Game 2012.36: Tigers at White Sox

17-18, 2nd place, 2 games behind Cle.

Don’t let the smile fool you, Mad Max is MAD.

He’s angry that Coleman jinxed Smyly yesterday. He’s upset that Putkonen pitched like a Mud Hen and not a Tiger. He’s furious that the Tigers are 0-9 in games following their last 9 wins. And he’s livid that we are in the middle of may, and Mad Max sports a 5.7+ ERA.

After a great start to the game yesterday which saw the Tigers plate three runs in the top of the first, the bullpen woes continued when Putkonen came in and gave up 3 ER on 4 hits and a walk while retiring only 1 in the top of the 6th. Leyland pulled Smyly after only 69 pitches because his pitches were high in the zone, (and he had to get to the bar to see Pacquiao), but why Putkonen wasn’t pulled after he loaded the bases wasn’t asked. This is just one of those Leyland let the rookie work it out quirks. Burned him last night.

Mad Max is looking for his 3rd straight quality start, and to boost his league leading 10.75 k/9. This will actually be Scherzer’s third start against the White Sox this season. He gave up 3 ER on 5 hits and struck out 11 in a loss on April 13th, and the allowed only 1 ER and struck out 9 just 10 days ago (no-decision).

Today’s back to .500 lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Dirks, DH (haven’t we established that Dirks is a better fielder than Kelly? Do we really need to rest a 26 year old?)
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Avila, C
6. Boesch, RF
7. Raburn, 2B (apparently a hit moves you down in the lineup)
8. Peralta, SS
9. Kelly, LF

 

Comments

52 responses to “Game 2012.36: Tigers at White Sox”

  1. Andrew in Toronto Avatar
    Andrew in Toronto

    Gene Lamont, thanks a lot.

    How many times???

  2. clanks Avatar
    clanks

    my God, I haven’t seen someone round third so slowly since Sean “Plow Horse” Casey wore the D! Pierzynski had a smoke break waiting for Miggy to get there

  3. Brenden Avatar
    Brenden

    Clown show and Bad Max alert….

  4. Coleman Avatar
    Coleman

    Wow, Mad Max will be Frickin’ Furious Max by the end of the day, Dirks has gone all Boesch in the 2-hole, Crazy Uncle Geno strikes again, and a Clown Show Kelly appearance, all in the first inning. This game has everything. Except, you know, the good stuff…

  5. Brenden Avatar
    Brenden

    With Max’s pitch count nearing 40 after the first inning, I would dare say we might get another opportunity to see Putkonen attempt “pitching” again…

    1. Coleman Avatar
      Coleman

      Ah yes, Putty. I also predict Valverde getting shelled in a non-save situation, then being unavailable in a save situation tomorrow.

  6. Kevin in Dallas Avatar
    Kevin in Dallas

    Just got back from lunch, what did I miss?

    1. Brenden Avatar
      Brenden

      Nothing good.

  7. clanks Avatar
    clanks

    $119 million clown show

  8. Brenden Avatar
    Brenden

    Well, it looks like Dirks has caught whatever Boesch had in the 2-spot… Gosh, this team is a joke…

  9. Coleman Avatar
    Coleman

    Maybe we should bat Cabrera and Fielder 2nd and 3rd, behind Jackson.

    1. bada bing Avatar
      bada bing

      This wouldn’t be funny if it wasn’t actually a decent suggestion.

  10. Brenden Avatar
    Brenden

    Another scoring opportunity wasted…

  11. clanks Avatar
    clanks

    Bad Max and Slow Max today. It was like waiting for Sergio Garcia to finally hit a golf ball….

  12. Brenden Avatar
    Brenden

    No offense and the blow pen sucks…Great day to be a Tiger…

  13. Kevin in Dallas Avatar
    Kevin in Dallas

    He’s on fire.

  14. tom in troy Avatar
    tom in troy

    Hank Raburn is rounding the bases.

  15. Coleman Avatar
    Coleman

    Raburn is due no more!!

  16. Brenden Avatar
    Brenden

    Umm…did hell just freeze over? Is there a chance that the Tigers might win this one?

  17. Kevin in Dallas Avatar
    Kevin in Dallas

    I don’t know, I still don’t have a good feeling about this game. We’ll see how long this rally can go.

    1. Kevin in Dallas Avatar
      Kevin in Dallas

      I take that back.

  18. Kevin in Dallas Avatar
    Kevin in Dallas

    WOW

  19. Coleman Avatar
    Coleman

    I was just about to ask what AJax was waiting for…I guess THAT.

  20. tom in troy Avatar
    tom in troy

    I don’t know, I have seen this all before. This could be a precursor to just another cruel ending after the “blow pen” takes over. But I will remain open minded.

  21. Brenden Avatar
    Brenden

    Okay, we have the lead, can Balester come out now?

  22. tom in troy Avatar
    tom in troy

    Balester? Balester?? Are you kidding me? Apparently, the Sox have not seen him either (Puntkonen style).

  23. Coleman Avatar
    Coleman

    Ryan Rallyburn!!

