Game 2011.136: Royals at Tigers

Not much time to celebrate last night’s walk off

Paulino is a late scratch with back-spasms, so Nate Adcock takes the ball for the Royals. Adcock is on a pitch count limit of about 50 pitches, and then some guy named Everett Teaford will man the mound.  This actually does not bode well for the Tigers, as the Royals pen is touting a sub 2 ERA against the Tigers this year.

Porcello was pretty good his last time out, but he’s been pretty bad over the past three months. At this point in time, I’ve got to think (hope) that he’s not quite a lock for the playoff rotation, and every start is an audition.  That plot will really thicken tomorrow between innings 1 and 6.

– Avila’s streak of 18 consecutive games at C is tops this year, says Freep.
– Who knows when Boesch will be back, if at all…as Gage reports that he needs surgery.
– That same article says Al Al has been cleared for baseball activities.  Get better soon Al Al.

Today’s Lining Up for a Series Win Lineup is:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Santiago, SS
3. Young, LF
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Martinez, DH
6. Avila, C
7. Betemit, 3B
8. Raburn, 2B
9. Kelly, RF

 

Minor League Wrap 8.30.2011

Toledo 4, Indianapolis 5 (Pirates)

Ramon Garcia (LHP) did not factor in the decision and tossed a slightly below-average start: 5 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K. Weinhard and Purcey threw five scoreless innings and struck out 2 batters apiece. Enrique Gonzalez got stuck with the loss after he yielded an unearned  walk-off run in the Indianapolis 12th.

Danny Worth went 2-4 with 2 walks and 2 RBI. Carlos Guillen DH’ed and recorded 4 hits, including 2 doubles, and a walk in 6 ABs. He also drove in a run.

Erie 3, Binghamton 4 (Mets)

Trevor Feeney (RHP) pitched well but did not factor in the decision. Over 5 innings he gave up 5 hits and 2 walks resulting in 3 ER. He K’ed 4. Rob Waite (RHP) struck out 4 over 3 innings without allowing a run. Tyler Stohr (RHP) gave up a solo homer in the top of the 9th which was the difference in this one.

Rawley Bishop (1B) went 1-4 with 2 RBI. Bryan Pounds (3B) was 3-4 with 2 doubles. Jamie Johnson had the other Erie RBI.

Lakeland 9, Dunedin 5 (Blue Jays)

Luke Putkonen through a seven inning complete game and recorded the win. He posted the following line: 7 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 7 K.

Six Flying Tigers recorded one RBI each. Jordan Lennerton (1B) drove in 3 on 2 doubles and 3 hits in 3 ABs.

West Michigan 2, Dayton 3 (Reds)

The bullpen wasted a superb start from Alex Burgos (LHP). Burgos held Dayton scoreless over 6 innings and allowed only 4 hits with no walks. He also struck out 3. In his last 10 starts, he’s posted a 2.25 ERA over 56 innings of work with 59 K’s and 21 BB’s. Daniel Bennett (RHP) gave up a walk-off solo shot in the bottom of the 10th to crush the hopes of Whitecaps fans.

James Robbins (1B) went 1-3 with a homer. Nick Castellanos (3B) went 1-4 with an RBI and a walk.

Game 2011.135: Royals at Tigers

Ignoring the last two games…

There’s a great debate brewing over Verlander’s candidacy for the AL MVP.  MLB.com weighed in with a yay and a nay, and Buster Olney recently wrote that JV would get his vote if he had to vote today (you’ll need insider).  One of the key contentions is that pitchers should not be considered with hitters because pitchers only pitch every 5th day.  In fact, even Ol’ Jimmy argued this a few days ago when he said “I’m not looking for arguments or controversy I just think when a guy goes out there 158 times or 155 times and has a big year, an MVP type year I don’t think the guy that goes out there 35 times should be named over that guy.”

Well, Olney responds to the every 5th day argument with a clever # of plate appearances argument.  “But here’s a number worth thinking about when considering how integral a great starter can be to success: Verlander has been involved in 830 plate appearances this year; the AL leaders, among position players, are at about 600.”  The problem with this argument is that it does not take into account the defensive value of a hitter. It would be interesting to see how many fielding plays a pitcher is involved in versus each of the other positions.

