Toledo DNP
Erie DNP
Brevard County 4 Lakeland 1
Brennan Boesch had a hit and a walk. Luis Salas was 1 for 2. Matt O’Brien allowed 4 runs in 7 innings despite surrendering 11 hits. Guillermo Moscoso fanned the side in one inning of work.
Lansing 3 West Michigan 4
Kyle Peter, Justin Henry, Chris Carlson, and Jordan Newton all had 2 hits. Andrew Hess started and lasted 4 innings allowing 3 runs on a walk, 2 hits, and 4 k’s.
In today’s edition of what’s up Jimmy’s sleeve, we find an alternating catcher. The announcement came down today that Pudge isn’t the regular catcher any more. He and Brandon Inge will rotate behind the plate.
Neither are really hitting worth a lick and at this point Inge is probably the better defensive catcher anyways. Plus with Inge under contract next year and Rodriguez not, it’s clear they are testing the waters despite Leyland’s claims to the contrary. The announcement also comes on the heels of a Vance Wilson sighting in the the clubhouse. Is Vance almost ready to go, will he be ready by the trade deadline, and does Pudge get dealt?
But of course this comes about a week after skip announced that Inge would play more third base and Carlos Guillen would play more left field. So there’s always the chance that this experiment could last 12 hours.
You can hear Tom Gage discussing this and other Tigers items on the WDFN.com Podcast page.
[audio:http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/DETROIT-MI/WDFN-AM/TOM%20GAGE%206-9.mp3?CPROG=PCAST&MARKET=DETROIT-MI&NG_FORMAT=sports&SITE_ID=1128&STATION_ID=WDFN-AM&PCAST_AUTHOR=Sports_Radio_1130_WDFN&PCAST_CAT=sports&PCAST_TITLE=WDFN_-_The_Stoney_and_Wojo_Show]
PREGAME: Detroit goes for a 3 game winning streak and a series win. Both are the types of things normally reserved for the Mariners. To do it Dontrelle Willis will have to out duel Cliff Lee.
Lee was awesome for the bulk of the season, but he’s been meh in his 4 starts since a 117 pitch complete game shut out on May 12th. Eight of his 12 walks on the season have come in those 4 starts. Here’s hoping he doesn’t get righted tonight.
While Lee pursues his 10th win of the season, Willis pursues his 11th inning of the season. I guess you could call Willis effectively wild this year if you’re so inclined. What with the 16 walks in 10 innings and all, but he has only allowed 4 hits. Or you could call him effectively lucky – save for that bendy knee thing that landed him on the DL.
This one is on ESPN so you out of staters without Extra Innings will be able to tune in.
CLE @ DET, Monday, June 9, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com
Game Time 7:05
Editors note: This post has nothing resembling well reasoned analysis. This is simply the author’s enthusiastic response to two recent plate appearances. The views and opinions expressed below do not represent those of the more logically based billfer that normally resides in this corner of the internet. He’ll be back tomorrow.
Did you see what Freddy Dolsi did today? Dude comes in with the sacks loaded, the go ahead run standing at the plate, and only one out in the 8th inning. Dolsi, anagram-ically nicknamed Freddy Solid by frequent DTW commenter Chris in Dallas, fell behind Jhonny Perralta 2-0. He battled back into a full count. And then came the heat. A 97 mph fastball right down the middle. It’s the type of pitch that Rod Allen labels “here it is, hit it” but there would be no hitting it today sir.
With two outs, now some of the pressure is off. But Dolsi is amped up. Three more fastballs down the middle to Ben Francisco and Dolsi had himself back-to-back K’s. This one was a called strike where Pudge comes rocketing up out of his crouch before the ump even calls strike 3. It was beauteous.
As I type this Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney are throwing another rehab outing. Soon, someone will have to go down and I think Dolsi isn’t eager to go anywhere.
Yes, the Indians hitters helped him out by not really having good at-bats, but Dolsi gets some of that credit doesn’t he?
And yes, coming into today he’d allowed 12 hits and 7 walks in 12 innings. And there was that time he didn’t call time out and Toriii Hunter stole second. And there was the time he air mailed an intentional walk ball for a wild pitch. And there was the time he didn’t cover first base resulting in a walk-off infield single (hey, it’s starting to sound like that billfer guy snuck back in here). Some of those things might undermine his sexiness as well as the Freddy Solid monicker. But today he was sublime so for now I will bask in the warm glow of his 9 fastball, 2 K outing.
PREGAME:: The Tigers are going for something rare, back to back wins. They did it once on the 9 game road trip and, well that’s it. Today it is replacement starters, turned regular starters, Jeremy Sowers and Armando Galarraga.
The Tigers have a 1 game winning streak on Sundays this year.
Renteria remains in the leadoff role, but Granderson returns to the lineup in the 9 spot. Clevlen starts in right field with Raburn sitting today and Ordonez DH’ing.
Also, the club has activated Clay Rapada who will assume Bonderman’s place on the 25 man roster.
CLE @ DET, Sunday, June 8, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com
GameTime 1:05
POSTGAME: Wow. That was a pretty complete effort. Some early offense. Some add on runs. Some two-out hitting. A nice starting pitching effort. Good bullpen-ing, save for those 3 batters that Zach Miner put on base (which just made getting out of the inning all the more exciting).
Placido Polanco snapped a mini-slump with a couple hits. Miguel Cabrera built on his big RBI last night by knocking in the first run of the game today and adding a double. Man it would be nice if he really got going. And Granderson even homered off a left hander.
Galarraga threw strikes, and did so consistently up until he fell 1 out shy of a quality start after a couple walks. Casey Fossum shaved over 100 points off his ERA and Todd Jones had a 1-2-3 9th inning.
