Category Archives: 2008 Season

Game 157: Royals at Tigers

PREGAME: It’s been a while since the Tigers scored. Tonight they face a pitcher with a 5.96 ERA in Brian Bannister. But said pitcher hasn’t allowed more than 4 runs to the Tigers in his career. The most recent time he did it he also went 8 innings.

The Tigers send out a pitcher with a 6.15 ERA in the shape of Nate Robertson. Nate was good in his last start against a neutered Oakland lineup. Hopefully he can replicate his success against the Royals.

KCR @ DET, Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com

Game Time 7:05

Todd Jones retires

It’s really not all that surprising, but Todd Jones has announced his retirement. This was likely to be Jones last season regardless, but the injury and resulting ineffectiveness likely sealed the deal.

Jones is the Tigers all time saves leader and his 319 career saves places him 14th in the history of the game.

I’m hoping that he joins the team this weekend and that he can be honored in some way. He deserves to go out to cheers instead of the cavalcade of boos he was serenaded with his last time on the mound.

Congrats on a great career Jonesy.

Sporting News Today – September 24, 2008

Back breakers

Tigers radio announcer Dan Dickerson has experienced the misery of this season up close. Probably to up close. What makes him a professional is that when the Tigers surrender a late inning homer to blow a lead, or a game, he doesn’t get to swear like the rest of us do. I bring this up because Dan passed along some research he did about the Tigers proclivity for allowing especially demoralizing homers late in the game. Ten time in fact. Since the All Star Break.

Tigers opponents have hit 10 HR in the 8th inning or later that either tied the game, broke a tie, or changed the lead (turned Tigers’ lead into opponent’s lead). Those HRs came in 8 games, and the Tigers are 1-7 in those 8 games. You might want to double-check to see if I missed any, but the 10 HR I found were: July 19th (2), July 25th, July 30th, August 3rd, 5th (2), 25th, September 14th and 19th.

Relievers have been equal opportunity givers: Farnsworth has given up 3 of the 10 HR, Zumaya 2, Seay, Dolsi, Jones, Glover and Fossum have all given up 1.

I was actually surprised it was only 10, but I came up with the same numbers as Dan. In that August 5th game Aquilino Lopez allowed a homer with 2 outs in the 7th that tied the game, so you can almost count that as 11.

What makes it a little more painful (like we need more pain) is that 6 of those 8 games were against the White Sox and Indians.

Game 155: Royals at Tigers

PREGAME: The battle for last place is underway. The Tigers have a 2 game lead, that could evaporate if they keep playing their current brand of baseball.

The Tigers send out Zach Miner, who can thank the Royals for being a large part of his success as a starter. In 3 starts Miner has allowed 1 run over 19 innings.

The Royals will go with Gil Meche who has 4 consecutive quality starts against the Tigers.

KCR @ DET, Monday, September 22, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com

Game Time 7:05

Hollimon has torn labrum

Michael Hollimon, who saw his numbers evaporate after returning to Toledo from his MLB stint, underwent surgery on Thursday to repair a torn labrum. He’ll miss 6 to 9 months.

A couple quotes from the article:

“In such a young player, with a nice future ahead of him, we want to take time and make sure it’s done right,” Rand said Saturday.

The thing is Hollimon isn’t a young player. He’s 26. He’s going to be missing a chunk of his prime production rehabbing. That hurts.

“At times during the season, he felt a little weakness in the shoulder,” Rand said. “He felt that the shoulder wasn’t stable. He was worried that, going down the road, he’d have an issue at some point that would have to be fixed. So, he opted to have the surgery at this time.”

This doesn’t sound good. I fully admit to not being a clinician and not having access to information. But once again, from what is being reported to the public, this sounds curious from a medical management standpoint.

Hollimon undergoes surgery, likely to miss first half of next season | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Game 153: Tigers at Indians

PREGAME: Pregame is kind of a misnomer, since the Tigers just finished the top half of the first with a 1 run lead. Sorry for the tardiness. It’s the first time this season. Fine me, bench me, do what you have to do.

Jeremy Sowers and Justin Verlander. Let’s get it on. And guess the bullpen member to allow the crucial homer.

DET @ CLE, Saturday, September 20, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com

It’s dress up time

You see, when you’re a rookie in MLB there is a certain hazing process. The junior member of the bullpen is responsible for bringing out the snacks. The snacks usually reside in a Dora the Explorer backpack or something similar. But if you’re fortunate enough to be on a roster for the last roadtrip of the season, you get to wear something fancy. Curtis Granderson is kind enough to share the lineup.

Freddy Dolsi — French maid
Armando Galarraga — Cha Cha girl
Chris Lambert — Bridezilla
Clay Rapada — Female cop
Dusty Ryan — Caveman with a club
Dane Sardinha — Hercules
Jeff Larrish — She-devil
Matt Joyce — Neverland fairy

Now if only he’ll be kind enough to share photos.

By the way, Fossum isn’t a rookie, but he should be forced to dress up in something as well.

Game 152: Tigers at Indians

PREGAME: It will be a Leyland-less team tonight as the skipper starts serving a 3 game suspension.

Armando Galarraga has been roughed up his last 2 starts. he’s allowed 11 runs in his last 10 innings. He’ll be facing the Indians for the 5th time this year. Hopefully he can find a little of his early year magic.

He’ll be opposed by Fausto Carmona. Carmona has been lit up his last 2 starts allowing 14 runs in 11.2 innings.

DET @ CLE, Friday, September 19, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com

Game Time 7:05

POSTGAME: In a strange way this game played out perfectly for the Tigers. Armando Galarraga had a great outing and still should be at least in the ROY discussion. Miguel Cabrera moved into a tie for the league lead in homers and with 4 RBI’s is still in the mix for that title as well. Ordonez had a hit to stay in the batting title race. And the Tigers continue to enhance their draft position. Finally, Gary Glover and Casey Fossum showed they shouldn’t be part of next year’s plans.