Monthly Archives: April 2011

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.14: Tigers at Athletics

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Tonight in Oakland the Tigers have the chance to get to .500 for the first time this season, and in doing so get Jim Leyland his 1,500th career win.

Taking the mound for Detroit will be Rick Porcello, who hopefully will get a night as chilly as last night (no, really, it makes sinkers sink more).

The A’s will look for some relief from their strike-zone-aphobia from last night with Brandon McCarthy, who rarely walks batters (only 1 BB so far this season in 2 starts).

By the way, for all of the fretting about the Tigers not being patient enough at the plate last night, it was interesting to see this from the other perspective:  Gonzalez felt quite the opposite…

“These guys were being very patient,” Gonzalez said. “They’d give you one of these first-pitch swings and miss them, and all of a sudden they wait the next four or five pitches. It’s impressive. It was like a chess game. Every pitch was there but like a little hair off. Again, you live and you learn.” SF Chronicle

Today’s Player of the Pre-game:  Rick Porcello, who has his sinkerball working, gets a couple of double-play balls, and leads Detroit to the 4th straight  in another low-scoring affair.

Today’s What-Rhymes-with-Leadoff? Lineup:

  1. Will Rhymes 2B
  2. Ryan Raburn LF
  3. Brennan Boesch RF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Don Kelly CF
  7. Brandon Inge 3B
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Ramon Santiago SS

(Also known as today’s Because-They-Bat-Left-Handed-That’s-Why Lineup).

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 4.14.2011

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Toledo 0, Columbus 1 (Indians)

In the first game of a double header, Columbus somehow managed to beat the Hens with a solo shot from Grady Sizemore in the top of the third. Toledo couldn’t turn 8 hits into a single run and Thad Weber (RHP) took the loss. Although he lost, Weber had a solid night with 6k over 6 IP and a sub-1 WHIP on the night.

Three Mud Hens had a two-hit game (Sizemore, Thorman, and Santos).

Toledo 3, Columbus 7 (Indians)

Although the Mud Hens took a 3-1 lead into the 4th inning, they gave up 6 runs in 4 innings to complete the sweep of the day.  Scott Sizemore added another hit and a run in the 2nd game of the day. Sizemore is hitting .421 at AAA. Although we all know that doesn’t necessarily translate to MLB success with him, it’s still good to see him producing at a high level.

Clay Timpner (CF) and John Murrian (C) both went 2-3. 1 RBI each on the night for Perez, Dirks, and Murrian.

Robbie Weinhardt didn’t waste any time on the bench and pitched an inning in relief. He gave up 3 runs (only 1 earned). Chris Oxspring (RHP) takes the loss after going 3 innings and giving up 3 ER on 2 hits and 3 BBs.

Erie 1, Bowie 2 (Orioles)

L.J. Gagnier (RHP) started and lasted 6 IP while giving up 3 H, 2 ER. He managed to K 8 while only walking 2. Jared Gayhart (RHP) came on in relief and looked good striking out 2 and allowing only one base runner by way of a single.

The Sea Wolves’ hitters were stymied by a platoon of pitchers trotted out by Bowie. No notable offensive production (5 o-fer’s Bertram, Pounds, Holaday, Martinez, and Scram). The lone RBI went to Francisco Martinez (3B) on a sac fly.

Lakeland 4, Daytona 3 (Cubs)

Lakeland had a 3-0 lead going into the 4th before a 3-run Daytona rally tied the ball game. The game remained deadlocked at 3 until a 9th inning walk-off walk! The most exciting play in baseball….

Lakeland’s starter, Cole Nelson (LHP) went 4 innings giving up 5 hits, 3 ER, and walking 1. Teufel, Morrsion, and Faulk combined to pitch 5 innings of scoreless relief. Faulk picked up the win.

With the exception of Jones (2B), every Flying Tiger picked up at least one hit. Tony Plagman (1B) had the most notable night, going 3-4 with an RBI and a walk. His average for the year is now at .375.

West Michigan 1, Great Lakes 3 (Dodgers)

Great Lakes scored one run in the 5th, 6th, and 8th before the Whitecaps scored one in the bottom of the 8th.  For West Michigan, mediocrity ruled the day from the pitching slab. Each Whitecaps pitcher (Carreno, Torrealba, and Rondon) was on pace for 9BB/9IP.

Brace yourselves Tiger fans…. a catcher had a great night swinging the bat! Robert Brantly went 2-4 with a 2B and had the only RBI of the night for West Michigan. He’s hitting .438 through 2011. Keep an eye on this guy, he’s in his 2nd year at West Michigan but only played in 52 games last season. Through the first 4 games this year, he had a hit in every game (including hitting .500 in 3 of 4) and has picked up 4 RBI with an OBP of .526.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.13: Tigers at Athletics

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The Tigers packed up Wednesday with a to-go order of walk-off under their belts to travel to Oakland for a 4-game series with their good friends the Oakland Athletics.  Good friends because the A’s are returning home from a road trip which saw them take consecutive series from the Twins and the White Sox.

The Tigers will go from facing the team with the best ERA in the league, to facing the team with the 2nd best (2.73), who recently held the Twins to 5 runs in 3 games.  Add to that the A’s lack of offense and the Coliseum’s large dimensions, and this is likely to be a low-scoring series.

The first game features a left-coast lefty matchup of Phil Coke and Gio Gonzalez, who has only allowed 1 run in 13 innings so far this season, picking up where he left off last season (2nd half ERA of 2.59).  His weakness is a relatively high number of walks, so if the Tiger hitters are patient they may be able to get into the bullpen early.

One of the nice things about Gio Gonzalez becoming so successful is that he is not on the White Sox.  They had him, and traded him–twice.

  • Player of the Pre-game: Ryan Raburn. Raburn vs Gio Gonzalez is a career 4 for 5 (.800) with a 2B and 2 HR.

If the Tigers win, Raburn will likely be involved.  If not, the loss can probably be blamed on me for not following the short-but-sweet lucky game post format.

Today’s no-Rhymes-nor-reason lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Casper Wells RF
  3. Ryan Raburn LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez C
  6. Jhonny Peralta SS
  7. Brennan Boesch DH
  8. Brandon Inge 3B
  9. Ramon Santiago 2B
2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 4-12-2011

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West Michigan 3, Great Lakes 2 (Dodgers)

West Michigan trailed 0-2 throughout most of the game before West Michigan scored 3 runs on a 2RBI single from Ryan Enos (RF) and a RBI single from James Robbins (1B).

Jeff Ferrell (RHP) started for the White Caps and gave up 2 runs (0 earned) on 4 hits. He also added 6 K’s and did not walk a batter. Joel Zumaya’s younger brother, Richard made a relief appearance for the Caps and went 2 2/3 with 2K’s. Bruce Rondon (RHP) finished the night and picked up with win after going 1 1/3 and striking out 3 batters.

No big stars offensively. Castillo, Perez, Enos, Polk, and Castellanos all tallied one hit apiece. Robbins went 2-4 with an RBI. Robbins .417 average is leading the White Caps so far this season.

Lakeland 5, Dunedin 3 (Blue Jays)

Lakeland jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and withstood a 2-run Dunedin 6th inning rally with single runs of their own in the 7th and 8th to hold on for the win.

Gustavo Nunez, the switch hitting shortstop, had a terrific night from the leadoff spot. He went 3-4 with a walk and fell a triple short of the cycle.

Corey Jones (2B) and Wade Gaynor (3B) each went 2-5.

Trevor Feeney (RHP) started for the Flying Tigers and had a mediocre night (5.1 IP/ 7H/ 3ER/ 3K). Jordan Pratt (RHP) picked up the win after throwing 2 2/3 innings in relief with 3 K’s. Kenny Faulk (LHP) picked up the save.

Erie 7, Binghamton 6 (Mets)

Jacob Turner started for the Sea Wolves and posted the following stat line: 7IP, 7H, 3ER, 1BB, 4K. His ERA for the year is a respectable 2.08. Hamilton came on in relief and gave up 3 more earned runs. Hamilton’s ERA for the year is a bloated 9.64.

Jamie Johnson (CF) had a huge night swinging the bat: 4-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI. The Sea Wolves scattered 4 more RBI between Bertram, Ciriaco, Scram, and Henry.

