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RandyTiger · 06-13-2013, 12:26 AM

Royals 3, Tigers 2 (11). [Boxscore]

Summary: JV's gem wasted as Valverde blows yet another game.

Pitching: Verlander was at his best tonight, performing like the All-Star he is: 7 innings, 3 hits, 2 walks, and 8 K's. Unfortunately, he didn't get the win he worked so hard for.

Smyly took over in the 8th and did a fine job, giving up a single, which came to naught. He started out the 9th, allowing the first batter he faced to get on base, and Skipper gave him the hook. His final line? 1 IP, 2 H (1 run was credited against him, thanks to the... [impolite term censored] that followed him.) and nothing else. He's at 2-0, 2.11 ERA, 1.07 WHIP; 1 save (BS: 1), 7 Holds, 39 K's in 39.1 IP.

Then disaster struck. Valverde came in with Hosmer on first, and once again, I had an uneasy feeling.

The pitcher just happened to be a guy who had given up 5 HR in his last 5.1 IP. Nothing could possibly go wrong, right?

Right?

Heh.

Valverde started out okay, getting the next guy out on an awkward-looking flyball catch by Hunter in RF. Torii must have had problems with the sun and wind. Then, as Valverde struck out Butler, Hosmer stole second on him.

Cain, the next batter, promptly sent a hanging slider 414-feet over the left-center wall to tie up the game. The next batter reached base on a throwing error by Miggy, and Skipper finally yanked him. Third blown save for the... [insert an extremely impolite term of your choice here].

Coke came on and got the last out of the inning, and then tossed the 10th, proving no better than Valverde, allowing 2 hits and the winning run with 2 outs. He's now 0-4, 5.49, 1.22 WHIP; 1 save (BS: 2), 2 Holds; 18K's in 19.1 IP.

Valverde and Coke both must go. Unfortunately, the Tigers are out of options where they're concerned. If they get rid of them, who's gonna replace them? Rondon is not quite ready (he still has his bouts of wildness, but the Tigers may have no choice), and Villarreal and Alburquerque still can't find the plate at Toledo. There's very little in the cupboard at this point. Best they can do is get Benoit to close, but then that leaves a set-up man hole.

Offense: I gotta admit, Shields is a very good pitcher, but it seems every pitcher the Cats go up against performs like a blasted All-Star. They got 7 hits and 4 walks, producing 2 runs, which should have been enough to get JV the win tonight. Unfortunately...

There were no real "stars" tonight, but let's note the best hitters anyway. Fielder went 2-4 with a RBI (.286, 12 HR, 52 RBI), and Pena went 2-4 with a double (4) and RBI. (.299, 2 HR, 12 RBI).

Garcia collected a lead-off double (3) to start off the game (.288, 2 HR, 10 RBI), and Tuiasosopo collected a 2-bagger as well (6) (.349, 2 HR, 14 RBI).

RISP: 2-11; LOB: 8.

Dombrowski is gonna have to part with someone valuable to get some relief pitching, no two ways about it, because this team is not going to the playoffs with a bullpen that cannot get the job done. Never mind the offensive woes at this point; there's nothing fundamentally wrong with that aspect except for Martinez and Avila.

They just need Jackson back and getting on base, and either move Martinez someplace lower in the order where he can't hurt the team as much or release him. You would think after 60+ games, he would have found his stroke again. He hasn't. I don't think he can hack it anymore, and it's time to do something about him.

Next game: Friday, Tigers (36-28, 14-18 away) @ Twins (29-33, 15-14 home.)

Projected starters: Porcello (3-3, 4.86) vs. Diamond (4-5, 5.19).

06-13-2013, 12:26 AM	#318
RandyTiger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,510	Royals 3, Tigers 2 (11). [Boxscore] Summary: JV's gem wasted as Valverde blows yet another game. Pitching: Verlander was at his best tonight, performing like the All-Star he is: 7 innings, 3 hits, 2 walks, and 8 K's. Unfortunately, he didn't get the win he worked so hard for. Smyly took over in the 8th and did a fine job, giving up a single, which came to naught. He started out the 9th, allowing the first batter he faced to get on base, and Skipper gave him the hook. His final line? 1 IP, 2 H (1 run was credited against him, thanks to the... [impolite term censored] that followed him.) and nothing else. He's at 2-0, 2.11 ERA, 1.07 WHIP; 1 save (BS: 1), 7 Holds, 39 K's in 39.1 IP. Then disaster struck. Valverde came in with Hosmer on first, and once again, I had an uneasy feeling. The pitcher just happened to be a guy who had given up 5 HR in his last 5.1 IP. Nothing could possibly go wrong, right? Right? Heh. Valverde started out okay, getting the next guy out on an awkward-looking flyball catch by Hunter in RF. Torii must have had problems with the sun and wind. Then, as Valverde struck out Butler, Hosmer stole second on him. Cain, the next batter, promptly sent a hanging slider 414-feet over the left-center wall to tie up the game. The next batter reached base on a throwing error by Miggy, and Skipper finally yanked him. Third blown save for the... [insert an extremely impolite term of your choice here]. Coke came on and got the last out of the inning, and then tossed the 10th, proving no better than Valverde, allowing 2 hits and the winning run with 2 outs. He's now 0-4, 5.49, 1.22 WHIP; 1 save (BS: 2), 2 Holds; 18K's in 19.1 IP. Valverde and Coke both must go. Unfortunately, the Tigers are out of options where they're concerned. If they get rid of them, who's gonna replace them? Rondon is not quite ready (he still has his bouts of wildness, but the Tigers may have no choice), and Villarreal and Alburquerque still can't find the plate at Toledo. There's very little in the cupboard at this point. Best they can do is get Benoit to close, but then that leaves a set-up man hole. Offense: I gotta admit, Shields is a very good pitcher, but it seems every pitcher the Cats go up against performs like a blasted All-Star. They got 7 hits and 4 walks, producing 2 runs, which should have been enough to get JV the win tonight. Unfortunately... There were no real "stars" tonight, but let's note the best hitters anyway. Fielder went 2-4 with a RBI (.286, 12 HR, 52 RBI), and Pena went 2-4 with a double (4) and RBI. (.299, 2 HR, 12 RBI). Garcia collected a lead-off double (3) to start off the game (.288, 2 HR, 10 RBI), and Tuiasosopo collected a 2-bagger as well (6) (.349, 2 HR, 14 RBI). RISP: 2-11; LOB: 8. Dombrowski is gonna have to part with someone valuable to get some relief pitching, no two ways about it, because this team is not going to the playoffs with a bullpen that cannot get the job done. Never mind the offensive woes at this point; there's nothing fundamentally wrong with that aspect except for Martinez and Avila. They just need Jackson back and getting on base, and either move Martinez someplace lower in the order where he can't hurt the team as much or release him. You would think after 60+ games, he would have found his stroke again. He hasn't. I don't think he can hack it anymore, and it's time to do something about him. Next game: Friday, Tigers (36-28, 14-18 away) @ Twins (29-33, 15-14 home.) Projected starters: Porcello (3-3, 4.86) vs. Diamond (4-5, 5.19). Last edited by RandyTiger; 06-13-2013 at 12:32 AM.