Aided by Alex Avila’s first career grand slam in the bottom of the 6th inning, the Tigers beat the Washington Nationals 5-1.
This was a pitchers dual until the 6th when Prince Fielder took an off speed pitch the other way to single with one out. Martinez followed with a double and Peralta walked to load the bases. After Dirks struck out, A Squared Money, aka Alex Avila, took a 96 mph, Starsburg, fastball out to right field giving the Tigers a 5-1 lead.
Avila finished the night 1-4 and has his batting average up to .195.
Andy Dirks had two hits including a double in the 4th that drove in the Tigers first run tying the game at 1.
What I was most impressed with today was the defense of Miguel Cabrera. He made two outstanding plays. The first, came in the 1st inning with Bryce Harper at 3rd after a lead off triple. Anthony Rendon hit a ground ball to third that Miggy snagged, keeping Harper at third, and getting Rendon at first. The second, Flashin Leather play by Miggy, came in the 5th when he robbed Wilson Ramos of a double. When Miggy first came to the Tigers, his play at 3rd was not good. However, I thought he turned himself into a good first baseman and since he moved back to third his glove is underrated. Miggy is a complete player, not just a slugger. The only downside to Miggy’s leather flashin is that he appeared to aggravate something after his play on Ramos and came out of the game in the top of the 8th. Let’s hope its nothing serious.
Anibal Sanchez pitched 7 solid innings allowing only 1 run on 5 hits and got the win, improving his record to 9-7.
JV goes tomorrow against Gio Gonzalez. JV needs a good outing. Game time is 1:05 pm.
Update: I forgot to mention, newly acquired, Jose Veras pitched a scoreless 8th and Joaquin Benoit pitched the 9th. Again, Leyland brought Benoit in, his supposed closer, in a non-save situation. Perhaps he wanted to get Benoit the work? He hadn’t pitched since the first game in the Philly series. I don’t know but I’m not sure I get it.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
Flashin' Leather 
Good win tonight against a tough pitcher. I’m afraid Miggy is going to have to play hurt the rest of the year, and it’s probably going to affect his performance. Let’s hope not though.
Starting pitching is absolutely coming into form, except for JV. Since the all-star break the Tigers are almost undefeated except games started by JV, and that first game back where the team didn’t hit a lick and Sanchez got the loss 1-0.
If he doesn’t pitch well tomorrow I’m afraid this is pretty much what we’re going to get out of him the rest of the year. This is a team that hasn’t seen him, except for spring training. And let’s be honest, the National League is weak hitting, in my humble opinion. JV should be able to put up good numbers.
Looks like the Tigers finally gave up on Avi and traded him to the White sox in the 3-team deal with Boston. In turn we get Iglesias, I’m guessing as insurance against losses of Peralta or Infante. He looks like a good player that can help, and then become our shortstop of the future.
Sark, I didn’t hear about he Avi trade. I’m disappointed. Also, if I’m not mistaken, Iglesias can field but not hit.
Sark you hit it! Insurance either way and cause we have no middle infielders ready for prime time. This kid is 23 and hitting over 300 so I will take my chances. It will be interesting to see Garcia in the other dugout this weekend and when the Sox are done ripping everything apart how hard they want to play the rest of the way. I am glad my name isn’t Ventura! Versa impressed me 77mph to 96mph three up three down fine with me. Looks like a team is coming together! Good job AA!
I still haven’t received any news about the trade and don’t see anything on MLB. However, here is my two cents, I would have rather traded Dirks instead of Garcia. I know Garcia isn’t “proven” but is Dirks?
Just found info here, http://fox17online.com/2013/07/30/reports-tigers-trade-of-avisail-garcia-to-white-sox-get-ss-jose-iglesias-from-red-sox/#axzz2aapeMLd5