Game 2011.67: Indians at Tigers

First place on the line and Justin Verlander on the mound, it doesn’t get much better than that.

Although last night will be tough to top:  tense, tight game, close plays on the bases, the rare night when the calls were going Detroit’s way, and a dramatic walk-off triple (the first career walk-off hit for Ramon Santiago).

The triple was aided by B.J. Upton, who was playing Santiago shallow and shading toward left.  In fact Rod Allen commented more than once during the game that Upton was playing a very shallow CF for Comerica, and that came back to bite Upton.  There certainly was no reason to play shallow with Martinez on first;  even a double wouldn’t have scored the run. One wonders if Maddon were on the bench, if Upton would have been repositioned.  Was Maddon’s ejection the hidden key play of the game?

Not that you can blame Maddon for being upset.  Ruggiano, the runner called out at the plate, even took it to another level, hinting that he’s just going to do a Posey on catchers from now on. “If they’re going to give catchers the benefit of the doubt on those plays, then I feel like that narrows down our options to a collision at home every time,” Ruggiano said.

Tonight not only brings us the battle of first-place teams, but also the battle of the Justins, Verlander vs Masterson. Verlander is in top form, 5-0 with a 2.14 ERA his last seven starts. And he says he isn’t really pitching his best right now.  I can’t wait to see what that is.  The key for our Justin is to get past Michael Brantley, who is .538 for his career vs Verlander.

The other Justin did well in his start against Detroit earlier in the year, and is pitching well in general, but falling victim to the team slump–he held the Twins to 2 runs in 8 innings his last start, but got the loss.

In unrelated news, Ryan Raburn needs a few more ABs to statistically qualify for the league leader lists.  Which is a shame, because he just edged Chone Figgins for the lowest On-Base Percentage in the American League (.235).

In other news, Brandon Inge was seen taking batting practice today.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Don Kelly

See above.

Today’s Lucky Lefty Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Don Kelly 3B
  3. Brennan Boesch RF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Andy Dirks LF
  7. Alex Avila C
  8. Ramon Santiago SS
  9. Ryan Raburn 2B

Minor League Wrap 6.13.2011

Toledo 2, Rochester 1 (Twins)

Andy Oliver (LHP)  allowed only an unearned run in the 2nd inning en route to his 5th win of the year. In 6 innings he only gave up 2 hits and walked 5 while striking out 9 in an impressive effort. Lester Oliveros got save number 4 after an inning and 2/3 of 1 hit relief. Oliveros struck out 3 of the 6 batters he faced.

Scott Thorman had 2 hits, including a double,  in 4 ABs and drove in 1. Omir Santos drove in the other Toledo run and went 1-3 with a double.

Lakeland 13, Brevard County 6 (Brewers)

Drew Smyly had the anti-Phil Coke outing as he gave up 6 runs, 4 earned on 9 hits and a walk but still got the win as the Lakeland offense was firing on all cylinders.

Daniel Fields lead the way with 4 RBI, including a 3 run homer in the 3rd. Corey Jones (2B) went 3-5 with 3 RBI. Avisail Garcia (RF) went 3-4 with a homer, 3 runs scored, and 2 RBI.

Erie and West Michigan had scheduled days off

Game 2011.66: Rays at Tigers

Well, after a forgettable performance to close the Seattle series, we are still sort of tied for first with Cleveland.  As it so happens, there are only two American League games scheduled for today, the Cleveland and Detroit games, so all eyes will be upon the Tigers.

Just kidding–Cleveland plays the Yankees, and Derek Jeter might get a hit or something.

The big news is that after a month away, Magglio Ordonez has returned from the Toledo mud, and will be stepping into that 6th spot in the lineup reserved for right fielders. Ordonez hit a home run in his last start for the Mudhens Saturday, so hopefully this portends a return of at least a bit of his customary power.

According to the official Tiger twitter, Magglio wants to walk up to the plate to a Motown song, but is looking for suggestions. Detroit Tigers (official_tigers) on Twitter. Anything but Tears of a Clown!

And guess who the roster sacrifice for Magglio was.  Enrique Gonzalez! We currently have a bullpen with no Enrique, and no Brad Thomas.  It’s a nice feeling.

Phil Coke takes the mound tonight as Detroit tries to complete a delayed sweep of the last Rays series.  The Rays counter with Relatively Unknown Guy (Alex Cobb), who historically tends to give the Tigers problems.

