Monthly Archives: May 2011

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.34: Tigers at Blue Jays

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There wasn’t a single thing that I liked about yesterday’s loss to the Blue Jays.

Least not the single thing where the Blue Jays hit single after single after single after single.

Today Justin Verlander will take the mound with a “single THIS” demeanor.  Which former Tiger great Jack Morris suggests may be a bit overdone–Morris says that Verlander could 1, 2, or 3-hit teams all of the time if he were less intent on the strikeout.

Oh, and it’s May!  Justin Verlander, career in March/April:  9-14, 4.75.  Career in May: 18-8, 2.80.

Morris will be opposed by Ricky Romero, whose start was pushed back because of a mild oblique strain.  I’m guessing he will have a short pitch-count leash.  Do you get my point, you first-pitch swingers? Word is there will be no Bautista again, but that he will be back by the end of the series.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Daniel Schlereth

Apparently Schlereth, who was born in Anchorage, likes to call himself The Alaskan Assassin.  His mission today, if called on, is to shut down the Toronto Singlers; if not called on, to trademark his nickname before a certain Presidential candidate steals it.

Today’s Kentucky Derby Day lineup, presented by manager Holy Bull, who says “I think we have the horses to win today”:

  • Post 1: Skip Away CF
  • Post 2: More Than Ready 2B
  • Post 3: Medaglio d’Oro RF
  • Post 4: Go For Gin 1B
  • Post 5: Indian Charlie DH
  • Post 6: Stage Door Johnny SS
  • Post 7: Lost In the Fog LF
  • Post 8: Afleet Alex C
  • Post 9: Whirlaway 3B

 

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 5.6.2011

Toledo 7, Charlotte 8 (White Sox)

Charlotte chipped away at a 5-2 Mud Hens lead from the 5th through the 9th when Charlotte scored the winning run off of Enrique Gonzalez. Thad Weber (RHP) started and allowed 6 ER on 8 hits. Fu Te Ni and Enrique Gonzalez allowed an earned run each. Brendan Wise (RHP) and Matt Hoffman (LHP) combined to throw a scoreless 8th.

While the pitching staff tried their hardest to lose this one, the Mud Hens bats put up some quality numbers. Bryan Pounds (3B) went 3-4 with a walk. Scott Thorman (LF) went 2-5 with 2 homers and 4 RBI. Timo Perez (DH) and Ryan Strieby (1B) each added two hits.

Erie 6, Bowie 12 (Orioles)

Erie led 6-5 heading into the 7th inning. Bowie then tallied 7 runs in the frame to crush the SeaWolves. Casey Crosby (LHP) made it through 5 innings before giving way to the bullpen. Crosby allowed 5 ER on 5 hits. Cory Hamilton (RHP) led the SeaWolves to the slaughter house in the 7th and allowed 5 runs (1 earned) in an inning and a third.  Jared Gayhart (RHP) also got roughed around in the 7th: 4 hits, 2 ER in 2/3 IP. Rob Waite (RHP) pitched the last two innings allowing only one base runner on a walk.

5 SeaWolves had 2 or more hits (Douglas, Guez, Ciriaco, Henry, and Roof). Justin Henry (LF) picked up 3 RBI on 3 hits, including 1 double. Michael Bertram (1B) picked up 2 RBI on 1 hit, Shawn Roof (3B) got the other RBI for the ‘Wolves on a 2-3 night with a walk.

Lakeland 9, Tampa 0 (Yankees)

If you are wearing a cap while reading this, it’s time for you to tip it to Jared Wesson. Wesson allowed 2 hits over eight scoreless innings for the Flying Tigers to record the win. Wesson walked 4 and struck out 3. Ryan Robowski (LHP) pitched a perfect 9th to complete the game.

 Tony Plagman (DH) went 1-3 with a 2B and a walk. Plagman led the team with 3 RBI. Julio Rodriguez (C) had a spectacular night with the bat: 4-4, 2 R, 2 RBI. Rodriguez is hitting .360 on the year. Finally, Gustavo Nunez (SS) went 0-1 on the night but drew three walks. As I’ve mentioned, I am a big fan of “Moneyball”-esque analysis and view 3 walks as nearly as good as a 3 hit night.

