PREGAME: C.C. Sabathia and Justin Verlander will have a rematch from last Saturday’s Tigers loss. It’s the first of a 4 game series that is kinda important.
The Tigers had some chances against Sabathia, but couldn’t cash enough in.
The Tigers roster is one or two injuries away from being held together by duct tape so a split would be pretty cool.
Mostly I’d just like the Tigers to pick up a win here so we don’t hear about the Indians owning the Tigers.
Game Time 7:05
POSTGAME: There have been some frustrating losses this year, but this one might just trump them all. Maybe it is the freshness. Maybe it is the culmination of recent struggles. I don’t know, but I actually had to turn the game off for an hour or so. Which was really ashame because for the first 4 innings it was actually a very good game.
Sabathia was actually hittable tonight, and the Tigers even with a depleted lineup were actually able to take advantage of it. But Justin Verlander struggled with control and Jose Mesa made damn sure that the team had absolutely no shot.
While I still think it was a cheap ejection for Sheffield, he wasn’t smart. Not when the bench consists of exactly 2 players. And spazzing when your geriatric manager is trying to hold you back – just not cool.
I’ve got nothing else to say tonight. Yeah there were bright spots like Marcus Thames making the most of “regular” playing time and picking up a couple hits – one of which to the opposite field with a runner on 3rd. And Curtis Granderson hit the ball well repeatedly against lefties and layed down a sweet drag bunt. And Neifi Perez saved a run with a slick play at short. But in the mess that was the 2nd half of that game, it’s easy to either a) forget the good stuff or b) not even care.
Well, here we go. Hope we pick up a win tonight. Sure would feel good.
ouch 2-0
I turned the game on for 10 seconds and it was a homer. Maybe I should stay away tonight.
It’s 2-1. C-Mo hit one out.
Man, what a scary 6-9 we’re running out there. I agree with billfer, let’s get the split. I’m content with playing .500 ball the next couple weeks until everyone’s back and relatively healthy.
Is it just me or have we seen a bunch of teams make unreal plays defensively against us this month? Like more then usual?
Amen!
The Tigers are the American League Champions. Teams just seem to step up when they play us out of sheer respect IMO.
Cleveland just looks strong and healthy.
CC doesn’t look to be throwing that many strikes.
Update: still watching. Detroit is scoring. WHEW, it wasn’t my fault.
So glad to see Marcus playing again. He still has a lot to learn at 1st but his confidence at the plate and ability to run outway his inexperience playing a new position. I just love Marcus.
Now I just hope Verlander can go in there and be in command.
Marcus has an ability to run?
perez just made a hell of a play! nice to see
That was sweet. I didn’t realize Nerfty won a G-Glove before. Huge baby!!!!
Yes, Mike, Marcus can run as compared to the other 1st baseman.
By the way, bilfer owes me an hour of my life back due to that link of his to baseball dung beatle art….
Beautiful bunt by Curtis. Too bad it was wasted.
I’m not watching why’d Shef get ejected?!!
Me thinks an umpire has a little bit of an ego problem. That was a very very cheap ejection. Whether it was because Sheffield threw the bat handle down or because he looked back, neither were ejection worthy. That’s crap.
I was gone, Sheff was tossed? Did he at least get his money’s worth afterwards?
Also, with 1st base open, why pitch to Hafner in that situation? set up the DP for Martinez who doesn’t run well and give up the 1 run to get 2 outs.
Oh – not another injury! Put some dirt on it Pudge.
I go take a shower and now the score is tied?
Ok, Kurt can watch but Kathy can’t shower.
Even I, Mike Rogers, am out of words right now.
What did Sheff get tossed for?
Justin Verlander over 100 pitches with no outs recorded in the 6th. I’m shocked.
Throwing his bat down and staring at the ump sounds pretty cheap to me, too. Ejected for that?
Verlander. Ugh!
Yank him Leyland. Not his day. Let’s hope for a miracle from the pen.
Which ejection was worse – Sheffield’s or McDyess’?
My Tigers come first.
How was that not strike 3 to Hafner? Where was it at?
Let me be the first to wish Neifi Perez a happy 35th birthday on Saturday.
And let me the first to pose the question: Is Neifi Perez the worst position player on an American League roster?
Open your blue books. You can begin… Now.
This is more painful than dinner with my mother-in-law.
Last year was so special. I’m sure not getting that feeling from this team so far. They’re good but so many injuries have just hobbled us. The way things are going, we’ll be lucky to take 3rd place in the division. Maybe things will be better when everyone returns but it’s going to take a miracle.
