All posts by billfer

2009 Season, Game Post

Game 2009.087: Indians at Tigers

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PREGAME: The Tigers will look to end the “first half” of the season, as well as the homestand on a happy note when they take on the Indians today. Cleveland sends out Tomo Ohka and Justin Verlander takes the bump for the Tigers.

Ohka only has 3 starts this year and has only appeared in 6 games overall. He has fanned 10 and walked 9 in 28.2 innings…and he’s allowed 7 home runs!

Verlander pretty much began his dominant streak against the Indians (well, it actually started against the Yankees but the Indians games are what made it a streak). In back to back starts against Cleveland he fanned 22 in 16 innings and allowed just 1 run. Of course the Indians have a history of beating him up pretty good, and the way they hit the ball against Galarraga last night means it probably won’t be as easy of a game for Verlander as it was back in May.

Cleveland vs. Detroit – July 12, 2009 | MLB.com: Gameday

POSTGAME: You know when you hear the Tigers hit 3 homers in a game, you kind of expect Miguel Cabrera or Marcus Thames to be involved somehow. Instead they were busy with back-to-back infield singles while Clete Thomas and Brandon Inge decided to go back-to-back homers. The middle of the order brought some serious thump today with Thames picking up 4 hits, Thomas a double short of the cycle, and Inge doubling up on long balls.

In the end the Tigers had themselves a much needed and enjoyed blowout as they head into the break. The 10 runs was more than enough as Justin Verlander shut the Indians down once again and he’s allowed them exactly 1 run and fanned them 30 times in his 3 starts this year.

Really, the only negative was Zach Miner who hadn’t worked in a while, and it showed.

Inge, Verlander, Granderson, and Jackson now jet to St. Louis for All Star shenanigans.

2009 Season, Awards, Injuries, Pitching

Junk Balling – All Star break edition

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A pile of links on the eve of the All Star break…

If you find yourself a little bored with the Tigers game today, you can always flip over to ESPN and catch Scott Sizemore, the lone Tigers representative in the All Star Future’s game. With Polanco on the last year of his contract and Sizemore hitting a combined 300/392/508 line between Erie and Toledo it’s reasonable that he may be the Tigers second baseman next year. But Keith Law doesn’t seem to be that high or low on him.

With Brandon Inge making the All Star team he will earn a $25,000 bonus. Really. Given Inge’s career can you imagine that as a negotiating point? Granderson will also get $25K. There’s no mention of what happens if Inge wins the home run derby but the consensus seems to be it doesn’t mess up your swing.

Galarraga carries the bag - screen grab from Sports Center

Before Armando Galarraga got knocked around on Saturday night, I was ready to explore a theory about the good luck charm that is the High School Musical backpack. It’s the backpack that the relievers carry out to the bullpen full of treats and snacks and such and it is the responsibility of the least tenured rookie. Well, Fu-Te Ni has had the bag and he’s pitched well, and then in the 16 inning game Armando Galarraga was the only man in the pen and had to carry it back, and followed it up with his best start. But Ni had a run charged to him last night and Galarraga had 4 so there goes that theory.

The interesting thing about Fu-Te Ni is that he seems to move around on the rubber when he faces righties as opposed to lefties. I’ve wondered why more pitchers wouldn’t do this.

Carlos Guillen is set to begin a rehab assignment. He could equate to a mid season trade if he can return and be productive. I’d hope the Tigers aren’t pinning al their hopes on Guillen, but it does make sense to take a look before giving up too much for a bat.

Rick Porcello won’t pitch in the Yankees series after the All Star game. Luke French, Justin Verlander, and Edwin Jackson will start in the Bronx. Porcello’s next start hasn’t been announced. But he is blogging now.

2009 Season, Minors

Tigers Minor League Wrap 7/11/09

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Indianapolis 7 Toledo 3
Don Kelly went 2 for 3. Jeff Frazier was 3 for 3. Ruddy Lugo was rocked for 7 runs on 7 hits, 3 walks, and 2 K’s.

Indianapolis 2 Toledo 7
Wilkin Ramirerz homered and singled. Ryan Roberson and Mike Hessman each had 2 hits. Brent Clevlen homered and walked. Scot Drucker fanned 7 in 6.2 innings with 2 runs allowed on 4 hits and 3 walks.

Akron 4 Erie 6
Ryan Strieby homered as part of a 3 for 4 day. Ronnie Bourquin homered and singled. Jon Kibler surrendered 3 runs on 9 hits and 3 walks in 6 inings.

Lakeland PPD

West Michigan 8 Beloit 9
Mike Gosse homered and doubled. Jordan Lennerton had 3 hits. Luis Salas doubled, sinlged, and walked. Brayan Villarreal fanned 7 with 3 walks and 1 run in 5.2 innings. Robert Waite only recorded 2 outs while 5 runs scored on 5 hits.