West Michigan 6, Great Lakes 4 (Dodgers)

Josue Carreno (RHP) rebounded from his last performance with a near-quality start. He lasted 6 innings and allowed 4 ER on 7 hits and a walk. He also K’ed 5. Ramon Lebron (RHP) recorded a hold after allowing 1 walk and striking out 4 over 2 IP. Michael Torrealba (RHP) notched the save after allowing 1 hit and striking out 2 in the 9th.

Robert Brantly (C) went 3-4 with a homer and 4 RBI. He leads the Whitecaps with a .362 BA. Brantly has only had one game this year in which he failed to record a hit. For the year he’s hitting .362 with an OBP at .407. Rowland, J. and Nowlin picked up one RBI apiece. Finally, Hernan Perez (SS) went 2-4 with 2 runs scored.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.33: Tigers at Blue Jays

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After a quick and satisfying 4-game home stand vs the Yankees, the Tigers hit the road for a costly 4-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Not that I’m predicting it will go badly, it’s just that players’ taxes are pro-rated depending on venue of performance, so they have to pay the higher Canadian taxes for playing in Toronto.

One presumes they left the bus home.  At any rate, sadly, the Tigers may have dibs on the team plane again soon.

The Blue Jays are also known as the Toronto Jose Bautistas.  Bautista not only leads the AL in OPS, he leads the league in each category:  BA (.357) OBP (.530) and SLG (.762).   And to make matters worse, the opponent he did best against in 2010:  Detroit.

Fortunately, the Tigers don’t have to face him today (neck spasms), and he is day-to-day for the rest of the series.  Time to capitalize on our good fortune.

The Tigers send Phil Coke to the mound, who has so far mixed flashes of brilliance with problems finding the strike zone.  The Jays counter with Jesse Litsch, whose numbers this season are about the same as Coke’s.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Brandon Inge

Jim Leyland has proclaimed–and this time I paraphrase–that Inge is “due,”  adding that we have to understand that Inge is a “Spurt guy.”

Today’s Overtaxed Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Scott Sizemore 2B
  3. Brennan Boesch LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Maggio Ordonez RF
  7. Jhonny Peralta SS
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Brandon Inge 3B

 

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 5.5.2011

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Toledo 5, Charlotte 10 (White Sox)

The Mud Hens bats were able to put up 5 ER on Jake Peavy but still fell short. Adam Wilk (LHP) took the loss after allowing 6 ER in 4 innings. Robbie Weinhardt allowed 2 ER in 2 2/3 innings of relief.

Ryan Strieby went 1-4 with a homer and 2 RBI. Andy Dirks (CF) went 2-4 with a run scored.

Erie 1, Binghamton 7 (Mets)

Binghamton pitching completely stymied the SeaWolves until the top of the 9th when the Wolves put up 1 run on a Rawley Bishop (1B) RBI double. Over 7 IP, the Erie starter, Mark Sorensen (RHP) allowed 11 hits and a walk, resulting in 7 earned runs. Chance Ruffin (RHP) threw an inning of relief and did not allow a run on 1 hit.

No SeaWolf got more than one hit  and only two were for extra bases.

Lakeland 1, Clearwater 5 (Phillies)

This game was tied 1-1 through the 5th inning before Clearwater added 2 runs in the 7th, 1 in the 8th, and 1 in the 9th to ice it. Cole Nelson (LHP) received the loss for Lakeland: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 K. Kenny Faulk (LHP) threw another scoreless inning of relief. For the year, Faulk has pitched 12 2/3 innings and allowed 1 ER and struck out 20 opposing batters. I think he may take the trip north to Erie before too long.

Julio Rodriguez (C) had a terrific night with the bat: 3-3 with a double to bring his season average to .324. Avisail Garcia (RF) collected the only RBI of the night for Lakeland.

West Michigan 3, Great Lakes 1 (Dodgers)

It took West Michigan 12 innings to beat Great Lakes and save the farm from a daily sweep. Antonio Cruz (LHP) must have angered the baseball gods because karma was not on his side tonight. Cruz threw 8 innings of 6 hit, 1 run baseball but did not get the run support for a win. Patrick Cooper (RHP) pitched the final two innings and struck out 3 to earn the win.