    1. Andrew in Toronto Avatar
      Andrew in Toronto

      It’s 83 degrees in Chicago. Maybe Raburn thinks it’s summer now.

  24. Brenden Avatar
    Brenden

    Raburn must have finally remembered to eat his Wheaties this morning! Wow!

  25. Coleman Avatar
    Coleman

    This game was going pretty badly until the 6th inning, then the wheels fell on.

  26. Damned Facetious Avatar
    Damned Facetious

    He’s tripled his RBI total in one game. Will Leyland reward him tomorrow with a day off?

  27. StorminNorman$ Avatar
    StorminNorman$

    i left the game in the 5th, w/ the Tigers trailing 6-0 coupled with Hawk calling the game, it was becoming torture… but low and behold the Tigers put up 10 runs in 2 innings – hanging 6 of those on “The Jake-Meister” and listening to Hawk call it, must have sounded like a slice of heaven

    http://www.heavethehawk.com/

    1. Chris in Texas Avatar
      Chris in Texas

      I wish I would have DVR’d the Hawk for this game, instead of Mario and Rod…That must have been awesome.

  28. scott Avatar
    scott

    ok, I just got home from work……..who’s this guy with a 3-run HR named “Rayburn? is he related to k-burn?……

  29. jud Avatar
    jud

    if RaYburn keeps this up we just might have to drop the Y….i am still very skeptical after only 2 games though..,….

    1. Damus Fucious Avatar
      Damus Fucious

      Ya’ need to brush-up on your Tigers knowledge scott! No Rayburn plays for the Tigers. Keep studying bud.

      Is Jud related? He needs to borrow your Tigers book after you’re done reading.

  30. Brenden Avatar
    Brenden

    Are you fricken kidding me???

    1. Chris in Texas Avatar
      Chris in Texas

      Raburn is going to have to hit for this team…IMO, he has become critical…because I think Delmon Young is a lost cause…it will only be a matter of time before they cut him, just like his brother…I could be wrong, but, he just doesn’t look like he even cares, so, 2nd half Raburn may become critical…that is, unless a certain DH returns for the stretch run.

  31. StorminNorman$ Avatar
    StorminNorman$

    unbelievable ending…well, maybe not so much

    1. Brenden Avatar
      Brenden

      Seriously… Must every game end with so much drama? What’s the word on Valverde?

  32. StorminNorman$ Avatar
    StorminNorman$

    not sure about the extent of Valverde’s injury…hopefully not a long-term injury. Had Valverde been injured last yr, it would have been a critical loss… cannot say the same based on this year’s performance

    1. StorminNorman$ Avatar
      StorminNorman$

      i just heard it was a blister on his pitching hand or something along those lines

  33. scott Avatar
    scott

    new sign: “Caution…..Blow-pen at Work”………. 🙁

  34. Chris in Texas Avatar
    Chris in Texas

    Just watched the DVR of the game and the Tigers found a way to win a very, very big ballgame. I know we say this every time they have a big scoring game…but, hopefully, this gets them going. They had a number of good at-bats against a quality pitcher. Now, to the bad news…Jose Valverde’s back…I think Benoit will be fine as the closer, a preview to next season. Dotel could probably take the 8th (although, he seems to be great in the 7th and a roller coaster any time later) The question I have for DD is…Where are all the power arms? There is nobody in the minors that throws hard, that we can give a shot at the 7th inning, if Valverde goes down for a few weeks,

    1. Coleman Avatar
      Coleman

      Al Alburquerque should be back by the All Star break. Detroit owned the 7th-8th innings when he was healthy last season. I think it’s also too soon to write off Villarrheal.

      1. Andrew in Toronto Avatar
        Andrew in Toronto

        And Luis Marte is making his way back from injuries. Considering he made the team coming out of spring training, I suppose he’s expected to be better than some of these other guys.

      2. Damus Fucious Avatar
        Damus Fucious

        Where did you read this on Al-Albur?
        Cite your source please.

        1. Coleman Avatar
          Coleman

          Original prognosis was mid-July, he is going to start mound work ahead of schedule. Obviously it depends how that goes, and a lot can happen between now and then, and it would be a mistake to rush him just because others aren’t cutting it.

          1. Jerry The Tiger Fan Avatar
            Jerry The Tiger Fan

            Rush Schlereth back? Is that a joke? Who in their right mind would want to do that? I’m sure there are five guys in Toledo who can get shelled just as easily as Schlereth can. I’m hoping he can come back…………….never. He is not good even when healthy and I wouldn’t be the least bit sad if his injury is as serious as Zumaya’s. In other words, good riddance Mr. Schelreth! Don’t do us any favors by trying to return anytime soon.

            1. Coleman Avatar
              Coleman

              Yikes, Jerry! I posted the link to answer a question about Alburquerque (a few paragraphs down in the story) and the comment pertained to Al. So how do you really feel about Schlereth? Rush Schlereth! Yeah, the Bum’s Rush…

  35. Damus Fucious Avatar
    Damus Fucious

    Quote:
    “Do we really need to rest a 26 year old?)”
    ————————————————
    You mean the player that’s been hobbling of & on lately?
    Well…. yes!