This is a gif I found at a blog called Bless You Boys at SBNATION.
This is Miggy’s homer off of Mariano Rivera Friday night at Yankee Stadium. Up until this point, Miggy was 0-4 off of Rivera.
He hit another one off of Rivera yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately, both games ended in Tiger loses.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
in the Bronx.
The Tigers lost this afternoon to the Yankees 5-4 and lost the weekend series 2 games to 1. This was a terrible series to lose. The Yankees have been struggling and the Tigers surging. but the Tigers found a way to lose two games.
Justin Verlander was, ok, not great, not terrible. He pitched 7 complete, allowed 4 runs on 4 hits, struck out 9 and walked 1. JV was not lights out but his offense didn’t pick him up today. The Tigers as a team left 23 runners on base.
Austin Jackson made another crucial base running error in the 8th inning. With the score 4-2, Jackson was on first base with one out. Torii Hunter followed with a long fly ball that Yankee center fielder, Brett Gardener, flashed some leather on. He made a fine running catch and crashed into the wall. He was momentarily hurt and unable to throw the ball in. As a result, he shoveled the ball toward the left fielder Alfonso Soriano. For some reason, Jackson never went back to first base and got double off leaving Miguel Cabrera in the on deck circle.
Miggy struck in the 9th. He lead off the 9th with a solo shot off of Yankee closer Mariano Rivera. After Prince lined out softly to third, Victor stepped up and hit a solo homer to tie the game. Unfortunately, Brett Gardner homered off of Jose Veras in the bottom of the 9th to win the game for the Yankees.
Even with the late inning heroics, you can’t leave 23 runners on base and expect to win baseball games. The Tigers have a gaping hole in left field and need to figure out a way to fill it, at least partially. Matt Tuiasosopo played today and he seems to have cooled off but you can hardly blame him. He hasn’t played much in the last two weeks as Tiger manager Jim Leyland was suffering from Dirksburger Syndrome and couldn’t find many at bats for Tui.
It’s on to Chicago. They need to win this series.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
as the Tigers fell to the Yankees tonight, 4-3, in 10 innings.
Rick Porcello started the game and only lasted 5 innings allowing 3 runs on 6 hits. He struck out six and walked 2. Ricky didn’t pitch poorly but I knew he was in trouble from the very first batter. The umpire, Will Little, was not calling the inside pitch to left handers a strike. Brett Gardner led off the game with a walk and the replay showed that Ricky had struck him out twice but couldn’t get the inside strike called. In fact, the Yankees first 5 hits were all from left handers and all to left or left center. The only hard hit ball was Robinson Cano’s double that drove in 2 runs in the third.
In fact, this was one of the worst umpired games I’ve seen in a long time at home plate. I couldn’t tell what was a strike and neither could anybody else. Most of the time replays show that umpires get the calls right but not tonight. I’m not sure what Little was looking at.
That being said, the Tigers had plenty of chances to score but the offense basically consisted of Autsin Jackson and Miguel Cabrera. Jackson was 4-6 and Miggy was 2-5 and drove in all three Tigers runs. The big hit was Miggy’s two run bomb in the 9th inning off of Mariano Rivera to send the game into extra innings. It looked like the Tigers might go ahead in the 9th. After Miggy’s homer, Fielder followed with a double. The Yankees then walked Martinez putting runners at first and second with 2 out. Andy Dirks stepped to the plate and completed his 0-5 night by grounding out to 2nd base. Between Torii Hunter and Andy Dirks, they left 15 men on base. Hunter stranded 8 while Dirksies chipped in with 7.
Ichiro Suzuki, Torii Hunter and Jose Iglesias all flashed leather tonight. Ichiro was first when he made a nice running grab in right field, crashing into the wall and robbing Miggy of extra bases in the 3rd. Torii Hunter made a fine sliding catch in foul territory on a ball hit by Alfonso Soriano to end the 7th and Jose Iglesias, smooth as silk, started a 6-4-3 double play in the bottom of the 8th to bail Bruce Rondon out of a jam and keep the Tigers within striking distance.