Castellanos, Robbins, and Castillo each recorded two hits for the Whitecaps. Nick Castellanos (3B) went 2-5 and picked up 2 RBI. Hernan Perez (2B) got the other RBI for the ‘caps on a sac fly.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.32: Yankees at Tigers

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Well, the Tigers take the field for today’s asphalt game with the hopes and dreams of Tigers fans who are ready to charge up the AL Central standings after two games.  Count me in!  Before we start printing our AL Central Division shirts let’s remember the week preceding these last two games, but it’s hard not to get excited.  The Tigers have won the last two with timely hitting, outstanding starting pitching, and some shrewd lineup management.  A long series win over the venerable Yankees would replenish a lot of the recently lost fan capital.

AperiordJperiod Burnett makes his seventh start of the season for the Yanks today.  Burnett has been a pleasant surprise for the Yanks this year, considering that last year he set franchise highs for the highest single-season ERA for a starter (> 180 IPs).  He has been taking advantage of great run support on his way to a 4-1 record (the Yanks are averaging 5 runs per game that he starts).  On the season, Burnett has a 3.93 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP and a 2.33 K/BB ratio.  His biggest flaw has been high pitch counts, which have left him with a 6 IP per start average.

Porcello looks to lock up the series for the boys today, and there is no reason to believe that he won’t (other than the fact that I just wrote that).  After two starts which had him looking up the bus schedule to Toledo, Porcello has found his sinker and been downright filthy.  Over his last three starts, Porcello has allowed 4 earned in 19 2/3 (1.83 ERA), posted a 1.07 WHIP, and K’d 17 against only 3 walks.  Yeah, 17/3 K/BB.  Note this is only the 2nd time in RPs career that he has posted 3 straight quality starts, the last coming in May of 2009.

Today’s double reverse jinx notes: The Yankees are the only AL team yet to lose 3 in a row, and they have not lost a series to an AL Central team since losing 3/4 to the Tigers in May of 2010. They are 9-0-2 in their series against AL Central teams since.

AJax, Avila and Peralta with the day off today:

1. Kelly CF
2. Sizemore 2B
3. Boesch RF
4. Cabrera 1B
5. Martinez C
6. Ordonez DH
7. Raburn LF
8. Inge 3B
9. Santiago SS

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.31: Yankees at Tigers

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Do you ever feel like the Tigers are never going to lose again?  Me neither.

In off the field news – Zumaya is going to have exploratory surgery, reports the Freep.  This just confirms the inevitable.

The Tigers bring their 1 game win streak and 1-0 record with SS manning 2B to Comerica tonight to take on the resurgent Freddy Garcia.

Garcia is a wily 12 year vet who has a trio of 17+ win seasons on his resume (’99, ’01, ’06). Problem is that he also has spent significant time in the minors over the last three years rehabbing various injuries (including 3 starts for the Tigers in 2008), and was a non-roster invitee for the Yanks this spring.  A combination of a tremendous showing in spring training plus a lack of depth for the Yankees leads us to today.  Tonight will be Garcia’s 4th start of the season, with his first three going about as well as they could.  To date he’s allowed only 4 ER in 18 IPs, and the first one came in a relief appearance on April 10th.  He’s struck out 15 and posted a 1.17 WHIP during that time.  I’d like to go ahead and jinx Garcia and point out that in his career he’s 18-7 against the Tigers, and 8-3 at Comerica.

Scherzer got a little roughed up last time out, largely due to 5 walks in 6 2/3.  Though his 4-0 record is stellar, his peripherals are about average, with a 1.51 WHIP, 3.82 ERA and 4.3 BB/9. With the way the Yankees take pitches, control will be imperative tonight.

Note, Derek Jeter, who’s stolen more gold gloves than Rafael Palmeiro, only has 2 XBH this year. And Adam Dunn is still batting .153, though his .576 OPS dwarfs that of Maggs (.411).  Still, I expect him to be Maggs is batting 6th tonight in JLs new lineup.

Today’s player of the game – Miggy Cabrera.  He’s going to get a big boost with SS and BB ahead of him, and VMart behind him.  He’s also a career .400 hitter off of Garcia (8-20) with 3 jacks.  I’m looking for a three run bomb from him today.

