Detroit is off to a new streak, winning their 2nd consecutive yesterday vs. Tampa Bay, 6-3. Although who could have predicted how the win would come about: Phil Coke with 4 great innings, Phil Coke with a hurt ankle (what is it with Tiger ankles anyway?), Charlie Furbush dominating in his first MLB appearance, Andy Dirks with his first career HR, Brennan Boesch diving around Shoppach at the plate, and all sorts of 9th-inning roller coaster excitement.
Update: Phil Coke has been placed on the 15-day DL with a bone bruise in his right foot, and Adam Wilk has been called up from Toledo to take his roster spot, although presumably to join the bullpen. The plan is to call up Andy Oliver to take Coke’s next turn in the rotation according to Jason Beck.
Today looks to be the more standard fare, with ace Justin Verlander taking the mound against Wade Davis. Justin is looking to rebound from a merely good performance, and get back to his how-are-we-supposed-to-hit-that? ways. Tampa Bay is notoriously better against RHP than they are against LHP, so he has a bit more work to do than Cokebush did last night.
This will also mean the Rays starting lineup will feature hot-hitting former Tiger Matt Joyce, savior of kittens.
Today’s Player of the Pre-Game: Andy Dirks
With another RHP in the lineup, and batting behind Victor Martinez, Dirks will be the man on-the-spot with runners on base.
Today’s Where Hasn’t Kelly Batted Lineup:
- Austin Jackson CF
- Don Kelly 3B
- Brennan Boesch RF
- Miguel Cabrera 1B
- Victor Martinez DH
- Andy Dirks LF
- Jhonny Peralta SS
- Alex Avila C
- Scott Sizemore 2B
The Ray’s pitcher Davis has given up 12 runs in his last 24 innings (5 hrs) – and he’s especially tough on righties.
The Tigers are due to put a double digit… maybe tonight?
He narrowly escaped the 1st inning. We’re teeing off him it seems.
Why Sizemore today instead of a lefty Ramon Santiago?
Rayupton in CF for the Rays.
Joyce’s Kittens or Clete’s Cougars?
Joyce’s kittens it is. Damn.
Next time he is at bat someone has to let a kitten loose on the field to distract him.
Miggy bomb!!
Cabby Crushed the not-fast-enough-ball
miguel 🙂
Clown show alert
Cue Mel Allen and the calliope music.
I just looked up clown music on YouTube. The top result was Britney Spears, Hold it Against Me.
What’s a Farnsworth?
You’re about to see
That was ugly
Has that worked ONCE all season?? Especially the King of Swing-and-miss at bat?
Jhoel Peralta in to pitch
wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
avila
I don’t think that was a very good outing for Ramos. Cesar later.
blowpen v 2.0 by Maddon
This year’s Avila is a great improvement over last year’s. I’m still worried about the upcoming ben wa balls though.
Verlander gets hammered, but Tigers win. Thanks to the bullpen, Avila, Cabrera, Peralta, and Don Kelly. Couldn’t have written that script.
Hollywood wouldn’t buy it if you did.
I count this as a should have lost win. The ricochet that Al Alburquerque made to Peralta in the eight saved two runs and perhaps the game. Good morale win for Benoit and Avila. Plus great catch for Dirks early in the game!
Let’s see a show of hands: who thinks Raburn would’ve made that catch?