PREGAME Tonight the Tigers play their final West Coast night game – at least of the regular season. The also look to ensure a winning road trip by securing their 5th win of the 9 game swing.
Zach Miner looks to continue surprising everyone and win his 6th straight game. He’ll be opposed by Jarrod Washburn. The lefty is a flyball pitcher and the Tigers are a home run hitting team. Craig Monroe, Brandon Inge, and Marcus Thames all have a history of success against Washburn.
Game Time 10:05pm
UPDATE: Omar Infante is starting in centerfield and leading off.
POSTGAME: I confess, I went to bed early last night because I’m fighting a cold. I also confess that I woke up at 6:45 and couldn’t fall back asleep because I wanted to know who won. After watching the game through the magic of DVR, there’s a lot to comment on.
Miner was very good again, if not particularly efficient. He was lifted after 5 innings and 100 pitches. I love that the entire bullpen contributed, and as Anne pointed out a full inning of work for Jamie Walker. Fernando Rodney got back on track and Todd Jones got that coveted 1-2-3 inning albeit with more drama than one would hope for.
Chris Shelton appears to be back. I know I’ve thought it before, but he has sustained this over his last 8 games now.
I love Marcus Thames, but he really is better suited to DH as two balls got by him tonight.
As for the various arguments, the right calls were made. Tip to Ichiro – don’t swing at balls that bounce and then stare down the ump. While Raul Ibanez didn’t foul the ball, it was a swing nonetheless. I guess the M’s had an argument that the wrong call was made, but it resulted in the right outcome. And as for Ted Barrett, an umpire should never need to be seperated from an agrument by his crew chief. I hate when umpires carry on arguments.
I really like Yuniesky Betancourt as a player, but this clearly wasn’t his best effort. He botched the double play ball and then getting caught with premature celebration is embarassing to say the least.
Didnt know Shelton could run 270 feet at once…nice to see him leg out a tripple!
Todd Jones scares the bejeezes out of me.
The reactions of the other players “congratulating” Blones after that game were hilarious. They treat him like the guy at the office that can’t do anything right, but still manages to just barely get the job done.
Wow, Walker actually pitched a whole inning!
Glad I fell asleep before Jones came in. Now I can just enjoy the fact that he got the save, without tearing my hair out while he does it. 🙂 Low-scoring pitchers’ duels are my very favorite kind of ballgame, but Jonesy adds an element of “excitement” I could do without.
Crazy… I did the same thing, though not until 7:30.
I was at Safeco last night. Leyland’s management of the game was stellar. It was as if he knew from the start that this was going to be a low-scoring game. And it was, even if it was a little atypical with alot of BBI and LOB. His handling of the bullpen last night had me thinking genius.
Seeing Hargrove charge out several times and eventually go ballistic, I couldn’t help but make comparisons between the Seattle team and the Tigers of the 2004 or 2005. Despite being a lifelong Tigers fan, I live in Seattle and I feel for the Mariners. Hopefully their young guys will turn out as well as our’s have (just not TOO well). I’m just glad our mercenary vets are named Maggs and Pudge, instead of Sexon and Beltre. Amen.
Both Jones and Betancourt knew that ball he hit in the 9th was gone. Only explanation I have for it dying on the warning track is that God hates the White Sox, too.
I went to bed after the 6th inning, but I have to say: Seattle’s offense is pretty bad. You won’t win if you don’t score runs. And, I agree, Thames needs to be a DH – he’s getting to be too much a defensive liability out there in LF. Sounds like I’m glad I didn’t sweat thru Jones in the 9th…..again……..