Tonight’s Why is our 2nd Best Hitter Batting 8th Oh Yeah That’s 2nd Cleanup Lineup:

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

2011 Season, Minors

Minor Leage Wrap 5.3.2011

Toledo 7, Pawtucket 2 (Red Sox)

Duane Below (LHP) had a quality start for the Mud Hens: in 6 IP, he scattered 7 hits and 3 walks while allowing 2 earned runs. He also K’ed 5. Fu Te Ni and Matt Hoffman (LHP) combined to throw three innings of shutout relief.

Timo Perez (LF) went 4-5 on the night with a run scored and 1 RBI. Victor Martinez made a rehab appearance and went 2-4 with a 2B, run scored, and an RBI. Cale Iorg (SS) led the team with 2 RBI off of a 2-run homer.

Erie, Binghamton PPD: rain

Lakeland 1, Clearwater 3 (Phillies)

Trevor Feeney (RHP) made it through 7 innings as the starter. He allowed 9 hits, a walk, and 3 runs (2 earned) while K’ing 8. Unfortunately, the Flying Tigers squandered his effort and produced only 1 run. Feeney took the loss.

Gustavo Nunez (SS) went 2-4 with the only run scored. He was driven in by Tony Plagman (1B) in the first inning.

West Michigan 0, Fort Wayne 2 (Padres)

Kyle Ryan (LHP) threw 6 2/3 and gave up 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB and K’ed 5 in a losing effort. Steve Crnkovich (RHP) relieved Ryan and finished the game without allowing a hit or a run, although he walked 2.

Luis Castillo (CF) led the anemic offensive attack for the Whitecaps going 2-4 on the night.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.30: Yankees at Tigers

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Seven in a row.  Say it ain’t so…Jim.  Unfortunately it is.  So where do we go from here?

Well, at least one MLB.com reporter thinks the Tigers have the best chance of the Twins, Tigers and White Sox to compete in the central.

Sizemore won’t be the only new spot in the order moving forward, as JL said today that Boesch will now bat 3rd, VMart 5th (starting tomorrow) and Maggs 6th.  The most depressing thing in that article was the note that Maggs has only hit two balls into the outfield in his last 26 at-bats. Yeah, two.  One was a single.  I’m wondering what Maggs has to do to lose his spot in the lineup.  Does he have pics of Ol’ Smokey that we need to know about?

CC Sabathia goes for the Yanks tonight looking to win his third consecutive start.  Though he has struggled recently in Comerica, going 0-3 with an 8.50 ERA in his last three starts there.  Sabathia pitched pretty well on opening day against the boys, giving up 2 ER (3 total) in six innings in a no-decision.

I’m going to go ahead and predict that Bad Brad will be the player of the game tonight.  But lookout for Cano who may be ready to play tonight.  So I reserve my right to change my player of the game.

Wells in for Boesch today against the lefty, then hopefully it will be a long time before we see a lineup like this.

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Scott Sizemore, 2B
3. Magglio Ordonez, DH
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Ryan Raburn, LF
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Casper Wells, RF
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Brandon Inge, 3B

2011 Season

Sizemore up, Rhymes down.

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Scott Sizemore was called up late last night, and Will Rhymes crawled out from under the bus, hopped on it, cued Semisonic’s “Closing Time” (or Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” or perhaps both on a loop) on his iPod, and diminuendo’d his way down to Toledo.

The move is significant in two ways, because not only will Sizemore be a mainstay in the lineup, but also Maggs will likely get squeezed out as the Raburn/Rhymes platoon is no more.

Sizemore had been tearing up AAA pitching, hitting .408, slugging .605, and posting a 1.100 OPS.  He had 10 XBH, and in his last 10 games, he was even better – batting .429 with a 1.208 OPS.  AAA doesn’t necessarily translate to AL, but Sizemore could be a real boost to the lineup.