Oh, and just for fun, how about a 104-yr old Tiger fan

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Magglio Ordonez

He’s back.  Is he Magglio? Singglio? Mendozlio?

Today’s Surgically Repaired Lineup:

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

Minor League Wrap 6.12.2011

Toledo 6, Rochester 3 (Twins)

LJ Gagnier (RHP) earned the win after 5 innings as the starter. He gave up 3 ER on 6 hits and 4 BB’s while striking out 2. Ryan Perry got his 3rd save of the year after 2 scoreless innings.

Will Rhymes homered and drove in 2. Bryan Pounds (3B) also had 2 RBI on 2-4 from the plate.

Erie 2, New Britian 0 (Twins)

Mark Sorensen (RHP) was the winning pitcher of record – his line: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K. Chance Ruffin picked up save number 7 after a scoreless inning of relief.

Jamie Johnson went 1-3 with a double, a RBI, and a walk. Bishop (1B) had the other Erie RBI and went 1-3 with a walk.

Lakeland 4, Brevard County 6 (Brewers)

Jared Wesson walked 6 batters and gave up 3 ER as the starter; however, Lakeland still enjoyed a 4-3 lead heading into the 9th inning. Normally, Kenny Faulk would lock down the last three outs and Lakeland would win. Yesterday wasn’t normal. Faulk gave up 3 ER on 2 hits (including a HR) and a walk to take the loss and blow his first save of the year.

Jordan Lennerton (1B) went 1-3 with a walk, a homer, and 2 RBI. Gustavo Nunez (SS) went 2-4 with 2 runs scored and a walk. Plagman had 2 RBI.

West Michigan 14, Burlington 5 (A’s)

Kyle Ryan (LHP) earned his 4th win of the season with some huge help from the offense. He gave up 4 runs (3 earned) in 6 innings as the starter. The baseball gods were kind enough to somehow give Torrealba his 3rd save of the year after allowing an ER in 3 innings of work. Easily the least stressful save in the history of baseball.

Hernan Perez (2B) went 1-2 with 2 walks, a homer, and 3 RBI. Machado also had 3 RBI on 2-6 from the plate. James Robbins went 4-6 with a  homer, 2 RBI, and 3 runs scored.

Game 2011.65: Mariners at Tigers

Well they did it!  The Tigers battered the tough Michael Pineda, and in doing so gained a first-place tie with Cleveland.  Time to break out one of the bottles of ’68 Stroh’s that I save for such occasions.

Except…hmm, now that I look at it, the Tigers are tied as in they are 0 games behind, but if you calculate the winning percentage, Cleveland still has a slight edge.  So back in the cellar with the Stroh’s.

It’s not too soon to celebrate the return of Mad Max Scherzer, who pitched like we know he can.  Jim Leyland is a seer, he saw what he saw even when he didn’t see it.  As Rod Allen would say, I see you, Skipper.

This afternoon Detroit has the daunting task of facing Felix Hernandez, who the Tigers last beat in 2006.  Then again, Pineda can daunt too, and look how that worked out.  Rick Porcello has quietly strung together some very good performances himself, allowing only 3 runs in his last 12 2/3 innings.  One guy that does hit Porcello well:  Ichiro, who is .417 lifetime against Kid Rick.

Word is that Magglio is back in Detroit, and will probably officially rejoin the team on Monday, when the Tigers play a one-game makeup series with the Rays.  Leyland has said a reliever will be sent down to make room for him, though he didn’t specify which one.  One would think it will be Wilk, but one can always hope it is Enrique.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Brennan Boesch

Boesch has hit .439 so far for the month of June

Today’s No-Burn Again Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Don Kelly 3B
  3. Brennan Boesch LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez C
  6. Andy Dirks RF
  7. Jhonny Peralta SS
  8. Alex Avila DH
  9. Ramon Santiago 2B

Game 2011.64: Mariners at Tigers

Well, Brad Penny was a Good Enough Penny;  unfortunately the Tigers ran into Cy Bedard and couldn’t muster any offense.  Jim Leyland said “Tonight felt like one of those games that you just aren’t supposed to win.”  OK, to me it felt like the opposite, but hey, that’s just me.

