PREGAME: Kenny Rogers returns from the disabled list and will be taking on John Smoltz.
Game Time: 7:35
POSTGAME:
This game was just a real pleasure to watch. A couple of pitchers on top of their games, except that the Tigers managed to dissect John Smoltz while the Braves couldn’t solve Kenny Rogers.
It took Smoltz only 34 pitches to make it through the order the first time. He was wicked with even Placido Polanco swinging and missing at a ball that broke a foot off the plate. But then the second time through the Tigers were able to hang in and see a few more pitches. They didn’t have great results, but it took Smoltz 51 pitches to get through the order the second time. The Tigers had some exteneded at-bats including a 9 pitch effort by Sheffield.
Now the third time through the Tigers had put it together. Starting with Curtis Granderson they went single-single-pop out-dingle-double-double-walk-single. This offense still continues to amaze me.
Kenny picked up right where he left off. I was a little surprised to see him lifted as early as he was, but the bullpen came through again. Three innings with only a walk allowed from Jason Grilli, Bobby Seay, and Eulogio De La Cruz was quite impressive – even against a team who is struggling at the dish.
Comments
18 responses to “Game 72: Tigers at Braves”
Smoltz looks good tonight. Sheffield looks better. Kenny?
Just once I’d like to see a Kenny play SS during a blowout. His natural position…
The Tigers’ amazing hitting continues. But the bullpen is going to have to come through tonight (gasp). I can’t see Rogers going much more than 6.
Oh no. Please be upper arm.
For all those days that I dreamt of a Ledezma-Seay head to head matchup… WOW. It was worth the wait.
Contusion only. Whew.
I can’t believe how much I was looking forward to seeing Rogers pitch tonight. Everything I hoped for and more. And sheesh, did Ledezma ever strike out the side for us?
OK, even our bullpen can’t give up 5 runs in one inning. Please?
Greatest outing of Ledezma’s career?
Let the pine tar rumors begin, haha. How many straight shutout innings is that?
wow, that was pretty awesome.
29 shutout innings for Rogers. Incredible.
Ledezma struck out the side against the Nationals earlier this week.
You are right Bob, true. Of course, we had an 11 run lead at the time.
GO CATS GO.
I don’t want to start something here…I’m a big Kenny Rodgers fan…but I jaw dropped when I saw this picture from last night’s game:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/photo?slug=afp-070623033310.4kd9bobf&prov=afp
What is that on his left hand??????
Silly me…that’s an old picture!
I just got back from Atlanta this morning. I was at this game on Friday night. Like magic, in the 6th inning, all the heckling disappeared. There were plenty of Tigers fans there.
Does anyone know the hotel the Tigers at staying at in Atlanta?