The Tigers only managed to take one of three from the Angels. Actually, they only managed to score in one of three games as the Angels handed Detroit their first two shutouts of the season. Once again Detroit got very solid pitching, but the bats that were showing signs of slumpiness in Seattle went completely silent in Anaheim. The result is that a mere 14 runs were scored in the series, which is one less than in the previous series. Detroit has now scored 15 runs in their last 6 games.

Stuff of Note

• The Angels came into the series having allowed 17 unearned runs. The Tigers were unable to capitalize on this trend because they were unable to put the ball in play. Detroit struck out 28 times in the series, so more than a third of the time they were retired without putting the ball in play.
• Jim Leyland finally decided that the 5 spot in the batting order isn’t the spot to put your weakest hitter. Carlos Guillen was slid into the 5th spot, which should have been opportune timing given Magglio Ordonez’s series. Unfortunately Guillen struggled and only managed a double and a walk.
• The Angels picked up two stolen bases against Pudge Rodriguez, although it probably should have only been one. By the sounds of things, Chone Figgins was an easy gun-down at third base in game 3 if Brandon Inge would have held onto the throw. Figgins scored on the error. On another note, that was scored as an earned run even though the run was directly attributable to the error. I don’t get that.
• And really, I can’t find a whole lot to say about a series that featured 14 runs. I guess it is somewhat notable that Fernando Rodney had the whole series off so he should be well rested.

Series Studs

• Magglio Ordonez had a solid series. He hit 500/500/833 with 6 of the Tigers 17 hits. Even many of his outs were well hit.
• Curtis Granderson managed a 417 OBP in the leadoff spot which is more than acceptable.
• The entire pitching staff – again. Even though Mike Maroth was touched for 4 runs, he didn’t get a lot of help from his defense. Maroth, along with Kenny Rogers both gave the Tigers a chance to win. But without any run support, there wasn’t a lot they could do. Jeremy Bonderman seems to be getting back to the Bonderman we’ve been hoping for.

And those who struggled

• Craig Monroe struck out 6 times in 11 plate appearances.
• Placido Polanco only mustered two hits, and even picked up two rare strike outs as well as an error.
• The Tigers designated “hitters” combined to reach base one time in the 3 games. Fortunately it sounds like Dmitri Young should return next week.