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PREGAME: Eddie Bonine tries to rebound tonight as he takes on Paul Byrd.
Byrd has given up at least 4 runs in 6 of his last 7 starts. The one start he didn’t you ask? When he held the Tigers to 2 runs in 7 innings sending them to a season low 12 games below .500. Jim Leyland, looking to avoid a similar fate sends out this gauntlet of a lineup:
- Granderson, CF
- Thomas, LF
- Guillen, 3B
- Cabrera, 1B
- Joyce, RF
- Sheffield, DH
- Renteria, SS
- Santiago, 2B
- Sardinha, C
Byrd has allowed 23 homers, so it probably makes sense to keep the team leader in homers on the bench.
CLE @ DET, Wednesday, July 9, 2008 Game Preview - Baseball-Reference.com
POSTGAME: There was a time in my life that I despised Rafael Betancourt. Partly I hated him because he dominated the Tigers. But I thought I hated him because he worked sooo slow. After seeing the Tigers beat him up a couple times, I think it was the former that fueled my hate. I didn’t even notice him working slow tonight.
This game was downright ugly for the first 5 and a half innings. Bonine wasn’t good. The defense wasn’t good. Clete Thomas fought the sun and lost on a first inning fly ball and Carlos Guillen made a run costing error in the sixth. Meanwhile the offense couldn’t do more than tring 2 singles together at a time. So coming back from a 6-0 deficit didn’t really seem likely - especially with a less than primetime line-up.
But comeback they did.
- What was the biggest hit? Guillen’s bases loaded double? Matt Joyce’s 2 strike homer? Miguel Cabrera’s walk-off? Does it matter?
- Casey Fossum went 3.1 eventful innings. He loaded the bases with nobody out before fanning the side. In the end he finished with 5 K’s and kept the team in the game before handing it over to Joel Zumaya and Todd Jones.
- Todd Jones needs to be buying dinner for Carlos Guillen tonight who turned 2 slick plays, one kept the Indians off the board.
- Walk-offs and big comebacks are fun when your team does the coming back and walking off
- FSN does a nice job with their postgame show. But one item was severely lacking tonight. When Matt Joyce was interviewed on the field there was no mention of the kitten. How does this happen?
{ 265 comments… read them below or add one }
If we lose tonight, my finger points directly at Jim Leyland. It’s five games before the all star break, yet he’s resting half the lineup with our worst pitcher on the mound. Mario and Rod think he has a method to his madness. I think he’s just plain mad.
Thames has a one-year contract. I don’t see any way he resigns with the Tigers after this year. To play as well as he has played, and to continue to get jerked around - it’s total BS. After this season, some team will offer him a chance to play every day and hit 40 taters for them, and the Tigers are going to wish Leyland played this differently.
OK. Minny already got their rear kicked. Go Tigs/Mudhens. Go KC please.
SANTIAGO IS BACK!!!
Wait who did we send down?
Three batters in, and I’m already frustrated.
Bonine sucks.
Aquilino? Where art thou?
At least our lineup is stacked today. Oh how I hate thee jimmy.
Hollimon was sent down on Monday to open up a spot for Ramon
Forty
Our bench is looking sweet.
Is Eddie trying to reenact yesterday’s game? Because someone needs to tell him he’s not JV.
Thanks Ryan. I don’t know how I missed that.
Okay, the Bonine experiment has lasted long enough. If he’s not even going to throw 70% strikes then what’s the point? Good thing is that they can skip his spot after the break and figure out what to do then.
BTW, Thames is arbitration eligible next year, he’s not a free agent until 2011.
Does anyone else throw up a bit in the back of their mouth whenever they see Paul Byrd or is it just me?
Jeff
I agree. The key word is experiment.
God, I hate nonproductive outs.
What are the Tigers wearing around their necks?
Phiten necklaces. The latest rage.
Aww ok thanks googling that
Oy. Every ball in play is being hammered.
Get this guy out of here.
Pinch hit Pudge.
Nice first two innings. Leadoff man on both times, and nothing to show. I hope this game turns like last nights.