With the run the Tigers have been on it is hard to complain. Hopefully, they can regroup and start another streak tomorrow afternoon.
Looking at the big picture, the most important thing is that Jimmy Leyland got Andy Dirks a start and kept him in for the whole game.
Here’s a thought, Don Kelly was brought in to pinch hit for Jose Iglesias to lead off the 9th. I know there’s no way of knowing Miggy would tie the score but perhaps it would have been a good idea to keep your best defensive player in the game in a tight game on the road. It might have been a better idea to have Kelly pinch hit for Dirksy to lead off the top of the 8th. Kelly could then have played left field instead of shortstop. But, I guess at that point, Dirksy was only 0-3 with only 5 left on base. But, what do I know.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
Max Scherzer improved his record to 17-1 as the Tigers pounded the Indians and swept the 4 games series. Max pitched 7 innings, allowed 2 earned runs, struck out 5 and walked on to earn his 17th win of the season.
The Tigers offense exploded in the 3rd when Indians starter Zach McAllister couldn’t throw strikes. They scored six runs, 4 on back to back doubles by Fielder and Martinez. They added 2 runs in the both the 4th and 5th innings and cruised to their 12 consecutive victory.
After 5 innings, the Tigers led 10-1. I was expecting Miguel Cabrera, and possibly Prince Fielder, to come out of the game for some rest with the game well in hand but that didn’t happen. Both Fielder and Cabrera played the entire game.
I’m a little confused. Last night in a one run game, Jim Leyland pull Miggy out of the game for a defensive replacement and to rest his ailing hip. Tonight, with a 9 run lead, he’s left in to play the whole game. Perhaps, the thinking was that a defensive replacement in yesterday’s game might help preserve the lead and avoid extra innings? I’m not sure. But as it turned out, the Indians tied the game and Miggy missed at least 2 more at bats. If that is the thinking, I can understand not pulling Miggy for defensive purposes, but how about to rest his injury. Nothing seems to make sense but it’s hard to complain with the role the Tigers are on.
I guess the Important thing is that Andy Dirks started and played the whole game. I’m not sure if the Tigers could have survived if Dirksy didn’t play. He did have two hits and an RBI but they came when the game was well in hand. In the third inning, with no score, Dirksy came up with the bases loaded and nobody out and promptly struck out on three pitches, all fast balls, up in the zone.
I think I’ve diagnosed a new illness. It is very rare and only known to affect one person to date, The illness is Dirksburger syndrome. Similar to Assburger syndrome when the sufferer sees everybody’s behind as a cheeseburger, Dirksburger syndrome is more concentrated. Those inflicted have this nagging neuroses that requires them to insert Andy Dirks into the lineup of a baseball game no matter what the circumstances are. It is rare, never fatal, but could prevent the Tigers from ending their 29 year World Series drought.
In the 9th inning, Indians manager, Terry Francona, brought our old friend Ryan Rayburn in to pitch, and he looked pretty good, actually. He retired the Tigers 1-2-3 and got Tui for a swinging K.
On to New York City, the city so nice they named it twice. Hopefully Ricky can keep the wagon rolling.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
The Tigers opened up a 5 game lead on the Indians in the American League Central courtesy of their 5-1 victory over Cleveland tonight.
The Tigers needed a big game from Justin Verlander, and the former MVP and CY Young winner didn’t disappoint. He pitched 8 complete innings, allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits. He struck out 7 and walked none. JV delivered!
It wasn’t looking good early, offensively, the Tigers let Justin Masterson off the hook in the second. They loaded the bases with nobody out but Masterson struck out Alex Avila and Jose Iglesias and got Santiago to ground to second to end the inning without surrendering a run.
