Verlander's changeup
What stood out to me today -- aside from Rabelo's career day -- was the way Verlander used his 99 mph fastball to set up his changeup. It's not a new pitch, obviously, but he feels like he's getting more out of it over his last few starts as his velocity builds on his fastball. He used it often early on once he got ahead with his fastball, only to have guys sitting on the fastball later in the game.
"It's coming along for me," Verlander said. "I feel like it's becoming a pretty good out pitch for me when I need it."
All nine hits he allowed were singles. He's the first Tigers pitcher to allow nine or more singles with no extra-base hits since Mark Redman tossed a complete-game victory over the Indians on May 21, 2002, according to Baseball-Reference.com. Only one other Tigers pitcher in the last 50 years did it while pitching less than six innings -- Don Mossi on Aug. 28, 1960.
By the way, for those wondering who got Rabelo with the shaving cream pie after the game, it was supposedly Kenny Rogers.
It set up his change up VERY well...I thought the batters were going to hurt themselves they were swinging so hard at the 70-80 mph pitch.
Good to see Rabelo come into it, hope it continues. I took my daughter to the game and she was suprised how no one clapped for him on his first at bat, then were going wild for him at his 3rd.
Anyone know what the discussion was about at third base with Leyland and the 3rd base umpire?
Good game to end the home stand on...they have a hard road trip this week with Minnesota and Boston.
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According to Mario and Rod, there had been a possible obstruction by the runner on third as Inge went after that foul pop from Ichiro. If that's the case, it came at a rather crucial situation in the game, as it gave Ichiro new life.
My guess, and this is only a guess, is Leyland wanted that call since it's been getting called against him. An obstruction call got both he and Ledezma ejected a week ago Sunday. And let's not forget that play in the World Series when Scott Rolen barreled into Inge.
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I think the difference in those two plays is that while the runner is entitled to the base line, even if the third baseman is going for the ball, Ledezma got in the way of the runner. So it works one way, but not the other.
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