Toledo 4, Indianapolis 2 (Indians)

In a sloppy game (each team committed 2 errors resulting in unearned runs) the Mud Hens held on to an early lead throughout the night to complete the daily sweep for the Tigers.

Andy Oliver (LHP) started and pitched 6 innings. He only gave up 3 hits and 1 ER while striking out 8. His ERA for the year is 2.25. Fu Te Ni (LHP) pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief and gave up only 2 hits and 1 unearned run.  Zach Simons (RHP) notched the save after getting the final out.

Scott Thorman (1B) had a nice night going 2-4 with a homer. Worth, Strieby, and Thomas each picked up single hits.

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 4.10.2011

West Michigan 13, Lansing 12 (Blue Jays)

No pitcher had a good afternoon on Sunday; however, Bruce Rondon (RHP) picked up the win after pitching a scoreless 9th inning and striking out 2. The West Michigan SP, Kyle Ryan (LHP) gave up 5 ER on 6 hits in just 3 2/3 IP.

Offensively, Dixon Machado (SS) led the way going 4-5 with a walk and scoring 3 runs.

Lakeland 5, Tampa 2 (Yankees)

 Lakeland’s SP, Jared Wesson (LHP) went only 3 innings before being replaced by Shawn Teufel (LHP). Teufel went 4 innings, K’ed 3 and only gave up 2 hits while picking up the win for Lakeland.

Anthony Plagman (1B) went 2-4 with a homer and 2 RBI. William Bergolla (2B) had an especially anemic afternoon, going 0 – 5 in the leadoff spot.

Erie 7, Altoona 10 (Pirates)

Altoona grabbed an early 5-0 lead and did not relent despite an eighth inning rally from Erie. Casey Crosby (LHP) only lasted 2 2/3 innings while allowing 5 ER before getting the hook and taking the loss. The Seal Wolves homered twice in the eighth (Holaday (1RBI), Johnson (2RBI)) for 3 runs making it 7-9 before Altoona added one more in the top half of the 9th and then closed out the Wolves in the bottom half.

Despite mediocre pitching throughout the night, the Sea Wolves had some solid offensive production led by Michael Bertram (1B) who went 4 – 5 on the night.

Toledo 1, Louisville 5 (Reds)

The outcome was never in doubt as Louisville took a 4-0 lead after 4 innings and never looked back. Below (LHP) took the loss for the Mud Hens after allowing 4 ER in 4IP. Garcia and Simons came on in relief and combined to go 4 innings with no ER and 4 K’s.

The Mud Hens had 5 o-fors (Sizemore, Perez, Strieby, Timpner, and Murrian). Argenis Diaz (SS) picked up the lone RBI for the Mud Hens in the 7th, scoring Ryan Strieby on a single.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.10: Rangers at Tigers

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The smoking hot Rangers bring baseball’s best record into CoPa for a three game set of afternoon games.  The Rangers are 8-1 and lead the majors in Home Runs, Slugging, OPS, oh, and ERA to boot.  They recently took 2 out or 3 from Baltimore, in Baltimore, and the Orioles did not score a run over the last 16 innings.  They’ve been playing pretty well.

Alexi Ogando makes his second career start today.  His first went about as well as it could, as he allowed 2 H, 2 BB and struck out 4 over 6 IPs.  He really only has two pitches, a plus fastball that was in the mid-90s through the 6th last week, and a good slider that he’s not afraid to throw on any count.  What made him so effective as a reliever last year, and in his first start, was good location.  You might see a change-up or two today.

JV goes for the Tigers.  Verlander has dominated the Rangers in his career.  In eight starts, he is 6-1 with a 2.37 ERA and 54 Ks in 49 1/3 IPs. Did you know that JV has the most wins in the AL since 2006 (74) and is second in Ks (975)?

If you are on the fence about heading out to the game, remember that Lower Baseline Box and Upper Box Infield seats are half-price through Wednesday.

