For those of you who couldn’t stay up quite that long, and who don’t read newspapers or internets or such, the Tigers started their trip out west with a 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, as Austin Jackson and Torii Hunter continue their torrid July. Torii just turned 39 and is doing it in style; leading the team in BA (.365), OPS (1.077), HR (5) and RBI (19) for the month of July. Austin Jackson has been thriving in the leadoff spot, hitting .357 so far this month.
Miguel Cabrera, who hasn’t seemed quite right lately (6th best team OPS since July 1), added a 420 ft. RBI single, and was thrown out at 2nd on a play he really thought was a home run: he admired it a few moments, and then after being thrown out on an ill-advised attempt to hustle to 2nd, was still giving the home run signal. On the replay the ball didn’t seem to come close, but the Tigers asked for a review anyway, and I’m sure it couldn’t possibly have been to make Miguel look better. Regardless, he absolutely crushed the ball to dead center, which warms the Tiger-fan portion of the heart.
Verlander pitched a good, almost better than good game, despite being tormented by Rajai Davis insisting on getting on base in front of him in the 9th spot. Verlander says it’s because he saw some old pictures of himself 10 minutes before he warmed up, and noticed a difference. I know the feeling. In Verlander’s case, it was a difference in his arm action. He knew what to do: “I went out and tried to throw the way that I used to throw,” which I guess inspired Joe Nathan to try to close like he used to close.
Tonight Rick Porcello gets his first start since the All-Star break, following up on a sharp 1-run, 7-inning outing against Kansas City. His counterpart, rookie Chase Anderson, has lost 4 in a row (with a 5.03 ERA) after a strong start.
In other news, Detroit rookie pitcher and possible trade bait Drew VerHagen has been placed on the AAA disabled list with a lower back strain.
Today’s Let’s Not Have the 8 Hitter Getting On Base So Much Lineup:
- Jackson, CF
- Kinsler 2B
- Cabrera, 3B
- V Martinez, 1B
- JD Martinez, LF
- Hunter, RF
- Holaday, C
- Suarez, SS
- Porcello, P
Miggy at the hot corner again. Porcello is due; after starting his career 2-for-5, he has gone into a 2-for-14 slump at the plate.
Jackson is on fire, he’s hot, in the zone, the ball must look like a basketball coming up there, and in slow motion too probably, etc.
This lineup is in good shape when Jacksom or Humter are hot, and very good shape when both are. JD seems to be cooling off though.
Yup, lots of swings and misses for J-Mart lately, and going after pitches out of the strike zone too. Is off-speed stuff a problem for him? Anyway, it is too much to expect him to hit .330 for the year, so maybe this is just a natural regression. Just hope it isn’t too steep of one. But, there is always Andy Dirks waiting in the wings, who is re-starting his rehab assignment this week – another 12 days to go on that before they have to make a decsion.
Hey Tori We know you are having a great month…but that steal with no pitch…..ah no!
At this rate Porcello will reach his pitch count max in about the 11th inning.
Don’t worry friends, pouring a drink now.
Anyone else following this TX/NYY game?
May check in…just finished watching the Brewers walk off agains the Reds on the side.
Wow…14 pitchers!
If the Rangers can hold on, they will up their AL leading shutout total to 15, or 3X what the Tigers currently have.
Wait, that’s over 1/3 of their wins, that is ridiculous!!
Imagine where they would be if they didn’t have 15 guys on the DL, most out for the whole season.
Not too many pitchers give up two leadoff triples in a game.
I do all my baseball “watching” via the internet and I don’t recall another season where I had so many secondary games/tabs open during a Tigers game. Quite a few dreadfully dull performances this year, mostly due to offense not showing up. I mean, they aren’t even getting many guys thrown out at the plate this season.
I think that we’re getting spoiled as fans, and as consumers. Just the fact that you can do that is ridiculous.
Being spoiled isn’t the reason for me.
Meanwhile someone named Cy Chase Anderson, whoever he is baffles the Sluggos holing them to 2 whole runs
What’s with letting Porcello bat here. Does manager not know the Tigers are losing?
Excellent point. Let’s take a look down at the bullpen and see what’s cookin’.
Porcello’s pitch count is only 70, and it’s illegal to remove a starter until they are over 90.
Now it all becomes clear why Kelly didn’t PH for Porcello in the 7th: Ausmus planned on using him to PR for V-Mart in the 8th.
There goes the Rangers’ shutout.
That was annoying.
A couple of wild pitches here would be helpful.
OK, 2nd chance at R3L2O, let’s see what you’ve got Torii.
If there is a play that should be banned its RO3 less two outs, go on contact….it never ever ever ever works
Once again, Torii is The Man.
Is Hunter HOT….or what….WOW!
A well dressed man to boot, that was clutch hitting and Mr. Smarty gets a +1 for the Donkey PR.
Hah, you beat me to it!
Pinch-running Kelly for V-Mart was worth a run there, +1 Ausmus.
After his -1 for not PH for Porcello in the 7th = 0
I think Hunter is digging this platoon business where he doesn’t have to play in the field everyday….it sure shows with his offense!
Avilla SO -1 Smarty.
It’s not often you can blow TWO R3L2O opportunities in an inning and still have a good inning.
at least we never have to worry about Avila with RO3L2O……he is 0 for his lifetime!!!
Porcello is only at 77 pitches, should let him bat, give him confidence to go for the CG.
I hope we don’t see Joe Blow in the 9th. It seems to me that the last time he pitched in 3 consecutive games, the last one didn’t end very well.
I don’t know…Porcello could have done that, and then we wouldn’t have to watch Nathan in the 9th.
Should have let Kid Rick take his hacks.
Porcello had a better chance of getting a hit there than Avila who should never have batted there….Asmus-2
Rajai Davis is no Gates Brown.
Here we go. Coke and what. Rum/Vodka/Whiskey?
I actually switched to diet PEPSI, and I drink it on the rocks, no booze, but I am considering some other now legal substance in the great state of washington, where our forests are ablaze!
Can light up with outside. Don’t have to waste a match.
… and a smile. Otherwise you will go crazy!
Yeah, but…he’s left-handed!
LOOGY Coke can’t get out LH batters. Hmmm, where have I heard that before?
I predict the first pitch from Krol will be a ball.
And now Ian Krol. Yeah, but he’s left-handed!
All because pitchers can’t hit. I hate playing the National League.
And then the other lefty who can’t get LH out comes in.
Never in doubt.
LOOGY. 3 Walks, 2 runs. Bedtime.
Jones and I both said the same thing! …you know starts with a f and ends in uck…. FIRETRUCK!
This actually just some kind of a joke isn’t it??
Can we now say goodbye to Ian Krol and just say Smiley was traded for Ray?
You mean Fister. By the way, Ray has been getting hammered lately, so maybe we can soon say we just gave Fister away. Oh wait, salary dump.
Porcello: 7 innings, 77 pitches, 0 walks.
Blowpen: 1 inning, 26 pitches, 3 walks.
Ausmus: 1 good decision, 4 blunders (all in two innings!) = -3
Krol and Coke have trouble getting out only two kinds of hitters…LH and RH….
Bet Porcello is real happy right now!.
Asmus…..this one is on you…..
And now The Donkey makes them pay.
Oh well, nice try.
Reruns of MASH are still pretty funny, this one not so much.
Avila is hitting .063 with RISP game was over right there. Couldn’t afford a K there and there was a 100% chance he would K against the Loogy…and Smarty knew it!!!!