James Shields

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 4 Yankees 1

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The Tigers have started this road trip off well.  With Today’s 4-1 victory, they took a series in the Bronx two games to one.

Once again, Michael Fulmer was smoke balls! He hasn’t allowed a run in his last 28 1/3.  Everyday Ian Kinlser had two more RBIs today giving him seven in the last two games.

This series win game without much help from Jose Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez.

It is off two Chicago for a series with the White Sox.  Tomorrow the Tigers have a date with “Big Game?” James Shields.

Royals 9 A’s 8

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This may have been the best baseball game I ever saw.

It was supposed to be a low scoring, pitcher’s duel, but neither Big Game James Shields or John Lester were on their game. Or maybe it was just time for both of those offenses to break out.

Lester pitched into the eight but in the end he was charge with six earned runs.

I thought the Royals were done at 7-3.

I thought the Royals were done at 8-7.

When the A’s scored in the top of the 12th I thought that was it. I figured the Royals had squandered too many chances to win it. I was wrong. They just kept scratching out runs.

I’m interested to see the Royals – Angels series.

Royals 3 Tigers 0

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Freeway Ricky just can’t get that 16th win. While he hasn’t been smokin’ balls, other than the Giants game, he’s pitched well enough win.

Yesterday, he pitched 6.2 and gave up two runs on seven hits. The problem was the offense could manage only two hits off of Big Game James Shields and nothing off of the the Royals pen.

Normally, 2 out 3 is good, but in the middle of this race, with this Tigers team, I’m not so sure.

As Nebraska says, “we shall see.”

Tigers Dust Royals

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Overshadowing the big news today, that the Tigers fired Charlie Marcuse, the Singing Hot Dog Vendor, the Tigers did the thrashing tonight as the they took out some frustration on the Royals’ pitching staff.  What makes this game impressive is that the Tigers put a beating on the the Royals’ ace, Big Game James Shields, who shut the Tigers out the last time he faced them at Comerica Park.

Andy Dirks had a nice night in front of his friends and family.  However, in the 3rd inning, with the bases loaded, nobody out, and the Tigers up 5-1, Dirksy got himself picked off of 3rd base.  When we look back at this game, this bone headed play isn’t that big of a deal, but it could have been and could be if it happens in the future.  In fact, after Dirks got picked off, the Tigers went out quietly and didn’t tack on any runs that inning.  It kind of felt like the momentum was changing.  Luckily, Emilio Bonifacio led off the the bottom of the third with a single and returned the favor by getting himself picked off of first.

The Tigers were able to pound their way around this miscue, today, but it was still a horrible play that could have been devastating in a different situation.

How in the sam hell do you get picked off of third with nobody out?  Are you just not paying attention?  Where are you going?  And further, what was The Windmill doing?

I don’t want to rain on Dirksy’s parade, but if I were Jim Leyland, he would have been yanked after that bout of cerebral cramping.

Anyway, I’ve been sick all week so I’m going to bed with the Tigers winning 15-1 in the top of the 8th.  Like my good friend Nebraska says, “if they blow it, I don’t want to be around to see it”.

Till tomorrow.

“God I love baseball.” -Roy Hobbs | The Natural