2014 Season, Game Post

Game 2014.81: Tigers 9, Athletics 3

30 Comments

So much to talk about.

We could start with Rick Porcello, who finds himself in serious All-Star starter contention after posting his second consecutive complete game shutout.  His four hit gem yesterday saw first pitch strikes to 24 of 31 batters, and extended his scoreless streak to 25 innings. Porcello had 0 Ks and 0 walks last night, the first time that has happened in a CG shutout in 25 years.

His success is coming despite a K rate of 5.2 /9. His success can be attributed to a number of things, but defense has got to be a big part of it. Porcello is inducing groundballs like pro-am day at the driving range. More agile, and well placed, fielders are making a huge difference.

And how about JD Martinez? In June he slugged at a .702 clip and posted a 1.069 OPS, and he’s on pace for a 2.000 OPS for July!

Continuing, starting pitching has returned to form as of late, and if JV wins today, he’ll be at .500 for the season. I still don’t get how the 1st inning run in his last start out was earned. WP gets Altuve the 3rd, wild throw, an error on Avila, gets the run home. Are pitchers at fault b/c of the wild pitch?

Anyway, a chance to sweep the AL leading and monster hitting A’s doesn’t come about every day. It would be a great way to hammer the final nail in the 10-20 coffin (though I think that thing is pretty well sealed).

1. Jackson, CF
2. Kinsler, 2B
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. Martinez, DH
5. Hunter, DH
6. Castellanos, 3B
7. Avila, C
8. Romine, SS
9. Davis, LF

30 thoughts on “Game 2014.81: Tigers 9, Athletics 3”

  2. Whatever adjustments JV made in his last two starts, he needs to go back to that.

  4. JV has allowed 10 baserunners through 6. I think 103 pitches is enough for JV today.

  5. Good to get these extra runs in, since its likely Nathan pitches today.

  7. That 3rd hit by Jackson will probably cement him into the leadoff spot at least until the AS game.

  9. Miggy’s HR power may be off a bit so far, but that was his 30th double, which leads the majors.

  10. Those extra runs Nathan-proof this one. And also make me remember that Johnson was one of the rumored Tiger closer options before they signed Nathan.

  11. I think JV will talk Ausmus into going back out, but I hope that he doesn’t. Take the win and the positives, and pray that the 7th inning guy and Joba don’t give up too may runs before we get to Nathan.

    1. that’s a good thing for Hunter and the team as long as VMart is unavailable

  13. OAK and ‘Moneyball’ brought in Jim Johnson to be there ‘closer’ this year, paying him $10M (he did save 51 in ’12, and 50 in ’13) – and so far this year for OAK he’s saved…wait for it… 2 games.

    Joe Nathan asked me to post the above JJ info “for some perspective.” 😉

    1. They got him to replace Balfour, who was bad enough that he got demoted by a last place team (and swore a lot in the process). Which just goes to show Closer is a crapshoot money-drain.

      1. …”Closer is a crapshoot money-drain” – I agree 100%, but getting the majority of GM’s and Mgr’s to consider the excessive money & importance they’ve frivolously assigned to the almighty “closer” lore – is another story

  14. Houston series…….Oakland series

    Baseball is indeed a strange game…and unlike soccer at least it isn’t boring 95% of the time!!!

  16. A walkoff, a shutout and a blow out. Nice to send the A’s away with their trunks between their legs.

  17. tomorrow’s game against TAM marks the halfway point…so there’s a lot of baseball yet to be played… but having said that, I have a feeling that at the end of this season, Monday night’s Raja Davis’ GS might be viewed as the turning point for this team/season.

  18. How about SEATTLE at the half way point…Lloyd with 47 wins and Crooked hat with 24 saves…pulling for them in the West!

    1. The Pacific NW is head over heels about the M’s. They are finally getting production from some of the young talent they have been developing… I will stick with my 77 wins prediction, but kinda hope I am wrong.

  20. Tigers are seriously interested in trading for Benoit…who they should have NEVER let go in the first place….Money means nothing in baseball. They should have paid him at the end of last year….He contributed as much as anyone over the past two years. Pay him!

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