I’m not going to make too big of a deal when a win moved you to “only” 10 games below .500. But a win is a win.
PREGAME: The Tigers are on Fox again today, and that’s gone so well this season. At least the Tigers get to face a lefty starter so there is some hope. Although that hasn’t helped the last two times they faced southpaw starters.
It’s Aaron Laffey and Kenny Rogers doing battle today. And because of the generosity of DTW reader Mark, I’m going with my family. Thanks Mark!
CLE @ DET, Saturday, June 7, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com
Game Time 3:55
POSTGAME: Winning kicks losing’s ass. I don’t know if it was the Stanley Cup being on the field before the game, or they were rallying around Bonderman, or if it was just time for them to finally win, but a late inning come from behind win is always nice.
I was at the game, and as I mentioned earlier thanks Mark, and perched above third base. Unfortunately, you guys are stuck with some pictures today (after the jump)
Continue reading Game 61: Indians at Tigers
Jeremy Bonderman is officially out for the season due to circulatory problems in his shoulder.
Bonderman was examined yesterday at the Detroit Medical Center and it was determined he has a blood clot of the axillary vein due to thoracic outlet compression syndrome. Bonderman underwent a thromblysis last night, followed by an angioplasty this morning at the Detroit Medical Center, performed by Dr. Monte Harvill under the supervision of team physician Dr. Stephen Lemos. He will undergo further examination of his condition at a later date.
This is devastating news for a team that has been pretty much devastating. A corresponding roster move hasn’t been announced yet. Aquilino Lopez is expected back from bereavement leave shortly, and in the interim Toledo is at home this weekend if the need arises.
This is a pretty serious condition and if it sounds familiar you can look to Kenny Rogers last year. While it is terrible news as it relates to the season, in the scope of shoulder discomfort this is probably relatively good news long term. There isn’t talk of labrums or rotator cuffs which provide bigger challenges.
Best wishes to Jeremy on his recovery.
Detroit Tigers Weblog (as well as my other sites) were hacked this week. Thanks to those of you who contacted me via email and Twitter to give the heads up.
For those of you coming directly to the site you probably didn’t notice anything different. But for those who come from Google or Yahoo, you were being redirected to another site. This appears to be a pretty widespread problem for blogs powered by WordPress at the moment.
I have everything corrected now, but I don’t know how to ensure it doesn’t happen again. So if you see more of the weirdness, don’t hesitate to contact me. Sorry for any confusion and frustration this may have caused.
Danny Knobler, now of national baseball writing fame, reports that Jeremy Bonderman is experiencing shoulder pain.
After reporting some discomfort around his right shoulder, Bonderman went to see a doctor this afternoon. The Tigers weren’t sure what’s wrong, but two club sources said he would be checked for a possible circulation problem in the shoulder. The Tigers made no announcement before or after tonight’s game against Cleveland, but Bonderman isn’t expected to make his scheduled start Sunday, and will likely be placed on the disabled list.
Bonderman has had elbow problems in the past, but never issues with the shoulder. His velocity has been down, but he’s found a way to pitch through it lately. I guess this would help to alleviate that whole Willis versus Galarraga situation though. Argh.
Toledo 2 Louisville 8
Freddy Guzman had 2 hits. Wilkin Ramirez who was part of the organization shuffle today was 0 for 4 in his AAA debut. Fernando Rodney wasn’t good with 3 runs being charged to him. He allowed a hit, a HBP, a wild pitch, and 2 walks while recording just one out. In all he threw 29 pitches and only 15 for strikes.
Erie 9 New Hampshire 4
Dusty Ryan homered, singled twice, and walked. Kody Kirkland had 4 hits. Casper Wells was 2 for 4 in his AA debut. Josh Rainwater allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, 2 walks, and 6 K’s, over 5 innings.
Lakeland 4 Daytona 12
Joel Zumaya pitched a perfect inning fanning 1. Ramon Garcia was rocked for 12 runs, 8 of which were earned in 4.1 innings. Mike Bertrm homered and singled. Lou Ott added 2 hits.
West Michigan PPD
PREGAME: The Tigers return home after that long west coast swing. I noticed a lot of Tigers hats on the Red Wings players in today’s parade. I wonder if Lord Stanley’s Cup will be making an appearance at the game tonight.
As for the pitching match-up it will be Paul Byrd and Justin Verlander. Byrd per usual is allowing a lot of hits, but walking nobody (only 8 this year). In fact he’s only been in 9 3-1 counts all year. That’s a typical start for Nate Robertson.
He’s the kind of guy that could give a confused offense like the Tigers fits. He has some pretty dramatic platoon splits to the tune of 914 OPS for lefties and 664 OPS for righties. We’ll see if Leyland goes with a bold move and puts Mike Hollimon in at shortstop for a struggling Renteria.
Byrd has allowed 14 homers this year, and it is hot and windy in Detroit today so maybe we’ll see some big flies.
Verlander has seen his ERA trending downward with quality starts in 3 of his last 4 starts (and would have been 4 for 4 if not for some poor defense in his last outing). He’s still walking too many and not striking out enough, but his high 90’s heat has returned. Verlander struggles against Cleveland though, with a 7.03 ERA in his career against the Tribe.
CLE @ DET, Friday, June 6, 2008 Game Preview – Baseball-Reference.com
POSTGAME: Nice job by Verlander, again. Crappy job by the offense, again. These things really do start to write themselves. Oh, and to torment ourselves a little more here is Cabrera’s last at-bat. Pitch 5 is the one he swung at. I guess pitches 3 and 4 weren’t far enough away for his liking.
The Tigers announced a ton of roster moves today: