Miguel Cabrera went deep last night for the 3rd consecutive game, this one his milestone 400th, although there was a long wait before he could be sure the game would finish and his home run count. It did, earning Cabrera congratulations–and awe–from his teammates and fans alike.
It wouldn’t be for another hour and a half before the first inning finished and much later than that when Cabrera also turned in a defensive gem, making a tough catch on a pop foul, then immediately turning and throwing a strike to third to get the runner tagging up from 2nd.
In addition to Cabrera’s big day, JD Martinez had another solid game (1-for-3 with 2 walks) in the cleanup spot, Kinsler and Cespedes had 3 hits each, and Jose Iglesias came through with what proved to be a game-winning RBI single in the 10th. Pretty good stuff against the team who had the best record in the majors heading into the series.
Let’s hope tonight the Tigers break their bad recent habit of flopping on nationally televised games.
In other news, here’s an update on Shane Greene (courtesy of Mr. Stormin). Ausmus says the “the level of concern is way down.”
Tonight’s Broom-Wielding Lineup:
- Anthony Gose, CF
- Ian Kinsler, 2B
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B
- JD Martinez, RF
- Yoenis Cespedes, LF
- Nick Castellanos, 3B
- James McCann, C
- Jose Iglesias, SS
- Alfredo Simon, P
Anthony Gose is a few plate appearances shy of qualifying for the league leader lists; if he weren’t, he’d be leading the AL in hitting right now at .354, bumping current leader Jose Iglesias down to 2nd.
We don’t expect Iggy to keep up a .350 pace, but if he hits .300 for the season, that sure would be a bonus!.
Someone else falls for the old “go on contact”…that never ever ever ever works!
I bet the Cards were really sweating the pinch hitter batting. .115 LH ..at night…Victor put a charge in one and almost hit it all the way to third base!…Foul!
Someone tell Brad that it’s legal to use a right-handed pinch-hitter against a righty. Putting in .400 OPS Victor because hey, he bats left! is just stupid. But if you insist on a lefty…Romine’s better.
,after the game though Brad will tell everyone how good Victor looked fouling that ball off!
Come on Castellanos are you playing third or just watching the game. I dare say that that ball was reachable.
McCann is proving to be a player. Ingevila, go get surgery and take a few years off to rehab. Your “skills” are no longer needed here.
+1….plus a $6 mil savings!
I suppose a sweep was too much to ask for…especially a night game. But we did waste another good game from Simon. Bring on those Brewers!…..
Great series. Can’t win ’em all. They have been playing well this past week.
2 out of 3 on the road against the best team in MLB? I’ll take it. Still, tonight’s game was winnable. Good pitching, and 3 nice plays by McCann, 2 behind the plate and one on the bases. He looks like he might be a keeper.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12844293/a-mightier-pen-closers-how-use-relievers
another thought provoking article applying some statistical data to cast doubt on the 20-yr MLB managers’ group-think approach to the use of a team’s bullpen… and the one-size-fits-all designation of a “7th inning guy”, 8th inning guy, closer, etc.