Just when it looked like the Tigers had started to turn the corner offensively, they manage to post 13 runs during the 6 game homestand. Sunday’s loss was particularly frustrating because it highlighted just how far apart the Mariners and Tigers are. Joel Piniero was very vulnerable at the start of the game yesterday. He had little control, and was routinely leaving the ball up in the first two innings. Andres Torres led off by working a full count, and then forced what should have been a walk, except he was hosed (nothing you can do about that). Ramon Santiago follows up with a walk, and Bobby Higginson hits a two-run homer on the first pitch. And that’s where it ended. Young flew out on a full count pitch and Pena flew out after a 5 pitch at-bat. In the second, Piniero was still having trouble with his command. Craig Monroe grounded to second, but only after fouling off a 2-2 hanging curveball that should have been tagged. Munson followed with a walk and then Piniero shut the door. He retired 11 of the next 12 batters on only 35 pitches, allowing only a two out single to Omar Infante. Meanwhile, Maroth was struggling and the M’s hitters weren’t going to let him off the hook. Three times they deposited his mistakes in the stands (or more precisely between the stands and the fence).

The Tigers truly have only one “crafty” veteran hitter and that is Higginson. While Young is a veteran (and a pretty decent hitter despite his struggles this year), his success is more from the way he handles the bat. In Higginson’s first at-bat, he’d seen that Piniero struggle to throw his breaking balls (or any pitches for strikes). That’s why when Piniero grooved a first pitch fastball down the middle, Higginson was ready and he didn’t miss it. It’s this type of approach that is lacking from the rest of the team, as is to be expected with a team so young. The point being that this series, and in particular Sunday’s game illustrated just how far away this team is from being competitive. It also illustrated why Alan Trammell is the right man for this job (as well as his coaching staff) because so much teaching needs to be done. Camera shots of the dugout repeatedly show the coaches talking with the players, right after a questionable play happens. This staff is the right staff to teach the kids how to play the game.

Stat note of the day:
Dmitri Young’s having a tough time from the right side of the plate this season. As a righty he’s hitting .182/.233/.236 in 55 AB. From the left side he’s .252/.391/.539. Which caused me to wonder, why does he switch hit? Surely he wouldn’t fare worse against left handed hitters hitting left handed. A quick look at his last 3 years reveal he has a marginally higher average batting right handed (.302/.334/.452) albeit with a little less power than left handed (.298/.349/.483).

Tigers put Palmer on disabled list His neck problem has resurfaced. I have a feeling that Dean Palmer has played his last professional baseball game. This injury has been lingering for 3 years now, without ever getting completely better. That combined with his struggles at the plate this year (he has more strike outs than total bases) probably means the end. In the meantime Kevin Witt was called up from Toledo (9 Homers). Witt becomes the 29th man to play for the Tig’s this year.

While the Tigers offense has been woeful for the better part of the season, the A’s pitching staff can give any team fits. That’s why, even though it is cliche, it is nice to see the Tigers do “the little things” right. Craig Monroe’s home run came on an awesome 13 pitch at-bat where he fouled off 8 pitches. Then in the ninth, when Monroe led off with a double, it was nice to see the Tigers execute the fundamentals to get him home for the win. A bunt by Munson advanced Monroe to third, and then Brandon Inge stepped up by hitting a fly ball deep enough to left field that Monroe was basically able to trot home with out a throw. The April Tigers would have left Monroe stranded at second after a failed bunt attempt, a pop-out, and a routine ground ball. This time, they made it look easy.

Another strong start from the pitching staff-this time Gary Knotts-kept the Tigers in the game. German battled control problems again in the 9th when he loaded the bases with walks, but it allowed Avery to come in, get a K and the win. Speaking of pitching, is there anyone in uniform for the Tigers that has earned his salary more than Bob Cluck? This starting rotation was supposed to be a laughing stock, and instead they are in the top half of the AL in ERA, and 3rd best in HR’s and BB’s allowed. So far his hiring has to be considered Trammell’s best move as a manager.

Grand Rapids Press: Joel Zumaya

Danny Knobler

Matt Anderson’s line from Toledo today: 3IP, 0R, 1 H, 1 W, 3 K

I didn’t see much of the Tig’s this weekend, and while capping the road trip with a 9-2 win was nice, combining for one run between Friday and Saturday was a disappointment. Especially considering the roll they were on coming off the Baltimore series. Observations from the box scores and game recaps:
-Now that Jim Thome has left the AL, it seems that Aubrey Huff has filled his role of designated home-run hitter. Six games against the Tigers, 5 Home Runs.
-Jeremy Bonderman looks to have pitched another solid game, with out throwing a ton of pitches
-The bullpen, while not being in any save situations pitched 5 1/3 innings with 2 hits, no walks, and no runs during the Tampa series
-Another strong outing by Nate Cornejo where he didn’t strike anybody out. I know that there is some concern about Nate’s non-existent strike out rate, but he continues to get people to hit the ball into the ground. With the type of defense that Munson and Pena have been playing on the corners, and the range that Santiago and Infante have up the middle, that isn’t such a bad thing.
-Joel Zumaya left after the second inning in his start for West Michigan. He’d given up two runs, but I don’t think it was a performance thing. Haven’t seen any reported injuries though. Also, Jeff Farnsworth threw a shut out for Erie extending his scoreless streak to 19 innings
-Disturbing stat of the week: opposing basestealers are 19 for 24 against the Tigers

Danny Knobler

Tigers Sweep Brandon Inge sporting a new swing hit two home runs and drove in 3.

Anderson to Hens; Avery called up

Baseball America – Ask BA

Baseball America – Daily Minor League Highlights