Curtis wanted to argue that punch-out pitch. And when it’s in the other batter’s box, who wouldn’t?
The team had Monday off. Everyone is getting 3 days off after this week. Why is it necessary to put four rookies in the starting line-up when you are struggling to stay above .500 before taking on the Twins? Polly, Rodriguez, and Thames are going to be missed in this game. What is Leyland thinking? (If anything!)
Actually they are not all rookies..but the point is why not use 3 of the better starters at least?
Tigers are striking out on a lot of trash this game.
Jeff:
Good to know that Thames is locked up that long, so Jimmy can keep playing games with him. Isn’t he old to still be under team control for that long? He’ll be 34 when he hits the FA market for the first time.
Yeah. Another Sheff. pop up. I’m over that swing of his. Long foul balls don’t mean crap.
Ditto Brian.
It’s too late to call the bull pen when the pitcher is already coming apart. Bonine is playing way over his ability level.
OMG! So frustrating
Please remove Bonine, and send him back to Toledo.
Isn’t he old to still be under team control for that long?
It’s years of service, not age. From 2002 to 2005 he had stints that must have added up to less than 1 season. 2006 and 2007 were full seasons but he was still short of 3 full seasons, thus 2008 is his “third” season as far as the clock is concerned. And thus he’s eligible for arbitration and a big pay increase next year (given his family situation, that’s good).
Rod mentioned that both of Bonine’s wins came against the other minor leaguers in the NL. Maybe he belongs there.
Mario
The best question asked ever.
“Why did Jim wait to get Fossum instead of getting him for Sizemore.”
Rod “I don’t know”
I just started laughing.
Come on brian, he had a hunch!
This game was set up for a disaster, from the lineup to the starter.
All I have to say is: Fossum = WOW. I would have never guessed it. That could be a turning point in the game. I hope.
Great and cool performance by Fossum getting those 3 strikeouts. Let’s hope it is a turning point in this game. It isn’t over yet!
Holy smokes!!!! Did Fossum just PITCH out of a jam?!!?!?!
There’s nothing jim can do about bonine or whoever else we put there. Bonderman’s hurt and willis sucks. Thankfully we got lucky with battlestar. Bonine not so much and it is what it is.
But what kills me is not playing guys with 17 hr as everyday regulars and putting the hens out there. We caught a break with fossum pulling a houdini. But maybe the score is within striking range if we played a real lineup. I’m sick of leyland not giving us the best chance to win.
sky
Great minds think alike. Too bad the tigs went 1-2-3.
Forty
I say bring up Porcello. He can’t be any worse. I am more upset about the lineup.
So glad I bothered to tune in to this mess.
Ugh.
Nice outing by Bonine, I take it?
Mark
It was horrible. That’s being kind. The ball was on a tee all night.
No clutch hitting by the Tigers, though.
First inning 2 on no outs, and no one scores. Second inning 2 on 1 out, and no one scores.
I see a lot of comments in this thread regarding the lineup the Tigers ran out there tonight, but the Indians lineup isn’t exactly a collection of HOF’ers and they’re beating our brains in.
Thames missing from the lineup has nothing to do with Bonine’s godawful outing and it isn’t why we’re losing. It’s fine to speculate that this game might be “closer” with Thames in there, but that’s all it is - speculation. None of us really know for sure. If we don’t pitch, we don’t win, even with nine Marcus Thames’ out there.
BTW, Royals lead 3-0 after 2
Fossum with a couple decent innings. If he’s not careful, Jimmuh is going to run him out there instead of Bonine (which is not necessarily a bad thing).
Is there any way the Tigers can make a run at getting Burnett?
Yippee! No shutout.
Mark:
Not if Thames’s situation is any indication. GotMeOnMyKnees Leyland doesn’t like to reward good play with regular status.
UH
WHY CAN’T THIS TEAM BE CONSISTENT
I think it’s the kittens fault. Send it down to Toledo with Mr. Bonine.
Royals up 5-0 in the third.
someone tell me why thames doesn’t start, why Pudge doesnt start
THESE R DIVISION GAMES!
I knew this game was going to go this way. Byrd is always struggles against everybody and then has his masterful game against the Tigers.