FanGraphs weighed in yesterday and argued that while JV’s core stats lead the league, his WAR is marginally ahead of Weaver and Sabathia, and thus perhaps he has not been as dominant as perceived.  Their argument is that in a year when he’s not head and shoulders above the rest of the pitchers, how can he be considered for MVP?

Perhaps the strongest argument for JV 4 MVP is his value to the Tigers.  The Tigers are 21-8 on days when he climbs the hill, and 52-53 on every other day.  You take out Granderson or Gonzalez, and the Yankees and Red Sox are most likely not any worse off record wise.

Oh yeah, Fister looks to be the new stopper tonight at CoPa.

Tonight’s Regular Lefty Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Magglio Ordonez, RF
3. Delmon Young, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Alex Avila, C
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Ryan Raburn, 2B
9. Brandon Inge, 3B

Game 2011.134: Royals at Tigers

The Tigers return home from a rather memorable road trip on the heels of a rather forgettable loss to the Twins.  I found this in an MLB.com story today:

“Despite the loss, the Tigers still finished 5-2 on the trip.  Over seven games, the Tigers’ pitching staff posted a 3.16 ERA, while the starters went 5-1 with a 3.37 ERA. Entering Sunday’s game, the Tigers had a 1.84 ERA through the first six games of the trip, including the starters with a 2.15 ERA.”

The Royals come to town for 4, and open up a Tigers homestand in the middle of a 19 game AL Central only stretch.  The White Sox will round out the homestand this weekend.

Hochevar has been pretty good as of late, posting 4 QS in his last 6 outings.  This is his 4th start against the Tigers this season.  He’s 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA, including 6 earned in 3 1/2 in early July in Detroit.  Cabby is a lifetime .480 hitter off of Hochevar with 2 bombs, I’m looking for him to get to 5 today.

Max Scherzer toes the slab in an effort to get his ERA below 4.20 for the first time since May.  Scherzer has had two streaks of 5 QS this season, let’s get one started tonight to carry us through September.

A few notes:

– Jacob Turner is going to get a “spot” start on Thursday so that JV can get an extra day of rest.  I’m guessing that this is an audition for the “5th spot”.
– Did you know that a recent SI poll of ML players ranked Leyland as the 3rd skipper on the list of managers that they would like to play for?
– Guillen will start a rehab stint in Toledo tonight.  Not sure if this is a good thing.
– Raburn and Boesch are still day to day with sore fingers.  Boesch needs to get healthy soon before JL gets any ideas.

Tonight’s Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Ramon Santiago, 2B
3. Delmon Young, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Alex Avila, C
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Wilson Betemit, 3B
9. Don Kelly, RF

Game 2011.133: Tigers at Twins

Previously here at DTW we pointed out how much better Brad Penny was pitching at night vs pitching during the day, and hoped that Leyland would change the rotation to get him off of the day shift.

Sure enough, he returned with a solid night start against Minnesota and a great 1-run evening win against Tampa Bay.

Leyland, being the scientific type that he is, clearly decided to test whether the night start was responsible or Penny was just getting better, but starting him in another day game.  So even if he is awful this afternoon, the knowledge gained will be invaluable, so the Tigers really can’t lose.

Meanwhile, the Tigers can bask in the glory of Justin Verlander’s 20th win, especially since, for a change, it was a real team effort, as Justin had a merely human outing.  Verlander becomes the earliest 20-game winner in MLB since Curt Schilling in 2002.

Detroit faces Brian Duensing (8-13, 5.12) who has had a rough August (0-5, 8.65).  Duensing said “I’m just kind of wrong right now.”  Stay wrong Brian, stay wrong.

And just for fun:  Detroit is now only 1 game behind Texas for the playoff 2nd-seed.

Player of the Pre-Game:  Alex Avila

He just keeps going.  August Alex is now hitting .408 (1.300 OPS), with 7 HR and 17 RBI for the month.  The Tigers are 16-8 for the month, which ties them with Tampa Bay for AL best (the Brewers have somehow gone 20-5).

