2014 Season, Game Post

Game 2014.35: Tigers 4, Orioles 1

118 Comments

Drew Smyly and the Tigers (22-12, 1st place) aim to clinch the series against Ubaldo Jimenez and the Orioles (20-16, 1st place). 

Some of us are old enough to actually remember a time before divisions. Leagues was leagues. I was around, but by the time I was a more fully aware young baseball fanatic, there was East and West. I would see the final standings of the recent past in the sports sections of these big “year in the news” almanac-like volumes (more about words and pictures than the old World Almanacs) and find coolness in the novelty of how it appeared to the eye. Of course, there were divisions back then in the sense that the expressions “first division” and “second division”  had arisen to describe the obvious. But consider how much more first place – the pennant! – meant then. (And the cellar was really, truly the cellar back then.) Finishing first was finishing on top of 9 other teams (and being rightfully rewarded for it). Right now, the Tigers are on top of 14 other teams. If this keeps up, I think I’m going to start posting “old style” AL standings. I really wouldn’t mind if baseball dispensed with divisions for purposes of standings. There are other ways to use divisions in the background for purposes of scheduling. I’m partial to the idea of “scheduling divisions” that actually change every year based on the results of the previous season. But that’s a story for another day, if ever. For now, we have East, West, and Central, along with closers and their precious saves, interleague play, the DH, and a few dozen other things you might look forward to dispensing with yourself. 

Today’s guess at the lineup is that it will be mostly the A team but not entirely. Worth at SS, Kelly in there somewhere, Holaday spelling Avila? Surprise us, Brad. Go Tigers. 

118 thoughts on “Game 2014.35: Tigers 4, Orioles 1”

      1. A good stint in the show for Ray that will motivate him even more while he is in Toledo fine tuning his game to become genuine and tested starter. Small but important steps first.

        BTW, I am getting excited about this coming weekend series with the Red Sox. Looks like Little Ricky gets the start for the Sunday ESPN game. Another chance for him to make a statement to the national audience. I also look forward to seeing V-Mart bounce a couple off the left center field wall and Davis running on A.J.

        1. Should be a good series. It will be interesting to see how Sanchez does on Sunday. Games in Boston always have the potential to be high scoring affairs, so I hope the bullpen is up to the mark this weekend.

          1. Oops…I didn’t clearly read Stormin’s post. Ricky must pitch in the Saturday game….all three games are night games too.

          2. Speaking of bullpens, with a day off (Thurs) I wonder if Smyly gets bumped back to relief this time through the rotation. Verlander is scheduled to pitch on Monday in CLE.

            1. Best case (fantasy) scenario would be to jump out to a really huge lead tonight so Smyly could get pulled after five, allowing Coke, Miller and Reed to finish up (with Nathan to close if they make it close). That would mean Smyly would be available in relief Sat/Sun for the RSox series.

              1. Smyly is a starter, wants to be starter. Wishing him back to the bullpen is bullpen desperation. Desperate as things may be, I don’t wish to see Smyly wasted in the bullpen.

  3. Duane Below pitched a nice game yesterday as Toledo swept 4 from Rochester (the starting pitching was good in all 4 games). It looks like his control has come back, and if all continues to go well maybe he makes the most sense as LH relief help when Coke is replaced. Unfortunately, he isn’t on the 40-man, so a promotion would likely ONLY come in the event of a DFA for Coke, although there are a couple of position players they could consider removing. In fact, none of our minor league relievers who are on the 40-man are doing particularly well, so it looks like whatever fixes are in the works (other than waiting for Hanrahan and Putkonen to heal) for the Tigers current bullpen woes, some kind of roster jiggling is will be needed.

  4. Tonight’s lineup:
    vs RHP Ubaldo Jimenez for the O’s.
    1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
    2. Torii Hunter, RF
    3. Miguel Cabrera, DH
    4. Victor Martinez, 1B
    5. J.D Martinez, LF
    6. Austin Jackson, CF
    7 Nick Castellanos, 3B
    8. Alex Avila, C
    9. Andrew Romine, SS
    Starting pitcher: Drew Smyly

  5. Looks like another unproductive game at the plate for Miggy ….. you ask why? Look at his numbers when he DH’s.

    1. Don Kelly’s career stats at DH are better. I have no idea why they continue to do this once a week, unless Cabrera is hurting–which would explain some other things too.

          1. Too long to wait. Miggy tires easily. It’s all the smiling. Wears a body down.

  6. is it just me or has there been an high incidence of MLB injuries already this year? I believe MIA pitcher Fernandez will be the 18th pitcher w/Tommy John surgery this year.

    …need to develop a vaccine for DET to avoid the injury bug

      1. many times that’s (the placebo) more effective than the real thing…so we’re good there too

        bailed out Jimenez there (Vmart running w/a K-guy at the plate) – he was up to 32 pitches already

  7. Hit and run with Martinez on first and two strikes on Jackson? Incredibly stupid play.

    1. There is being aggressive on the base paths ….. it must have been another brain cramp for Smokey Jr.

  8. Um… Action Jackson can’t pull the trigger on what must have been a hit and run???

    Notice how many pitches Jackson fouls off to the right. He’s late a lot on hittable pitches.

