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PREGAME:: Nate Robertson and Ryan Rowland-Smith. Rowland-Smith has 2 last names. That’s enough motivation to want and beat him right there.
DET @ SEA, Sunday, July 6, 2008 Game Preview - Baseball-Reference.com
Game Time 4:10
POSTGAME: Well, I’m back from my weekend escape. It was nice to stay offline, even though I did see most of the baseball this weekend. And today there was a lot of baseball to see with a 15 inning event.
Nate Robertson was awesome today. Some jumpy Seattle hitters put the ball in play early and Robertson went 9 innings only allowing 4 hits, 2 of which were infield singles. He “pitched to contact” with great results and the only 2 walks allowed were intentional.
The bullpen was also impressive with Joel Zumaya, Freddy Dolsi, and Aquilino Lopez preceding Todd Jones. The group through 5 scoreless innings.
As for the Tigers offense. Eh. Marcus Thames and Edgar Renteria struggled mightily. And Pudge Rodriguez put together 4 hits, but none were of the rocket variety. Two bloops, a grounder through the middle and a groundball that hit first base and changed direction.
The offense did one thing right and they were quite selective. They drew 9 walks throughout the day and ran up pitch counts. Rowland-Smith was done after 5 innings and 87 pitches. His replacement lasted only an inning throwing 38 pitches. Corcoran got through 2 innings on 21 pitches, but Batista and Green followed with 20 pitch innings before giving way to Jimenez who pitched 4 easy shutout innings.
Basically the Tigers won this one on attrition when the Mariners turned to Jamie Burke, the back-up catcher who featured an arsenal of 84mph fastballs around the plate. Cabrera torched one for a double. But the Tigers didn’t rock him. A wild pitch and a sac fly were the all the damage they could muster against what was essentially a BP pitcher.
The Tigers needed to notch one for the left hand column, which they did. And while a loss would have been pretty crippling, the win doesn’t feel that great either. But the red-eye flight home will be a little more pleasant.
{ 166 comments… read them below or add one }
It sucks to see Renteria in the lineup today. he really gets my hater-aid flowing.
And for any of you who think it is irrational to put so much criticism on Edgar Renteria, please note that he now has the lowest OBP of any of the regulars on the team at .309. Brandon Inge, who everyone dreads to see come to the plate, has an OBP of .311. Pudge is at .325.
Edgar Renteria stinks. If the trade last winter only cost us Gorkys Hernadez, I still would think it was a horrible move. DD really blew that one.
Renteria has been lousy. But this whole notion that the team’s struggles are due to one or two players is absurd. A couple weeks ago you aimed everything at Cabrera. Now you’ve found a new target for your two minute hate. Meanwhile about a dozen other guys are performing below expectations.
I had delusions of grandeur to someday watching Grandy, Hernandez and Maybin in the same outfield. No gappers. Wouldv’e been fun.
Sure it is absurd to blame one player for the team struggles, but if it were rational to blame one player, Renteria would be it. Remember, we don’t have Jurrjens in the rotation and that could have impacted the W/L record significantly this year.
Huge opportunity here.
Also, Rowland-Smith is Australian. He must be obliterated.
Were back to early April and May. Zero clutch hitting.
We’re back to playing AL teams. Zero clutch hitting, pitching, fielding, managing.
Yes, I’m beginning to think that June was fools gold. Perhaps this team really does stink and we are back to that.
Jeez Chris, your posts are bipolar as hell
Rentaria: 0-2 on three pitches. 2 LOB. I think the reason for his slump may be that he has no patience. Swings early and doesn’t get he pitch. Makes it easy for the pitcher. He needs to spend some time on the pine.
The scrub with the big fly. Raburn sure knows how to put a charge into the ball.
Raburn HR, 1-1 game. Granderson singles. They seem to have made some adjustments to Rowland-Smith
Guillen hit a sure-thing double play ball, but Lopez appeared to have forgotten how many outs there were
The Raburn HR was on a pretty good fastball with location right off Raburn’s scouting report. He surprisingly went high out of the zone to hammer it.
Robertson got through the sixth inning in about two minutes.
Good to see Nate having an outstanding start after his last game. Tiger hitters need to get their offense going to give him the W
Pudge; 3-3…. Oh no… look who’s up
Granderson needs to turn this mini-losing streak around right here. Extra base hit with the bases juiced would be nice.
Forget that, dumb idea.
Choke, choke, choke. Tigers just hit with bases empty.
It’s up to Nate to keep the zeros coming until the Tigers can muster another bases empty homer
Nate Robertson: Six innings, two hits on 56 pitches. Very good
I blame Grilli.