This is the most frustrated I’ve been watching a Tigers game all season long. I don’t know why.
If you could only pair last years pitching with this years offfense.
We’re struggling but who in the Central will surpass us? the White Sox just lost Erstad for the season (not like he’s spectacular or anything) the Twins, like I said early, are the 4th best team in this division, and the Royals are too far back. If we don’t finish 2nd in this division, that’ll be kind of sad, barring a HUGE turnaround from the White Sox.
There isn’t a worse player, Stephen, on an AL roster that I can think of off the top of my head.
I used to love it when Pudge and the pitcher would jump up and start walking to the dugout even before the ump called a strike. They played with such confidence and an “edge” as Rod used to say. I still love this team but they’re not as much fun to watch and they don’t seem as hungry.
We’ll be okay Kathy. Our bullpen is running a 5.3+ ERA. If we can get 1/2 a run off of that, we’ll be fine.
Sure does seem like you get hosed on all the calls when you are losing though.
Oh Neifi, i hate it when you make my argument for me. Seriously, I’d rather have Bobby Higginson come out of retirement and teach him the infield.
What’s “getting hosed” mean? I’m not a twenty-something or thirty-something. Pissed off is what I am.
he’s just saying that – whilst a team is losing – it often seems like the umpires consistently rule against said team in close calls
Even though he grounded out, I still don’t like pitching to Hafner in that situation again with 1st base open.
The difference between these two teams is starting pitching.
Another aside is that Gibson is not giving Tiger Pitchers the same calls. Ball 4 to Hafner earlier was called a strike to both Perez and Pudge.
Sheff is an idiot for getting tossed. Bad judgement in the shape they’re in.
Getting hosed means getting screwed on the calls. Let’s go Tigers.
OK, now I see why he got tossed. Big Jim did have to come out and hold him back. Those strike calls were lousy.
Well Tigers pitchers aren’t going to get close pitches if they can’t throw strikes. Verlander threw 57 balls out of 107 pitchers. 53% balls. So he’s not going to get the same calls.
My mistake, I had a brain fart. Verlander threw 57 strikes, of his 107 pitches. Still, not a dazzling ratio.
Do you think that Mesa puts the fear of God in the opposing batters? Or do they just see a big ice cream cone lobbing softballs?
We ae getting screwed on the calls, but our pitching has been horrible. And, yes, I wish we had last year’s pitching with this year’s hitting. Oh, we’d be awesome. In first place. But our pitching has gone to hell.
What exactly does Mesa have to do to lose his playing time? Start throwing random fastballs at children in the front rows?
I am usually skeptical of psychological stuff but I think Sheffield shocked the team with his behavior tonight. The way he behaved after the ejection was over the top. I think they had a let down after that.
I think the reason he got ejected was because he threw the bat back towards the umpire. He was not throwing it at him but I think he needed to be more careful about where he was aiming the bat. Then when he glared back at him, the ump may have thought he was getting thrown at. Anyway, it was not smart going off like that when the bench was short.
Why is Mesa still in the game? Why is Mesa still on the team???
Mesa is an embarrassment
i’d like to think that was the final straw on Mesa, yet…
Wow. Go mesa. Don’t keep us in the game or anything. Grady could have had an inside the parker there.
Go back and read Leyland’s comments from when they picked up Mesa. Try really hard not to laugh.
Jose Mesa. Big messtake.
As far as Sheff, he just lost it. Frustrated, angry. He’s usually a cool cucumber, but frankly, I’m glad someone is showing some emotion. Pudge has also been known to lose his temper. And now, Mike Maroth, mr. tender touch, is tossing tomorrow. God help us if he doesn’t have good control.
Good news – Pistons game still on. Just one loss team, we’ll be back out there tomorrow night.
Mesa. 16ER in 11IP. NICE.
Bullpen needs a shakeup. Team needs some fire.
Time for a Leyland speach.
Yeah, but Kevin that’s seven losses out of the last ten games. Not good.
Somebody needs to light a fire under their butts.
Leylands aftergame speach was positivly uninspiring.
I don’t think it’s as simple as lighting a fire. I haven’t seen this team mail it in. They swung the bats well tonight given the lineup and the opposing pitcher. And I still think they are playing hard.
At the same time, performances like Mesa’s tonight have to bring you down.
I agree that the team does not seem to lack any fire. They are short handed right now and it’s showing especially against a strong team like the Indians.