Oneonta Suspended

GCL Tigers 8 GCL Pirates 1
Alexander Nunez went 4 for 5 with 2 doubles. Luis Grullon had 3 hits. Jordan Cruz homered, singled, and drew 2 walks. Jose Siso fanned 5 and walked 1 in 6 innings. Giovanni Soto pitched 3 scoreless inings of relief with 2 K’s.

2009 Season, Game Post

Game 2009.086: Indians at Tigers

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PREGAME: It will be a rematch of Carl Pavano and Armando Galarraga tonight. The two hooked up on May 1st, and Pavano allowed just 2 runs in 7.1 innings while Galarraga was knocked out in the 5th after allowing 5 runs. That game is the only one the Tigers have dropped to the Indians in 7 tries this year.

Pavano has solid peripherals (71 K, 20 BB, 11 HR in 99 innings) but a 5.36 ERA. That was due in large part to a 3 start stretch in June when he lasted 13.1 innings and opposing hitters posted a 1.201 OPS against. He has rebounded in his last 2 outings though going 13.2 innings with 9 K’s and 2 walks and just 4 runs allowed.

Galarraga is someone also looking at his last 2 starts as a return to form. After kind of sucking for May and June, Galarraga has allowed just single runs in each of his last 2 starts (though he did walk a disturbing 6 batters against Oakland).

Cleveland vs. Detroit – July 11, 2009 | MLB.com: Gameday

POSTGAME: This game was remarkably similar to the May 1st game. Pavano had an easy time of it. Galarraga wasn’t that good. The bullpen gave up an add-on run. The Tigers hit the Indians pen up to bring the game to within 1 run, but they fell short. Really the only difference was that last time it was 6-5 and this time it was 5-4.

Pavano was pretty good tonight, and he pounded first pitch strike after first pitch strike. His first pitch to Granderson was a ball, but his other first pitches went: strike looking, strike foul, strike looking, strike looking, triple, strike looking, strike foul, stike looking, strike looking, strike foul, strike swinging. That takes you to 2 outs in the 4th inning before he threw his next first pitch ball. The next one didn’t come until the 7th. There were no 2-0 counts while Pavano was on the mound. That was kind of the night.

Of course Detroit gave away a couple runs. A first and third, one out situation, resulted in a strike-em-out, throw-em-out 2-4-5-2 double play. Galarraga pitched scared in the third after a 2 out triple by Sizemore and walked the next 2 guys. That first walk then came around to score on a liner that Raburn dove on and just couldn’t squeeze.

The Tigers had their chances, didn’t take advantage of enough of them (they did okay in the 2nd plating 2 runs) and they came up on the short end.

2009 Season, Minors

Tigers Minor League Wrap 7/10/09

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Indianapolis 2 Toledo 4
Wilkin Ramirez continues on his July tear with a 3 for 4 night. Don Kelly tripled. Mike Hessman doubled and singled. Chris Lambert fanned 5 and allowed just 3 hits and a walk in 6 shut out inings. ryan Perry pitched 2 innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits.

Akron 3 Erie 6
Ryan Strieby doubled and walked. Casper Wells homered. Ronnie Bourquin doubled and singled. Pat Stanley allowed just 1 unearned run on 6 hits, no walks, and 5 K’s in 7 innings.

Lakeland 3 Dunedin 0
Audy Ciriaco fanned 3 times. Mauricio Robles fanned 4 in 6 shut out inings. Scott Green got the save with a scoreless inning including a K.

Lakeland 1 Dunedin 2
Josh Workman doubled, the only Flying Tigers extra base hit in the double header. Trevor Feeney allowed 1 run in 4 innings on 3 hits and a walk.

West Michigan 2 Wisconsin 5
Brent Wyatt and billy Nowlin each had 2 hits. Ben Guez homered. Brandon Hamilton walked 6 in 4 no hit innings.

Oneonta 13 Tri-City 5
Rawley Bishop went 4 for 6 with a homer. John Murian homered and walked. Jamie Johnson went 3 for 5 with a walk. Nate Newman fanned 4 in 5 innings with 3 unearned runs, 2 walks, and 3 hits.

GCL Blue Jays 3 GCL Tigers 7
Alexander Nunez tripled and singled. Ramon Lebron fanned 11 in 6 innings with only 1 walk, 5 hits, and 2 runs allowed.

2009 Season, Game Post

Game 2009.085: Indians at Tigers

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PREGAME: Talk about some tough pitching match-ups. The Tigers just got done facing Zach Greinke and now they welcome in Cliff Lee. Lee was knocked around by the White Sox two starts back, but that is really on the only blemish in his last 5 games. He has 85 K’s and 31 walks in 120 innnings. The last time the Tigers faced Lee he was outdueled by Justin Verlander.