I will say that Fossum is saving the bullpen. I hope Leyland plays all of the “regulars” all 4 games against the twinkies.
Mark - but all a manager can do is give his team the best chance to win. I hear you that bonine’s awful start is the biggest reason we’re losing. But leyland can’t heal bonderman. He can however play a lineup that gives us a good chance to score runs. Would we be winning? You’re right, there’s no way to know. But it’s a game of expected value. And the indians having a bad team doesn’t excuse suboptimal managing.
So I ordered one of the ‘68 throwback jerseys on ebay down here to Austin. Putting it on now. Rally jersey time. I may even pair it with my mop rope necklace.
someone tell me why thames doesn’t start, why Pudge doesnt start
I suspect Pudge didn’t start because Leyland intends to play him all four games vs. Minnesota, so wanted to squeeze in a day off just before that series.
As for Thames not starting, that’s one of the mysteries of the ages.
“Is there any way the Tigers can make a run at getting Burnett?”
Nope! Tigers blew their wad last winter getting Cabrrera, Willis and Renteria. The sad thing with the unessesary Jurrjens for Renteria trade is that what we gave up is the thing we need the most right now.
Nevermind on Burnett. He started out great tonight, and now he is getting blown up.
Agree, Forty. The manager’s job is to give the team the best chance to win, and Leyland has a poor track record in that regard.
And it’s frustrating tha Thames doesn’t play nearly every day, it really makes no sense. But we’re getting beat 6-1 because of a lot of reasons, not simply because Marcus isn’t in there (necessarily). That’s my only point.
Royals 5-2 in the 4th.
Brian:
I fully expect that lead to vaporize around the 7th inning.
So last night I was at the ball game and there was this really good team called the Tigers . . .
cib
It’s all your fault. You are supposed to be at the game tonight.
Hey, folks! I think this is what they call a rally!
Hm. Dare I say this is getting interesting.
DENNY’S Please Carlos
Let’s go carlos, hit one for the newborn
That ‘68 Rally Jersey is Working
Apologies Brian! LOL. My ticket package included last night. What can I say. I’ll be back Friday.
I’ll take a double, anyday.
Good start for the rally jersey. More to come.
cib
Just kidding.
Kevin
Don’t you dare take that jersey off.
Atta baby miggy that gets a run
wo0t!
I’m feeling it for Matt Joyce’s AB right here!
Alright I have to say I like the productive out by Miggy.
Boy two great pitches by ratfael
well they did start scoring when I came downstairs to check out the weblog - -
THAT’S IT!! I’m staying away from the tv. weblog only.
WOOT! WOOT!
Excuse me. But. Ahhhhhh!
Rally CAT!!
my.
goodness.
what in the world was that?
Yay rookies.
I really did think Joyce was due…
My job here is done. I’m taking off the rally jersey and saving it for another day.
CALLED IT! JOYCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. The Motor City Kitty Good Luck Charm (MCKGLC) coming through tonight!
Matt Joyce! Go Mud Hens!
Not as good of a third pitch
as i said in my 8:38PM post,
“so glad i decided to tune in to this mess”
mess for the Indians, I guess.
WOW.
WOW, yet another reason why baseball is so amazing….please don’t lose guys!
Wow, remember when Betancourt used to be scary good?
Aww Kevin dont you dare take it off.. til the Tigers Win
Who’d have thunk?
I guess we owe Leyland an apology.
Nice bunt edgar
good call, Kevin. don’t want to use it all up at once. we’re tied, that’s good enough.
Royals still up 6-2 in the 5th.
Oh holy hell another DP. You know as much as I hate the Renteria trade, in a way I feel a little sorry for him. I mean what if I suddenly showed up at the office and day after day could not competently do my job? It would be very frustrating. Also I guess I’d get fired. And he’s still being paid.
Okay, back to the game.
Finally a break. Edgar to the DL
Let’s go Guitar HERO!!
Ooh ooh call on me! I know I know! We should have moved ramon to short and brought in polanco _before_ edgar hit, not just b/c he got hurt, right? Because polanco is better than him and it was a reasonably high leverage situation, right? Jim? Are you there?