Today’s Because-Whoever-Plays-RF-Has-To-Bat-2nd Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson, CF
  2. Magglio Ordonez, RF
  3. Delmon Young, LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  5. Victor Martinez, DH
  6. Alex Avila, C
  7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
  8. Ramon Santiago, 2B
  9. Brandon Inge, 3B

 

Minor League Wrap 8.27.2011

Toledo 2, Buffalo 3 (Mets)

Andy Oliver (LHP) pushed the limits of the term “quality start” and took the loss: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K. Purcey, Wise, and Hoffman each threw one scoreless inning of relief.

Timo Perez (LF) was 3-4 with an RBI. Scott Thorman had the other Mud Hens RBI.

Erie 6, Bowie 2 (Orioles)

Drew “thank God I wasn’t the PTBNL” Smyly (LHP) improved to 4-2 after a superb start. He struck out 7 and walked only one batter over 7 2/3 innings. He scattered 5 hits and allowed 2 ER. His ERA at Erie is an impressive 1.23. Tyler Stohr (RHP) picked up save number 3 after a perfect inning and a third.

Michael Rockett (RF) was 1-4 with a 2-run homer. Bryan Holaday (C) and Cale Iorg (SS) each hit solo homers. Rawley Bishop (1B) had the other Erie RBI on a sac fly.

Lakeland 5, Clearwater 14 (Phillies)

Mark Sorensen (RHP) dropped to 2-4 and gave up 7 ER on 12 hits in 2.2 innings as the starter. Zach Samuels (RHP) allowed 2 ER in 2 1/3 and Nate Newman (RHP) let 5 more runs cross the plate in 3 innings of work.

Jordan Lennerton (DH) was 2-4 with a double. Tony Plagman doubled in 4 ABs and drove in a run. Rob Brantly (C) had an RBI and was 1-3.

West Michigan 0, Dayton 2 (Reds)

Kyle Ryan (LHP) was robbed of a win. He threw 6 innings of 1 run ball and allowed only 4 hits and a walk, while striking out 5, but still wound up with the loss. Tyler Clark (RHP) was also beat down by the baseball gods. In one inning of work, he allowed only a single walk. Unfortunately, that walk stole second, stole third, and then scored on a weak ground ball to the right side of the infield. He finished with the following unusual line: 1 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K.

Jason Krizan  (OF) and Dixon Machado (SS) each had 2 hits. Castellanos was 1-4. He’s hitting .311 on the year.

Game 2011.132: Tigers at Twins

Dare I say it, the Detroit Tigers are beginning to look like a team on a roll. Rick Porcello pitched like a Rick Porcello should, the Tigers, led by Delmon Young, piled on a bunch of runs, and Detroit cruised to an easy victory over Minnesota (so easy that the game elicited a scant 7 comments).

And now we come back with Mr. Verlander, who seems primed to become the first Tiger since Bill Gullickson (1991) to win 20 games, and the first this season in MLB.  Facing a decimated Twins team that has lost 6 straight, this one seems all but inevitable.  But this is baseball, so nothing can be taken for granted.

If ever there were an appropriate villain to play spoiler to Verlander’s bid for 20, it would be Carl Pavano, who takes the mound for the Twins.  Pavano is 6-10, 4.54, and is facing a milestone of hs own:  he has 99 career losses.  But Tiger fans will not easily forget what he did to Detroit in the nail-biting 2009 season.

Player of the Pre-Game: Brandon Inge

Yes, he is not playing today.  But with Santos sent back to Toledo,  Martinez still hurting, and Kelly on paternity leave, he is Detroit’s only backup catcher.  His job is to sit in the dugout, vote for himself for Top Web Gem (he is in the running against Ben Revere), and pray that nothing happens to Avila.

Today’s Make-Verlander-Proud Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson, CF
  2. Ramon Santiago, 2B
  3. Delmon Young, LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  5. Victor Martinez, DH
  6. Alex Avila, C
  7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
  8. Wilson Betemit, 3B
  9. Ryan Raburn, RF

Minor League Wrap 8.26.2011

Toledo 1, Buffalo 0 (Mets)

Jacob Turner looked impressive but did not factor in the decision. Turner threw 6 shutout innings and held Buffalo to 4 hits and a walk while striking out 6. Brayan Villareal (LHP) earned his third win of the year and Enrique Gonzalez picked up his 12th save after three combined innings of shutout relief.

