2012 Season, Game Post

Game 2012.45: Tigers at Twins

51 Comments

Detroit Tigers, 20-24, closer to Minnesota in the standings than to Cleveland.

The last time the Tigers won 2 consecutive games their starting 2nd Baseman was Brandon Inge.

Things are not well in Tigertown.

Justin Verlander, for one, is not particularly pleased.

Even Chris Perez got his digs in, saying that “good teams win baseball games.”

It’s clear what the problem is (though not so clear how to fix it):  the Tigers just aren’t scoring runs.

The Tigers have scored 3 runs or fewer in over half of their games, in which their record is 6-17 (.261…somehow they have thus far avoided being shut out).  The 3-run mark is where losing teams stop–over the league as a whole, teams are 50-227 (.181) when scoring 3 or fewer runs (that record jumps up to 54-32 in games with 4 runs).

You’ll notice the Tigers have actually been outperforming the averages in their low-scoring games, thanks to some brilliant starting pitching. It could actually be much worse.

It’s clear Earl Weaver ball (waiting for the 3-run home run*) isn’t working. For one thing, the home runs aren’t’ coming: the Tigers need a home run from each hitter in the lineup tonight to reach league average.  And even when they do get one–like Avila’s the other day–that still only leaves them at that 3-run mark, unless they can do something else.

(*Weaver actually said that the key to winning was pitching, fundamentals, and the three-run homer).

Tonight Drew “No Run Support” Smyly (15 runs in 8 starts) looks to turn the tide. This looks like a good chance to do it:  Smyly will be facing the 0-3, 4.73 Anthony Swarzak.  And as bad as things have been, at least Detroit has yet to lose to a guy who believes that The Sasquatch (Bigfoot) exists, and intends to find one.

Today’s Player of the Pre-game:  Prince Fielder.  When Fielder steps into the batters box in the 1st inning, Swarzak yells, “I’ve found one!!” rushes from the mound, and attempts to tackle “Bigfoot” Fielder.  The Tigers pound the Twins bullpen following Swarzak’s ejection.

Tonight’s Return of Raburn Lineup:

  1. Quintin Berry CF
  2. Andy Dirks LF
  3. Miguel Cabrera 3B
  4. Prince Fielder 1B
  5. Delmon Young DH
  6. Brennan Boesch RF
  7. Jhonny Peralta SS
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Ryan Raburn 2B

51 thoughts on “Game 2012.45: Tigers at Twins”

  3. The Tigers could be counting down to that first shutout after their offensive 3-2-1 performance in CLE, and with “No Run Support” Smily pitching…

    On the other hand, the way things have been going with this “offense” you could just as well use that moniker for any Tiger starter.

    Also, though the Twins pitching remains abysmal, their bats seem to have warmed up lately.

    1. Your comment brings up a random recollection of a California bar band called Moniker Lewinsky.

  5. Twins are 2nd in GIDP, we are 3rd. We will catch them by the end of the series.

  11. Tigers just got schooled by the Twins on scoring runners when they are in scoring position with a 2 out knock no less. Nice!

  13. I seriously believe that Young would’ve scored had he not been running behind the athletic looking guy — what’s his name — Fielder? Yes, Fielder.

    1. Are you joking? Look at the replay. Leaping Lamont gave the stop sign to Fielder, and he ran right through it. Fire him now and replace him with a scarecrow.

      1. I used to think he was the worst 3rd base coach in the league. But I may have been overestimating him.

        1. No. You have accurately described Gene’s well earned position as worst. And next to worst is not really close.

  14. Peralta you have to be trying to play this bad on purpose ..no one can be this bad accidentally

  20. Leyland will chew out Berry for trying for second base because thats too much like trying to steal a base…a Leyland non no

  21. I think that before too long Swarzak will get the opportunity to make sure that there are no Sasquatch in the locker room.

  22. Fielder hits into a DP (another of way too many for him) and he is all smiles. What the hell, he has his money.

    1. Raburn will not be due again until the Reds series in the 2nd week of June.

  26. unfortunately this bombardment of 7 runs will practically guarantee a 2 spot tomorrow

  31. hey V…..didnt anyone teach you any fundementals of frickin throwing…oh I forgot your a Tiger…nevermind!

  32. Villarreal, Balester or putz-guy…..which one is worse? 3 dp’s not made tonight, balls thrown away, gift runs……this team is bad. wouldn’t surprise me to see the Twinkies come back and win……..

  35. Ok, now I know what this is all about. The Twins are simply refusing to be out done by the Tigers in defensive stupidity — not in their house anyway.

    1. BB is better offensively and defensively than KBum …… I don’t understand why Smokey keeps replacing him late in games with KBum?

  39. Offensively, this was a good game and hopefully they can string something together..but, at the end of the day…The Tigers played awful, they gave the twins so many extra outs it was ridiculous. We will take the much needed win, but, this looked like two bad teams going at it…Some of the defense was ridiculous..It would be bad defense for a high school team. They were very lucky that they were playing the lowly Twins.

    1. Two blind boxers flailing away in the ring – every once in a while, a punch lands.

  40. Everyone here must think poster Jud spells Raburn’s name correctly. Nobody corrects him.

    I’m outa’ here. I don’t like talking baseball with kids.
    Take care to all the Tigers fans here – the ones’ that spell Tigers players names correctly.

    Go Tigers!

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