Today’s AJax less lineup feature Don Kelly:

1. Rhymes – 2B
2. Boesch – LF
3. Ordonez – RF
4. Cabrera – 1B
5. Martinez – DH
6. Kelly – CF
7. Peralta – SS
8. Avila – C
9. Inge – 3B

Seems to me that Maggs is more of a #2 hitter these days, but JL and I disagree on quite a few things.

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 4.9.11

Happy Sunday to everyone! As mentioned earlier this year, my name is Nick D and I will be covering the minor leagues for DTW. I’m going to try to post updates daily including noteworty performers from the previous games. If there’s anything you’d like to have researched or written about, please let me know and I will oblige. One formatting note -I am going to include, parenthetically, the MLB club associated with Tigers minor league opponents so you, the reader, can see how our propsects are stacking up against other farm systems.

West Michigan was postponed by rain

(A) Lakeland 1, Tampa 2 (Yankees)

Lakeland looked offensively sluggish. The only run came off a 4th inning HR by Brent Wyatt (LF). Also encouraging was a 2-4 performance by Julio Rodriguez (C). Impressively, Rodriguez is hitting .400 through the young season. 21 year-old Cole Nelson took the loss for Lakeland, although he went 6 innings giving up 2 ER on 7 hits. I did like that he K’ed 6 while only walking 1.

(AA) Erie 2, Altoona 6 (Pirates)

The starter, Luke Putkonen, went 5 decent innings allowing 1 ER on 3 hits. He only struck out 2 while walking the same. After he handed the ball to the bullpen (Waite and Little on this night) the SeaWolves gave up 11 more hits and 5 ER.

Brandon Douglas (2B) and Rawley Bishop (1B) collected 1 RBI each.

(AAA) Toledo 1, Louisville 2 (Reds)

Charlie Furbush (LHP) went 5 1/3 for the Mud Hens giving up 2 ER on 5 hits. He struck out 6 and didn’t walk a batter. Furbush allowed the two runs on a Lemony Snickets series of unfortunate events in the bottom first. A single turned into a runner on third after a SB and a throw to first to complete a K. That runner then scored on a WP. Next, a single again turned into a RISP after a steal. That man was then scored. After the 1st, Furbush didn’t allow a runner to get to 2nd base.

No one from the Mud Hens had a noteworty night – scattering 6 hits across  6 different players. I will point out, however, that Andy Dirks (LF) is hitting .462/.769/1.231 through the season so far.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.9: Royals at Tigers

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This afternoon the Tigers try to bounce back from their first home loss of the season in the rubber game of the series with the Royals.  The Royals send Luke Hochevar to the mound to oppose Rick Porcello

Speaking of Porcello, I happened to overhear one of those baseball science kind of conversations about the effect of temperature on pitching, in which someone was arguing more or less that cold weather is good for curve-ball pitchers, and hot weather is good for fastball pitchers (cold air is more dense than hot and therefore offers more resistance, which ball movement relies on).

So naturally I thought, well Porcello should have a good game tomorrow.  Then I saw the weather forecast for Detroit:  high of 76.  So much for that.

But since game time temperatures are recorded in the box scores, just for fun why not go ahead and see how Porcello did at varying temperatures last season.

Rick Porcello ERA 2010 by game time temperature:

4.14 – sub 70

5.43 – 70 – 79

5.96 – 80 plus

This is somewhat affected no doubt by his progression throughout the season: he struggled for a while, and came on strong at the end of the season, when it was naturally colder. But that begs the question whether or not that improvement was aided by the temperature.  In August he had 6 starts; the first 4 at 82, 80, 83, and 87 degrees, the last 2 at 74 and 75.  The first 4 he had a 6.95 ERA, the last 2 a 3.21 ERA, and he continued to improve into September.

Is it possible his improvement was aided in some way by the weather? Did he get better, or did it just get colder, or was it both? I wouldn’t try to form an opinion either way based on this little bit of data, but it does add an element that I hadn’t thought of before.

Then again, it’s possible that ALL pitchers do better the colder it is, and that’s all that’s showing up here, not anything specific to Porcello,  or to pitchers who rely on a sinker.

