It was a heartwarming scene as young Buck Farmer, almost fresh from A ball, took the mound last night with friends and family cheering him on. Buck did a reasonable job, keeping the Tigers in the game through 5 innings.

After the game Farmer was optioned to Toledo, and RHP Melvin Mercedes was recalled. You’ll remember that Buck was brought up from AA Erie, so the demotion to Toledo was really a promotion. It also led to a Jason Beck headline–Farmer Swapped For Mercedes–that sounds like the title of a missing episode of Green Acres.

A less heartwarming scene occurred after the game, as closer Joe Nathan got a double-play ball to get out of a jam and close the game. Nathan, apparently upset about fans jeering him when he began the inning with back-to-back walks, “flicked off” the fans not once but twice. The following link contains NSFTFWATJN video (Not Safe For Tiger Fans Who Are Tired of Joe Nathan.)

**Update**  Joe Nathan has apologized: “Both sides were frustrated,” he said. “I have 2 kids. I need to be a better example than that.”

Today’s One-Game-Winning-Streak Lineup:

1. Davis, CF
2. Kinsler, 2B
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. V Martinez, DH
5. Hunter, RF
6. J Martinez, LF
7. Castellanos, 3B
8. Avila, C
9. Suarez, SS

Tonight it’s young Buck Farmer who takes the mound and tries to stop the bleeding.  Farmer began the season with the West Michigan Whitecaps (A) and put together a 10-5 record with 2.60 ERA and a 1.109 WHIP. He was moved up to Erie recently and had two starts there (1-0, 3.00, 1.167). Farmer throws strikes: he has struck out 127 this season against only 28 walks.

The news on Justin Verlander is tentatively good. His MRIs showed no damage, although they are being sent to specialists for a second opinion. He may miss as little as one start.

Here are today’s roster moves:

• Kevin “Way Over His Head” Whelan was optioned back to Toledo.
• The Tigers purchased the contract of RHP Buck Farmer from AA Erie.
• Eric catcher Ramon Cabrera was designated for assignment by Detroit to make room for Farmer on the 40-man roster, and was claimed off waivers by the Pirates.

In the meantime, Torii Hunter thinks that maybe having to fight for first will be good for the team in the long run.

Tonight’s Carrera-Leads-Off Lineup:

1. Carrera, CF
2. Kinsler, 2B
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. V Martinez, DH
5. Hunter, RF
6. Kelly, LF
7. Castellanos, 3B
8. Avila, C
9. Suarez, SS

OK, looks like even Nature has our number; the hoped-for rainout was not to be. As far as what happened afterward, Verlander couldn’t make it past the first inning, the new guys did what new guys do, and the pitching staff–supposedly the strong point of the team–is in full freak-out mode, though the skipper remains calm. I watched all 19 innings of the Toronto game, but couldn’t stay awake through that one.

It would seem to be time to trash the Jackson/Smyly/Price trade. Jackson was the hottest post-break hitter on the team, and the Tigers have struggled to score runs since the trade. Smyly meanwhile went out and had the Start of the Night last night, with 7 2/3 innings of shutout ball (with 9 Ks). On the other hand, with Verlander possibly injured (inflammation but not structural damage) and Sanchez out, the starting rotation is suddenly one of the team weaknesses (along with hitting and base running and fielding), and going down a playoff contention stretch you have to like Price vs. Smyly. And those of us who have been around awhile know Austin is a streaky sort (I was always skeptical of the narrative that explained Austin’s hot streak as being moved back into the leadoff spot…wasn’t his playoff hot streak explained as moving out of the leadoff spot?).  So I’m holding out on judging this trade for now.

Speaking of trades, Robby “You Got Me and Some Ham Sandwiches for Fister” Ray gets another shot at the bigs tonight, just one of many Tigers moves:

• The Tigers placed Anibal Sanchez on the 15-day DL retroactive to August 9th. Ooh. Slick move. Thought he was already DL’d.
• The Tigers recalled Blaine Hardy and Robbie Ray from Toledo
• The Tigers optioned Justin Miller to Toledo.
• The Tigers announced Buck Farmer–RHP, AA guy–barely, 2 starts out of A ball– will start Wednesday’s game (corresponding roster move to be made–somebody needs to be bumped from the 40-man roster. I am guessing Drew “Broke Back” VerHagen). I’ll admit I know little about him, but Buck Farmer is just a really good baseball name.

This is hard to explain, but the front office just pulled a good move.