Tonight Lee will face the Tigers other ace, Edwin Jackson. Jackson has been effective lately, but not as dominant as he was earlier in the season. Jackson has walked 4 batters in 3 of his last 5 starts.

Cleveland vs. Detroit – July 10, 2009 | MLB.com: Gameday

HEADS UP: I’m going to be watching part of this game from the FS Detroit truck. I’ll have some updates on Twitter (@billfer)

2009 Season, Minors

Tigers Minor League Wrap 7/8/09

Louisville 5 Toledo 3 (12 innings)
Wilkin Ramirez went 3 for 6. After struggling in June, he is 16 for 33 with 5 extra base hits and 4 walks in July. Mike Hessman, Jeff Larish, and IL All Star Brent dlugach all had 2 hits (Larish added 2 walks). Eddie Bonine went 6 innings and allowed 3 runs on 3 walks, 9 hits and 4 K’s. Casey Fien fanned 5 in 3 perfect innings.

Erie 4 Altoona 10
Andy Dirks went 2 for 4 with a homer. Danny Worth singled twice. Ramon Garcia allowed 4 runs in 3.2 innings and Brendan Wise was rocked for 6 runs in 2.1 innings.

Lakeland 4 Dunedin 3
Joe Tucker went 2 for 4 with a double. Audy Ciriaco went 1 for 3 with a walk and has pushed his season line up to 253/295/398. Not overly impressive ont he whole, but he’s bee surging lately. Andrew Hess went 7.1 innings and allowed just 2 runs on 8 hits.

West Michigan 11 Wisconsin 2
Avasail Garcia went 4 for 5 with a double. Bryan Pounds and Gustavo Nunez each had 3 hits. Ben Guez tripled. Casey Crosby allowed just 2 hits in 4 innings with 3 walks and 8 K’s.

Vermont 7 Oneonta 6
Michael Rockett went 3 for 5 with a double, as did John Murrian. Alexis Espinoza doubled, singled, and walked and is now hitting 259/339/444. Luis Angel Sanz went 6 innings and allowed 5 runs on 9 hits, 2 walks, and 3 K’s in 6 innings.

GCL Tigers 1 GCL Blue Jays 7
Jordan Cruz and Luis Grullon each had 2 hits. Jose Diaz allowed 5 runs on 5 hits in 5 innings.

Roster Moves

There has been quite a bit of roster shuffling due to call-ups, injuries, and 09 draftee signings. Take 75 North recently recapped all of the moves.

2009 Season

Inge makes it

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After long hours by many many Detroiters and Michiganders, Brandon Inge made his first All Star game. Yes there are flaws in the All Star game, and yes it is largely a popularity contest, ad yes in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t matter a whole lot, but to borrow a phrase from Jim Leyland “I’m tickled” with this selection.

Inge probably wasn’t the most deserving player on the final stand ballot, I’d give that designation to Ian Kinsler. But that’s not to say that Inge wasn’t deserving of a spot on the team. The qualifications though have been thoroughly debated. And regardless of your stance on the matter, it makes for a great story. I also can’t help but wonder if any other Tiger would have received the same amount of support.

However, what really sticks out for me is the fact that people in and around Detroit came together and accomplished something. I know the something is completely inconsequential, but it is something. The downtrodden state and city bit is too overplayed for my taste, and when the Spartans and Red Wings went on title hunts there was too much made of “it would be great for the region.” This is a little different though.

Those other instances were others making us feel happy for a little while. A nice mood lifter to be sure, but we were passive participants and all we could do was hope for the best.

This was a topic that people united around, a cause they collaborated on (and the Bran-Torino voting was a terrific move by the Tigers and Phillies marketing departments), and 11.8 million times in 4 days people clicked the submit button on the ballot. It was one thing that the people of Michigan had control over and they took advantage of it.

I’ve already read into this way more than I should and this is in no way a turning point or a sign or an indication that Brandon Inge has saved the auto industry. It’s small, it’s insignificant, but it’s something. A win is a win no matter how small, and I’m all about celebrating the wins.

2009 Season, Minors

Tigers Minor League Wrap 7/8/09

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Louisville 4 Toledo 2
Wil Rhymes went 3 for 5. Scott Sizemore singled and walked. Wilkin Ramirez, went 2 for 4 with a walk. Brooks Brown allowed 4 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings. Kris Regas (signed when Jay Sborz hit the DL) fanned 3 in 2 scoreless innings.

