I generally don’t like to see fights in baseball but I have to give both Manny Machado and Yordano Ventura credit. They weren’t posturing, both of these guys wanted to “drop the gloves and go”, to use hockey terminology.
Manny Machado
O’s 3 Tigers 0
This was actually a pretty well played game. It lacked offense but I like a pitcher’s dual once in a while; just as long as I don’t have to tip my cap to every ham & egger toes the slab against us. Both Price and Tillman were smokin balls. The Tigers should have cashed a run in the bottom of the first when they had a runner on third with one out but Tillman looked like a top of the rotation guy last night.
David Price gutted out seven impressive innings allowing a single run on a solo shot by Manny Machado while striking out 12 and walking 1. Alex Wilson did what he does and pitched a clean 8th. Krol got a LONG out to lead off the 9th. Then Rondon essentially put the game out of reach by giving up two runs. He needs to a bus ticket south about an hour.
Rondon did not pitch well and I can’t and won’t defend him. But Anthony Gose could have bailed him out by making a catch he makes 9 out of 10 times.
It seems like things just are not working out for this team. It doesn’t seem to be in the cards. Unfortunately, I listened to 97.1 for a few minutes yesterday and some blow hard was talking about how if he were a season ticket holder he would be offended if the Tigers traded David Price. I am a season ticket holder and here’s what offends me, charging $10.50 for three chicken fingers.
Tigers Sweep Orioles with 7-5 Victory,,,
which is a good thing. I’ve been delinquent with my game analysis because I’m suffering from debilitating back pain. It makes it very hard for me to sit behind my computer for more than a few minutes at a time. In fact, I had a major ordeal just getting back home so I can see a doctor..
That being said, I have been able to listen to the games on my iPhone, my third favorite gadget behind my iPad and satellites radio, and JV is starting to piss me off. He gave up five runs today and from what I can tell the majority of the runs came off of hanging breaking balls. If he can’t throw that pitch decently, perhaps he needs to scrap it or throw it less; MUCH LESS.
On another note, JV’s real trouble started with two out in the fifth. With David Lough at first it looked, and sounded like, Verlander struck out Machado and the inning should have been over. Unfortunately, home plate umpire, John Tumpane, decided to change the strike zone. JV walked Machado on what had been a strike all day long, and before we knew it, the O’s had put five on the board.
OK, I’m in a pissy mood but if a pitch is getting hammered why keep throwing it? Is it just hubris? It didn’t cost the Tigers today but JV better get his head out of his ass before it becomes costly.
Like I said, I’m in pain and in a mood but I’m happy for the win!
“God I love baseball.” Roy Hobbs | The Natural
Alfonso Soriano Flashin Leather!
This is sort of rare, Alfonso Soriano flashes some leather and robs Manny Machado of a home run.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
Hakuna Machado
This is a pretty cool video I found on MLB.
Manny Machado Flashin Leather!
http://mlbfancave.mlb.com/fancave/video.jsp?content_id=30344745&topic_id=17160334&fbid=DmU5PDfEkp_
“God I love baseball.” -Roy Hobbs | The Natural
Manny Machado and Chris Davis…
Flashin Leather against the Yankees.
“God I love baseball.” -Roy Hobbs | The Natural
Fister, Tigers Keep Rolling! Win 6th Straight At Home!
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
AL Wins ASG 3-0. Home Field for Tigers?
The American League will have home field advantage in the 2013 World Series courtesy of their 3-0 win in the All Star Game.
The game was dominated by pitching. Max Scherzer pitched the first inning and shut the National League down 1-2-3, striking out Cincinnati’s Joey Votto to end the first.
The AL pitchers shut out the NL only allowing three hits.
Miggy scored the game’s first run when he led off the top of the 4th with a double and scored on Jose Bautista’s sacrifice fly.
Notes:
- Leyland had Mariano Rivera pitch the bottom of the 8th to make sure he got into the game. The thinking was that if another pitcher came in a gave up the lead, and the AL failed to tie it or go ahead in the top of the 9th, Rivera would not be able to pitch the bottom of the 9th.
- Prince Fielder legged out a lead off triple in the top of the 9th but failed to score even though Nelson Cruz followed him with a ground out to second base. It didn’t appear that the infield was playing in so I can’t figure out why Fielder didn’t attempt to score.
- Jhonny Peralta singled in his only at bat in the 8th
- Chicago White Sox’s pitcher, who could be the best pitcher in the American League, pitched the 2nd and 3rd and got the win.
- Yankee’s reliever Mariano Rivera was name the ASG MVP.
- Miguel Cabrera batted three times, was 1-3, and was replaced by Manny Machado in the bottom of the 6th.
Hopefully the Tigers can parlay this win and take advantage of home field in the World Series. It would be the first Tigers championship in 29 years.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
Orioles Chase JV after 5
Justin Verlander lasted only five innings tonight and gave up five earned runs as the Orioles evened the series beating the Tigers 5-2.
The bullpen came in and shut down the Orioles and gave the Tigers a chance to come back, and they had their chances, but couldn’t come up with a clutch hit.
After starting the game 2 for 2 Cabrera came up with two on and two out in the bottom of the 5th and grounded out.
In the bottom of the 7th the Tigers got a break. After three consecutive hits from Infante, Pena, and Jackson cut the O’s lead to 5-2, Torii Hunter hit a ground ball to third baseman Manny Machado. Machado appeared to tag Pena then threw to second to double up Jackson. However, the umpire called Pena safe at third, I’m not sure why, but that break brought Cabrera up with runners on first and third and only one out. Cabrera then fouled out to first baseman Chris Davis and Fielder followed with a pop out to Machado.
The Tigers had another chance in the bottom of the 9th. With one out, Jackson walked and Hunter singled. Cabrera stepped to the plate and grounded into a game ending double play.
Today’s game was a reversal of a normal Tiger game. JV had a terrible start, the offense got no clutch hits and had few good at bats but the bullpen was solid pitching 4 scoreless innings.
I’m not sure what is wrong with JV but he needs to make some adjustments and fast. It doesn’t seem like anybody fears him anymore. His ERA is up to 3.72 which isn’t bad for a normal pitcher but horrible for JV.
Victor Martinez continues to struggle at the plate. He is something like 5 for his last 33. His average is down to .228 and he’s hit with little power.
I was willing to give Martinez some time to get his stroke back but this is nearing the end of June.
From what I see, the Tigers might have more to worry about then their closer. They need more production from Martinez and JV needs to get his act together.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
Flashin' Leather 