You would think Hardy would not be eligible to return from Toledo yet, but you would be wrong. He can return to replace a player placed on the DL, which Anibal Sanchez just was. Yes, the Tigers announced he was going on the DL, but they didn’t actually officially DL him yet, which allowed them to bring back Hardy after 1 whole day in Toledo, since the official “cooling” time is waived to replace a player put on the DL. Score 1 for the front office.

Tonight’s Predicting-Zeke-as-POG Lineup:

1. Davis, LF
2. Carrera, CF
3. Kinsler, 2B
4. Cabrera, 3B
5. V Martinez, 1B
6. JD Martinez, RF
7. Avila, C
8. Suarez, SS
9. Ray, P

I don’t know about any of you, but I’m still exhausted from last night’s game, and the disappointing road trip as a whole. I can imagine how some of the players feel this morning.

The road trip finally comes to a close with two in Pittsburgh, the front end of an unusual 4-game home and away match up with the Pirates, as the Tigers cling to a dwindling 1/2 game lead over the red-hot Royals who have won 7 straight.

There were a whole host of moves made in the aftermath of the Sanchez/Soria injuries and burning of the bullpen arms last night:

• The Tigers officially place Soria on the 15-day disabled list (left oblique strain) retroactive to yesterday.
• The Tigers optioned the contracts of Blaine Hardy and Patrick McCoy (each of whom threw 3 innings last night) to Toledo.
• The Tigers recalled our old friends Ian Krol and Justin Miller from Toledo (well, maybe not exactly friends, especially in Krol’s case. But fresh arms).
• The Tigers purchased the contract of RHP Kevin Whelan from Toledo. Whelan, a career minor-leaguer, had a 1.85 ERA and 20 saves with the Mud Hens.
• To make room on the 40-man roster for Whelan, the Tigers released once-heralded prospect Casey Crosby.
• The Tigers announced Robby Ray will start Tuesday against Pittsburgh. Ray was originally scheduled to take the Sanchez slot in the rotation (Wednesday), but bumped up into Porcello’s spot after he finished off last night’s marathon.

Another spot on the roster has to be cleared before Ray pitches on Tuesday. If today’s game happens to get rained out (rain is in the forecast) and made up as a double-header Tuesday, Ray could be added to the roster under double-header rules without having to return any of the new call-ups to Toledo until later.

Tonight’s Pitcher-Gets-To-Bat Lineup:

1. Davis, CF
2. Kinsler, 2B
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. V Martinez, 1B
5. Hunter, RF
6. JD Martinez, LF
7. Avila, C
8. Suarez, SS
9. Verlander, P

For some reason Carrera, the only player with fresh legs on the team, starts this one on the bench. Cabrera moves over to the hot corner to keep Victor’s bat in the lineup.

The Tigers roared load and often last night, scoring in every inning but the 9th, which hasn’t happened since 1912. For a while it looked like they might get a chance to bat in the 9th also, as lefty du jour Pat McCoy made an inauspicious debut, giving up three runs without recording an out, but Phil Coke bailed him out. Starter Rick Porcello was a different story though, as he threw his 4th consecutive strong start, allowing only 7 base runners over 8 innings. With last night’s game in, Porcello has quietly taken over the team lead in ERA at 3.18.

This afternoon Anibal Sanchez is the broom man as the Tigers go for the home sweep.

The Rockies trot out yet another lefty today, Jorge De La Rosa. The Tigers sometimes struggle against lefties, but this isn’t a strategy for Colorado; it’s all they’ve got right now. This will be the 19th consecutive lefty start for them.

Tigers It Worked Last Night Let’s Try It Again Lineup:

1. Davis, CF
2. Kinsler, 2B
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. V Martinez, DH
5. Hunter, RF
6. JD Martinez, LF
7. Castellanos, 3B
8. Avila, C
9. Suarez, SS

Well, the first day of The New Tigers was a roaring success, with Rajai Davis doing a little bit of everything from the leadoff spot (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs, 5 putouts in center). For those comparing, Austin Jackson had an 0-for-3 with 2 strikeouts and a walk leading off for Seattle.

Justin Verlander also had his best game in a very long time, spreading 8 hits out over 8 innings and only giving up 2 runs, mostly because: zero walks. He really only had one bad inning, the 7th, which was made worse by a play where Castellanos had to decide whether to go for the inning-ending double play or throw home, and made a high throw to the plate which didn’t give Holaday a very good chance at getting the out. It was a vintage-looking Verlander that finished business himself by striking out the next two batters.

