Comments on: Game 2009.124: Tigers at Angels

By: T Smith

T Smith — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:07:47 +0000

When Rodney throws strikes, he’s good. Really good. Of course that’s generally the case for any pitcher with good stuff — so nothing novel there. Nobody will argue Rodney doesn’t have good stuff; and his change-up is wicked when he can throw it for a strike.

The issue that most people have with Rodney is his control. It’s not always so good, which makes for very interesting outings in close games. His confidence and control issues also seem to compound after a base on balls or with runners on base (save for last night — kudos for getting the last out with runners at the corners). It hasn’t happened a lot this year, grant it, but there have been many times when a seeing-eye single would have blown a one run game on account of too many base on balls and an unlucky bloop or two.

By: Jerry the Tiger Fan

Jerry the Tiger Fan — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:01:34 +0000

David, you “get it”. Rodney is so much better this year than Jones was at any point in his Tiger career. You summed it up perfectly by saying that Jones had nothing and had to hope balls were hit at somebody. Rodney has two strikeout pitches, something a closer desperately needs.

By: David R

David R — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:13:24 +0000

Lyon wasn’t that bad, he got 5 outs and they hit a bloop into right and weak grounder perfectly placed before the homer, that was the 9th guy he faced so he was probably a little tired, he hasn’t faced more than 4 batters in a while.

Rodney was money again, I don’t get the Jones comparisons. Rodney is wild, he walks the first guy half the time but you can’t deny he has some juice when he needs it, whatever Knapp is telling him it is working. Even the save he blew Peralta blooped an up and in fastball , the only reason they scored was Granderson had to dive , if he hit a little better the guy from 3rd wouldn’t have got in, plus clete misplayed the triple, it should have been a double. Sure he walks guys and gives up singles but not too many hitters really square him up, with Jones they smoked the ball all over the field and you just had to hope it was right at somebody. I’ll give Jones credit because he used the fact hitters are anxious in the 9th against them but he had nothing.

By: Jud

Jud — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:45:16 +0000

just got home from the game with the following observations:
1. The Tigers usually walk out to he field about 5 minutes before games in Anaheim. This game the whole staring line up, except Huff was out doing stretching and running 10-15 minutes before the game. I did like that.
1.5 Thames hit about 10 absolute bombs in batting practice deep into the seats. No wonder he can’t hit …he is too tired from BP
2. After watching Laird hit live I wonder how he has any hits at all this season
3. Even the Angel fans all around me were in awe of Verlander
4. Why did we trade anything for Aubrey Huff????
5. The hit and run single by Santiago really got the bench going and the flood gates opened from there in the 7 run inning
6. Verlander was affected by the change in the strike zone when Welke left. The new zone was way tighter…notce all the runs scored after Welke left…mostly because there were not many called strikes.
7. Rodney was amazing live, the exact same wind up and delivery sometimes 84 sometimes 97….no one even touched a ball very well off him
8. Tomorrow we are section 128,,row E right behind the Tiger dugout…..

By: Jerry the Tiger Fan

Jerry the Tiger Fan — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:03:59 +0000

Thank you Fernando Rodney! I hated to bring up that dreadful game form the early 90′s where the Angels scored 8 on us in the bottom of the ninth to win, but as soon as they put up that 4 spot in the sixth I knew it was going to be a white knuckle ride. If Lyon was going to have an off night, this was the night to have it (with a six run lead). Man, I wish this team could just let me have an easy night more often than they do. 10-0 lead in the top of the sixth and I’m still on the edge of my seat by the bottom of the 8th inning. Damn, these guys are making my 40-year old ticker feel like its 60. The bottom line is that we won, but what a stessful ride from the bottom of the sixth on.

The only thing that was stress free was Rodney. He was every bit as good as Rivera, Papelbon, or whoever tonight. 4 outs, nary a hard hit ball (weak groundout to second, strikeout, strikeout, can of corn to LF). Rodney is my co-player of the game along with Cabrera. Fernando was amazing just when we needed him to be. The rest of the pen? Crapola tonight.

By: Coleman

Coleman — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:52:06 +0000

This was nothing…compared to the Giants taking a 4-1 lead in the top of the 14th, only to lose on a walkoff grand slam in the bottom of the 14th…ouch…

By: Vanguy

Vanguy — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:50:08 +0000

Great road win! Kudos to Rodney

By: Mike in CT

Mike in CT — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:44:37 +0000

Never easy folks, never easy … Except for oddly enough Rodney tonight. (exhale)

By: Coleman

Coleman — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:42:57 +0000

Oh yeah

By: Keith (Mr. X)

Keith (Mr. X) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:42:31 +0000

Rodney was nails once again. Very nice road win. Can’t believe it’s almost 2am. I give them players credit for being able to play at this time of the night. These guys must have no real sleep schedule whatsoever.

By: Tim D

Tim D — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:42:16 +0000

Rodney is erratic but filthy tonight. Nice to see them get some runs even if they did try to blow a 10 run lead.

By: colin

colin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:42:08 +0000

Seriously loving the ol’ change piece

By: Coleman

Coleman — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:37:07 +0000

Alright Crook-Hat Cupid, shut-down time!

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:35:52 +0000

Wow. The bats got lazy after getting 10 runs, as if this were the Royals. These guys are not the Royals. They are the Angels and they make the Yankees look like an ordinary team.

By: Keith (Mr. X)

Keith (Mr. X) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:32:42 +0000

Yep, the Angels are no joke. This is the kind of baseball game you get when 2 1st place teams are facing each other.