So long, Cleveland
One thing that could get lost this series is the play of Omar Infante and Neifi Perez, who contributed in different ways. Neifi didn't hit well but displayed a better-than-expected glove except for an error on a ball he didn't play right. Not star quality, but pretty solid play. Infante, meanwhile, went 6-for-22 at the plate and was solid in the field. Beyond his athleticism, he showed good decision-making on some balls in which he had to make a quick choice on whether to go for the lead out at second.
It's a good example why the Tigers carry two utility infielders in the American League, where pinch-hitting and double-switching are limited. Otherwise, either Brandon Inge or Carlos Guillen would've had to go on the disabled list, or someone else would've had to go down to make room for a promotion from the minors, or Pudge might've gotten another game in the infield. OK, maybe not Pudge.
On a side note, congratulations to Alan Trammell on his Cubs drubbing the Braves in his first game as a manager since the Tigers fired him. Trammell was at the helm for Chicago with Lou Piniella under suspension, and the Cubs ended their six-game losing streak. The Tigers were packing up after Sunday's game while Trammell's postgame press conference was showing on WGN in the visiting clubhouse, and at least a few players were watching intently. Good for him, though I don't believe this goes on his managerial record.
On another side note, the atmosphere in Cleveland this weekend might've been the best I've seen for a series involving the Tigers since I started covering this team in 2002. Having Detroit and Cleveland clashing in two different sports made for a buzz in this city, and not just with Clevelanders. The number of Detroit area fans who made the trip was impressive, and it helped just about fill the downtown hotels. Fans were in restaurants Saturday afternoon cheering and jeering people walking by depending on whose jersey they were wearing.
I don't think the play of Infante and Perez is getting lost. I know I certainly took notice of what they contributed this weekend, and I hope others did too. The thing is, there were so many good performances that they can't all be listed, and my posts are too long as it is. So I'll just say that all of the hitters excelled and the defense was likewise excellent. We had one unfortunate blown save, a poor performance by a pitcher that's been released, and that's about it for the negatives. They once again proved their resiliency which is what will keep them in this race. And it was good to see Leyland trust his bullpen the last two days, even if it was out of necessity. They didn't let him down.
On Saturday, I found myself wishing I was in Cleveland. I got to attend a game at the Jake last year and it's a great little ballpark with real nice people. And I loved that story about Casey high fiving people out in that celebratory mob. Classic Mayor.
Perhaps Tram should be managing the Cubs instead of crazy Lou.
Regarding anyone wanting to pretty much dismantle this club through assorted transactions, I couldn't disagree more. Why on earth would you dismantle something that works? Baseball is a game of patience. Be patient. These guys can play.
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Just for fun and discussion on an off day, what does everyone think about Nate Robertson as a possible closer? Mental toughness, scrappy, can pitch to both left and right hand hitters, has escapability. Pull the old John Smoltz trick.
Andrew Miller will have to replace someone (although that might be Rogers in the end) so are there any other pitchers in the organization, besides Zumaya, obviously, that you see as closer material?
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It's Miller Time!
"The SeaWolves waited out a 38 minute rain delay on Sunday in Binghamton but that didn’t stop them from taking the series behind a strong outing out of Andrew Miller en route to a 6-0 shutout win.
Miller (2-0) went 7.2 innings for the ‘Wolves in picking up his second win of the season. He shut out the B-Mets allowing seven hits. Miller walked one and equaled a season-high with seven punchouts. He lowered his ERA down to 0.59."
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any chance of miller coming up for long relief roles?
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Miller will be up in September, but not until then. He will not be used anytime sooner for relief, period. No long relief in June, July, or August. A call up spot start, maybe. But we have to wait to see him until around labor day.
I could see Nate as a closer, but I don't think that is an option to consider since he gives the team a chance to win everytime out. Miller will take either Rogers/Durbins/Martoh spot.
DD will go after a power arm that he loves either at the trade-deadline or in the offseason over the dink and dank of Maroth and Durbin. Teams have been crushing them lately and thanks to the offense they have won those games. I shutter and close my eyes when Maroth hangs a pitch. Hey sounds like Jones! If Dd signs a starter in the offseason Nate would atleast be gritty like always, closing games.
