Yearly Archives: 2011

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.16: Tigers at Athletics

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This afternoon is the asphalt game of the 4-game series as Brad “Bad” Penny takes on Trevor Cahill.  Then the Tigers skedaddle to Seattle.

Penny has a slight edge in the matchup, because Trevor Cahill is just not a very good baseball name.  More golf, really.  Watch for wild pitches; he has already had 3 this season, and at the Coliseum wild pitches have a lot of territory to roam.

Last night winning proved elusive (so no Charlie Sheen picture), and now we’re back to pursuing neither / nor.  Also, for once, my predictions fell flat, spectacularly. Although whether or not this is actually indicative of anything remains to be seen (see my publication:  “Incorrect predictions:  variance, or flat-out wrongness?”).

While we contemplate that question, let me say a word about the famous situation where you have the baserunning man on 3rd base and the number of outs is not 2, no, not at all.  The thing to do here is to hit the ball, somewhere, anywhere.  Because the aforementioned baserunning man will possibly score,  thus procuring your team a run.  By no means should you engage in swinging and whiffing–this is highly discouraged.

Last night Jhonny Peralta struck out in this very scenario, which was so rare and shocking that he could not resist doing the very same thing the next time he was at the plate.  Justin Verlander was so disturbed by this performance that he aimed a pickoff throw at the batter’s shoe (a normal baseball shoe;  the A’s left their clown shoes in the locker room last night).

This afternoon, Jim Leyland, known as the consummate player’s manager, will expertly avoid such embarrassment by devising a lineup which is extremely unlikely to produce a runner at 3rd with less than 2 out.

Player of the Pre-game: Austin Jackson

Brad Penny pitched well in his last start, but that was at 51 degrees.  With the warm afternoon Oakland weather, expect less break on the breaking balls, and a lot of long fly balls.  Whether AJax hauls them down or not will make the difference in the game. And let’s see how he responds to not being the leadoff batter.

Today’s xR3L2O lineup:

  1. Will Rhymes 2B
  2. Austin Jackson CF
  3. Brennan Boesch DH
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Ryan Raburn LF
  6. Don Kelly 3B
  7. Johnny Peralta SS
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Casper Wells RF
2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 4.16.2011

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Toledo 4, Columbus 10 (Indians)

4 Mud Hens had two-hit nights (Perez, Thorman, Strieby, and Worth). Thorman lead the Mud Hens with 2 RBI on the night. Strieby and Santos added 1 RBI each to complete the scoring for the Hens.

Ramon Garcia (LHP) had a really, really bad night on the mount. He threw 2 innings, gave up 7 hits, 5 runs (all earned) walked a batter while taking the loss.

Erie, Bowie: PPD

Lakeland 9, Daytona 6 (Cubs)

Victor Larez (RHP) started and went 6 innings. He gave up 6 hits and 3 ER while striking out 3. His ERA for the year is an impressive 2.08 with a 2-0 record in two starts. Pratt and Faulk combined to close this one out. Faulk got the save, his third of the year, but allowed an earned run in 1.1 innings.

The Flying Tigers put up 5 runs in the bottom of the second to account for most of their scoring. Tony Plagman (1B) added a 2 RBI single in that inning and then had a huge night: 4-5, 2 2B, 4 RBI. Plagman has been absolutely dominant so far this year. He’s hitting .450 and has 15 RBI on the year.

Wade Gaynor (3B) also hit 2 doubles in the game and finished 3-4 on the night.

West Michigan, South Bend PPD (both games)

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.15: Tigers at Athletics

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Jim Leyland has his 1,500th victory along with a bunch of cigars and some champagne (somehow the idea of Ol’ Smokey sipping from a flute of Dom just doesn’t resonate with me), and the Tigers have now climbed back up to the nor-winning-nor-losing mark (7- 7).  Next step: winning! (insert Charlie Sheen picture).

This is the plasticine game of the series, the Tigers having taken the first 2.  It is also the first game of the series which has the Tigers as the favorites, mostly because of the ace-ly presence of Justin Verlander on the mound.  Today also features an odd 6:00 pm PST start time, warm temperatures, and a stiff wind, so some non-Miggy balls may actually have a chance of clearing the park.  Not to fear though, since the warmer weather favors the pitcher with a fastball, and Justin sure has one (yes, I’m going to keep riding the weather horse until it bucks me).