Entering the 5th inning, the Tigers trailed 1-0, but then the bats exploded. Miguel Cabrera doubled in the go ahead run, his 100th RBI of the season. Prince followed with a ground out moving Cabrera to third. Masterson hit Victor to put runners at first and third with 2 out. Then DK, Don Kelly, stepped to the plate and on the third pitch he saw delivered a three run homer giving the Tigers a 5-1 lead which was more than enough for JV.
Jose Veras pitched a scoreless 9th and the Tigers recorded their 10th consecutive win.
DK, Don Kelly, had a day. He was 3-4 with the three-run homer in the 5th and was also flashin leather. He robbed Lonnie Chisenhall of extra bases with a fine running catch in the bottom of the 8th. The time truly has come for DK.
With Fister and Scherzer pitching the final two games in Cleveland the Tigers might be able to sweep and leave Ohio with a 7 game lead.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
Things weren’t looking good for the Tigers. This was a pitcher’s dual but going into the 9th inning the Indians had managed to scratch out 2 runs against Anibal Sanchez and led the first game of this crucial, 4 game, series 2-1.
The Tigers had some base runners in the first two innings but couldn’t push across any runs. From then on, they were dominated by Indians starter Corey Kluber. Kluber pitched 7 and 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing 6 hits, striking out 6 and walking one. He was ahead of Tigers hitters all night.
The Tigers ran themselves out an inning in the 8th when Austin Jackson got thrown out at second. After Torii Hunter singled, Ramon Santiago was held at third by Tom Brookens. Apparently, Jackson didn’t see Santiago getting held up and rounded second. Right fielder, Drew Stubbs threw behind Jackson and instead of the bases loaded with 1 out, the Tigers had runners and first and third with two out. Miggy grounded to second to end the inning.
The Indians brought in closer Chris Perez to pitch the 9th and the Tigers pounded him. He gave up all four Tiger runs and didn’t record an out. The big hit was a three-run homer off of the bat of Alex “A Squared Money” Avila. Alex has had a tough year at the plate but he’s had some big hits. None bigger, at this point, than this homer.
Anibal Sanchez pitched well today. He went 7 and 2/3, gave up 2 earned on 4 hits, struck out 11 and walked two. Although he didn’t get the win, it is fantastic that this performance wasn’t wasted.
The Indians Jason Kipnis was flashin leather tonight. He robbed Dirks and Iggy of base hits.
Coincidentally, it was a year ago to the day, August 5th, 2012, that Indians closer, Chris Perez, had a meltdown in a Sunday, afternoon, game at Comerica Park. Last year, Miggy hit a big home run off of him. Tonight, it was A Squared Money! Perhaps he should take the 5th of August off in the future.
IMHO, Miggy looks like he’s still not 100%. It might be a good idea to put him on the 15 day DL and get him nice and healthy for the final stretch? I’m not sayin’. I’m just sayin’,
JV is on the hill tomorrow. Tomorrow would be a nice time for him to return to his form of the last two years.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
Behind 7 and 2/3 strong innings from Rick Porcello, the Tigers beat the White Sox 3-2, swept the series and finished the current home-stand 8-0. And, they needed the win, as the Indians keep rolling.
Ricky allowed only one run, a home run to Adam Dunn, on 8 hits. He struck out 4 and walked 1 while throwing 93 pitches.
The Tigers were leading 2-1 going into the top of the 9th. Smyly came on to relieve Porcello with 2 out in the eighth and struck Adam Dunn out to end the inning. In what can only be called an interesting move, Jim Leyland sent Smyly out for the 9th. The first batter he faced in the 9th was right handed, power hitter, Paul Konerko. Konerko hit Smyly’s second pitch, a 91 mph hour fast ball into the seats to tie the game.
The Tigers were unable to score in the bottom of the 9th so on they played into extra innings.
In the bottom of the 12th inning Miggy came in to pinch hit for Ramon Santiago and lead off with a single. Tui pinch-ran for Miggy and Jackson sacrificed Tui over to second with one out. Torii Hunter stepped to the plate and delivered a single which scored Tui, ended the game, and gave the Tigers a perfect home-stand.
