Francisco Rodriguez

White Sox 10 Tigers 9

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This game was like watching a train wreck.  When the Sox started chipping away I knew this game was lost.  I guess we can give K-ROD a pass, he had converted 19 in a row but this one is going to leave a mark.

I thought Brad Ausmus had a good game in the losing effort.  I liked the suicide squeeze with Iggy and Salty to extend the lead to 9-7 and I liked leaving Nick “The Quick” in the game in the late innings. There was not much he could do about the pitching, I thought he made the right moves at the right time, it just didn’t work out.

I often call Robin Ventura the dumbest manager in baseball but I have to give him and Big Game Jame Shields credit.  The Tigers were beating Big Game James into a conniption but Ventura left him in the game and he ended up giving the White Sox five innings and a chance to win.  This is the type of move that can turn Shields’ season around, not good news for the Tigers.

Anyway, Hat Tip to Robin Ventura and James Shields and Brad Ausmus.

 

Tigers 3 Angels 0

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The Tigers were able to salvage one game in Anaheim, and two on the road trip, thanks to Michael Fulmer and Francisco Rodriguez.

Fulmer was smokin’ balls and K-Rod finished off the game with a four out save.

Even if K-Rod couldn’t save the game I thought Brad Ausmus made the right move in bringing him in for an extended save.  Really, what other option did he have, Mark Lowe?

The offense sucked, this game should have been a blowout but nobody could deliver the knockout blow.

Miggy looks bad, again. I’m not sure what his story is this year.

In other news, Anibal Sanchez has been removed from the rotation and sent to the pen.  Although, I agree with Sark, I’m not sure what he’s going to do there.

Oh well, a win is a win, and they’re home tomorrow for the makeup game with the Yankees.

The Miguel Cabrera Show

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Jose Miguel Cabrera put the Tigers on his back and carried the them to a 5-4 win over Philadelphia.

Miggy was 3 for 3 with two more Conniption Shots, a double, a walk, 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Perhaps the Phillies should have considered walking him after his second conniption shot?

Honorable mentions got to J.D. Martinez and Nick “The Quick” Castellanos for chipping in with home runs; Victor Martinez for going 3-4 and driving in Miggy with the winning run and Mark Lowe and K-Rod for pitching clean 8th and 9th innings.

Speaking of Francisco Rodriguez, perhaps reports of his demise were greatly exaggerated.  If I’m not mistaken, this is his 6th save conversion in a row.

FYI: Jose Miguel Cabrera is that damn good!

Tigers 10 Twins 8

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It wasn’t pretty.  It wasn’t easy. It was, however, a win.

This team is in a lot of trouble if they can’t field better than what they displayed on Monday night.  Three errors almost cost the Tigers a game in which they lead 8-0 after the first inning.

The pitching is what it is but the Tigers can’t afford to give any team extra outs.

One good sign is that K-Rod pitched another clean 9th inning for the save.  Perhaps he’s getting on track?

I’m not overly excited about the 10 run outburst.  I hope you’ll excuse me, but I’ve seen the show before.  Let’s see what they do the next 5-6 games.

A win is a win and I’ll take it.

Tigers 6 Orioles 5

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Could the break the Tigers got on the J.D. Martinez check swing in the 8th be the turning point in the dismal 2016 season?  I’ve seen stranger things happen.

Here are a few observations after the call:

  1. Miggy, followed with the go ahead solo homer.
  2. The bullpen didn’t give the runs back in the bottom of the 8th.
  3. K-Rod pitched a clean 9th.

This might be wishful thinking but I am an eternal “optimist”. 🙂

They’re back home tomorrow against the Twins.