At least Cleveland lost.  And so did the surging White Sox, beaten by the A’s, who were led by their new phenom Scott Sizemore (3-4, 3 RBI).  And hey, look at that, Cleveland already lost again today.  A share of first is for the taking.

Today’s trivia answer (question below): Chone Figgins, Alcides Escobar, and Mark Ellis.

Tonight Max Scherzer tries to get back on track–he has a 12.51 ERA his last 3 outings.  If he can’t get back on track against the light-hitting Mariners, we may have a problem.  But not to worry.  Jim Leyland studied video of Max and saw…something: “I didn’t know what I was going to see, but I know what I saw. I saw something else, then I saw what I was looking for.”

On the other side of the mound, the Tigers won’t have an easy time getting their bats going again against Michael Pineda. He has a 1.64 ERA in his last 5 starts, and is looking more and more like an All-Star pitcher all of the time.

Today’s trivia question:  Name all of the AL hitters with a lower OPS than Ryan Raburn.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Casper Wells

Yesterday I named Ryan Raburn player of the Pre-game.  He responded by striking out, then striking out, then striking out, then being lifted for a pinch-hitter.  So today it seemed prudent to name a player not in the actual lineup.

Today’s No-Burn Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Don Kelly 3B
  3. Brennan Boesch LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Andy Dirks RF
  7. Jhonny Peralta SS
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Ramon Santiago 2B

Minor League Wrap 6.10.2011

Toledo 3, Gwinnett 4 (Braves)

The Mud Hens spoiled a tremendous start from Duane Below and wound up losing after Gwinnett put up a run in the top of the 14th inning. Below’s line: 8 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB. Oliveros, Wise, and Hoffman combined to throw 5 scoreless innings of relief before Jose Ortega (RHP) gave up the losing run.

Mags went 1-2 with a  homer 2 RBI and 2 walks. Omir Santos (c) had the other RBI on a 2-5 night from the plate.

Erie 3, New Britain 4 (Twins)

Brooks Brown started and took the loss for the Wolves after he allowed 4 ER over 3 2/3 innings. Luis Marte (RHP) struck out 4 batters in just 2 1/3 innings of relief after he came on for Brown in the 4th.

Audy Ciriaco (SS) went 3-3 with a run, a 2B, and a RBI. Rockett and Murrian each picked up an RBI.

Lakeland 12, Daytona 1 (Cubs)

Feeney started and was the winning pitcher after 7 innings of work without a run.

Every Lakeland batter except for Fields had at least an RBI during the thrashing. Bergolla (3B) went 3-4 with a run scored, a 2B, a walk, and 2 RBI.

West Michigan 5, Burlington 4 (A’s)

Josue Carreno (RHP) earned his win after 7 innings of work. He allowed 3 ER on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3. Rondon earned the 10th save of the year after recording the final out.

Nick Castellanos (3B) went 2-4 with a homer and 3 RBI to lead the way for the caps.

Game 2011.63: Mariners at Tigers

There’s not much to say about Justin Verlander that hasn’t been said;  he just keeps turning in one excellent performance after another.  OK, maybe one thing:  he must lead AL pitchers in weird plays.  The weirdest is still the strange hop-jump-chuck-the-ball-at-the-batter thing he did, which was so confusing it even started a thread on umpire.org. Tonight’s entry:  the only run of the game scored on a strikeout that skipped off of the top of Avila’s glove, which Avila fumbled while trying to get to Verlander covering home.

The Tigers are no 8-2 over the last 10 games, which makes them the hottest team in baseball in that period, and leaves them one thin game behind the sinking Indians.  Oh, and the second-hottest teams in baseball, at 7-3?  The Twins and White Sox.  You knew it was inevitable.

The bad news is, the Tigers did their very best to squander their scoring opportunities, but were bailed out courtesy of Mr. Avila and Mr. Boesch.  After Avila’s first triple, the Tigers had a runner at 3rd with nobody out:  Raburn and Jackson both failed to get him home.  After his next triple, with a runner at 3rd with nobody out, Raburn and Jackson both failed to get him home.  At this rate the R3L2O Police will be setting up checkpoints outside of Comerica for tonight’s game.

So which has happened most recently, a catcher hitting back-to-back triples, or back-to-back R3L2O fails, back-to-back?  This question is bound to give someone hours of amusement.