What was interesting about Leyland’s decision to leave Smyly in for the 9th, is that I thought this was the situation the Tigers got Veras for. Benoit was unavailable today, so I wrongly assumed that Veras would be used to close the game. Instead he left Smyly in to face the right handed hitting Konerko? To make things more confusing, Veras was immediately brought in to replace Smyly and retired the next three White Sox in order. I guess my question is, why not bring Veras in to start the 9th especially with a righty leading off?
Anyway, Veras pitched scoreless 9th and 10th innings and Bruce Rondon was money as he pitched the 11th and 12th allowing only 1 hit, striking out 3 and the big number, he walked 0, and got the win.
Two things really impressed me. The first was Miggy’s ability to step to the plate after not playing for almost 5 games and deliver a lead-off single. The second, was Bruce Rondon’s pitching. For a guy who had problems finding the strike zone, he had nice command today.
A big series with the Indians starts tomorrow. Perhaps the Tigers can break their will with a series win? We’ll see.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
Behind a fantastic performance by Doug Fister, the Tigers beat the White Sox 2-1 tonight at Comerica Park to win their 6th straight on the current home-stand.
Fister was dealing. He pitched 8 complete, allowed only 1 earned run on 7 hits. He struck out 2 and walked none on only 88 pitches.
Benoit came in and closed the game out pitching a scoreless 9th.
The offense was led by Prince Fielder, Jose Iglesias, who played 3rd for the ailing Miguel Cabrera, and Austin Jackson.
In the Tigers’ half of the fourth, Prince Fielder led off with a double and moved to 3rd on a Victor Martinez fly out. Jhonny Peralta followed Martinez with a fly ball but it wasn’t deep enough to score Fielder. That brought Iglesias to the plate with two out and Fielder at third. In his first game as a Tiger, Iglesias delivered a line drive, base hit, to right that gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the 5th Austin Jackson hit a solo shot to give Tigers a 2-0 lead and Fister and Benoit made it stand up.
The key moment in the game came in the top of the 8th. With the Tigers leading 2-1, Dayan Viciedo led off with a single. Jordan Danks came in to pinch-run. Gordon Beckham came to the plate and with a 3-1 count hit a ground ball just to the right of second. However, the hit and run was on so Santiago was moving toward second on the pitch. This was a fortunate break for the Tigers because instead of a single up the middle, Santiago was able to field the grounder, step on second and fire to first for a double play.
I really hope Miggy gets well soon. I’m not sure how long the Tigers can keep rolling without him. Also, it is a small sample but the rumors look true regarding newly acquired Jose Iglesias. He looks very smooth in the field. His demeanor reminds me of the Orioles Manny Machado. I’m not sure how much he’s going to hit, but it looks like he can flash leather.
The Tigers picked up a game on the Tribe who got pounded in Miami 10-0.
Scherzer goes for his 16th win tomorrow night.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
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
The Tigers beat the Phillies 12-4 today sweeping the weekend series.
This was one of the strangest games I’ve witnessed. The Tigers fell behind early and it looked like they weren’t going to score many runs. They failed to score after loading the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the third.
What made this game strange?
For me the key to the big inning, and the game, was Victor Martinez’s at bat in the bottom of the 6th. This was one of the better at bats I’ve seen from a Tiger all year. With three runs already across and two out, Victor worked a walk, driving in the fourth run of the inning with an 11 pitch at bat. He fouled off 5 pitches with two strikes. This allowed Jhonny Peralta to step to the plate and hit a grand slam that broke the game wide open and effectively put it out of reach.
Ramon Santiago had 3 hits including two bunt singles. Prince Fielder is concerning me a little. He was 0 for 5 with 11 runners left on base and his batting average is down to .261. This could become a real problem if it continues.
The Nationals are in town Tuesday.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
Flashin' Leather 