For those of you who could stay up long enough, you probably wish you hadn’t, although pretty much the whole game took place in the 8th inning.
In the top of the 8th, the Tigers blew not one but two opportunities with a runner at 3rd and less than two outs. The first was when Kinsler was caught in the dreaded Run On Contact play. I wish I had numbers for how often that fails; it seems to be a lot, not just with Detroit, but with other teams as well. It doesn’t help that the Tigers hit the ball so hard–the Martinez grounder got to first so fast Kinsler had only made it about a third of the way home. Kinsler valiantly got in an extended rundown, but Cabrera was having none of trying to get to 3rd.
Fortunately, Torii Hunter came through–again!–and put the Tigers back ahead, and gave them another opportunity with runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Unfortunately, Avila had to face a lefty, and I don’t think any of us were surprised at the weak strike out that followed. I’m sure Holaday wouldn’t have done any better, said no Tiger fan.
Then came The Decision: pinch-hit for Porcello, or send him back out for the 8th. Normally that is an automatic PH situation, but Porcello was only at 77 pitches, and had just breezed easily through the 7th. In addition, Joba Chamberlain (and maybe Nathan) were unavailable in the bullpen. Ausmus rolled the dice, and lost: Davis had a pinch-hit called 3rd strike, and Larry, Curly and Moe blew the lead in the 8th.
Well, today is another day and another game, which is one of the great things about baseball.
Today’s Did Not See That Coming Lineup:
- Jackson, CF
- Davis, LF
- Kinsler, 2B
- Cabrera, 3B
- V Martinez, 1B
- Kelly, RF
- Avila, C
- Romine, SS
- Sanchez, P
Following the ol’ Rest ‘Em While They’re Hot strategy, Ausmus sits Torii Hunter for The Donkey, who at least has a positive history against Cahill (4-for-7, HR). He tries something new with The House by the Side of the Road in the 2nd spot, bumping Cabrera-Martinez back to 4-5.
Comments
27 responses to “Game 2014.98: Tigers at Diamondbacks”
If we win with this lineup it will be a miracle.
It is really obvious that Miggy’s usual power is not there, especially lately. Could it be that the surgery has not allowed him to get back to his usual weight lifting routine and he is now depending on only his natural strength.
Miracle in progress.
Wasn’t there a report that came out over the AS break where he said his oblique is still injured?
2014…Alex Avila BA bases loaded….000
Alex Avila BA runners 2nd +3rd..000
RBI’since All Star game….000
personally we PH for the wrong guy..
Hah, Avila. That’s baseball!
Ya he just secured his line up spot for the next month with an actual hit and rare RBI…
Everybody gets lucky sometime.
I was at the game last night 2 rows back from the Tigers on deck circle. The drunk D Backs fans were heckling Tiger hitters all night. One guy yelled at Tori Hunter that his sister’s name was Tori. Hunter turned around and said “then you’re sister must be a man.” Hilarious.
I love it. In case you needed a reminder, this is a perfect example of why it’s always better to go to a game in person.
Avilla with all 3 RBI’s. Who would have predicted that?
Donkey on fire.
Glad Avila is finally reading DTW between innings about all the crap we type about him! And has responded…
Jackson and Avila both with multiple RBI…Nobody predicted that one…We will take it!
This is getting closer to blowpen proof!….maybe 3 more will do it!
The question is, is 7 runs Sanchez proof?
7 runs for Sanchez and it is only the 5th inning. That’s about three starts worth for him right there.
I think De La Rosa unintentionally intentionally walked Kelly there just so he could pitch to Mr. K.
Ausmus is completely at sea managing in the NL.
What is with Austin Jackson? May it stay with him.
Are we back to a Blowpen proof score?
Looked like Cabrera’s homer was coming up to hit me here in the upper deck. Even the D Backs fan behind me said he wanted him to hit it out so he could say he saw Cabrera hit a home run.
Sounded like the fans were going nuts. Lots of Tigers’ fans Mark? Or everyone just cheering for a superstar?
Lots of Tigers fans. Feels like 50-50.
Feels like that everywhere these days. Tigers fans are awesome.
It’s because so many people have fled Michigan. Tigers fans are everywhere now. Maybe this will be their chance to become America’s Team like the Yankees or Red Sox.
Good win if we hold in heading to the dreaded LA trip…good to see the AL Central getting back to .500 again also..
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