2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.106: Angels at Tigers

33 Comments

Tonight the Tigers look to stop a two-game home losing streak, after a memorable pitching collapse left them buried in yesterday’s game.  After a Bad Penny beginning,  which featured a heated shouting match between Penny and catcher Victor Martinez, (Penny says it was no big deal, just about the timing of  the signs) the Tigers came back to pull within one run of the Angels.

Enter David Purcey.  For the 3rd appearance in a row, he was completely unable to throw strikes, and was finally pulled mid-batter with a 2-0 count and the bases loaded.  Phil Coke was called on to save the Tigers from this dire situation, but…not so much.

Although Purcey couldn’t find the strike zone,  he at least won today’s Captain Obvious award.  After the game Purcey said “I didn’t come in and do my job. I just didn’t get it done.”

The only pitcher who was any good yesterday was Chance Ruffin.  After the game  the Tigers sent Chance Ruffin back to Toledo, and recalled Daniel Schlereth.  Nice job Chance; now get out of here (I do get the tactical reasons for the move:  Chance probably wouldn’t be available the rest of the series anyway;  they want a left-hander since Purcey won’t be available;  they can’t send Purcey to the minors because he is out of options).

As far as any big changes, since the trade deadline is two days away:  the Tigers are said to be still interested in Kuroda,  but Kuroda is said to be very restrictive about which teams he would waive his no-trade clause for, and would be unlikely to approve a trade to Detroit or Cleveland.

The Tigers are rumored to be inquiring about Ubaldo Jimenez, but supposedly the Rockies would want Jacob Turner and Rick Porcello. Good luck with that one.

The very latest rumor has the Tigers–and the Indians–pursuing a deal with the Nationals for Jason Marquis. The number of rumors involving both clubs adds an extra element of intrigue to things: either team can simultaneously pick up some help, and prevent its rival from doing so.

Porcello will take the mound tonight against the Angels.  Or he will pace the dugout while the tarp lies over the mound–rain is in the forecast.  Porcello has won 4 consecutive starts,  with a combined ERA of 3.33.  And the cooler temperatures might help his sinker.  On the other hand, his career ERA vs the Angels is a hefty 7.40.

The Tigers will be facing dreaded Rookie Pitcher Guy, this one named Tyler Chatwood (6-6, 3.64).  He has had some command issues, so maybe he’ll get all Purcey tonight.

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

Schlereth will likely see action in tonight’s game, with lefties Purcey and Coke both used yesterday, and Alburquerque still day-to-day with elbow inflammation.  He was sent down to Toledo in the first place because he was having trouble finding the strike zone.  We can’t afford for him to pull a Purcey.

Today’s Switchy Lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Andy Dirks RF
  3. Brennan Boesch LF
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Victor Martinez DH
  6. Carlos Guillen 2B
  7. Alex Avila C
  8. Wilson Betemit 3B
  9. Ramon Santiago SS

33 thoughts on “Game 2011.106: Angels at Tigers”

  1. I’ll be putting up the game posts as early as possible this weekend–in case any trade stuff happens, there will be a place to discuss it.

  4. Boesch freakin’ murdered that pitch. Torii Hunter did not even take one step back on that one.

  6. I need better weather intel–what I saw this morning was predicting high 70s and rainy for tonight.

    1. so scared about this. i dont like including turner. and once you hear the name starting to be thrown around, and dave dombrowski’s contract on the line, i feel its likely they throw together to large package to make sure it gets done.

  12. Just got my tickets for Sunday’s Verlander – Weaver matchup. Should be a doozy

  14. Guillen’s triple was one of the hardest hit balls I’ve seen all year.

    1. I agree. It was hit so hard that I couldn’t understand why Bourjos was running towards the wall instead of towards the ball – then I realized the ball was on a rope and he had no chance to catch it.

  15. That Jimenez rumor link said any deal would “almost certainly” include Turner and or Porcello. I can’t see giving up Porcello (10 – 6) along with Turner to get Jimenez (6 – 9). Am I missing something? Just rumors of course… It should be an interesting weekend.

  16. I’d take a long look at Porcello and Turner for Jimenez. Porcello is 2 years into development and may not get any better for a while.

    I’m on a mobile, has AJax swung at the first pitch in each AB?

    1. DD and JL in the last year of their contract, and they’re both staring at a Haren – Below pitching matchup tomorrow… I’m convinced DD is going to do a deal to bring in a starting pitcher before the trade deadline

      If the Tigers do not win the AL central this year, DD (and JL) may be looking for a new employer next year – so their vision may be more short term than long term… and with the state of the AL central this year, its probably justifiable.

  17. I’m thinking this might be as good a time as any for Porcello’s first career complete game.

  18. With tonight’s start (and his last couple outings) Porcello likely BOTH upped his trade value AND improved his likelihood of the Tigers not trading him.

  19. Yeah, I don’t see the point of trading away Porcello and Turner to get Jimenez. How does that help us? We would still have a crap 5th starter.

    1. dave d would be retarded to trade both. that is not happening. ever.

      though, jacob turner called up to the big club late tonight.

      @SI_JonHeyman
      Jon Heyman
      #tigers are calling up big-time pitching prospect jacob turner. active on other fronts as well.

      1. Per Jason Beck’s blog, he doesn’t know where Turner is but he isn’t with Erie. He does acknowledge that he could be called up to the Tigers but isn’t saying that this is where he is for certain.

          1. I don’t see the Tigers making a big splash in the trade market then. Maybe a post waiver pickup is in store. Dombrowski seems to only make big splashes in the offseason when the prices aren’t exorbitant for above average players.

  20. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/ – reports the Tigers close to a deal with Mariners for Fister involving Furbush… seriously!… i’m sure all the sports commentaters will love reporting the “Fister Furbush” trade.

    As for Jiminez, apparently the Rockies want in addition to Turner and Porcello, also Boesch – to which i’m sure DD nicely told them to FO.

  21. Rosenthal/FOX is reporting that the Braves are desperately pursuing an OF – i can see DD giving his best used car salesman pitch and asking them to kick the tires on Raburn… and then asking them how about a 3B (Inge) replacement for Chipper Jones who over the past few years seems to be a ‘DL frequent flyer’

    …that would be poetic justice for the Jurrgens – Renteria trade

    PS: i think both Raburn and Inge could actually hit in the NL – hell, even Laird is batting .250 this year for the Cards

  23. Trade complete.

    http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/tigers-acquire-doug-fister.html

    Casper Wells, Francisco Martinez, Charlie Furbush and a player to be named later for Doug Fister and David Pauley.

    Bummed to see Wells go, as I thought of he was a nice player, but the outfield was getting a little crowded (even though Maggs can’t have too much time left in a Tigers uniform). Hopefully the club has high hopes for Castellanos as Martinez was also dealt. Methinks Furbush will be able to put up pretty good numbers in the bigs (though he hasn’t as a starter, yet); he was around a K per IP in the minors after his Tommy John surgery.

    1. It is being rumored that the player to be named later is a pretty high prospect, which scares me…

  24. Seattle fans speculating that the PTBNL is Drew Smyly. That would be very disheartening. I think Fister and Pauley will help although they are both groundball low strikeout guys. Our IF defense does not exactly inspire the confidence of a GB pitcher.

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