Detroit Tigers 2013 Season

[CONN CHRIS]

Another good one. If they can be this fun to watch, even in defeat, it's going to be a special season!

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 10, Indians 4. [Boxscore]

Summary: Tigers strike often and hard to power past the Tribe.

Pitching: Max Scherzer threw a solid game, going 8 innings and giving up 4 runs on just 5 hits and collecting 7 more notches on his glove. He improves to 5-0, 3.61.

Benoit finished off the game, giving up 1 hit and collecting a K.

Offense: The bats were mighty tonight as the Cats tagged the Tribe with 3 HR and 5 doubles amongst their 15 hits and 3 walks. Every single starter collected at least a hit!

HR: Fielder (9), massive solo shot to right center in the 3rd. Cabrera (7), 3-run boomer to deep left in the 4th. Dirks (3), solo tater to right in the 7th, landing on the Belle Tire canvas sign.

Doubles: Peralta 2 (8), Avila (2), Infante 2 (5) Cabrera (9).

Dirks swiped his 4th SB as well.

These boys really beat up the Indians. I guess that shows just how good the Nationals pitching is if they could limit the Tigers the way they did.

Next game: Saturday, Indians @ Tigers, 7:08 Eastern. TV: FS-D, MLBN. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Expected starters: Jimenez (2-2, 6.37) vs. Justin the Great (4-2, 1.55).

[CONN CHRIS]

460 feet
0.08 miles

[oman19]

You know one of these days we're all going to have to go catch a game together lol.

[RandyTiger]

Indians 7, Tigers 6. [Boxscore]

Summary: Pitching woes put Cats in the hole early, but a comeback almost succeeds.

Pitching: Verlander struggled in this one, throwing 110 pitches in just 5 innings. He gave up 4 runs on 6 hits and 5 walks (unusual for him), while whiffing 7. He took the loss, and now stands at 4-3, 1.93.

The bullpen wasn't any better. Smyly gave up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk in just 1.2 innings of work, and Alburquerque was so wild I'm surprised he could find his way back to the bench: 1 inning of work, 3 hits, 2 walks, 1 run. How he got out of the jams he threw himself into is beyond me.

At least Downs was perfect, going 1.1 innings with a K. He's a jewel this season, that one.

Offense: They put up decent numbers (7 hits, 4 walks, 6 runs), but in the end, a rally fell short. Still, there were some bright spots:

HR: Peralta launched his 3rd homer of the year, a 403-foot tater to left-center to lead off the third. It just barely cleared the fence, but hey, a homer is a homer, right?

Some other power existed outside of that homer: Martinez (7) and Fielder (8) both had doubles, and Infante had a 2-run nifty triple (2).

Other than that, not a whole lot happened. Infante had 2 hits for the game, most of any Tiger.

Next game: Sunday, Indians @ Tigers, 1:08 Eastern. TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1. Projected starters: McAllister (3-3, 2.63) vs Porcello (1-2, 7.52).

[RandyTiger]

Dunno how I missed this move yesterday, but here it is:

LHP Phil Coke activated from 15-Day DL.
RHP Luke Putkonen optioned to Toledo.

Roster section updated.

[RandyTiger]

Indians 4, Tigers 3. (10) [Boxscore]

Summary: Offense struggles as Cats fall in extra innings.

Pitching: Porcello provided a strong 6 innings, surrendering 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks while notching 7 strikeouts.

Ortega started off the 7th, but got himself into a jam with a single and walk, so Skipper sent Coke in.

The southpaw promptly induced a double play, ending that threat, and then tacked on an additional perfect inning. Nice way to come back off the DL, Cokie!

Benoit pitched the 8th, garnering 3 K's and giving up a walk.

And in the 9th, Valverde channeled Todd "Gas Can" Jones as he earned his first blown save of the season (3-4 in save opps) by giving up 2 walks and a hit. He was all over the blasted map!

Downs threw the 10th, and like Valverde, he was all over the map: 2 hits, a walk, and run, saddling him with his first loss of the season. (0-1, 2.55)

Offense: The Cats had their problems today, but not in the hit/walk column: 9/4. Their big bugaboo was the usual one that has plagued them all season long: RISP, 2-8, leaving 9 on base.

A bright spot was Brayan Pena, who hit a 2-run HR to RF in the 2nd for his second HR of the year. Infante added a SF in the 4th to score Peralta for the winning run.

Next game: Monday, Astros @ Tigers, 7:08 Eastern. TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket. Projected starters: Norris (4-3, 3.40) vs Sanchez (3-3, 1.97)

[CONN CHRIS]

Haven't dropped the lead, not getting blown out, some things are still working every day at the park just not on all cylinders.

Good things to come!

[RandyTiger]

Roster move:

OF Austin Jackson to 15-day DL (pulled right hamstring), retroactive to 5/12.
OF Avisail Garcia recalled from Toledo. [Source: Detroit Tigers Twitter feed.]

Roster in first post updated.

