Game 2011.69: Indians at Tigers

Just like that, no more first place.  Back with the Stroh’s

It started well, with a 3-run first, but the rest was forgettable and it kept being so, on-and-on, for 3 1/2 hours.  But the Tigers can still take the series with a win this afternoon.

Perhaps Raburn will help.  Today is his turn; he has been platooning with Santiago.  Jim Leyland says of Raburn that he is going to “play him more, play him less, whatever.”  Actually I think “whatever” sums it up best.

Today Max Scherzer tries to right the pitching ship vs. Mitch Talbot.

And Brandon Inge is off to Toledo to start a rehab assignment, starting as DH.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Alex Avila

Support for Alex is growing like an Avila beard; he is now 2nd in All-Star voting. And he has even been taking infield practice at 3rd.

Today’s Rubbery Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Don Kelly 3B
  3. Brennan Boesch LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez C
  6. Magglio Ordonez RF
  7. Alex Avila DH
  8. Jhonny Peralta SS
  9. Ryan Raburn 2B

38 thoughts on “Game 2011.69: Indians at Tigers”

  1. When Inge comes back they should keep Kelly and send Rayburn to the Hens.

    1. That’s a good idea. I wonder if the Tigers could do that. He might be out of minor league options. Perhaps, he’d need to be DFA’d. I don’t want to get rid of him just yet, I just want to see him hit better. A few weeks in the minors might help.

    2. When Inge comes back, he’ll bat in his comfortable No. 9 slot, which means Rayburn moves up to the No. 2 slot, where the secondbaseman is supposed to hit.

  2. Is it just me or is Raburn just as bad at fielding at 2nd as he is in the outfield?

  3. Hey Raburn
    1.The runner was already at third
    2. The throw was no where near third
    3, You continue to amaze us with your play…..and not in a good way

    1. What continues to amaze me is how long of a leash Leyland is giving Raburn. I would argue that Sizemore and Rhymes were better options than Raburn, and both those guys got the boot.

      1. Whatever Scheffield had on Leyland he passed it on to Raburn …and it must be pretty bad to get in that line up as often as he does for doing nothing

      2. I didn’t blame them for getting rid of Sizemore, or demoting Rhymes, as they just weren’t showing much hope of producing.

        I thought it was reasonable to think Raburn might produce, given his history, but he has been so terrible. This has to stop. Bring back Rhymes or just play Santiago or Worth, or something.

        As for Sheffield, the only poor-hitting season he had in his career was 08 with the Tigers, and even then he was far, far better than Raburn this year.

        1. Okay, I guess Raburn can stay in the line-up. At least for the rest of today’s game…

      3. Raburn has paid his dues. He sat the bench for many years waiting for an opportunity. This might be his last and only chance at 2B. So I can respect giving him a longer leash.

  4. Oh, for crying out loud, Raburn….Just when I thought we were on the brink of getting you off the team, you had to go and do that….Good job.

  5. Man…we have been double play happy the last couple days. I swear, I haven’t seen Detroit hit into this many double plays at any point in the season.

  6. Scherzer just walked a guy with a .063 AVG….not a good sign..might be time to pull him.

  7. coming out my way next week see you all at Dodger’s stadium Monday tuesday and wednesday!!! …..with the sad state of the Dodgers we have great seats for all three

    1. Just don’t wear your Tigers cap, we don’t want you to get your head bashed in.

  8. Twins won again today. They are making their move, and Mauer, Morneau and Thome are still on the DL. They are still 9 games back, but remember the Tigers were 9 back at one point also. The Central may still tighten up in unexpected ways.

  9. Interesting stat here.
    The tigers are
    24-25 vs RH starters and
    14-6 vs LH starters.
    14-6 vs lefties is good for the 3rd best record in the MLB against those crafty right-brainers

    1. The Tigers knew they were going to be weak vs RH pitching because of the predominance of RH bats in the lineup. That’s the main reason in the off-season they picked up switch-hitting Martinez and the LH bats of …… and, ummm, ah (I admit I was one of those pulling for a Dunn signing, which probably wouldn’t have worked out too well). And that’s why they have been weak against RH pitching so far this year.

      Actually, with Boesch hitting well, Avila doing better than expected and Dirks seemingly holding his own in a reserve/platoon role I think we should be OK going forward. What we really need is a 3B and a 2B that can hit above the Mendoza line, whether from the left or right side of the plate.

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