One of the Tiger starters is going to end up in the bullpen for the postseason. Based on performance this season, that should be Verlander, unless he comes on strong the rest of the way. But does anybody really think that’s a possibility? I don’t. The most likely guy to draw the short straw is Rick Porcello, but he is really making that a difficult decision, as he continues compile the best season of his career. His last three starts have been stellar: while he has only come up with one win (thanks to lifeless bats and a blowpen), he has put up a 1.71 ERA and lasted 7 strong in each. He has also started adding the K to his ground ball repertoire, striking out 5 and 6 in his last 2 starts.

Tonight Porcello will benefit from a Colorado lineup that is not only missing Tulowitzki, but also Carlos Gonzalez, who re-injured an ankle making a brilliant catch of a foul ball last night.

Tonight’s Lineup–Los Nueve Tigres:

1. Davis, CF
2. Kinsler, 2B
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. V Martinez, DH
5. Hunter, RF
6. JD Martinez, LF
7. Castellanos, 3B
8. Avila, C
9. Suarez, SS

Yes, it’s the old Alex Avila vs the lefty saga again tonight (and probably tomorrow). But until StorminNorman$ pointed it out in a comment last night, I didn’t realize that Avila is actually holding his own against lefties compared to Holaday:

• .185 BA .456 OPS Holaday
• .205 BA .535 OPS Avila

Hmm, who knew? I have a theory why the perception is so different: Avila has 32 strikeouts vs 3 walks in only 84 plate appearances. So there is making outs, and there is making outs haplessly flailing at strike three. Still, The numbers say that playing Holaday against lefties may not be the upgrade it seems.

Colorado Rockies (44-64) at Detroit Tigers (58-47)

Schedule and projected starters:

• Fri 8/1   7:08   Justin Verlander vs Franklin Morales (L)
• Sat 8/2  7:08   Rick Porcello vs Tyler Matzek (L)
• Sun 8/3 1:08  Anibal Sanchez vs Jorge De La Rosa (L)

Yes, you saw correctly. An entire series facing lefties, so it may be a while before we see either of the new faces, David Price (who should start Tuesday in New York), or left-handed hitting centerfielder

Ezequiel Carrera, who was called up from Toledo to take Austin Jackson’s spot on the roster. Dave Dombrowski said that Carrera and Rajai Davis will “share” centerfield, though whether it will be a left-right type of platoon or some other arrangement will have to be seen. Don’t be surprised to see Carrera introduced as a pinch-runner: he has already stolen 43 bases at Toledo.

Tonight’s Lineup:

1. Davis, CF
2. Kinsler, 2B
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. V Martinez, DH
5. Hunter, RF
6. JD Martinez, LF
7. Castellanos, 3B
8. Holaday, C
9. Suarez, SS

Davis will try to match Austin Jackson’s recent success in the leadoff spot. Even more interesting will be to see how he does handling the centerfield duties. The Tigers’ pitchers gets a little bit of a break with the Rockies lineup, with Troy Tulowitzki on the 15-day DL.

For those of you who could stay up long enough, you probably wish you hadn’t, although pretty much the whole game took place in the 8th inning.

In the top of the 8th, the Tigers blew not one but two opportunities with a runner at 3rd and less than two outs. The first was when Kinsler was caught in the dreaded Run On Contact play. I wish I had numbers for how often that fails; it seems to be a lot, not just with Detroit, but with other teams as well. It doesn’t help that the Tigers hit the ball so hard–the Martinez grounder got to first so fast Kinsler had only made it about a third of the way home. Kinsler valiantly got in an extended rundown, but Cabrera was having none of trying to get to 3rd.

Fortunately, Torii Hunter came through–again!–and put the Tigers back ahead, and gave them another opportunity with runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Unfortunately, Avila had to face a lefty, and I don’t think any of us were surprised at the weak strike out that followed. I’m sure Holaday wouldn’t have done any better, said no Tiger fan.

Then came The Decision: pinch-hit for Porcello, or send him back out for the 8th. Normally that is an automatic PH situation, but Porcello was only at 77 pitches, and had just breezed easily through the 7th. In addition, Joba Chamberlain (and maybe Nathan) were unavailable in the bullpen. Ausmus rolled the dice, and lost: Davis had a pinch-hit called 3rd strike, and Larry, Curly and Moe blew the lead in the 8th.

Well, today is another day and another game, which is one of the great things about baseball.

Today’s Did Not See That Coming Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Davis, LF
3. Kinsler, 2B
4. Cabrera, 3B
5. V Martinez, 1B
6. Kelly, RF
7. Avila, C
8. Romine, SS
9. Sanchez, P

Following the ol’ Rest ‘Em While They’re Hot strategy, Ausmus sits Torii Hunter for The Donkey, who at least has a positive history against Cahill (4-for-7, HR). He tries something new with The House by the Side of the Road in the 2nd spot, bumping Cabrera-Martinez back to 4-5.