Erie 0 Altoona 1
Cale Iorg, Alex Avila, Ryan Strieby, and Santo De Leon had the hits. Danny Worth walked 3 times. Thad Weber allowed just 1 run despite walking 4 and allowing 6 hits. Robbie Weinhardt pitched a scoreless, hitless, walkless inning.

Lakeland PPD

West Michigan 0 Wisconsin 1
Brent Wyatt doubled and Ben Guez had the other hit. Luke Putkonen fanned 5, walked 1, and allowed 1 run on 3 hits in 7 innings.

Vermont 3 Oneonta 2
Jamie Johnson went 2 for 4 with a walk. John Murrian went 3 for 4 with a double. Adam Wilk fanned 7 and walked none allowing just 1 hit and 1 unearned run in 5 innings.

Vermont 9 Oneonta 4
Jamie Johnson doubled and singled. Gary Perinar was lit up for 6 runs and was knocked out int he 2nd inning.

GCL Tigers 1 GCL Yankees 3
Hernan Perez, Francisco Martinez, and Jordan Cruz each doubled. Rayni Guichardo allowed 3 walks and 4 hits but just 1 unearned run in 6 innings.

2009 Season, Managing & Strategy, Offense

Maggs and Clete to platoon

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The latest technique to milk productivity from Magglio Ordonez is to platoon him and only give him starts against left handers. Clete Thomas will form the other side of the platoon which means he’ll get the bulk of the starts, especially with the team facing more right handers.

For his career, Ordonez has hit lefties about 12% better than righties (in terms of OPS). That differential is more pronounced this year with an 825 OPS against southpaws versus 611 against right handers. So if there is any advantage Leyland can give to Ordonez, it is probably a lefty only diet.

But where this gets really interesting of course is the impact on the vesting option. As of tonight, Ordonez is 166 plate appearances shy of his vesting option. Through the first 84 games the Tigers have faced 27 lefty starters. At the same rate the Tigers would face 25 more lefty starters this season, and with about 4 PA’s per start Ordonez would come up 60-70 plate appearances short of the vesting option. That is significant enough to not be conspicuous or grievance-able, especially if Thomas or a bat to be named later hits well enough against righties.

As for Ordonez’s take on the situation, it certainly is professional:

“When I produce, I play,” he said.

Uncategorized

Game 2009.084: Royals at Tigers

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PREGAME: With Zach Greinke taking on Luke French the pitching match-up would certainly seem to tilt in the Royals favor. But you know, nothing is a given – especially with this Tigers team lately.

I apologize for the abbreviated game post tonight, but you can make up for it by voting Inge. He just took the lead and there are less than 24 hours to go. And vote Shane Victorino while you’re at it. If you vote Inge 100 times you get entered into a drawing where you get free tickets and a free dinner and a free trip to the pitchers mound before the game.

Kansas City vs. Detroit – July 8, 2009 | MLB.com: Gameday

POSTGAME: There was a crispness in this game that had been lacking for quite some time. The Tigers got some timely (and well placed) hits off a Cy Young front runner. They got a great start from a rookie pitcher getting his first win. And most impressively they got 2.1 perfect innings from the pen.

The pen has been shaky of late, but tonight they were dominant. Fu-Te Ni induced a double play grounder and picked up a strike out. Brandon Lyon pitched a perfect 8th on 11 pitches and Fernando Rodney with a perfect 9th on 14 pitches. All told the pen record 8 outs on 33 pitches, and 5 of them were strike-outs.

Nice win all around.

2009 Season, Minors

Tigers Minor League Wrap 7/7/09

Louisville 1 Toledo 2
Ryan Roberson homered, doubled and drove in both runs. Wilkin Ramirez doubled. Clete Thomas walked twice. Nate Bump fanned 4 and allowed just 1 run on 4 hits in 7 innings. Ryan Perry got the 2 inning save with 4 K’s and no walks.

Erie 19 Altoona 2
Alex Avila was a triple short of the cycle. Cale Iorg homered and singled. Ryan Strieby homered, singled, and walked. Danny Worth went 3 for 3 with 2 walks. Jonah Nickerson allowed 11 hits in 6.1 innings but only 2 runs scored. Cody Satterwhite fanned 2 in his inning.

Lakeland – Suspended in the 4th

Dayton 4 West Michigan 5
Billy Nowlin went 2 for 4. Brent Wyatt tripled. Mark Sorensen allowed 4 runs (1 earned) in 7 innings on 8 hits, 2 walks, and 3 K’s.

Oneonta – Suspended

GCL Yankees 0 GCL Tigers 1
Jordan Cruz doubled twice. Zach Samuels and Marcos Nunez pitched 3 shut out innings each.

GCL Yankees 3 GCL Tigers 0
Bruce Rondon allowed 2 runs on 4 hits, 3 walks, and 5 K’s in 4 innings.