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Hoot, I must agree with you. Miller won't be up until September except for a spot start. Maroth is way too hittable. This may be his last year in Detroit. They seem to like him because he is different than the others. I agree, he is different. The other teams want to face him because they know they can hit him all day. Miller will probably replace Rogers/Durbin/Maroth next year. Rogers may retire but only time will tell there. Durbin has been much improved lately over his first few starts this year. The last one Cleveland hit him hard early but he hung tough and kept us in the game. Maroth is way too hittable.
Nate as a closer is an interesting thought but I like him in the rotation. But yes, he could probably close. He has that toughness.
I guess another question is, when Rogers comes back this year, do you take Maroth or Durbin out of the rotation? My guess is that it will be Durbin and back to the bullpen since he is out of options.
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I thought the turning point in tonight's Tigers comeback attempt came when Sheffield popped out on that 3-0 pitch. Inge has homered to draw the team within two, Infante singles, Polanco is hit by a pitch and the guy goes 3-0 on Sheff. There are none out and Ordonez and Guillen are up next. I see no reason in the world why you'd swing 3-0 there. That's just bad baseball, in my opinion.
The question of who Rogers would replace in the rotation came up. Well...Nate.....uh......
Good work by Grilli and Miner, and Byrdak got out of it without his best stuff. Rodney was his usual self.
With interleague coming up for the next 42 weeks, or so it seems, the standings may just remain status quo into July.
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The lefty starters have been bad now for over a month. The Professor will be a welcome addition and I would suspect he will replace either Nate or Maroth, depending on who is pitching worse.
Nate seems to have been taken over by an alien force. He is not the same guy who at times looked like he had Mickey Lolich comparisons written all over him. Hopefully, he can turn it around because it would be nice to have have at least 1 halfway hard throwing southpaw starting every 5 games. I think Martoth is gonna be a frustration because he just gives up too many hits. The times where he keeps the batters leaning and guessing are too few and far between--but he can do it.
Guillen had a rough night leaving lots of guys stranded and Polanco and Sheffield both came up short with the bags loaded in the 2nd. Yeah I know that Sheff walked in a run but a gapper would have have been a bit better. The 2,3,4,5 and 6 guys in the order left 19 guys on base. Hard to score like that.
Grilli is is throwing well and Miner and Byrdak have been pretty darn good too.
Kudos to Infante for coming in and doing the job wherever and whenever he is asked. That's got to be one of the toughest things to do in the bigs IMO.
Anybody here like how Gagne is looking? Not a bad acquistion for the Rangers. I was hoping the Tigers were gutsy enough to consider him during the off season. He may never be able to throw like he used to but he can still bring it and do the job.
Let's hope Verlander brings his "A" game tomorrow.
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I feel like a broken record these days when it comes to my Tigers. If the bull pen is pitching then the the starters aren't doing well, and if thats not off then it is the lack of timely hitting.
Robertson, frankly he has to me always been a rock of stability, always pitched well, just didn't the run support for the win, but you could always count on him for the effort. He is now just frankly worrying me, I cann't even be disappointed with him.
What disappointed me yesterday was the run production, oh my god leaving so many men in scoring position with one out or less. What is up with that. They frankly are so inconsistent right now, you just never know what is going to blow up in your face. They are certianly not playing like a top team right now. Losing to the worst team in baseball, and last week two games to another bottom of the barrel team
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Interesting that you mention Lolich. If you recall, he suffered horrendous slumps in both 1967 and 1968, eventually being sent to the bullpen. He came back strong in the latter half of both seasons.
It appears the bullpen may have been either intentionally or unintentionally challeged last Friday night. JL showed no trust in them, instead sending Jones out there for both the eighth and ninth. Then the guys had to sit out there and watch their buddy, their leader, go down in a figurative hail of bullets. I would blame myself if I was one of them.
Production and hitting is always going to be an up and down thing. That's why no team ever hits their way into the World Series. It's always pitching and defense, even on teams known for their offense.
