PREGAME: There was a time when Kyle Davies wasn’t scary to face. Now the dude has 21 strikeouts in 18.1 innings and sports a 2.89 ERA. After back to back losses the Tigers are back at .500 and they’ll need to find some way to muster some offense to have a chance at posting a winning record on the road trip. Davies has pretty much scrapped his slider and is throwing his change-up much more. He’s also improved his rate of first pitch strikes.
The Tigers send out Zach Miner who is returning to the rotation after 3 off days in a week negated the need for a 5th starter. Miner pitched a good game against the Blue Jays, and was shelled on a cold and wet day against the White Sox. Hopefully it’s more of the former Miner that shows up. He’s made 2 starts and 5 appearances total at Kaufman Stadium but has yet to allow a run in 18.1 innings.
Game Time 7:10
Detroit vs. Kansas City – April 25, 2009 | MLB.com: Gameday
POSTGAME: That’s a more better. The Tigers played a very nice, crisp, clean game. Offensive – good. Pitching – pretty good. Defense – good.
Zach Miner was shaky the first few innings. He either had too much movement on his fastball, or he was pitching scared. He was living in the right hand batters box against lefties, but he managed to escape any damage. By the end he was cruising and picked up the easy win.
Gerald Laird and Magglio Ordonez hit their first homers of the year and now there are 7 Tigers who have gone deep this year. Laird’s hit was part of a 3 hit night.
Granderson hit his 4th homer in the last 5 games and with 3 homers tonight it is FREE ROAST BEEF SANDWICH TIME. Just print off a box score and head to Arby’s tomorrow. Yeah!
Some excellent defense in this one as well. It was the good Adam Everett and he and Placido Polanco teamed up for some nice plays.
The bullpen, which was used extensively in this one (which I don’t really get) was solid enough. Joel Zumaya pitched a scoreless 9th. He allowed 2 hits but was helped by a double play ball.
Good stuff all around.
Would zoom zoom be available tonight? I love that guy.
If Miner can quiet the Royals, we’ll win this game.
Our catcher now officially has more home runs than our 3 and 5 hitters combined.
Um, there are PINCH-HITTERS that have more HR than our 3 & 5 hitters combined (like Sheffield…).
Laird is the new Inge!
Miner isn’t real sharp. He’s pitching in the right hand batters box to lefties.
In other news… The Lions STILL lack the ability to draft well.
I remember Bonderman having the same problem last year. Everything would tail away, away, away. Maybe Miner needs to have a rib or two removed. 😛
Granderson!!
Atta boy Grandy
I’m thirsting to see a Magglio home run.
Hopefully with a 4 run lead Zach is a little more aggressive.
Would swapping Ordonez and Cabrera make any sense? Miguel just doesn’t seem to be getting much to hit.
Ah, there were 2 outs, but you can see Carlos still has the GIDP swing working…
Wow. Thank you, Teahen. Instead of bases loaded with one out, the inning somehow ends without them scoring.
Brian P: I was just wondering how it would work if they tried Anderson leadoff and Granderson 5th…
So Humberto Sanchez was released by the Yankees — that means none of the prospects we gave up for Sheffield panned out.
I don’t know. Billfer already mentioned Anderson’s history low OBP isn’t suitable for the leadoff spot. But I could see Granderson moving down in the order when Ordonez and Guillen ride off into the sunset.
The elusive gapper! Triple!
Nice. We needed a game like this.
Ha! If you want to beat Detroit you gotta beat our 7-9 guys, and if you don’t you’re gonna pay bigtime…(Grandy can be an honorary 7-9er…they say the 9 hitter is like a 2nd leadoff hitter, so the leadoff hitter is like a 2nd #9 hitter)
Um. Why pull Miner with 83 pitches and an 8 run lead?
I want to see some Zoom Zoom.
Grrr….why take out the only quality starting pitcher you have! Let the man finish what he started. All Hail Miner! The Tigers’ new ace! 🙂
(ok…or not)
so let me if i have the straght: Miner has now blanked the Royals 24.1 innings in a row now?
Cabrera’s got some funky shoes..
WOO HOO!!! GO SEAY!!!!
Just let Seay finish the inning! I guess Jim wants to use everyone he has out there tonight.
@ Brian P: No foolin’! Bodes well for seeing Zumaya tonight I guess.
man, Laird is just smokin’ hot right now….nice to see. Also, I wasn’t sure about this Josh Anderson trade when they did it….but it looks like he’s gonna be ok too. And I would like to thank the ump for calling the KC guy out when Cabrera missed the bag at first…. 🙂
It’s probably smart to have Lyon pitch in these mop up situations. Keep Seay sharp, but keep him fresh for when we really need him.
I only have gameday. is zumaya warming up?
nevermind. just heard he is.
Yaaaaaay, Magglio! Free Arby’s.
heeeeee’s baaaaaaaackkkk!
So, what’s going on with Cabrera? Is he injured?
Sweet win. Back in 1st place too.
Wait, how does this Arby’s thing work?
Print the box score off from mlb.com, or cut it out of the newspaper. Get a free sandwhich. I have no idea what sandwhich though, or if you get a choice. If you could get one of those roast burgers I’d be all over it, although I doubt they’d take it in Indiana.