0 BB, but 0 K. The Mariners try to put absolutely everything in play
Indeed, Coleman. I mean, we have to blame someone, right?
So let’s see who wants to call this one…does Leyland pull Robertson with about a 75-pitch count for Rodney in the 8th? And does he give up a walk and a home-run?
Or is Todd Jones the goat in the 9th?
Or do the Tigers actually score another run at some point?
Exactly, and if it isn’t Renteria, it has to be either Grilli or Sheffield or Inge I think.
I’m kidding obviously, I think we can all agree to pin the last couple losses on Dave Dombrowski…
IBB works like a charm. Nice one JL.
Nate now has seven innings on only 69 pitches. looks like he can easily close this one out.
Don’t you mean “Dumbrowski”? FYI I spelled it like that because he is dumb.
“Thames has earned a walk” says the announcers, as he is called on strikes…
Thames has been swinging for the fence on every pitch–and I’m all for that
Renteria is on his 5th pitch already!
These announcers may be dull, but they are kind of the opposite of the White Sox guys with Homer Harrelson–they called Ichiro out stealing yesterday when the umpire called him safe, and they often point out when the Tigers are getting bad pitch calls.
Oh Edgar, how you have lost your way
This is what happens when you squander opportunities to score. Eventually the opposing team pitching staff gets it in order and the opportunities dry up.
Grilli says: Sean Casey has that one easily.
“Oh Edgar, how you have lost your way”
Hopefully he loses his way to the airport for the next plane to Detroit
“Hopefully he loses his way to the airport for the next plane to Detroit ”
Don’t get your hopes up; he’s easily located with that glowing bat.
Tigers vs. Mariners: Feel the excitement!
“Tigers vs. Mariners: Feel the excitement!”
For a second I thought I saw:
“Feel the excrement”
Why take Nate out. Bad idea.
Lets get it done this inning.
How many ball 4 pitches have we swung at today?
Just because it’s a bad idea is no reason not to do it, says Smoking Man
Thames took ball 4 and they called him out anyway
Granderson is going to get a walk, and then try to steal 2nd I say
Wooo! Offensive futility!
I find the Tigers lack of offense vs the last place Mariners disturbing.
OK, so maybe they won’t “score a run” or “win” but that doesn’t mean they aren’t playing well
Grilli says: Inge takes that one and has a chance to get Ichiro.
Wow nice pitch by Robertson
Come on Nate!
Why do I have a really bad feeling about this?
Seattle crowds, lovin’ the flyouts
What a game for Nate. Nine innings and only 4 hits and two of them were infield jobs bobbled by Renteria.
If Robertson can just keep it up a few more innings, the Tigers are due to score
Billfer: and not to mention the big stat I think–only 2 walks, and both intentional
Nate ain’t no wussy. Great game.
How many breaks are we going to fail to turn into a run.
Edgar what was that?
With this great Seattle pitching, I am at a loss to understand how they could be 17 games under .500.
Edgar what the was that?
Pinch hit for him, NOW
Why are they bringing Zumaya in?
Clutch pitching by Seattle - stranded 12 now.
What are the odds of the Tigers only scoring 1 run in a game where Pudge has 4 hits?
Of course following Pudge in the lineup is Renterrhea (is my spellling OK, Dave BW?)
Let’s spend a moment here for some Pudge appreciation: He deserves to be in the All-Star game this year. He’s hitting up near .290 as a catcher, and still has a cannon for an arm. 4 hits today, and left stranded by the rest of the Tigers’ O.
Also a moment to appreciate Nate: 9 innings, 100 pitches, 0 unintentional walks. Wow. That’s pretty sweet stuff, even against a mediocre team like Seattle.
And finally, a moment to appreciate the quality of the Seattle defense… They’ve roasted us this series.
No excuse for leaving 12 men on base. None.
Zumaya’s in because that’s his job.
Wow Zumaya’s going all Randy Johnson on this poor guy
*gives Coleman the thumbs up*
Jim Leyland sucks! He just refuses to bunt, ever! If he bunted in the top of the tenth to move Guillen to second, then Carlos most likely scores when Pudge singled. Jim Leyland is the last guy I want managing my team in a tie game! He is the most over-rated person in baseball ever! This isn’t just an odd game. This happens all the time.
BIG K
The good thing about Renteria making the last out of last inning, is that he won’t be up for awhile.
True Leyland doesn’t bunt–but on the other hand, neither do many of the Tigers (I remember Renteria’s last “bunt” attempt). Other than Inge, Pudge, and maybe some of the new guys I don’t feel like a sac bunt is a sure thing on this team…
Let’s bring back Trammel. His Tigers teams were all about the bunt.