Rhymes apparently doesn’t understand the fluidity of major league rosters (nor can he afford an iPhone), tweeting this last night:

@willrhymes: 294 career at bats. BA .282. OBP .342 slg .367. 24 walks, 28 strikeouts. I can sleep at night.
He sounds as if his playing days are over.  And I’m not sure that I’d remind everyone of my career .705 OPS if I didn’t have to.
I’m glad someone can sleep at night.
2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.29: Yankees at Tigers

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I blame the bus.

The Tigers took the unusual step of going to Cleveland by bus instead of plane, and look what happened: a three-game sweep at the hands of the Indians.  So, yes, I’m throwing the bus under the bus.

Unfortunately, they will be taking the same bus back to Detroit to face the Yankees.  Or will they?  Does the bus drop them off and then wait 3 days, or does a different bus take them back?  Or might they go by bus, and return by plane? Details on this are frustratingly scarce.

Brandon Inge did not mention how the team got back to Detroit, but he did call a team meeting, which he referred to as a unifying meeting, and added “we are going to be a winning team.”

At any rate, the Yankees have been hot, winning 4 of their last 5, and the hottest of the hot has been none other than our old friend Curtis Granderson, who hit his 8th HR of the season yesterday.  Granderson credits his hitting coach, Kevin Long, with helping him refine his swing.

An intriguing match-up to watch will be Granderson vs Justin Verlander, who opens the series for Detroit.  They have faced each other once before, and Granderson has a HR in 4 ABs to show for it.  And that was with his old swing.

The Yankees send out a reanimated Bartolo Colon, taking the rotation spot of Phil Hughes, whose arm apparently died.  Colon did not pitch in 2010, added another 30 pounds or so to his already portly frame, and was signed by the Yankees in the spring.  Now what kind of message does that send to the youngsters out there?

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Austin Jackson

Austin’s mission is to find a way to sneak in a bit of time with that Kevin Long guy.

Today’s Magglio’s-back lineup:

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

Minor Leage Wrap 5.1.2011

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Thoughts on Bin Laden

Kevin in Dallas and Billfer have been kind enough to let me post on this fine site, for which I am especially greatful. I was given that permission on my assurance that I would try to provide some information and/or opinions on the Tigers’ minor league system; however, given the significant events of last night, and my personal history, I wanted to offer a brief comment on the Bin Laden news:

As none of you know, I spent six years in the Marines and was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, for seven months.  While Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 and Bin Laden, Bin Laden, at least symbolically, stood for the reason we were there and the reason that America had it’s collective wool pulled off of its eyes. The beautiful mirage allowed pre-9/11 Americans to live their lives without the fear of mindless and random violence. Bin Laden ruined that.

I found out about Bin Laden’s demise while watching the Mets/Phillies game last night. When I heard 44,000 Americans begin chanting “USA, USA”, shivers ran down my spine. It reminded me that no one in America has forgotten about 9/11 and that this country is capable of bonding together to accomplish anything. Let’s all enjoy another summer of baseball knowing that the worst evil since Hitler is no longer able to murder innocent people. Let’s rebuild our naivete.

Without additional commentary, the minor leage wrap up from May 1st:

Toledo 4, Pawtucket 3 (Red Sox)

The Mud Hens scored all 4 runs during a rally in the 4th inning and held on through 5 additional scoreless innings to get the win. Scott Sizemore went 1-4 with a triple and 2 RBI. Dirks and Murrian had one RBI each.

Thad Weber (RHP) notched the win for the Mud Hens after lasting 5 2/3 IP as the starter. He allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks but struck out 9. Brendan Wise, Fu Te Ni, and Enrique Gonzalez combined to pitch 3 1/3 scoreless innings in relief.

Erie 5, Altoona 6 (Pirates)

The SeaWolves led 5-4 going into the bottom of the 8th before Chance Ruffin allowed two runs (one from an inherited base runner).

No pitcher had an especially good night for the ‘Wolves. L.J. Gagnier (RHP) started but got the hook after 3 IP, 6 H and 3 ER. Jared Gayhart (RHP) relieved Gagnier and threw 3 innings of 1-run ball before giving way to Austin Wood and Chance Ruffin.

Justin Henry (2B) went 1-2 with 2 runs and 2 walks. While he’s only hitting .282 on the year, Henry continues to get on base. Through 15 games, he’s got an OBP of .417. Rawley Bishop (1B) went 1-5 but led the team with 2 RBI on the night.