Forty
Your a genius.
Quentin goes deep for the Sox, 6-4 KC in the 6th.
I don’t like carlos quentin
I have no confidence in the Royals holding onto that lead. Last night traumatized me.
On the lineup, you can’t play all of your starters everyday. Leyland thought some of the guys looked tired last night after a 15 inning game and what became a red eye flight home.
He had said he was resting Pudge tonight. With tomorrow being a day game, he was going to miss 1 of the 2 games anyways.
As for Polanco resting, not as big a fan of that move but I kind of understand it. Why Polanco and not Renteria? Not sure, but Renteria seems to have made some progress the last two days and he probably wanted to keep him in to try and continue it.
Thames is the head scratcher to me. He doesn’t need the rest. And if you want the extra lefty bat that’s fine, but why not sit the guy that is hurting - even if he has been swinging well instead of the fresh guy.
I write this with the score tied so it seems less like next day quarterbacking.
I LOVE ZOOM’S Curve.
Nasty breaking pitch from Z. After 98 mph fastballs, it’s pretty unfair to locate that pitch there. Yikes.
OK boys, need a couple runs.
Forty - the move had nothing to do with offense and it was the fact that Renteria pulled up lame. Renteria has swung the bat much better tonight driving the ball to the outfield in his 3 previous at-bats.
The kids have proven me wrong with key hits. Let’s pull out a win!
Billfer - I know it was the injury and had nothing to do with offense. Hence “not just b/c he got hurt.”. I was just making fun of renteria’s incompetence. I detest him.
And re: resting the starters - good news tiger fans! When you don’t play well, you get to have all the rest you want over the all-star break!
oh boy. c’mon jonesy. just 3 outs, no runs. you can do it.
casey blake scares me here.
And I acknowledge he has hit it hard today. More recently however, he hasn’t exactly been raking.
Todd! Ugh! Waste one!
Nice Jones. o-2 pitch right over the plate.
Jones Jones Jones. Just caught up on tape. exciting come back.
Congrats to Placido.
I also have no confidence in Jones keeping the score even. I really don’t understand bringing him in given the situation. He’s been standing on the edge of a cliff all year.
Unreal. Yeah, guys, I know all of the pitching rules. But why didn’t they let Joel keep pitching. I am forlorn.
I would walk Garko and set up the DP
Great play Carlos.
Carlos!!!!
Nice Play Carlos
woo! close call but not out of it yet. very nice play by carlos!
I love me some Guillen.
Maybe all these oblique strains are from everyone having to “pick up” Jones game after game after game. Great play by Chuck Guillen. Wow, TWO great plays.
Oh wow. More all star defense.
When did we acquire Brooks Robinson at 3rd? Holy smokes.
CARLOS!
Jones lives under a lucky star.
Whoa is that adrian beltre at third?
oh Carlos, holy moley!
I’m betting Guillen wins it in the 9th. Walk-off HR.
Royals imploding again and they REFUSE to go to the bullpen until just now.
6-5 KC, 2 outs top 7. Alexei Ramirez at 2nd
I’m going to take an RBI double from Miggy in the 9th to win it.
Kevin
Jersey on Please.
Mark in Chi-town: Seems like Leyland’s on the phone giving Trey Hillman some advice, then, no?
C’mon Thames!
Marcus is clutch.
That’s right you play no doubles when marcus is digging in.
Does Guillen give himself up here and sac bunt? This is just a question as I’m 100% against that if it happens, but it’s a possibility.
I think so, Mike. I watched last night’s Sox-KC game and he completely managed them out of a win last night too.
KC gets out of the 7th, still up 6-5.
No way he bunts.
annnnnnnndddd the survey says: No sac bunt is on.
Oh man, he got jammed.
RBI double on it’s way!
OR I’LL TAKE THE WALK OFF SHOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OH HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK Mike, you’re up. Walk-off double for Cabrera. Make it happen.
Kevin, a little help?
Miggy might still be playing in a couple years.
Cabrera is AWESoME! Game over!
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice.
Unbelievable