PREGAME: It is time for this series to mercifully come to an end. The Tigers have not so much looked good in these first 2 games and now have dropped 4 in a row at home. As for today’s afternoon tilt, I don’t really know what to expect.
Tim Wakefield will be heaving knucklers towards home plate. I’ve seen the Tigers beat up Wakefield, and be stymied by Wakefield. Hitting conventional pitching hasn’t been their strong suit lately so maybe this is just what they need. Wakefield has been more wild this year with his walk rate at 4.4 per 9 innings while his K-rate of 5.4 is right in line with his past 4 seasons. He has already hit 9 batters.
Dontrelle Willis takes the ball for Detroit after a rough start against the Orioles. Dontrelle’s ability to throw strikes against the Red Sox has me concerned. And really, with the 2 starting pitchers combining to walk 8.4 batters per 9 innings, this game could take a while.
Willis looks poised and he’s locating well. I got a good feeling about this game.
Willis in 1st Inning – 11 of 15 for strikes
Wakefield throws just 9 pitches in a 1,2,3 inning. Only took him 2 minutes to get the Tigers out.
Wakefield 6 batting practice pitches and 3 easy easy easy pop flies…
Inge baby Inge!
Oh no. No, no, no. The franchise pulled a hammy.
!!!
What the heck does that mean? Is Adam Everett hurt? 🙂
that might be the first run on contact that HAS ACTUALLY WORKED IN two years!
Sardinna kept his 0 game hitting streak going
Thus far, this game is reminding me of my Vietnamese friend Ho Lee Phuc. I am surprised, to say the least.
Win.
WTF Willis. Talk about losing it. Yank him already.
How quickly the focus has shifted from replacing Galarraga to replacing Willis.
Looks like the strike zone is a little bit tight, at least from watching Gameday.
Is Dontrelle getting squeezed today, or is he really that far off? ESPN Gamecast makes all these balls look borderline, so I can’t believe he’s missed on ALL of them.
He was everywhere but the strike zone.
I wish that person in the crowd would shut up.
Meh, I’m behind.
4 walks with a HBP.
so beckett gets a mile wide zone yesterday and d train has to throw it down the middle everytime to get a called strike
Good for Leyland. I like how he stuck up for Willis there.
Though I’m watching the game and I don’t think Willis got squeezed. He was all over the place.
Ugh. Dontrelle Blass has returned.
Leyland got ejected too.
Did Willis get ejected too, or pulled?
Actually a pretty good pitch. Good swing by Bay. Not to worry though, we’re gonna pound Wakefield.
if you watched all three inning you can sure see it isn’t his arm thats the problem it;s his head..he even looked different…. fidgey nervous that inning…two squeezed pitches by the ump but nothing else was even close…wow
The good-
Willis threw a no-hitter. (in 2.1 innings)
The bad- he gave up 5 Earned Runs.
5.
(good fix)
the ugly- Miner gives up back to back hits
Forget the positive comment I made about Miner this morning.
Minor lets in all 3 inherited runners and one of his own. What a douche.
At least they have mastered the art of being consistently disappointing, right?
the worst part is this is starting to look more and more like 08 all over again
I was about to agree, but actually it reminds me of the beginning of this season–pretty decent pitching, but one disaster inning; spotty offense with Inge accounting for all the runs…as i recall what got the Tigers going this season after the so-so start was dominating starts by Verlander and Jackson…hmm, maybe they’ll be starting soon…
…
what a joke this is.
What’s the Tigers record in weekday afternoon games? Seems like nearly every chance I have to tune in they’re losing. At least it’s early in the game, but with Cabrera out and the way the offense has been it’s definitely an uphill climb.
only on the weekends
definately two different strike zones again today
Why didn’t Zumaya come in after Willis? If there’s ever a use for a hardthrowing righthander who can strike people, it is after a slower lefty and when the bases are loaded due to walks. I’m sure Zumaya will be really effective in the 8th when he’s pitching an inning to “get him some work.”
That’s an interesting thought. At this point facing a sweep and up against a pitcher they don’t hit well that makes sense to try Zumaya and limit the damage that inning.
that is way too advanced for Jimmy to think of, but would have been a very good move
I was thinking exactly the same thing. For whatever reason, Miner is absolutely horrible when inheiriting runners in scoring position — but he seems to be average (that’s the best I can do by the way) with the bases empty. I would have like to see Zumaya then Miner come in with a clean slate.
omg how slow is Inge ..you could have walked there faster
Inge can run a 4.0 40, hit a golf ball 798 yards, and kick an 83 yard field goal after doing a 720 dunk. So shut it. 😉
well if you can ‘t steal second on a 64 mph pitch maybe he should be golfing
His calves are enormous. Now that he is on the DL, Grady Sizemore spends most of his time admiring them…
This is so depressing. I can’t think of anything else to say.
Well at least Verlander, Jackson, and Porcello have been doing terrific. The offense hasn’t done much for 2 weeks, but before that it was doing well. Can’t really complain about being in 1st place either.
Time for a come back.
Great as soon as I said that Clete hits into a DP. I’m done for Today, time to shut me up.
This 25 man roster needs a tiny bit of a shakeup.
If Thames comes up who goes down? Right Hand hitting Raburn?
Bondo for Willis?
Cabrera goes to the DL.
As Ernie Harwell used to say – “Just a long strike” for Larish on that one.
if it weren’t for bad luck there would be no luck at all!!!
Larish was born under a bad sign.
Miner apparently had a calf cramp?
OK I’m back to saying nicer things about Miner. Sure, he let some inherited runners score but after that he settled down and provided some much needed innings. I’ll let him slide……..for now.
I agree with the conversation before why not bring in Zoom clear the bases and let Miner start an inning he does much better that way. Better use of your personnel
I hope this trend doesn’t continue. I will be at the next 2 games.
Look at the bright side friends. We just got swept, and we’re still up 2.5 games in early June. Not too shabby.
I am, however, starting to get concerned about the Pale Hose coming into town. Let’s play better ball this weekend and extend our lead next week.
We’re playing the Pale Hose in their softball park. Hopefully Marcus Thames is up to the task.
jud: “definately two different strike zones again today”
Yes! That was the problem!
/sarcasm
Miner threw over 60 pitches today and would be perfectly on rest to take Willis’s next start. Just sayin’.