Tonight the Tigers will be up against Erik Bedard, who only allowed 1 run to Detroit in April en route to a 10-1 Seattle win.  But as we pointed out yesterday, that was then, this is now.  Brad Penny goes for the Tigers.  The Bad Penny threw 100 pitches and gave up 3 runs in 5 innings in his last start, but got the win.  I guess that actually makes him Good Enough Penny, which works for me.

Fun stat:  this is the second time this season that Justin Verlander and Jose Valverde have exactly the same ERA (2.89). The first time was…well, you know.  Can’t sneak a trick question by this crowd.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Ryan Raburn

I recently said some fairly nice things about Mr. Raburn.  He proceeded to pop up in the infield with Avila on 3rd and nobody out, then strike out with Avila on 3rd and nobody out, then, with Avila on 1st and nobody out, grounded into a double-play.  Then he was pulled for a defensive replacement. Alex Avila was seen in the dugout begging to bat AFTER Raburn for today’s game.

Today’s Alex-Gets-His-Wish Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Casper Wells RF
  3. Brennan Boesch LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Jhonny Peralta SS
  7. Ryan Raburn 2B
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Danny Worth 3B

Game 2011.62: Mariners at Tigers

Well, that was forgettable.  Still, the Tigers came away with their 2nd consecutive road series win, and that against a first-place team, so things are looking good (in fact for the season the Tigers are just one notch under .500 in road games).

Don Kelly provided a brief highlight with a rare home-run, only to undo it with a spectacular 2-run error.  Guess he didn’t hang out later to watch the ESPN highlights after all.

But enough of that. Tonight brings the two words we love to hear:  Justin Verlander.

Now yes, the last time the Mariners came to town the Tigers were the victims of a lopsided sweep.  And the Tigers even lost Verlander’s start 10-1 (it should be added that the bullpen gave up 6 of those runs in the 9th, on the day the term “blowpen” was coined).  But that was then, and this is now.  I mean, just look at the picture above.  See the concentration.

The Mariners send out Doug Fister, whose 3-6 record doesn’t do him justice (3.29 ERA).

In other news, the Tigers drafted Gene Lamont’s granddaughter’s boyfriend in the 740th round of the MLB draft.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Jhonny Peralta

He will like being back at Comerica, where he is hitting .337 (.985 OPS)

Today’s Return-of-the-Burn Lineup:

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

Minor League Wrap 6.8.2011

Toledo 5, Gwinnett 10 (Braves)

Andy Oliver got knocked around in 3 2/3 innings as the starter. He allowed 7 ER on 10 hits including 2 homers. The only pitcher that had a nice outing was Fu Te Ni who pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings while striking out 2.

Toledo made a run at a comeback with 4 in the bottom of the 8th. Ryan Strieby (1B) lead the charge: 2-4 1 HR, 1 RBI. Will Rhymes went 2-5 with 2 RBI and a triple. Perez and St.Pierre added an RBI apiece to complete the Mud Hens scoring.

Erie 7, Altoona 6 (Pirates)

Casey Crosby (LHP) was the winning pitcher of record after 5 innings of work. He gave up 4 ER on 5 hits and 5 BB while striking out 6. After 2 unearned runs allowed by Gayhart, Waite and Ruffin combined to hold Altoona scoreless. Ruffin got his 6th save of the year.

Audy Ciriaco (SS) and Brandon Douglas (2B) each went 2-4 and Ciriaco drove in 3. Martinez (3B) also had a solid night as he drove in 2 and went 1-2 from the plate with a walk.

Lakeland 4, Daytona 0 (Cubs)

Drew Smyly (LHP) had a terrific night as the Lakeland starter: 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K. His ERA for the year is now 3.03. Tyler Stohr allowed the only Daytona hit of the night and gave up a walk in 2 innings of work.

Jordan Lennerton (1B) was 2-4 with 2 2B and 2 RBI. Brent Wyatt (LF) was 1-3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

West Michigan 10, Peoria 9 (Cubs)

Brennan Smith (RHP) got knocked out after 3 2/3 innings as the starter. He gave up 5 ER on 8 hits and 2 walks. Ramon Lebron was the least bad pitcher in this game and got the win after allowing an ER in 2 1/3 innings of work. Antonio Cruz was credited with the save after he K’ed 2 in an inning of relief.