Timo Perez (LF) drove in the only run of the game on an RBI single in the bottom of the 8th. In his first game after being promoted from AA Erie, Justin Henry (3B) was 2-4 from the plate. In 363 ABs with Erie, Henry hit .311, with an OBP of .414.

Erie 7, Bowie 5 (Orioles)

Jay Voss (LHP) received a no decision following a mediocre start: 6 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 6 k. Jared Gayhart (RHP) improved to 5-0 on the year after 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.

Bryan Pounds (3B) was 2-4 with 2 RBI and a run scored. Brent Wyatt (OF) also drove in 2 runs.

Lakeland 6, Clearwater 8 (Phillies)

Reliever Kenny Faulk (LHP) allowed 2 unearned runs in the bottom of the 8th and got stuck with the loss. Victor Larez (RHP) started the game and got the hook after 5 innings and 5 ER. Zach Samuels (RHP) replaced him and coughed up another ER in 2 innings of work.

Avisail Garcia (RF) homered twice and drove in 3 in 4 ABs. Jordan Lennerton (1B) went 3-5 with a triple, an RBI, and a run scored.

West Michigan 4, Lake County 2 (Indians)

Josue Carreno (RHP) and Ryan Woolley (RHP) combined to throw a tremendous game. Carreno started, earned the win, and went 5 and Woolley made it 4 to pick up the save. Each man gave up an ER.

Hernan Perez has struggled over his last 10, but responded well with a  2-4, 1 RBI night. Castellanos went 2-4 with a double and a RBI. The final 2 WM runs were driven in by Jones and Krizan.

Game 2011.131: Tigers at Twins

Tonight the Tigers arrive at Target Field in Minneapolis faced with the daunting prospect of 10,000 Jim Thomes.

Fortunately, none of them will be in a Twins uniform.

(Unfortunately, Jim Thome is back in a Cleveland Indian uniform).

On Jim Thome Wind Up Walker Giveaway Night, the first 10,000 fans will receive a replica of the player the Twins just traded to Cleveland for Player-To-Be-Named-Later.  Thome will rejoin the team on which he began his career,  and began killing the Tigers.  The Indians are hoping he will be able to continue the Tiger-killing, or if not at least give the fans something to talk about other than the team’s August downslide.

If the Tigers continue winning, they won’t have to worry about Thome or anyone else:   Detroit now has a solid lead of 6 1/2 over Cleveland, and 7 over Chicago,  with a week of baseball against the struggling Twins and Royals on tap.

And the Tigers have been winning without even scoring–Detroit only scored a total of 11 runs in the 4-game series with Tampa Bay, but managed to win 3-of-4 anyway.

That approach may not work tonight, unless Rick Porcello has a much better showing than he did when he faced the Twins on Aug 16.  He gave up 6 runs in 6 innings, and followed that up with a 5-run, 3 2/3 inning appearance against Cleveland.  With a season ERA now at 5.17–and 9.15 in August–he has been doing a good impersonation of a 5th starter.

The Tigers will be facing dreaded Rookie Pitcher Guy, this one a lefty named Scott Diamond (0-1, 4.26), making his 2nd major league appearance.

Player of the Pre-Game: Alex Avila

I might as well just leave this name up here for a while.  He is now hitting .418 (1.336 OPS) for the month of August, with 6 HR and 16 RBI.  His 2010 season totals:  7 HR and 32 RBI.

Today’s Wind-Up Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson, CF
  2. Magglio Ordonez, RF
  3. Delmon Young, LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  5. Victor Martinez, DH
  6. Alex Avila, C
  7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
  8. Ryan Raburn, 2B
  9. Brandon Inge, 3B

 

Minor League Wrap 8.24.2011

Toledo 7, Buffalo 6 (Mets)

Fu Te Ni gave up 3 quick runs in the first, but settled in somewhat and finished the night after 5 2/3 innings and 5 ER charged against him. Ni allowed 8 hits but just 2 walks with 6 strikeouts. Brendan Wise (RHP) was the beneficiary of timely ‘Hens hitting and improved to 5-2 with the win.  David Purcey (LHP) threw an inning and a third in relief allowing one walk, but no more. Enrique Gonzalez closed this one down, earning his 11th save of the season, while striking out 2 of 3 in a perfect 9th.