One of the advantages of watching the Tigers in an opponent’s park (besides the fact that visitor-side tickets are easier to get) is the perspective you get from talking with / listening to the opposing team’s fans.  A’s fans were blasting Bob Geren last night:  the team is undisciplined, awful fundamentals (OK, is that really his fault?), bad bullpen management (they may have something there).

And the fans next to me all agreed:  the A’s could really go somewhere if only they had a manager like Jim Leyland. We were sitting in front of the bullpen, and they were all commenting on the difference between the A’s bullpen and the Tigers’–not the pitchers, but how it was managed.  “You guys are flat out professional” one commented.  “It’s all planned out.”

Player of the Pre-game:  Jim Leyland

OK, he isn’t actually a player.  But let’s celebrate his 1,500th, and be thankful he is not…Bob Geren.  Leyland’s lineup was heartily criticized on this very blog.  And yet almost all of his substitutions contributed to the victory:  even Donkey Don Kelly doubled.  And his pitching moves were right on.  So following that Smokey momentum, I will predict that Jackson and Ordonez spark the lineup tonight, with a timely contribution from Santiago.

Today’s Return-of-Magglio lineup:

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

Minor League Wrap 4.15.2011

Toledo 5, Columbus 4 (Indians)

The Mud Hens lead 2-1 going into the 7th before Columbus put up 3 runs in the top ½. The Mud Hens countered with a 2 RBI double from Sizemore and a RBI single from Ryan Strieby and held on for the win.

Charlie Furbush (LHP) started and went 4 1/3 for the Hens. He only gave up 2 hits but walked 4. Furbush also struck out 6.  Through two starts Furbush is sporting an ERA of 2.79 with 12K and 4 BB. Robbie Weinhardt picked up the save after perfect pitching through an inning and a third with two strikeouts.

Ryan Perry made a rehab appearance. In 1.3 IP he gave up 3 hits and 2 runs (1 earned) while striking out 1.

Sizemore and Strieby both went 2-4 on the night with 2RBI and 1RBI respectively. Scott Thorman (1B) and Omir Santos (C) had one RBI apiece.

Erie 8, Bowie 9 (Orioles)

This game went back and forth throughout until a walk off wild pitch from Chance Ruffin (RHP) scored Ronnie Welty for the Baysox. Luke Putkonen (RHP) started for Erie and made it through 5IP. He gave up 6 hits and 4 runs (3 earned) while striking out 3. On the bright side, he did not have a walk.

Austin Wood (LHP) had the best night on the slab for the Seal Wolves. He came on in the 9th and pitched 3.0 innings in relief. He allowed two hits with 1 walk but K’ed 3 and did not allow a run.

Audy Ciriaco (SS) led the team with 3 RBI after he sent a long fly to left in the 3rd inning. Brandon Douglas (2B) added an RBI single to complete a 4-run 3rd. Pounds (1B) and Johnson, J (CF) each added 2 RBI.

The Sea Wolves did, however, manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as they compiled 4 errors (Holaday, Martinez, Pounds, and Ciriaco) and a wild pitch on the night.

Lakeland 4, Daytona 3 (Cubs)

Lakeland jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the 1st from a solo shot off the bat of Daniel Fields (CF) and an RBI single from Tony Plagman (1B). Daytona rallied in the top of the 3rd to lead 3-2. Lakeland put the game permanently out of reach in the 5th on a 2 RBI single from Tony Plagman.

Jared Wesson (LHP) recorded the win after pitching 5 2/3 innings and giving up 3 ER’s. Stohr, Robowski, and Gentzler combined to finish out the game without allowing a run. Don Gentzler (RHP) came on with one out in the 9th and the bases loaded but induced two infield grounders and prevented the tying run from crossing to pick up the save, his second of the year.

Plagman (1B) had a great night with the stick, going 2-3 with 3 RBI and a walk. He’s hitting .400 on the year.  Gustavo Nunez (SS) went 2-5 with a run scored.

West Michigan vs. South Bend – PPD: rain

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.