2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.57: Tigers at White Sox

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Well, so a bunch of streaks ended yesterday:  the Tiger winning streak, the Tiger winning streak against the White Sox, Charlie Furbush’s career scoreless streak, and Adam Dunn’s 0-for-40 against LHP.

The way the Tigers’ season has gone, one could expect a losing streak to follow.  Not so fast!  Tonight we get Justin Verlander, who not only is Justin Verlander, but has been particularly tough against the White Sox, going 6-0, 2.03 in his last 6 outings against them.  The only White Sox hitter who has hit Verlander consistenly has been AJ Pierzynski (.327).

Verlander will be matched by his former teammate and no-hit buddy, Edwin Jackson, who has struggled since his no-hitter last season (a combined 9-11, 4.44).

Also on the bright side:  Cleveland has to play Texas again tonight.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Jhonny Peralta

Peralta’s .920 OPS leads all MLB Shortstops.  In the All-Star balloting he trails Derek Jeter (.654) by about a million votes, which is inevitable.  He also trails Asdrubal Cabrera (.898), Elvis Andrus (.668), Yunel Escobar (.831) and Erick Aybar (.793), among others (they only have the top 5 vote-getters listed).  We need some love for the H-Factor.

Today’s He-Bats-9th-Because-There’s-No-10th Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Don Kelly 3B
  3. Brennan Boesch RF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Andy Dirks LF
  7. Jhonny Peralta SS
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Ryan Raburn 2B
2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 6.3.2011

Toledo 3, Scranton 4 (Yankees)

Scranton won on a soft fly walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth. Lester Oliveros gave up the run, and became the losing pitcher, after allowing 3 hits and 2 walks in one inning. Phil Coke made his rehab start and threw 5 1/3 innings. He gave up 8 hits, 2 walks and 3 ER while striking out 6. He threw 89 pitches, 58 for strikes.

Magglio also made a rehab appearance and went 0-3 with a strike out. Bryan Pounds (3B) went 2-4 with a run scored, a homer, and an RBI. Clete Thomas (CF) went 1-3 with a double, 2 RBI, and a walk.

Erie 6, Harrisburg 5 (Senators)

With the game tied at 5, Michael Bertram (DH) lead off the bottom of the 10th. He then belted a homer into straightaway center field for the walk-off win. That was the 2nd hit in a 2-5 night in which he scored two runs. Justin Henry (OF) went 0-1 but drew an unbelievable 4 walks. Audy Ciriaco (SS) also had a nice night: 3-4, 2 R, 1 2B.

Jacob Turner started for the Wolves. He gave up 6 hits and walks in 7 1/3. Of those base runners, 3 turned into earned runs. Turner struck out 5. His ERA for the season is now at 2.79. Last night’s start marked his tenth of the year. He has allowed more than 3 ER only once, when he gave up 4 over 7 innings back on April 28th.

Chance Ruffin (RHP) looked like a stud in a magnificent relief effort. He was the pitcher of record after two innings of work while striking out 4 without allowing a hit or walk.

Lakeland 8, Fort Myers 6 (Twins)

Drew Smyly was the winning pitcher. He gave up2 ER on  5 hits and 3 walks in 6 innings. Kenny Faulk recorded save number 15 after pitching an inning and allowing a hit while striking out 1.

Jordan Lennerton (1B) signed a new endorsement deal with the number 2. He then showed up to the ball park and went 2-4 with 2 runs scored, 2 2B, and 2 RBI. Gustavo Nunez (SS) had a great night as well. He recorded 3 hits and drove in 2 in 5 ABs.

West Michigan 5, Cedar Rapids 4 (Angels)

Jeff Rowland (LF) drew a walk-off walk in the bottom of the tenth which scored Nick Castellanos and gave the ‘Caps the win.  Antonio Cruz got no decision after 5 innings as the starter in which he allowed 4 ER on 6 hits and 4 BB. Nate Newman (RHP) became the winner after striking out the side in the top half of the 10th.

Steven Moya (RF) had the best night offensively as he hit two solo homers and drew two walks in 5 ABs.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.56: Tigers at White Sox

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Well, they did it:  the Tigers finished off the 3-game home series against the Twins with a sweep, which makes them 5-0 against the Twins this season.  Hopefully the home series was good for cash flow–the Tigers appear to be one of 9 MLB teams that have unacceptable debt loads.