Lakeland 14, Brevard County 2 (Brewers)

Every Flying Tiger, except Wade Gaynor (3B), picked up at least one RBI in this blowout win. Lakeland was led in the RBI department by Gustavo Nunez (SS) with 4. Wyatt and Roof added two each. While Gaynor failed to record an RBI, he still had a great night at the plate, falling a homer short of the cycle: 4-5, 3 R, 2 2B, 1 3B.

Jared Wesson (LHP) had a great start and picked up the win to even his record at 2-2. Wesson lasted 7 innings and gave up 7 hits, 4 walks, and 3 ER while K’ing 5. Morrison and Pratt tag-teamed the relief effort and allowed 2 runs in 2 innings of work.

West Michigan 7, Fort Wayne 13 (Padres)

West Michigan’s pitching was sufficiently mediocre to out-suck Fort Wayne in this low-scoring football game of an affair.  Josue Carreno (RHP), Clemente Mendoza (RHP), and Dan Gentzler (RHP) each had poor nights from the mount and combined to allow 13 hits and 13 ER. Each pitchers ERA is above 6 for the year and last night didn’t help their cause.

The Whitecaps did manage together a good night with the bats: Perez, Brantly, Robbins, and Castellanos each had two hits in 4 ABs. Castellanos led the team with 3 RBI on the evening.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.28: Tigers at Indians

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April clowns bring May frowns, as the old saying goes.

So what are the Tigers to do about their woeful offense?  Jim Leyland says that they have to concentrate better with 2 strikes.  Lynn Henning suggests they should offer some of their good pitching prospects to the Mets and replace Inge with David Wright.  Sure, Inge isn’t hitting, but he’s the number 9 hitter.  That tends to happen.  But when your number 3 hitter is hitting .159 with 1 RBI, now THAT’s a problem.  When your DH can’t get a ball out of the infield, that’s a problem.  He is the designated hitter.  He is designated to, you know, HIT.  This might not be as obvious as it seems, since the Tigers haven’t had a strong DH since Leyland has been managing the team.  He tends to use the DH spot as a place for semi-rest for the weary, instead of a place for a fearsome bat.

And as far as the concentrating with 2 strikes things goes, here are Ordonez’ ABs yesterday

  • first pitch, ground out to 3rd
  • first pitch, ground out to SS (runner left on 1st)
  • first pitch, popup to 2nd (runner left on 2nd)
  • 2-1 count, ground out to 2nd
  • K, 3 pitches
  • first pitch, ground out to 2nd (runner left on 1st)

The 3rd AB was particularly annoying.  Austin Jackson had a good AB and worked a walk after a 1-2 count (good concentration!), and Leyland had Rhymes bunt him to 2nd.  Really?  You really just wasted an out to move him to 2nd with Ordonez coming up?  Of course Ordonez grounded out, and Cabrera was intentionally walked.

For whatever reason, Ordonez is just not capable right now; it’s 2008 Gary Sheffield all over again.  He at least needs some time off.  I know Leyland is a players’ manager, and I know that this often pays off, but this can’t continue forever.  It’s not fair to Magglio. Magglio is still a fan favorite, but eventually he will be greeted with boos when he steps up to the plate, and he deserves better than that.

This afternoon, Phil Coke (1-4) takes on the undefeated Justin Masterson (5-0) as the Tigers try to avoid the back-to-back sweep.  And it looks like Maggs has the day off.  Finally.

Player of the Pre-Game:  Al Alburquerque

Yes, I know he will have the day off.  But lost in the loss yesterday was a completely dominating 3 innings by Captain Querque.  He threw strike after strike and slider after slider, and the Indians were helpless.  Not only did he strike out 6 of 9 batters (the last Tiger reliever to do that was Willie Hernandez), but the other 3 batters couldn’t get the ball out of the infield.  Good stuff.

Today’s sweep-stopping lineup:

  1. Rhymes 2B
  2. Santiago SS
  3. Kelly RF
  4. Cabrera 1B
  5. Boesch DH
  6. Raburn LF
  7. Avila C
  8. Inge 3B
  9. Jackson CF