Danny Worth had a huge night, going 2-3 from the plate with a grand slam in the 6th. Max St. Pierre (C) had 2 RBIs on a homer and Argenis Diaz (3B) went 3-4 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored.

Erie 5, Binghamton 10 (Mets)

Casey Crosby (LHP)was beat handily and fell to 8-6 on the year: 5 IP, 8 H, 8 ER, 1 BB, 6 K. Rob Waite (RHP) gave up 2 more ER over 2 innings.

John Murrian (C) drove in 3 on a HR in four ABs. Rawley Bishop (1B) went 3-4 with a double and a RBI. Brandon Douglas (2B) drove in the final Erie run.

Lakeland, Dunedin: PPD

West Michigan 2, Lake County 1 (Indians)

James McCann hit a sacrifice fly to score Steven Moya in the bottom of the 13th for a walk-off giving reliever Jade Todd (LHP) his second win of the season.  While he didn’t factor in the decision, Kevin Eichhorn (RHP) pitched very well: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 4 K. In his last 10 starts Eichhorn has gone 4-2 with a 4.19 ERA; however, he’s struck out 38 while walking just 13 over 62 1/3 innings of work.

Josh Ashenbrenner (3B) went 2-4 from the plate. McCann and Steven Moya (DH) had one RBI each.

Game 2011.130: Tigers at Rays

Before we complain too much more about “The Throw” last night, let’s remember that even had that play been made, we would have still had to score a run somehow (which requires hits), and then likely asked another reliever not names Benoit or Valverde to pitch a scoreless inning.

Today’s task doesn’t get any easier, as the Tigers run out Omir Santos and not Miguel Cabrera (congrats on the new kid big guy) against Jeremy Hellickson.  Oh, and Boesch re-injured his thumb last night (2nd degree sprain), so we’ll need the bench guys to step up.  No word on his return.

Today’s Series Winning Lineup:

1. A Jax – CF
2. Santiago – 2B
3. Young – LF
4. V-Mart – DH
5. Betemit – 3B (yeah, that’s 5th)
6. Kelly – 1B
7. Peralta – SS (I don’t get this)
8. Raburn – RF
9. Santos – C

Game 2011.129: Tigers at Rays

Let’s give credit where credit is due…Ol’ Jimmy managed us to a win last night, and he’s been conducting the bullpen like a maestro over the last week.  Coke’s effort last night was tremendous, and may be the type of performance that defines a division championship (may).  He went 0-2 or1-2 on 6 batters, struck out the first 5 that he faced, and performed brilliantly in the face of extreme pressure after the IBB to put the winning run on.  The 10 pitch at bat to Zobrist had my stomach in knots.  And it’s not (get it?) even September yet.  WPs only bounce into the stands to save a run when a team is on a 5 game winning streak.  Overall, the bullpen has a microscopic 1.55 ERA and 58 Ks over their last 58 IPs dating back to August 4.

Brad Penny ate up 6 1/3 allowing only one run, and Ryan Perry maintained composure and got Longoria to fly out with the bases loaded in the 7th.

Avila’s Awesome August sees him leading the AL with a 1.338 OPS in 19 games.  His August slugging percentage alone would put him about 1/2 up the team leader board in OPS.  Oh yeah, and that was his 17th straight start.

Max Scherzer goes for the Tigers tonight against Wade Davis, perhaps the most hittable Tampa pitcher in the series.  Davis had one of his best starts of the season last time out (against the Mariners) but has carried a 4+ ERA for most of the season, and has a 1.41 WHIP.  Lefties hit .290 against him, and righties are batting .265 for the year.

Before you start checking your October calendars, remember that the Rangers were 7.5 games up on the Angels less than a week ago…that lead is now 3.5.

Lineups coming later.