Game 2011.96: A’s at Tigers

We here at DTW may need to look into getting the game posts up earlier in the day.  It does a great disservice to our faithful followers to fail to get them the timely information they need to plan their days.  Yes, earlier today Ryan Raburn was the celebrity root beer float server at A&Ws in both Berkley and Dearborn.  We apologize to all of you who were unable to attend these important events.

Meanwhile, the Tigers have been busy working out the starting rotation:  tomorrow’s spot in the rotation, the Phil Coke spot, has been being staffed by the Toledo Temp Agency.  Tomorrow’s shift will be taken by Duane Below in his first MLB appearance.

In the meantime, a more permanent bolster to the rotation is still rumored to be something Dave Dombrowski is working on.  In addition to the Tigers’ interest in Hiroki Kuroda,  the Tigers are rumored to be also looking into Aaron Harang, Jeremy Guthrie and Derek Lowe, as well as the good-luck-with-that pursuit of Ubaldo Jimenez. (And yes, the Tigers are allegedly still in the list of suitors for Carlos Beltran).

In potentially related news, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports lists Tiger GM Dave Dombrowski in his “less than secure” category, although not quite yet on the hot seat.

Speaking of hot,  tonight’s hot evening game will feature Rick Porcello on the mound, who has historically performed worse in hotter temperatures.  The A’s will feature Guillermo Moscoso, who is from Venezuela and will hopefully pitch to his elder countrymen Victor Martinez, Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez, and Carlos Guillen with great deference.  Moscoso actually came up with the Tigers, but was traded to Texas for Gerald Laird.

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

Sure, he is not in the lineup.  But on a hot July night, Ryan will keep the guys cool by serving root beer floats between innings.

Today’s AJax is Back Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Brennan Boesch LF
  3. Magglio Ordonez RF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Jhonny Peralta SS
  7. Carlos Guillen 2B
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Brandon Inge 3B

 

39 thoughts on “Game 2011.96: A’s at Tigers”

    1. LOL. Actually, a root beer float sounds good about now. It is hotter than heck Today.

    1. As amusing and as fortunate as that run was, it’s still the case that, once again, Crazy Gene made the wrong call at 3rd

  1. And the wheels have come off the wagon for Porcello once again….dang it, we need this guy.

  2. So…did anyone see the Dodgers released Marcus Thames for hitting .197? He’d be the starting LF if was still on the Tigers with that AVG, batting right next to Inge’s .179 AVG.

      1. Yeah, which makes me wonder even more why we still have clowns like Raburn and Inge. You make the perfect argument for why Inge should be gone.

        1. Probably because Inge plays 3B fairly well and Raburn plays multiple positions. Right now, we don’t have better replacements for either of them within the organization.

          1. Didn’t someone recently point out on this board that Don Kelly is just as good, and, possibly, has been better than Inge at 3B this year? And he is hitting better. As for Raburn, he’s been reduced to a Utility guy, which he should be, so I’m not so concerned with that until he starts getting significant playing time and continues to stink it up.

            1. Don Kelly was good in May, but his bat has cooled down since then. He’s only hitting .174 in July. He also can’t hit left handed pitchers. He’s really not a better option. The Tigers probably win more games when Inge plays.

              1. So the argument becomes, who has more upside? I would argue that Don Kelly could develop into an average major leaguer, which we’re certain by this point Inge will not be able to do.

                Problem is that Inge is getting paid either way. It’s gotta be tough to hear all those boos, but he likely feels better when he sleeps on his bed of cash and pets his pet mini giraffe.

              2. Kelly is a decent platoon option. He’s just never going to be a full-time starter because he can’t hit lefties.

  3. After his last error, did Inge give a “I don’t give a crap” look. I hope not, I am quickly changing my opinion of him!

    1. That further proves my point that we have better options in Don Kelly and the minors that Inge at this point.

      1. I’d love to agree with you, but I can’t just yet. We have a good 3B in AA, Francisco Martinez, but he’s still just 20 years old. Maybe he’ll be ready in 2012, but more likely in 2013.
        I think the Tigers will trade for a 3B before September. We’ll just have to patiently wait until then.

        1. I think that this team just has to be at a point where they need to give someone else a try at 3B. Inge’s office and defense have been on the decline for years and this year is just proving to be a disaster for him. Give Don Kelly some more playing time and if he doesn’t work out, try someone else. Inge should be used sparingly at best.

          1. In the 4 games after the break, Kelly did get the 1st starts vs the White Sox. So he is getting more PT.

          2. The solution: pay-per-view death match between Inge and Raburn, only one stays. The money raised goes toward paying Kuroda.

    1. Not so sure about that, I’m still more concerned with Twins + Chisox than the Indians

      1. me2… the Sox have the best starting 5 in the division, and the Twinkies, well they always seem to be in the mix.

        Grady Sizemore hit the DL yesterday

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