You had to see this one coming. On a night where the Tigers offense puts up 7 runs in the first 3 innings, and your starting pitcher can’t protect the lead even through the 5th inning…

This isn’t the end of Wil Ledezma as a starter, but the Tigers don’t have the luxury of letting guys develop and figure stuff out at the major league level any more. This team has a chance to be competitive, and Ledezma wasn’t allowing them to do that.

With off days, the Tigers can get through the next week without a 5th starter. Plus, it will give Trammell a little more flexibility as the Tigers head into National League parks.

After the LA-Colorado swing, my guess is that Sean Douglass will be called up to be the 5th starter.

As for who the closer is, your guess is as good as mine. Percival has said he’ll do whatever the team needs him to do. With the way Urbina is pitching, I’d hope that Trammell would stay with the hot hand.

Game Thoughts
I tend to not blast Trammell, but last night wasn’t one of his finer games. In a week in which the Tigers have come from behind numerous times, it appeared that Trammell was willing to concede that 2 runs was too much to come back from. There is no way that Doug Creek should have been left in with the bases loaded.

Also, Tony Giarratano has to be partially responsible for the loss. On three different occasions, runs scored on balls off of his glove. A couple of them were tougher plays, but he’s got to make some of those plays.

Gammons on Inge
Thanks to Jeff who posted this in the comments to the last post, but Gammons has a piece on Brandon Inge that is worth a read.