I really thought Inge shouldn't have been playing last night. He toughed it out as usual, but Infante has shown he can cover the position and Granderson has shown that he can hit lefties. Brandon, give it a day, buddy.
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Nate is on the DL!!!!:
"-- Tigers left-hander Nate Robertson was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, one day after failing to get a single out in a 7-4 loss to the Rangers.
Manager Jim Leyland said Robertson has a tired arm and Andrew Miller will be recalled from Double-A Erie. Miller will start Sunday against the Mets at Comerica Park.
Robertson, who faced six batters and gave up six runs before begin pulled in the first inning Tuesday, was not available for comment.
Sunday will be Miller's second start this season for the Tigers. He defeated the Cardinals on May 18, giving up four hits and no runs in six innings of a 14-4 victory while filling in for Mike Maroth. Miller is 2-0 with a 0.59 ERA for Erie this season.
"
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Brings a new ramifications to "Tired Arm Syndrome". Used to take a guy out of rotation for that. I guess it depends how PO'd the manager is.
Who would have thought we would have only 40% of last year's starting staff at this stage of 2007?
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Speaking of southpaws down on the farm--has anyone been taking notice of what Vic Darensbourg is doing?
He is already helping the big club by providing major incentive to Bobby Seay and Byrdak to work hard. Darensbourg has a infinitesimal ERA and has 20 strikeouts in 24 innings, he has given up 16 hits and 7 walks but only ONE of those guys have scored all season long!!
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Wasn't Kenny Rogers' blood clot first called tired arm? That's really not much of a term.
Anyway, it's obvious something is wrong with him. It's funny that Miller's second start will be against another NL club. He's facing last year's NLCS opponents.
All I know about Darensourg is that he needs either a smaller cap or a bigger head. :-)
I hope Grandy enjoyed those coasters at Six Flags on Monday. I'd like to compare notes with him.
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Anyone have any idea what the Tigers record is on Games where Curtis has not started in CF?
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I believe you're right that Roger's blood clot was first called a tired arm. I don't think in this case they have the same meaning unless getting shelled means "tired arm" I doubt Robertson has any minor league options anymore, so the DL was the only place to go for him to work out whatever is bothering him physically or mentally. I guess shaving the beard wasn't the only answer. I also think that the Tigers wanted to get another look at Miller as a starter since he pitched well last time and has pitched very well at Erie.
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Miner down now too! Geez. I am surprised they are handing Barzado a shot--kind of expected Colon would be the guy and it is nice to see Lopez here again. He has been a stalwart in Toledo.
Good that Inge is hitting in spite of his injury--Hessman is powering the ball in AAA and has only made a handful of errors at 3B all year.
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The Mets are coming up and this will be a test of how well our hitters will do the rest of the year. They are a very good pitching staff, the starters are strong but the bullpen is almost magnificent. I think the key is clearly getting to the starters early, show no mercy and if necessary plays some small ball to push runners along. Get into their pen early.
Their hitting is off a bit as far as power goes, though they tend to be able to get their rabbits on base often. The "throw a lefty against them" philosophy of last year doesn't seem to apply so much this year. Only Chavez and Delgado are to be worried about from the left side of the plate. Reyes and Beltran actually hit southpaws pretty well. It will be a tough assignment for Andrew this weekend. They are going to be a real test for us.
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Rick Porcello (worth reading):
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/highschool/06/06/top.20/
and;
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/05-31-2007/0004598865&EDATE=
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Yes, the Mets will be tough. It will also be interesting to visit the NL cities where there's no DH. That changes the lineup drastically, no matter how you put it together.
Looks like Colon has walked 7 in 7 innings, so that doesn't help his chances at this time. He probably does need a little more work down there. Your man Darensbourg is doing a bang up job, but unfortunately for him, he's yet another lefthander.
You know....if Miller comes up here and is again shutting down opposing lineups, it creates somewhat of a preee-dicament. I don't think the organization wants to rush him, but if he's head and shoulders above your current starters........well.........
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There are some pretty good names on that Gatorade winners list, if you call A-Rod and Sheffield pretty good names. Then you've also got Drew Henson on there, which proves nothing is guaranteed. High schooler, then. It will take awhile for this one.
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