Billy Nowlin had an epic night with the bat. He homered twice and went 4-5 from the dish we 3 runs scored and 3 RBI. Rob Brantly (C) also hit a home run and drove in 3. Hernan Perez (2B) went 2-4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.

Game 2011.61: Tigers at Rangers

More hits than Lady Gaga.  More hits than, um, some fighter in some fight [look this up later].  More hits than…oh, nevermind.

The Tigers had 20 hits yesterday.  That is more hits than Magglio Ordonez has this season. They have 38 hits already in the first 2 games of the series.  That is more hits than Brandon Inge has this season.

And this isn’t against just anybody:  Texas had only given up 40 hits in their last two series combined (7 games);  Harrison, who gave up the bulk of the 20 hits, hadn’t given up a run in 16 innings.  This is not to say the Tigers are hitting good of course; they are hitting well.

So the Tigers head into tonight with a chance to convincingly sweep a first-place team on the road (on the other hand:  see today’s pitching matchup).

Even Raburn is hitting.  And, dare I say, Raburn is a big part of the recent Tiger surge.  Here is the thing:  as much as Raburn’s slump has been driving us crazy, how do you think it feels to the rest of the team, not to mention Raburn himself?  How do you think it must feel feeling like you have a lineup of 8 hitters and 1 black K? So when Raburn hit his grand slam against the White Sox, the smiles all around were mostly about the 4 runs, but also, I think, a huge weight was lifted from Raburn and the rest of the team.

In fact, Raburn has a 7-game hitting streak going.  The Tigers are 6-1 in that time.  Even a minimally contributing Raburn is going to make a huge difference to the team; at any rate, at least for the moment, he has rekindled the idea that when he is at bat maybe, just maybe, he will do something.

Phil Coke returns to the lineup and the mound tonight.  He faces the 6-0 Alexi Ogando (2.20), so he has his work cut out for him.  Or, in the charming words of Ol’ Smokey, “he is pitching in the heat against a guy who is 6-0…so, good luck, Coke.”

With Freakyfoot Phil back, Omir Santos goes back to the mud (thanks for the visit, hope you didn’t unpack).  I had assumed the move would be to send Wilk back now, and Santos back when Ordonez returns (latest intelligence says Monday at the earliest).  But Scherzer’s troubles meant Furbish was used up Monday, and Purcey was used Tuesday, so there is a lefty deficit in the bullpen.  I’m guessing this is plan B, and Wilk is the lefty-du-jour for tonight’s game, and will be swapped for Ordonez.

There is still the question of who goes when Inge returns, but it seems unlikely he will really be back anytime soon.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Brennan Boesch

Keep the Boesch baesching going!

Today’s Lucky Lefty Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Don Kelly 3B
  3. Brennan Boesch RF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez C
  6. Andy Dirks LF
  7. Jhonny Peralta SS
  8. Alex Avila DH
  9. Ramon Santiago 2B

 

Game 2011.60: Tigers at Rangers

14:  Home runs by Detroit so far in June (leads the majors)

13:  Number of runs scored by Detroit yesterday against the Rangers

10:  Number of runs given up by the Rangers over their previous 6 games

0:  Number of games won by Cleveland, at home, against the Rangers

1: Number of games won so far by Detroit, on the road, against the Rangers.

1.5:  Number of games Detroit needs to make up to take over the Central Division lead

Sure, only so much can be made of one game, so let’s see what happens the next two.  But just maybe this series could be a good indicator of how we stack up right now against Cleveland.

Tonight Rick Porcello will have the task of keeping the Rangers to a manageable run total.  Unlike Scherzer, Porcello is coming off a good start, a 4-2 win over Minnesota.  Matt Harrison has been doing even better for the Rangers–it has been over 14 innings since he has allowed a run at all.  Time to find out if all the offense last night was a fluke.

Oh, and in the draft the Tigers have taken Colin Kaline, grandson of Al.

And Magglio is still with Toledo.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Miguel Cabrera

After watching Boesch baesch the ball yesterday, Miguel says today it’s the right-handers’ turn.

Today’s Ghost’s-Last-Stand? Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Casper Wells LF
  3. Brennan Boesch RF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Jhonny Peralta SS
  7. Alex Avila C
  8. Ryan Raburn 2B
  9. Danny Worth 3B