This was a disgusting loss. The Tigers fell to the Twins 7-6 this afternoon at Comerica Park and dropped the series 2-1. Since the their 12 game win streak ended , the Tigers have lost series to the Yankees, White Sox and Twins.
I wrote yesterday how shutting down the running game and using the running game on offense were issues for the Tigers. But I can’t fall back on that today. The Tigers didn’t pitch well enough to win today.
Starting pitcher, Justin Verlander, lasted 7 innings but was just short of terrible. He allowed 10 hits and six earned runs while walking 3 and striking out 6. I don’t have the words for JV. In one start he looks like he’s the JV of old, in the next he looks like he’s not going to get anybody out. Today was the latter.
The Tigers were down 6-2 heading to the bottom of the 6th. Bryan Holaday, for the second night in a row, sparked a Tigers rally. With two out, Infate on third and Igelsias on 2nd, Holaday drove in Infante and turned the lineup over for Austin Jackson who tied the score with a 3 run shot.
The scored stayed tied at 6 into the top of the 8th when Bruce Rondon gave up the winning run on a walk and a Chris Hermann double. It looked like Austin Jackson misjudged the ball off of Hermann’s bat but regardless, when you give up 6 runs, you can’t expect to win many games.
In the bottom of the 8th and the Tigers trailing 7-6, Jim Leyland pinch hit Brayan Pena for Matt Holaday. Normally, I wouldn’t have a problem with this move, but Holaday was having a nice game. He was 2-2 with a walk, 2 RBIs, and his first MLB home run. I think he should have played the hot hand and let Holaday bat.
Off to NYC for a weekend series with the Mets.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
Flashin' Leather 
This was by far the worst loss of the season! The Twins weren’t even trying to win this game. They threw some bum pitcher out there that featured an 86 mph fastball and not much else. Verlander was absolutely terrible in this game, after the team staked him to a 2-1 lead he promptly walks the leadoff batter in the next inning. Of course that guy came around to score on a bloop hit. JV will probably say he pitched in some tough luck, an ace doesn’t walk the first batter after getting a lead. It was all downhill from there.
They showed a graphic of the 5 starters since the all-star break, and JV is clearly the worst of them statistically. Even Porcello has a better record and era. If the playoffs started today I would rather see Porcello pitching than JV.
And I agree with not pinch-hitting for Holladay. That was just stupid managing. I was shocked he left Tui in, and he got a hit.
Miggy looked completely disinterested this series. He had several swings and misses that are uncharacteristic of him. I’d like to blame the injuries, but he’s been hurt for the past month and he never looked this bad.
Let’s hope for a better showing against the Mets…
Sark, I’m the first one to recognize tough luck, but JV can’t use this today. He was horrible. I agree, Miggy looked disinterested all series long. I think they should sit him down for two weeks, the 15 day DL.
I am getting tired of a $20m guy standing by his locker with a smile and telling me he is frustrated………..team scores six runs they should win the game….unless. Something here is just not right. One thing that I doubt you saw in T.V. land was when JV came out he walked over to Welke and fired on him hard and Welke followed him 3/4 of the way off the diamond. Was he getting “squezzzzed”? I can’t tell you. I do believe JV has been more vocal toward the men in black than I have ever seen him and that becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. The more you push cause you THINK you are the big dog the harder the men in black push back. I am starting to wonder how much of this is self inflicted? You don’t see that from Harry Leroy Halladay!
I think almost all of his problems are self inflicted. He seems to have good “stuff” but missing locations. Also, I think he’s stubborn. If he’s not getting a call, he just keeps throwing the same thing hoping to get a different result. He’s been very disappointing. As Sark mentioned, since the ASG, JV is the worst Tigers starter in terms of W/L and ERA.
Is that not the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result? NEWS FLASH!!!! WE face Daisuke Matsuzaka as a starter TONIGHT! Crown Royal party @ my place!
I HEARD THE METS SIGNED Daisuk!!!
Remember all the money the Sox had to pay just sign that tool?
Couldn’t have happened to a nicer team.