And that one is a little deep for the moment, so instead let’s look at today’s no-Magglio lineup (ankle soreness):

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Will Rhymes 2B
  3. Brennan Boesch RF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Ryan Raburn LF
  7. Jhonny Peralta SS
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Brandon Inge 3B
2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.8: Royals at Tigers

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Today the Tigers look to continue unbeaten at home, as Phil Coke gets his 1st start of the season (and only 2nd of his career) against Bruce Chen and the Royals.  Whether or not Coke adjusts to the starting role will likely have a big effect on how this season plays out, and whether or not any of the young prospects get called up during the season.

Bruce Chen has a mixed history against the Tigers.  Last season he was 2-1 with a 6.30 ERA (with 12 walks in 20 innings).  Luckily Miguel Cabrera is fine after his run-in yesterday with the tarp:  in 14 career ABs vs Chen he is hitting .571 with 3 HRs.  Chen will find some relief further down in the order–Inge has 1 hit in 21 career ABs vs Chen.

Expect the Tigers to take a patient approach at the plate with Chen.  In fact, the Tigers have been uncharacteristically patient this season as a whole, and surprisingly lead the league in Pitches per Plate Appearance with 4.13 led by Wee Willie Rhymes (4.69).

Today marks the first appearance of The Ghost in the starting lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Will Rymes, 2B
  3. Maggio Ordonez DH
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez C
  6. Ryan Raburn LF
  7. Jhonny Peralta SS
  8. Brandon Inge 3B
  9. Casper Wells RF

 

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.7: Royals at Tigers

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It’s Homecoming time in the D, as the Tigers bring baseball back to Detroit for the 2011 Home Opener.

The weather is chllin’ (42 and rainy with 2 hours until the 3:05 start, but the rain is expected to go away) but the fans are grillin’ and I don’t expect any of that Yankee stadium empty seat malaise, because that’s just not how Detroit opening day goes.

The Home opener is simply bigger in Detroit,  according to Lynn Henning

Brandon Inge agrees, and says his bit on the subject in the Metro Times

On-field festivities include

  • Raising of a Sparky Anderson flag and retirement of his number 11 (the players have also been wearing patch honoring him).
  • A moment of silence for Bill Lajoie, Steve Boros, Cecil Kaiser, Woodie Fryman and the victims of the Japan tsunami.
  • A military A-10 flyover, courtesy of the 107th Fighter Squadron, 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard
  • Game ball presentation by Master Sergeant Michael Lionberger of the US Air Force
  • 7th inning stretch performance of God Bless America by Scott Stapp of Creed
  • and rally towels for the first 10,000 fans!

The National Anthem will be performed by Committed, the winners of NBC’s The Sing-Off (yes, but can they measure up to Amber Grand?)

The ceremonial first pitch will be delivered by a young person from the C.A.T.C.H. organization, along with “very special guests.” (Ooh, I’ll guess we’ll just have to watch to find out!).

For those lucky enough to be enjoying all of the festivities in person, you might want to check out the new Food Network signature steak sandwiches (not to be confused with Sgt. Lionberger), which will be available in only 8 ballparks, and Comerica is one!

For those who can’t make opening day in person, you can follow the party online at the Detroit News, where they have a live fan blog with lots of photos and tweets and whatnot (I just saw the tarp coming off the field, yea!)

There are many ways to celebrate opening day–1,000 retirees at Fox Run retirement community in Novi will do a pre-game reading to honor Ernie Harwell.

How are you celebrating?  Please post and tell us, especially if you are lucky enough to be there at Comerica.  Go Tigers!

* * *

The Tigers will face the 4-2 Kansas City Royals, the youngest, cheapest, and apparently fastest team in the league (they lead the majors with 14 stolen bases).  And it’s not all small ball; they still have the dreaded Billy Butler.  A well-rested Max Scherzer (he left Baltimore a day early) will try to keep the runnin’ Royals off the basepaths–if not, expect them to test Alex Avila, who has had some early season struggles behind the plate. Not to worry too much though:  Mario and Rod pronounced yesterday that Scherzer will have 9 strikeouts today.

The home opening lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson, CF
  2. Will Rhymes, 2B
  3. Magglio Ordonez, RB
  4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
  5. Victor Martinez, DH
  6. Brennan Boesch, LF
  7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
  8. Alex Avila, C
  9. Brandon Inge, 3B