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:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Kinsler 2B
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. V Martinez, 1B
5. JD Martinez, LF
6. Hunter, RF
7. Holaday, C
8. Suarez, SS
9. 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.

Gear up Night Owls, the Tigers are off on a 7-day Western jaunt, starting with three in Arizona tonight.

Scheduled times/starting pitchers for the road trip:

Detroit at Arizona:

Mon Jul 21 9:40  Verlander vs Nuno (L)

Tue  Jul 22 9:40  Porcello vs Anderson

Wed Jul 23 3:40  Sanchez vs Cahill

Detroit at LA Angels

Thu Jul 24 10:05  Scherzer vs Richards

Fri  Jul 25  10:05  Smyly vs Skaggs (L)

Sat Jul 26  9:05   Verlander vs Shoemaker

Sun Jul 27 3:35   Porcello vs Santiago (L)

The Tigers have never fared well on the West Coast, but of course Arizona is not the coast, so hopefully this trip gets off to a good start. The Tigers do still have the best road record in the American League, which Scherzer and Cabrera should have thought about more before contributing to the AL All-Star game victory.

The big topic for the first leg of this road trip of course, will be the who-plays-where involved with the lack of a DH, and Ausmus opts to go with Cabrera at 3rd for the opener. A little more surprising is Holaday at catcher; yes, they are facing a lefty, but that usually doesn’t make so much of a difference. Even more surprising is Suarez being bumped up to the 6th spot. Hmm.

Bullpen help? The Nats just released Ryan Perry (kidding, I hope).

Hopefully at some point in this series we will see the Diamondbacks’ backup up catcher, because you can’t beat a name like Tuffy Gosewisch.

Today’s No-DH Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Kinsler 2B
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Martinez, 1B
5. Hunter, RF
6. Suarez, SS
7. Holaday, C
8. Davis, LF
9. Verlander, P

Austin Jackson has never really seemed a fit in the leadoff spot, which was never more apparent than in last postseason, where he couldn’t even put a ball in play until he was finally bumped down to the 2nd half of the order. So I didn’t expect much when Ausmus tried moving Austin back into the leadoff spot, especially after he earned a sombrero on July 4. But since taking over the leadoff spot, he is hitting .354 with a .928 OPS.

That should help Verlander in the 9th spot, having Jackson to protect him in the lineup.

It’s always relaxing to watch one of those never-in-doubt games, but it’s even more fun to watch a game that starts out doomed, becomes a game again, and ends a never-in-doubt romp.

I was the last person who thought that there would be any coming back from the 5-run Justin “Don’t Call Me Bonderman” Verlander first inning, especially after struggling to score runs against Tampa Bay, but they got the 5 right back in the 2nd, and Verlander kept them off the board for 5 innings. Yes, the first inning was troublesome, but the recovery was comforting (he only gave up one hit over his last 5 innings). Focus on whichever aspect suits you best.

Everybody seemed to get into the act, except for the enigmatic Austin Jackson. Cabrera, Castellanos, Hunter, and JD Martinez each had 3 hits.

Martinez continues to amaze. He has raised his batting average to a team-leading .331, leap-frogging the resting Victor Martinez, and taken a team OPS lead at 1.017, which would be best in the American League if he had enough at bats to qualify.  He went on a June tear: .345 / 1.069, with 7 home runs and 21 RBI. The hot streak will stop eventually, right? Well you may have to keep on waiting: so far his July is making his June look downright weak: .429 / 1.341 and 3 home runs in only 28 at bats. You almost hate to see the All-Star break interrupt that stuff.

Today the Tigers have the quick afternoon turnaround (which is always more pleasant after a good night game), and a chance to sweep the two-game mini-series. Ausmus is going with the “maybe we can even score with this lineup” route, and resting Miguel Cabrera, in favor of the fierce bat of the Donkey. Hey, it’s only Greinke, right? Kelly is 3-for-8 off of Greinke lifetime.

Then it’s Kansas City here we come, for four.

Don’t miss this pointless bit the Night Shift of the Research Department dug up from TMZ.  DO miss this bit of ex-Tiger news.

Today’s Let’s See How Many THESE Guys Can Score Lineup:

1. Jackson, CF
2. Kinsler, 2B
3. Hunter, DH
4. JD Martinez, RF
5. Kelly, 1B
6. Castellanos, 3B
7. Avila, C
8. Suarez, SS
9. Davis, LF