John -
Bunting Miguel Cabrera = not a good move. There are people and situations to bunt with. That wasn’t one of them.
John:
Discounting the few times that Leyland has gotten lucky, he has sucked for the last 425 games.
We need a long ball now. The rookies are all getting it done in the field, now lets have some Offense!
Curtis is due.
Re: bunts: the Tigers have more of the situations than they do the people.
I think the plan is that eventually the Mariners will run out of pitchers and concede the game.
Bunting isn’t often an option with the Tigers - too many slowpokes.
And you wonder why the Tigers are swinging at pitches out of the strike zone
West Coast Tiger:
They’re all due, and have been for, oh, about 88 games.
Good Grief
Maybe being patient and seeing lots of pitches doesn’t work for the Tigers. Look at the last few games. Lots of pitches by the starters, generally pretty selective at-bats. But they aren’t hitting the ball for crap.
Polanco was awful today. Gets a double in the 1st with bases empty and goes on to be 1-6 with 6 runners LOB.
Nate should still be pitching.
I’m not talking about trying to bunt for a hit. I’m talking about a sacrifice bunt. This game should be over! I love the move to pull Rayburn for Joyce too! WTF?
Zumaya is showing a lot better command of the old number 1.
Hitting 100mph several times. He’s getting back in form.
Great Job Joel.
Did Rod Allen leave?
Zumaya’s only had one, high effort-exerting pitch today. He has two on a good day. And Leyland thinks he can become a starter in the future? Ha!
Did you ever notice that Jim Leyland sounds like the Hamburgler?
The umpires are tired…the strike zone is getting bigger and bigger
Ron: Zumaya showed he’s worth the trust Leyland gave him.
Ultimately, the manager has to trust his players to win. You can’t pull wins out of a hat.
OK Marcus, we need this one….
I think Rod and Mario have a thing for the ball girls. Long road trip.
Ball girls and broken bat stats. This is one entertaining game!
Concentrate on Burke.
Well, now we’ll see Renteria. I’m rooting for him(but not counting on him) to be the guy. He probably needs it the most.
I wonder if Lopez can pitch three scoreless innings?
Just came in on this one - it already feels like a loss with all those LOB. They need to win this somehow…
They’re getting tired. Come on Edgar.
How is it that Seattle now has a pitching staff that is invincible? Hopefully Cesar Jmenez is done for the day and the Tigers can pitch two more scoreless innings.
Everyone not named Pudge: 3 for 39 today.
I love Pudge. He is the Man.
Pitch him away.
Curtus needs to learn how to drag a bunt down the 3B line.
Joyce’s leg is hurting, but Rod and Mario aren’t mentioning it.
OMG was that a bunt?
The Mariners bullpen has pitched a complete game shut out against the Tigers.
If I were in the stands in Seattle and the game got into the 15th with Cesar Juminez is still coming in to pitch, I would jump out into the field and tackle him.
OMG.. a back up catcher…. If we can’t hit a backup catcher…
If anyone can’t hit a backup catcher today it’ll be Marcus and Renteria. So I like the pither’s chances.
By golly, an honest to goodness sacrifice.
Finally.
I told you that was the plan today, to run them out of pitchers (see above).
I must be a Seattle fan though, I was just cheering on Thames’ fly out
Can Edgar hit the catcher?
100$ on NO.
Renteria 0 for 7 - oof.
Sucks to be Renteria.
I WIN!!!
Renteria might as well bring his mitt up to the plate - it would do as much as damage as his bat does. The one good swing of the day and he gets snakebit by Ichiro.
Far more efficient than walking him…
Here we go with the Rollercoaster!
Damn, our best backup-catcher-pitcher option is on the DL
No bunt?
Never any doubt…
I guess a win is a win but man that was a painful win.
If Seattle had scored two and won to give Burke the win, that would’ve been the saddest thing I ever saw in 37 years of watching Tiger baseball.
Well, Rod, I certainly hope the hitters aren’t happy with this win. Exceptional pitching by all concerned, though.
I enjoy the fact that a backup catcher is stuck with the loss today
Looks like Cleveland has traded Sabathia.. Glad to not see him Tuesday if true
http://www.baseballprospectus......red/?p=930
Cleveland sure didn’t waste any time on that
The Back up Catcher sort of Looked like Jones. Pitch to contact.
huge win.
great pitching by both sides, why didn’t Dickey or Rhodes come in for the Mariners??
Renteria has been robbed of 4 hits this weekend by superb defensive plays. He is in a slump but sure ain’t getting any help from lady luck.
The Mariners have the worst record in baseball — this win would mean almost nothing to them. It would be silly to waste their whole pen in an attempt to be 36-53 instead of 35-54
weren’t they like 9-3 in their past 12 tho, I don’t think they’ve mailed it in yet. The new manager has sparked them it seems.
CC to the Brewers…
Renteria needs a week off and maybe a trip home to box Orlando for right to the Most Overrated SS Playing in MLB belt.
I bet that then he comes back and tears the cover off the ball, while flashing fresh rawhide in the hole with range like a young buck.
Yep, that and a fresh round of stalwart confidence from one Jimmy “Loyalty” Leyland. All the aging kid needs.
In all seriousness though, I know he ain’t going anywhere. But he does needs a good period of rest to change the image so he can get back to his mediocre self. That’s critical to our club’s shot at staying in the race….if we are even in it.
Heck, look at what the bench did for Pudge.
the problem with the admittedly good defensive plays on Renteria of late, is that they were almost all bloops that someone dug to and got, vs actually driving the ball. He drove the last one to RF today a bit, but again, that was against a backup catcher, correct?
It’ll be interesting to read Riggleman’s explanation for sending Burke out there. Sure feels like he just decided to give us the game.
WCT: “The Back up Catcher sort of Looked like Jones. Pitch to contact”
A little, except for that extra secret pitch he has, the “pitch to backstop”
“It’ll be interesting to read Riggleman’s explanation for sending Burke out there. Sure feels like he just decided to give us the game.”
Yes, although I have a feeling it would make more sense than some of Smoking Man’s “explanations” of moves he makes….
Seriously though, when he was pitching the guys in the dugout were laughing and cheering him on and I thought, damn, these guys are actually having FUN today…I guess the freedom of low expectations or something. Considering what he’s working with, I think Wriggleman is doing a great job.
Eric Jackson: “Looks like Cleveland has traded Sabathia.. Glad to not see him Tuesday if true”
Be careful what you wish for. We could instead end up suffering the humiliation of being shutout by Jeff Weaver.
Chris (Renteria Fan Club, President): “It sucks to see Renteria in the lineup today. he really gets my hater-aid flowing.
And for any of you who think it is irrational to put so much criticism on Edgar Renteria, please note that he now has the lowest OBP of any of the regulars on the team at .309. Brandon Inge, who everyone dreads to see come to the plate, has an OBP of .311. Pudge is at .325.”
To be fair, in the crucial batting with RISP category, Renteria’s OBP rockets up to .327 (that’s before today). Of course the dreaded Inge in the same category has an OBP of .421…
It’s interesting when you look at OBP and not just BA, you see the Mudhen Tigers fill up the bottom of the list: Sardinha .143, Joyce .273, Larish .273, Hollimon .280, Raburn .289, Clevelen .296–except for Clete who is way up at .378. It seems of the call-ups Clete may be the only one who so far has a major league eye at the plate
Just watched on dvr (grr didn’t record enough and missed 15th inning!)
Thoughts:
Wow were the three called third strikes on thames, grandy, and guillen hose jobs.
Was sheff hurt? I don’t get why he wouldn’t be hitting for renteria with men on in extras.
Thank god we won. This would not have been a fun one to lose (and frankly wasn’t very fun to win either - I can’t stand watching other teams make great play after great play and then have to see the polanco and thomas errors at crucial moments).
I agree about the fielding (and Cabrera has to share credit with Polanco for his error; he should have at least gotten a glove on it and kept the runner at first–I’d be willing to bet Polanco made several throws like that during his errorless streak…).
At the same time, that just points out even more how well Robertson pitched–he had the mental toughness today to get guys to hit ground balls to 2nd, watch the guy end up on 2nd base, and still get out of the inning just fine, he didn’t let anything bother him out there. It may have been one of the best Tiger pitching performances of the year actually.
And Zumaya was quite good as well.
lets see…CC or Weaver…CC or Weaver…can we have Weaver he just might be the cure for our hitting woe’s…bring him on
Jim rested Edgar again today so while he has been resting the last two three games he is now officially 1 for 100000000000000000000000000000000
great job by the Robertson and the bully today …wow… got in some trouble but all of them made pitches..Rodney were you paying attention
Zoom might be back
Been busy all weekend. I saw every game (DVR). I also checked out the blogs. Very good stuff, as usual. I can’t believe Sat. night’s game. Oh well. The Seattle announcers are so annoying. I tried to be open minded while watching the games, but they are so bad. We have a .500 team right now. I hope this is the lowest we see the rest of the year. Talk to you