Dear Dave D.,
I’d like to send you my resume to apply to make the Tigers bullpen squad. I’ve never actually thrown a baseball, or even been on a baseball team. I don’t think I can throw above 60 mph, and I probably don’t have a lot of control. The first time I get to the mound, I’ll be scared to death, to be sure. I can’t throw a curve or a slider, a knuckleball or even a 4-seamer. I’m honestly not sure if I’ll be any good at all…
I can only guarantee I ***can’t possibly*** be worse than Jose Mesa.
And I’ll pitch for 1/10 of whatever he makes. You can’t lose.
Thanks,
-Bobby
(PS – I can also sing the anthem. What a package deal!)
I’m with you Jim, but the bats are going. Check out our hits in all of our losses vs. Cle. Our starting pitching has been decent, but the bullpen has undoubtedly been the reason. I have faith that Leyland can fix it.
Also, who can we move to the pen once Kenny comes back? Any chance he can pull a Smoltz for us? Or do you think that Durbin can be as effective coming out of the pen?
You’re right, Billfer. I’m just disappointed. Very disappointed.
I understand Kathy. I’m right there with you. If there is any fire to be lit, I don’t think it needs to come in the form of a tirade. It probably means cutting bait with players who have shown no ability to help the team. While there can be debate as to how many fit this description, I don’t think there is any debate that it starts with Mesa.
Agree!
I think as of right now you could make a case for sending Maroth or Durbin to the pen when Rogers comes back
the 2007 indians are like the 2006 White Sox. We were able to hang with the white sox for the first half of the season, except when we were playing them. They sweeped us in at least three, maybe four series, and we lost most of the others if my memory serves me correctly. Yet we hung in with them game by game when we wern’t playing them. Just remember, last year, the white sox won 90 games while the Tigers won 95. Maybe thats a good sign of what will happen this year, just replace the White Sox with the Indians
Good analogy. I’m hoping when everyone gets healthy, we’ll go on a tear and we’ll be the healthy team come August and September.
You can make a case for sending Maroth… somewhere. But I’ve made the case, you can’t send him to the pen. He gives up way too many hits and walks to be anything but a mopup guy. He can’t come into a situation with someone on base. He can’t come into a tight seventh or eighth inning. I just can’t find a purpose for his playing outside “guy you want to succeed” and that doesn’t cut it, unfortunately.
Spazzing on Leyland was very uncool. Kudos to Pudge for coming out of the dugout to restrain Shef. If the Tigers end up signing Pudge to an extension, I think they should name him team captain.
Does anyone else here dislike Craig Monroe, especially at 4.7 million per year?
He’s so mediocre it hurts. Career minor leaguer, nothing more.
100 carrer HRs at age 30, he still hit some pretty big ones last year.
All in all I’ve never been a fan of his, hes had very sloppy defense in LF, and his bat is really streaky. If you really study him you can see he dials in later in the game.
One thing is that he absolutley tears it up in the month of August and hits well in July without fail.
Career OPS – .767
July – .856
August – .907
Otherwise hes worse than Thames and kind of reminds me slightly of Pudge/Shef/Rasheed etc. (sorry had to throw in a Pistons reference after watchin’ ’em lose)
I will never forget that Monroe failed to make two very easy catches a couple years back. One was in Seattle right to him, he never used two hands, bases were loaded, bases were emptied.
I normally call him Sloproe, untill he starts hitting like Maggs was in August.
If your in fantasy baseball he can help your team.
Sorry if that was repetitive and didn’t make a whole lot of sense, I’m just a tad tired. Nity nite all.
As theOfficial Indians Fan of the Detroit Tigers Weblog,” I thought I’d weigh in on the season so far. Believe me, I’m not gloating, although obviously I’m very happy that the Indians are doing so well. But I’ve seen too many good Indians teams go through too many slumps to get all cocky about it. As good as the Indians are, it wouldn’t amaze me if they were to go something like 11-17 in June.
As Bill said, that must have been an especially tough loss for Tigers fans. You guys got to our ace early on a night when he didn’t have his best stuff, which is obviously the key to beating a good pitcher, but yet it didn’t happen.
I was shocked to see Sheffield so riled up, especially after Leyland tried to cool him off. And yeah, Mesa brings absolutely nothing to the table (little joke there for all you Spanish-speaking fans) these days.
Here’s to a great season for both our teams!
As my previous comment proves, obviously my HTML and cut & paste skills could use a little work.
Well, we have certainly stumbled our way into June. Not much to say about this loss.
David:
Monroe misplays a lot of balls, but he’s not as bad in the field as Thames. he is still below-average in the field.