Detroit Tigers: 48-38, 1st Place (3.5 ahead of Cleveland).
Detroit continued its dominance of the division rival Cleveland Indians last night, with a 9-4 win which featured a good 5-inning return by Anibal Sanchez. The Tigers have now taken 7 in a row from the Tribe, and 8-of-10 for the season. The Tigers have already outscored Cleveland 16-4 in this series, and 49-22 over the 7-game run, which led the Indians to hold a players meeting after the game. Manager Terry Francona promised “we’ll show up tomorrow.”
The All-Star rosters were announced, and the Tigers have at least 6 players going. Miguel Cabrera finally landed a starting spot at 3rd base, and the pitching staff features Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander (manager’s pick…Leyland preemptively defends his pick). Jhonny Peralta, Torii Hunter, and Prince Fielder all made the team as reserves (I am mildly surprised about Fielder).
One more Tiger has a chance to make the team: this year’s AL Final Vote contest for the last spot uniquely features all relief pitchers, including Tiger Joaquin Benoit. Are you an MLB.TV subscriber? No? Then if you vote in the Final Vote you are eligible for a free 14-day MLB.TV trial.
Random stat of the day: Torii Hunter had a double, triple, and home run last night for Detroit. The 37-year old Hunter is the oldest player to do that since 39-year old Dave Winfield did it back in 1991. But you knew that.
In bullpen news, Darin Downs has been placed on the 15-day DL with left rotator cuff tendinitis, and has been replaced on the roster by Evan “White Flag” Reed.
Today’s Player of the Pre-game: Austin Jackson. AJax sets the table for the 3 All-Stars hitting behind him.
Today’s Same As Yesterday Lineup:
- Jackson, CF
- Hunter, RF
- Cabrera, 3B
- Fielder, 1B
- Martinez, DH
- Peralta, SS
- Dirks, LF
- Avila, C
- Santiago, 2B
Infante out again. Any clues to how long?
Where’s Tui? Now that he is off the DL, don’t we need to get him going?
Infante is still “Day to Day.” Last I heard yesterday he was unable to put enough weight on his leg to take batting practice, so we may not see him until after the All-Star break. So why not do a retroactive DL and bring someone up from Toledo for a couple of games? I think that may be partly due to the uninspiring nature of the Toledo options.
As far as Tui goes, Leyland has been seen nudging Gene Lamont and asking, “hey, who is that guy who has been hanging around in the dugout?” so the wheels have been set in motion for an eventual appearance.
I just wonder why they rushed him back if they weren’t going to play him. Why not just leave him in Toledo to get some more ABs?
I guess Cabrera’s back is better.
Here we go again.
Fister really hasn’t found his comfort zone yet this year.
Walks will kill. Lots of ballgame left.
We have to win this series, so today or tomorrow.
Is Reed the long man tonight?
Looks like Fister will take another one for the team tonight (like last time) and throw about 100 pitches before being relieved. Fister’s troubles this year are… well, troubling.
Is Martinez coming back? 14 for his last 40 (.350), but only 3 for EBH. His power numbers are still low. His SLG has also gone down every year since 2009.
Cy Kluber is 1-3, 7.88 career vs the Tigers.
Fister had retired 11 in a row before that single by Kipnis.
They are making it interesting although a couple of big chances have gone by the wayside.
You are correct ….. we have had a few chances to put up some really crooked numbers.
Avila just did his best to hit a GIDP, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out.
Hunter!!
Big Mo suddenly with us. We can take this one.
Ahh hell.
First XBH allowed to a lefty in Al – Al’s career. Wow.
and Al Al is suppossed to be an answer…..ball..balll.ball…strike. walk …ball ball strike ball home run……..third time since he has been up he has walked the leadoff hitter……no accountability as usual…
Why didn’t Smokey bring in a reliable pitcher, seeing it was a tie game, late? Did he lose track of where he was while checking out the hottie in seat 6 section 9.
I’m fine using Al Al there. He can’t pitch Smyly every night. There’s really no one else we can trust in there, other than Benoit.
Avila is having an awful inning.
Things are falling apart quickly.
Wheels falling off of the Bengal Bus.
Gotta win tomorrow. Gotta win series. See everyone then.
Not sure I understand the reasoning behind going with AA in the 8th.
Perez’s pitches seemed a little high.
Leyland as usual is totally clueless..after game…mouthful of food reporter asks “Was the leadoff walk by Al the problem?….Mumbles spits food on hm and answers “welllllll he is capable of striking guys out tooooo you know….Mumbles he threw 13 balls and only 8 strikes again today hellllloooo! he ALAWYS walks the leadoff guy!!!!!!!!!!
Bonderman DFA by Seattle. Not surprising, his numbers were pretty bad since his call up in June. Maybe time to hang ’em up.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/07/mariners-designate-jeremy-bonderman-for-assigment.html