Yesterday’s game was looking like it was going to be a reverse of the series in Kansas City, with the Tigers opening up with a blowout, but it turned into a close game with an unusual and exciting finish. After Gose led off the inning with a double, Ian Kinsler laid down the perfect bunt to advance him to 3rd, but and ill-advised throw to first went astray, and Gose scampered home. Nothing like a walk off bunt!
Some commenter here had voiced concerns that Kinsler had no power this season, but I’ll take a singles-hitting Kinsler, especially behind the speedy two-headed leadoff platoon. Gose and Kinsler were a combined 7-for-8 for the game, which moved Gose up to the 3rd most valuable Tiger by WAR, right behind the aforementioned Kinsler.
The win didn’t come without a price though–David Price stepped on a stray bat going to cover home and injured his hamstring, although Price is optimistic that he will recover in time for his next start.
The injury news is worse for Alex Avila, who sat out yesterday’s game with a forearm bruise, after taking a foul ball off the arm on Thursday. While he was out he had an MRI on a knee that was bothering him: “loose bodies” were found, and he is going to have surgery to remove them. He is on the 15-day DL, but will likely be out 6 weeks.The Tigers have recalled Bryan Holaday from Toledo. We will be getting a very good look at James McCann now.
Today’s It’s Somebody’s-Birthday-In-Dallas Lineup:
- Anthony Gose, CF
- Ian Kinsler, 2B
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B
- Victor Martinez, DH
- Yoenis Cespedes, LF
- JD Martinez, RF
- Nick Castellanos, 3B
- James McCann, C
- Andrew Romine, SS
Still no Iglesias..
Good write up Colman and kudos giving Kinsler credit. Not only his bat, but he seals the deal at second base. Meanwhile I was going to ask all if V-mart’s low average was impacting Cabrera’s plate appearances. However I saw a stat on TV that V-Mart is hitting 0.455 in the last three games.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12848246/alex-cobb-tampa-bay-rays-tommy-john-surgery
pitchers are starting to drop like flies again this year…guess teams might want to consider starting the year w/a 6-man rotation – in preparation for losing at least one to injury
Sanchez had gone 57 2/3 innings of homer-less ball against KC, before the 1st pitch of this game
Gee the Sluggos put up 2 runs…what a surprize!
The best news though is JD improved his May batting average by 35 points today up to .035. He is on his way.
I can hardly wait for tomorrow night when Cy Young unleashes that 85mph fastball to carve up the Tigers like he does Everytime!!!!!
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12858765/drew-smyly-tampa-bay-rays-likely-needs-season-ending-shoulder-surgery
Smyly likely out for the season – bummer for him and TAM