2009 Season, Game Post

Game 2009.035: A’s at Tigers

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PREGAME: Hopefully the Tigers didn’t use up all their offense last night and they have some runs left to pile on Dallas Braden. I covered Braden yesterday, so borrowing from earlier writings:

Lefty Dallas Braden takes the hill for Oakland. He has a sub 6 K/9 rate, but he walks less than half of that and keeps the ball in the park. Lefties only have 33 at-bats against him this year and they’ve only put together 7 singles and a walk. Most of the damage against Braden has been done in the later innings with a sub .700 OPS in the first 4 innings. But the third time through the lineup hitters post a 953 OPS against.

The Tigers will send out Rick Porcello. Porcello has only allowed 1 run over his last 2 games. He has walked 5 in his last 12 innings and the tigers would probably like to see that number drop a little.

Oakland vs. Detroit – May 16, 2009 | MLB.com: Gameday

POSTGAME: Starting pitch? Check. Bullpen? Check. Offense? Check. Defense? Check. Nothing at all to complain about in this one.

Porcello continues to hold his own at the big league level, showing progress with each outing. The curve ball was particularly effective today and he used his hook to notch 5 K’s. He also limited the walks to two. Early in the game he seemed to be leaving balls up a little with more balls in the air than he normally allows. But as he’s done in several of his starts, he’ll settle down after adversity and get on what seems like an effortless roll.

The infield did a very nice job making a number of tricky plays highlighted by a Miguel Cabrera web gem (at least it was a web gem prior to the late games ending).

Bobby Seay got an out and allowed a single. But Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney were perfect. It was a little overkill to use those 3 in this game, but with an off day on Monday they can still go tomorrow if need be without any repercussions.

And then there is the offense which started coming to life in the Metrodome. After seeing the Tigers slap singles around for a decent chunk of the season, it is nice to see balls banging off the fence or laced down the line. Miguel Cabrera, Gerald Laird, and Placido Polanco all had 3 hit games and Ryan Raburn picked up 3 more RBI with an opposite field homer. Things are good in Tiger town tonight.

27 thoughts on “Game 2009.035: A’s at Tigers”

  1. I’m going down there in 45min. Please be good Ricky.

    Crap I have both SP on my fantasy team. Lets have a low scoring match and then let the Tigers beat up on Oakland’s pen.

  2. So. Does anyone have any guesses on Magglio and what his “personal issues” are?

  5. Throw got there in time but was a great slide, away from the tag. Laird just missed reaching him.

  6. Anyone else weirded out by Rod’s obsession with Nick Punto? Dude can’t get through a broadcast without mentioning him, regardless of whether the Tigers are playing the Twins. I know he’s a good player and all, but Rod needs to get off his nutsack, which he seems to be continually hanging from.

  8. Just heard the A’s radio guys refer to Cabrera as Big Trouble. As in “Braden would rather not have to pitch to ‘Big Trouble’ this inning…”

    Is this a nickname anyone has heard before? (And what would that be in Spanish, grandes problemas?)

  12. Raburn’s drinking some special kind of juice this weekend. Nice job adding on runs at the end of what was a respectable outing by Braden.

    1. Leyland was talking after the game about how he promised DD he’d take care of him this season. Unless the kid has a no-hitter going in a game I’d expect more of the same until the end of the year.

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