The last time the Tigers and White Sox met, the Tigers swept the 3-game series, and held Chicago to a total of 3 runs for the entire series.  So, yes, the Tigers are a combined 8-0 vs the Twins and White Sox so far in 2011.  Add to that the last 6 games between the teams in 2010 that Detroit won, and Detroit tonight has a chance to win their 10th straight vs the White Sox, something they last accomplished in 1923.

The White Sox come into this game though with a lot of momentum, fresh from a 3-game sweep of the previously hot Red Sox, scoring 24 runs over 3 games.  So which White Sox will we see this series, the 3-run version or the 24-run version?

Attempting to make it the former will be Andy Oliver, making his 2nd start in place of Phil Coke. Chicago counters with lefty Mark Buehrle, who struggled in his Apr 22 start vs Detroit, and gave up 6 runs in 5 2/3 innings, including a 2-run HR to Ryan Raburn.

Rain is in the forecast, so stay tuned.

Oh, and the Free Press has officially jinxed Al Alburquerque, comparing him to Joel Zumaya.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Danny Worth

With Brandon Inge on the 15-day DL with mono, Danny has a chance to prove his worth at 3B. (Curiously, the Tigers called up C Omir Santos to take Inge’s spot).

Today’s Everyday Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Casper Wells RF
  3. Brennan Boesch LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Jhonny Peralta SS
  7. Ryan Raburn 2B
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Danny Worth 3B
2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 6.2.2011

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Toledo 0, Rochester 8 (Twins)

Villarreal gave up 4 runs, 2 earned, in 3 2/3 innings to take the loss.  Ryan Perry pitched a scoreless 9th inning, but allowed a walk.

It was a miserable night offensively.  Although, Will Rhymes had a decent night as he went 1-3 with a  walk.

Erie 8, Binghamton  2 (Mets)

Casey Crosby (LHP) started and was the winning pitcher after 6 2/3 innings. He managed to convert 11 base runners (6 BB, 5 H) into just 2 runs (1 ER).  Both Wood and Ruffin looked good in relief as neither man allowed a run. Ruffin K’ed 2 batters in 1 inning of relief.

Rawley Bishop (1B) had a big game: 3-5, 2 R, 3 2B, 3 RBI. Michael Bertram also drove in 3 runs and went 2-5 from the plate.

Lakeland 4, Fort Myers 0 (Twins)

Victor Larez (RHP) pitched 7 innings. Over those innings, he allowed just 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5. Deservedly, he earned the win. In his last 17 innings of work, Larez has allowed just two runs.

Daniel Fields went 2-4 with 2 RBI. Lennerton and Garcia picked up an RBI each.

West Michigan 3, Quad Cities 5 (Cardinals)

This one was tied at 3 headed into the 8th inning. Then, Dan Gentzler (RHP) allowed the final 2 runs and took the loss. Ramon Lebron held the “DJ’s” scoreless after relieving Gentzler. Lebron allowed only 1 hit in 2 2/3 while K’ing 3. He’s got a .86 ERA thus far.

Nick Castellanos (3B) went 1-4 and drove in 2. Robert Brantly (C) had the other RBI after a 1-4 performance.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.55: Twins at Tigers

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Tonight is the closet game of the Twins series, as the Tigers look to break out the brooms.  Last night’s game was filled with glove-clownery on both sides, and a phantom tag at home, but the Tigers again came out with the one-run victory.

After the game, Leyland had this to say of Ryan Raburn:  “he’s played good left field this year.”  He then went on to say that Raburn will “probably” be back at 2nd for tonight’s game.  Then today he submitted the lineup:  Ramon Santiago 2B.

He only made the briefest of appearances, retiring the pesky Jim Thome, but the third of an inning by Charlie Furbush gave him the cumulative equivalent of a 9-inning complete game shutout for his young career.  His 9 scoreless innings to start off his career is the most by a Tiger since Chris Mears in 2003.  Nonetheless, he is still stuck carrying the bullpen backpack, a new larger one apparently.  But is it still pink?  Still Hello Kitty?  Or some other horror?  We demand to know.