  9. Whoa Jackson!! Mighta saved the game with that catch. Some great D by Castellanos tonight, too.

      1. Hey, Ausmus can’t make Jackson swing when he should or V. Martinez not swing when he shouldn’t. Execute or die.

        1. You don’t call that play with a leadfoot on first base. Dumb. Double dumb.

  11. Martinez caught stealing and Cabrera caught stealing. Who’s next, Magglio?

    1. I’d like to see less of Romine at the plate. Can’t Joyner help him? Can’t someone?

  14. Do they all get a free sack of White Castles if they finish the game in under three hours?

    1. Not much of an incentive these days, unless you mean literal white castles.

  15. I guess they didn’t get the memo that Ubaldo is no longer, you know, good.

      1. From now on, when Hunter gets to 2nd base, he should be forced to wear ankle weights.

        1. He had no lead, reacted late, and misjudged the slightly wild pitch completely. Much, much worse than sending Martinez and Cabrera earlier. Much. No one to blame but Torii on that one. Although… where was the communication from the batter? Was there miscommunication?

  23. Jimenez owns the Tigers no matter who he pitches for…how ..simple he throws very few actual strikes…The Tigers have zero patience for those kind of pitchers

    1. 4.5 walks per 9, which makes him the 4th worst pitcher for walks. But you can’t walk a Tiger (they have only 88 walks, 2nd lowest in the AL. Oakland has 170).

        1. Pitchers who throw too many “actual strikes” end up like Coke, jud.

  24. Great pitching from the Orioles, Jimenez, O’Day. No mistakes. What can you say? Pitching always wins.

  25. Pretty darn good, Justin Miller. I don’t think he’s going anywhere.

              2. Just trying to trick Vince, Coleman. Worked well on the Tigers behalf. I might have to try this again some time.

  34. those were two very legit bombs. looked like Miggy hit his well more than 400′

      1. Miggy’s HR went about 250′. It’s Camden Yards, tbran. Victor’s HR went out to Utah Street.

        1. If you put it that way, Jones’ HR that barely snuck over the wall is maybe an out in Comerica (well. depending on who is playing left). Which would have given us a shutout.

  37. Ah yes, sweet and snappy DP. What a win. WHAT a win. I love the bullpen. I love everyone.

    2. Tommy Hunter played at the U of Alabama. Along with Alex Avila.

      Normally, I don’t like to see UA players bomb, but I will make an exception in this instance!

  40. Finishing the game with a DP is poetic justice (cue Loon for some baseball haiku).

    1. Avila walked
      base unstolen
      call overturned
      don’t walk Torii
      Oriole regret it

      OK, that’s more baseball punku.

          1. I concede. No fair, though. That was actual haiku. I thought we were going with 4-6-3 baseball haiku.

            1. I take that back. Not actual haiku, I don’t think. But still very good. Haiku spirit.

    1. Are you answering in the form of question a la Jeopardy? You are correct, sir, “Everyone loses…” answered correctly, that’s Foregone Conclusions for $500.

  42. The key at bat of the game was Torii Hunter working that 9th inning walk (how often does he walk?).

    1. Let’s not forget the crucial catch by Jackson, a few other good plays (and great, like Castellanos), guts from Smyly, fine bullpen work, and the eye of Avila to start the rally.

      Did the 2013 Tigers steal second in the 9th even once last season? Keep pushin’ it on the bases, Tigers. I’m loving it and not bitter when it fails.

  43. Should have read does anybody have Ubaldo Jimenez’s career numbers versus Detroit? ??

    2. I recall a few good ones v. Tigers. Not sure why he’s always dissed here.

    3. The Research Department says that in 16 starts against Detroit (not counting tonight) Ubaldo is 5-9 5.32 ERA, 1.561 WHIP.

      2. In years past, I seem to recall the Tigers working the count against him and getting a lot of walks. So far this year that hasn’t been an option against Jimenez or anybody else.

        The aggressive hitting approach has its pluses (.279 BA – 1st in AL), but the lack of walks lessens the OBA (.331 – 6th in AL). We’re third in SLG (.425) with only 31 HR (tied for 8th) though, so maybe the hacking is a better way to go.

  44. My first annotation in my scorebook on a game they shouldn’t have won.

  45. For all the fretting about the bullpen, our starting rotation has been stellar. Even our 5th starter. And 6th.

      1. The A’s starting pitching has been ridiculous. And while the Tigers have a better record, the A’s have a ridiculous +62 run differential (Detroit is 2nd best at +43). Baltimore, by the way, leads the East with a -8 run differential, and the Yankees are 2nd with a -13 run differential. The East looks weak this season.

  46. Pingback: Game 2014.36: Tigers at Orioles

  47. Listening now to the late innings (I watched them previously live). A few comments:

    1) There were nearly as many Tigers fans at Camden as Orioles’ fans.

    2) Dan’s “SAFE” call after the replay was incredible. I was on pins and needles during the replay, but it looks like they got it right. I wonder how the umps feel after that. Embarrassed? Or thankful?

    3) Don’t look now, but Miggy is 2nd in the AL in RBI. Considering his slow start, that’s a real testament to Kinsler, Davis, and Hunter.

    4) The strike to get to 1-2 on Hunter was nasty. What an AB to work a walk after that. You think he wants a ring before he retires?

    5) Let’s try not to get so down, we can’t lead by 3 every inning. But it sure does make for good theater if you’re checking in late.

    1. Love replay.

      I was so tense during the final Hunter AB that I didn’t notice any particular pitch. I was steeling myself for the tough loss and thinking what a really great game it had been, or turned out to be, regardless.

      I want to lead by 3 every inning. I think I want great baseball, but what I really want is comfortable, easy baseball. I want the Tigers to play in the International League and dominate perennially.

  48. Could Miller have saved his job tonight with 2 inn 0 runs?…its got to be down to Him or Coke for the extra spot doesn’t it???….

    1. a) Yes, and b) Always hard telling, isn’t it?

      The Orioles have one scary lineup. 2 runs in 2 games, wow, Tigers.

  49. Recall a time when I was new to this Tigers team, and everyone was saying wait till we get VMart back… ummm he ‘s way back!!

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