60-52, 2nd place, 1 game behind CWS, tied for WC lead.
Well, the Tigers blew a fantastic chance to take over sole possession of 1st place last night when Joaquin Benoit gave up back to back HRs in the 8th to relinquish the lead, and then the Tigers went R3L2O fail R3L2O fail R32O fail with an opportunity to tie the game in the 9th; which is arguably the most life force draining consecutive at bats that a fan can endure.
It’s hard to come away from the Yankee series on a positive note, but I will admit that the Tigers are playing better all the way around, and I certainly wouldn’t be scared to face the Yankees in the playoffs.
There is, however, a team that worries me, and we start a three game series against them tonight. Though their pitching staff has been hit hard with injuries (Colby Lewis is out of the year, and Neftali Feliz may be out until 2014), guys like Scott Feldman have stepped to help keep the Rangers comfortably in the lead. Feldman is 6-0 over his last 7 games, during which his ERA has dropped from 6.50 to 4.52.
The Tigers look to continue their hot hitting streak in the scorching Texas heat (it was 108 yesterday). The Boys have collected 13 hits or more in each of the last 5 games (which makes yesterday’s loss even tougher) and are batting .356 with 11 HRs in 8 games this month.
I will be a few rows back up the 3rd base line, look for me, I’ll be the one explaining to Gene Lamont that base runners need to touch home in order to score a run.
A few notes:
– Joaquin Benoit is a league leader…his WHIP in July/August….is .84.
– Leyland being Leyland on a potential Castellanos call-up in September.
– 37,661 per game at Tiger Stadium, good for 3rd in the AL. I see you Tigers fans.
Stat of the day – Miguel Cabrera leads all major leaguers with a .369 BA against the Rangers.
Tonight’s Back on Track Lineup:
1. Jackson, CF
2. Dirks, LF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Boesch, RF
6. Young, DH
7. Avila, C
8. Peralta, SS
9. Infante, 2B
BTW, I’m still upset about last night.
Comments
36 responses to “Game 2012.113: Tigers at Rangers”
A must read: Leyland explains Leyland Thinking:
http://beck.mlblogs.com/2012/08/10/leyland-i-should-have-never-thought-about-bunting/
When you get done reading this article all you can say is…”Huh”?????
I am more confused after reading it then before…..
Yeah, I know. If this hadn’t been SOP for the last six years, I would have said “unbelievable.”
If the Tigers keep this up, they’re gonna lose.
#kneejerkreaction
This is starting to have the air of a snoozer about it. Where is that 13-hit offense?
With a likely quick exit by Scherzer thrown in for good measure.
Bad Max at 67 pitches through 3 IP.
Looked like Dirks deked Andrus there.
Getting a little help from the Rangers on the basepaths tonight.
Rangers PA great Chuck Morgan just dropped some Pantera.
Can you drop your pantera in public and not get arrested in Texas?
You kow you are at a Ranger game when everyone in the expensive seats behind homeplate are playing with their cellphones instead of watching the game!
You were looking at their cell phones?
PRINCE!!!!!
Sweet home Alabama! Good one Prince!
Another two out rally.
Delmon takes the lead in the battle of the Young DHs!
Davd Murphy’s walk up song is “this is not where I belong”
Peralta’s OBP is much better than Young’s, but as far as big hits are concerned he is much worse. Offensively this is probably going to be the least productive of his career. I’d be dropping him to 9th and moving Infante up in the order.
Great job Max! You battled well tonight and never gave up!
Welcome home AJAX!
First inside the park home run I’ve ever seen in person.
Wish I was there! My first baseball game back on 08AUG61 I saw Ed Charles steal home for the Kansas City As to beat the Minn Twins. I was 6 years old!
I never seen anyone steal home since!
About the fifth time I’ve seen Cruz do that.
Nelson Clownz in RF.
What great off-season additions Octavio Dotel and Gerald Laird have turned out to be.
Nelson paying us back for destroying us in the ALCS last year…….
WSox win 4-3 on walkoff HR by Danks.
See, it pays off when you let the pitchers bat (yeah, I know). And where is Inge when you need him?
0 for 4 tonight, but still batting a robust .215.
Berry needs more bunting practice. A lot more.
Hey Kevin, keep it going down there in Texas!…you did good tonight!
Good win. Six innings from Too-Many-Pitches Scherzer, the bullpen cruised and the bats woke up in the 4th inning. Lamont didn’t hold Jackson at 3rd on the ISP homerun and Leyland didn’t even have to think too hard and will be spared nightmares this evening. AS will we.
Heard Leyland stick up for Miggie as MVP today, referred to the Fish as “wonderboy”… Isn’t that the name of a bat from some old movie?
The Natural.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120809/SPORTS0104/208090431/1129/sports0104/Tigers-manager-Jim-Leyland-Miguel-Cabrera-MVP-not-Angels-Wonderboy-