About the bullpen:  they came through last night.  But, say your closer isn’t available, and your 8th-inning guy blows through his 3 hitters in devastating fashion–well, is there some reason you couldn’t bring him back out for the 9th?  I’m just saying.

Rick Porcello tries to dust himself off tonight from the roughing up he took from the Red Sox last out.  Scott Baker was roughed up by his own bullpen last outing–they blew a 5-0 lead over the last 2 innings.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Andy Dirks

The Dirks has impressed with his play in left field;  now he gets to take a crack at the vast Comerica centerfield.

Today’s I Bet You Didn’t Expect This Lineup:

  1. Don Kelly LF
  2. Ramon Santiago 2B
  3. Brennan Boesch RF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Jhonny Peralta SS
  7. Andy Dirks CF
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Brandon Inge 3B
2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 5.31.2011

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Toledo 5, Rochester 0 (Twins)

Thad Weber (RHP)  looked terrific as the Mud Hens starter. He threw 7 scoreless innings and scattered 7 hits and a walk while striking out 5. Weber took the win. Matt Hoffman struck out 2 over two perfect innings of relief.

Timo Perez (LF) had the top night offensively. Perez went 2-4 with 2 runs, a double, and a solo home run. On the year, Perez is hitting .306. Clete Thomas (CF) added 2 RBI on a homer and Bryan Pounds (3B) drove in the final ‘Hens RBI on a solo homer.

Erie 3, Binghamton 1 (Mets) (Game 1)

Jay Voss was credited with the win after lasting 5 2/3 innings and allowing an ER on 2 hits and 3 BB. Zach Simons (RHP) saved the game after an inning and 2/3 of relief.

Jamie Johnson (CF) went 2-3 with 2 RBI and a walk. John Murrian (C) drove in the other Erie run.

Erie 2, Binghamton 3 (Game 2)

Binghamtom won this game in walk-off fashion after Austin Wood (LHP) allowed a run in the bottom of the 8th. 

Bishop and Holaday combined for the SeaWolves offense in the second game – each man drove in one run.

Lakeland 13, Fort Myers 2 (Twins)

Cole Nelson (LHP) lasted 6 innings as Lakeland’s SP. He posted the following line in a winning effort: 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K. Kevan Hess (RHP) gave up another ER in 2 innings of work and Ryan Robowski (LHP) worked a perfect 9th to complete the game.

Avisail Garcia (RF) played out of his mind: 4-5, 2 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB. Corey Jones (2B) also had 4 hits in 5 ABs.  Gustavo Nunez (SS) went 3-4 and fell a homer short of the cycle while driving in 2 and drawing 2 walks.

West Michigan 4, Quad Cities 5 (Cardinals)

West Michigan trailed 5-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth and attempted a rally; sadly, the ‘Caps late effort fell short and Bruce Rondon (RHP) was credited with the loss. In a unique starting line, Kevin Eichhorn posted the following: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, and 4 K.

Robert Brantly (C) went 1-3 with a walk, a homer, and 2 RBI. In 142 ABs this year, Brantly is hitting .310 and SLG .444. Castillo and Hamme also drove in one RBI each.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.54: Twins at Tigers

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The Twins.  We all know what happens when we play the Twins:  balls are lost in the lights, infield squibs take strange hops, umpires don’t see batters hit with pitches, etc.  Yesterday, luck was finally reversed, as the umpires reversed a fan interference call that gave the Tigers the winning run, and detonated Ron Gardenhire’s head.  The Twins are officially having an awful year.

Tonight Mad Max Scherzer steps up for the Tigers.  His last outing was rather forgettable.  At least I wish it were.  Not to worry, though:  that was actually his evil twin, Matt Scherzer.  You can tell because the twin has the blue eye on the left side.  Or wait, is that Max?  Anyway, the Twins will be without their leading hitter, Jason Kubel.  Those Twins, with the .237 team average, without their leading hitter in the lineup, do you hear what I’m saying Max?

Lefty Brian Duensing takes the mound for the Twins.  Duensing pitched 2 innings against Detroit on May 10 following the hail storm delay, and gave up 2 runs, 2 hits and 4 walks.  He throws a lot of off-speed stuff, and I’m sure the Tiger plan of attack will be to take a lot of pitches, right? Right?

  • Answer: 1
  • Question:  How many hits does Raburn have at Comerica in May?

