimized by some poor defense from Miguel Cabrera and one Kenny Rogers. Cabrera showed miniscule ups on a first inning line drive, and had a ball scoot under his glove in the Indians 2 run inning. Rogers for his part, turned a bunt into a runner on third, no out situation when he tried to do a little too much.

Cabrera’s flailing strike out from Friday night seemed to carry over into his defense early on, as well as a poor first at-bat. But then later in the game he hit 2 line drives to centerfield. And a guy in desperate need of a big hit, produced one in the 8th inning hitting a rocket to left field for a looonnnng single that gave the team the lead. This came on the heels of a Marcus Thames homer and Magglio Ordonez double.

Later in the inning Brent Clevlen laid down a nice sacrifice bunt. I mention this mostly because I got a nice picture of said bunt.

I’m not going to complain after a win, but again Leyland had some strange moves. I was surprised to see Thames leading off the 8th against the right hander with Granderson on the bench. But it shows how little I know because Thames tied the game with the leadoff homer.

And then with the bases loaded he allowed Raburn to hit with Granderson still on the bench. This one didn’t go so well with Raburn fanning after a long at-bat. Off the top of my head I count 4 instances in the last week where Raburn has been up with a runner on third and less than 2 outs and he fanned every time.

Other than that I have nothing to complain about, because it’s like a win and stuff.

After the game on the way out we noticed a crush of humanity at Cheli’s Chili. I think it had something to do with the Stanley Cup being there. Kris Draper, Chris Osgood, Chelios, and Hank Zetterberg among others were hanging out and signing autographs and spraying people with champagne. I’ve uploaded some shots and I will link you to them, instead of displaying them on this here Tigers blog…Okay, maybe one picture…

40 thoughts on “Game 61: Indians at Tigers”

  2. btw, I intend to give Cabrera a standing ovation whenever he gets a hit, walks, makes an out, catches a ball, or has a conference at the mound.

  3. You should boo Cabrera loudly when he fails to drive in runs. The guy needs embarrassment, humiliation to perhaps motivate him. That seems to be his biggest problem. Lack of work ethic.

  7. “Now let’s watch as our Tigers get right back in it.”

    when was the last time that they did that?

    Surely, this lineup could not have any confidence at all.

  11. Actually, prior to that at-bat, he was batting .395 with runner on first, with a 1.202 OPS.

  21. Is gamescast reading right??? Renteria 4 run grand slam homerun?!

  24. The Belmont did not surprise me. Any more than Rayburn’s strikeout before Renteria put it out. That 1.5 mile race has ruined many going for the Triple. I can not recall how many times in my life I have seen it. It is just a killer for great horses, and only superhorses can do it.

  26. Who gets the win at 8-4? Can Jones give up enough runs to make sure it isn’t Miner?

  27. 11 times since 1978 the Belmont has shut down horses who won the Derby and Preakness. Many other times before that as well.

  31. my gosh does that 8 runs mean they will take the next 7 games off to rest up from having to run the bases…it is such a long way all the way around to score

  35. Kenny Rogers is so getting dealt for two marginal prospects 50 days from now. Synchronize your watches!

  36. Can the Tigers have the cup until hockey season begins? It could be our Silver Chalice to the playoffs.

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