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Miguel Cabrera

The state of Florida has returned Mr. Cabrera’s driver’s license, and he celebrates by driving in a few runs.

Today’s Everyday-Except-Today Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Casper Wells RF
  3. Brennan Boesch DH
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez C
  6. Jhonny Peralta SS
  7. Brandon Inge 3B
  8. Ryan Raburn LF
  9. Danny Worth 2B
2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.53: Twins at Tigers

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Happy Memorial Day everyone!  Summer is here, and no better way to celebrate the beginning of summer than with some Tiger baseball.  And Twins.

Spring ended on a pretty nice note, as Justin Verlander was back to his dominant self and shut down the Red Sox machine 3-0, the AL-leading 8th Tiger shutout of the season.  Verlander was pulled with 2-out in the 8th, because he was at 135 pitches and seemed to lose the strike zone, but it should be noted that his 135th pitch was 100 mph.  100.

With the streaky Tigers this season, a win has usually meant more are coming (as has a loss).  Normally, the Twins have not exactly been the best team to start a win streak against, but this year is not a normal year for Minnesota.  Their team batting average is a woeful .237, they have an AL-worst 3.43 runs per game (Detroit is at 4.23, league average is 4.26), their team ERA is a league-worst 4.77 (Detroit is 4.26, league average is 3.86).  So, not surprisingly, they also have a league-worst record at 17-34.

In the brief 2-game series the teams already played the Tigers battered the Twins pitching for 19 runs in 2 games.  But the Twins will start this series off with the one bright spot in their rotation, Nick Blackburn, who is 3-0, 1.72 for the month of May.  The Tiger least likely to get to Blackburn might be Jhonny Peralta, who is 3 for 20 lifetime against him.

The Tigers offer the Twins a Penny for their thoughts, as Bad Brad Penny returns after his 3 shutout innings against Tampa Bay were disappeared by the rain.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  All U.S. Service members who have given their lives serving the country.

Today’s Memorial Day Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Andy Dirks LF
  3. Brennan Boesch RF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Jhonny Peralta SS
  7. Alex Avila C
  8. Ryan Raburn 2B
  9. Brandon Inge 3B
2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 5.28.2011

Toledo vs. Durham (Rays): PPD – rain

Erie 1, Reading 2 (Phillies)

Erie took a 1-0 lead into the 8th before Reading scored their two runs and hung on for the win. Casey Crosby (LHP) started and posted the following line: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K. Zach Simons (RHP) became the losing pitcher after allowing 2 R in 1 2/3 innings. Chance Ruffin blew a save after allowing inherited base runners to score. Ruffin walked 3 in an inning and a third.

Rawley Bishop (1B) had the only Erie RBI on a solo homer. Bishop also drew a walk in four plate appearances.

Lakeland 0, Palm Beach 2 (Cardinals)

Drew Smyly was the losing pitcher after giving up 2 ER in 5 innings. Victor Larez (RHP) pitched a terrific 3 innings. He allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out 4 in 3 innings.

Despite being blanked, Lakeland managed to produce 6 hits and 2 walks. Jordan Lennerton (DH) lead the kingdom of the blind going 1-3 with a double and a walk.

West Michigan 1, Lake County 3 (Indians) Game 1

Brennan Smith (RHP) took the loss but still pitched an 8-inning complete game. He allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits and 2 walks. He also K’ed 4.

No RBIs for the ‘Caps but Castellanos and Nowlin each had 2 hits.

West Michigan 5, Lake County 2 – Game 2

Patrick Cooper recorded the win after 5 innings as the West Michigan starter. He gave up 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits. Notably, he didn’t walk a batter and struck out 6. Logan “Tom Selleck” Hoch (LHP) got his first save of the year after 2 scoreless innings of relief.

Robert Brantly (C)  had three hits in 4 ABs including 2 doubles. He also drove in a run. Castillow and Gulliver added an RBI each and James Robbins (1B)  went 2-4 with a double.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.51: Red Sox at Tigers

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Lots going on today.

First of all, in a move that reeks of DD desperation (and rightfully so), Scott Sizemore was traded yesterday to the athletics for LH reliever David Purcey. Considering Sizemore was once a top organizational prospect and is now gone after just over 200 ABs in the bigs demonstrates that there were some serious evaluation problems up and down the chain.  David Purcey is in his 3rd year in the bigs and looks to have finally figured out how to pitch at this level.  He was having a pretty decent ’10 campaign (1.21 WHIP, .210 BAA) until an injury ended his season after 34 IP. Detroit is his 3rd team already in 2011 as he was dealt to Oakland after being DFAd from Toronto early this season.  Though he had pitched well for the A’s, they have a plethora of worthy relievers (and Bailey is coming off the DL soon) which made Purcey expendable.  Apparently, the A’s have coveted Sizemore for some time.

I make the point about desperation because 1) DD is not under contract for 2012, 2) DD is admitting that the bullpen needs help as he has not been able to develop talent internally, nor has Benoit panned out thus far and 3) Sizemore is not the answer at 2B.

I also make the point about desperation because Ryan Raburn, who seems to have tree limbs for hands at times, will now be the regular 2nd baseman.  Whether this move came from the top, or it is Ol’ Smokey’s own doing, a fellow  2012 contract-less Jim Leyland is also beginning to realize that time is of the essence.  Lowe’s article in Today’s Freep contains a very scary chart which displays the offensive output for each of the four different 2B starters this season.  Read it at your own risk.

In today’s exciting news, Andy Oliver makes his 2011 debut after an impressive 9 starts in Toledo. Covering 9 starts with the Hens, Oliver had a 3.31 ERA , 1.26 WHIP, and 8.53 K/9.  The 2009 second rounder will fill in for Phil for at least two starts over the next week.  It will be interesting to see what happens to the rotation if he pitches well.

In other roster news – Wilk & Perry down to make room for Purcey & Oliver.

Tonight’s reasonably composed lineup:

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Andy Dirks, LF
3. Brennan Boesch, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Alex Avila, C
8. Ryan Raburn, 2B
9. Brandon Inge, 3B

 

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 5.27.2011

Toledo 3, Durham 7 (Rays)

Durham won late with two runs in the 8th and two more in the 9th. Ramon Garcia (LHP) started and went 5 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits. Matt Hoffman blew a save after giving up an ER in 1 2/3 innings. Brendan Wise wound up with the loss after Durham tagged him for 2 more ER on 2 hits and 2 walks in 1.1 IP.

Ryan Strieby went 2-4 with a HR, 2 RBI, and a run scored. Argeniz Diaz (3B) added the other RBI after going 2-4. Diaz also scored a run and drew a walk. Max St. Pierre (C) went 0-4 with 3 K’s.

Erie 11, Reading 7 (Phillies)

This game only lasted 5 innings but each team exploded offensively. Mark Sorensen (RHP) must have been praying to the baseball gods because despite the following line he was the winning pitcher of record: 5 IP, 10 H, 7 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.

After 11 runs in 5 innings, this game had many potential “bat of the night” candidates.

Brandon Douglas (2B): 3-4, 3 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI. Michael Bertram (DH): 2-3, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB. Finally, Justin Henry (LF): 2-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI.

Lakeland 3, Palm Beach 2 (Cardinals)

Lakeland trailed 1-2 heading into the 8th inning when Jordan Lennerton (1B) drove in 2 on a bases-loaded single. Lakeland pitching allowed this one to be within striking distance. Jared Wesson (LHP) had a terrific start: 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K. Tyler Stohr (RHP) struck out the side in one inning of relief and Kenny Faulk (LHP) picked up his 12th save of the year after a scoreless ninth.

Lennerton produced all 3 Lakeland RBIs on 2-4 from the plate. Gustavo Nunez (SS) went 1-4 with a run scored.

West Michigan 6, Lake County 3 (Indians)

Kyle Ryan (LHP) pitched extremely well as the West Michigan starter: 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K. For the year, his ERA is a respectable 3.74. Ramon Lebron pitched a scoreless 8th and Bruce Rondon (RHP) recorded save #7 as he held down the 9th.

Nick Castellanos (3B) had a solid night with the bat: 3-5, 1 2B, 1 RBI. Jeff Rowland (LF) went 3-4 with a run scored. Luis Castillo (CF) went 2-3 with a run scored, 2 RBI, and 2 BB. Robbins (1B) homered and had 2 RBI.

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