Edit: Update on Octavio Dotel: He visited Dr. James Andrews, an orthopedic surgeon in Birmingham, Alabama, (who came up with the so-called 'Tommy John' surgery) for an evaluation. Andrews determined there is no structural damage and prescribed medication and more rest, and Dotel will be re-evaluated in a few days. [Source: Rod Beard, Detroit News.]

[CONN CHRIS]

Praise the Lord for the Houston Astros.

Actualy starting to feel sorry for those fans.

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 7, Astros 2. [Boxscore]

Summary: Pitching and Homers too much for the Astros.

Pitching: Anibal Sanchez did it again, logging another win as he overpowered the Astros with another solid performance, going 7 and giving up 6 hits and a walk. He whiffed 8 batters, bringing his total to 66, 2nd in the AL behind Yu Darvish. I'd say the guy's earning every cent of his contract! His record stands at 4-3, 2.05.

Ortega filled out the final two innings, allowing just one hit.

Offense: Can anyone say bombs from unexpected places? On a night the Big Boys were quiet, others picked up the slack. Martinez (2) unloaded a 376-foot, 2-run HR in the 4th to RF.

Not to be outdone, Dirks blasted a 406-foot grand-slam into the deep right-field seats for his 4th dinger of the year. He had an exceptionally good game in that first slot, going 3-4 with a double (2) as well in the first. Player of the game, dudes.

Hunter (11) unloaded a follow-up double to Dirks in the first, scoring him, and Fielder (9) slugged one as well in the 4th, setting things up for Martinez.

Just a terrific game, all in all.

Next game: Astros (10-29) @ Tigers (21-15), 7:08 Eastern. TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket. Projected starters: Harrell (3-3, 4.67) vs Fister (4-1, 3.14).

[RandyTiger]

Former Tiger news: Brennan Boesch just can't catch a break, it seems.

Despite his $1.5 million/1 year contract, he's been demoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Yankees AAA affiliate) in exchange for P Brett Marshall to help out their 'pen. [Source: MLB news.]

In 20 games, he's hit .209, 2 HR, 5 RBI, and an OPS of .663.

Edit: While I was at it, I looked up Brandon Inge to see how he was doing at Pittsburgh.

In 16 games (44 AB), he's hitting .273, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 11 whiffs. 0 SB. OPS stands at .623. He's split time between 1B, 2B, 3B, OF.

[CONN CHRIS]

Boesch always looks like a guy that is on the verge of becoming a very nice player.

He'll look fabulous in Scranton and be back up soon with that same look about him.

Good luck NY.

[RandyTiger]

I think he's destined to bounce between the minors and majors for the rest of his career, unless he fixes that swing of his. I keep saying I think it's too long, which makes him very vulnerable.

Part of the problem, from what I can remember of seeing him in Detroit, was that he was always aiming for the fences. If he would learn to cut down on his swing a little and just aim to get on base, he'd be considerably more successful. He's got some native power, but he's not going to be in the same league as the big boomers. Best he learn that.

Then again, what do I know? I'm not a hitting instructor, just a guy who has seen hundreds of players bat and has a fair idea of what works and what doesn't.

[RandyTiger]

Tigers 6, Astros 2. [Boxscore]

Summary: Same old formula: solid pitching and hitting lead Tigers to win.

Pitching: Fister threw a solid game once again, going 7 full innings, yielding 2 runs on just 5 hits, punching out 7 Astros. He was credited with the win, improving his record to 5-1, 3.06.

Benoit took over in the 8th, pitching a perfect inning, whiffing 2 batters.

Valverde tossed a perfect 9th, striking out the last 2 he faced.

Offense: The bats were very quiet until the 5th and 6th, when the Cats exploded for 5 runs on 6 hits (3 doubles), a walk, and a wild pitch, followed in the 7th by a solo blast from Miggy (8th homer and 41st RBI) into the deep left-field seats. And then a little drama happened - Fielder got hit in the right forearm.

The home plate ump was quickly out, interposing himself between Prince and everyone else. For the longest time, Prince would not let go of his bat, and it was abundantly clear he wasn't happy about getting plunked. For a few moments there, I thought we'd see an angry big guy with a lethal weapon in his hands charging the mound, something no pitcher in his right mind wants to see. Fortunately, he kept his cool.

The Tigers had 10 hits and 4 walks, about par for the course this year. Slugging for doubles were:

Santiago (getting a rare start in place of Peralta) (2).
Miggy (10), 2-3 hitting as well.
Dirks (3). He just keeps staying hot, which is good - his average is up to .257 now.

Infante stole his 2nd base of the season uncontested, and he went 2-3 (.320 BA).

Next game: Wednesday, Astros (10-30, 4-14 away) @ Tigers (22-15, 13-6 home), 1:08 Eastern. TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Probable starters: Keuchel (0-1, 4.43) vs Scherzer (5-0, 3.61).

[CONN CHRIS]

Phil Coke : Just what the Astros needed!

[RandyTiger]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Phil Coke : Just what the Astros needed!

I was so hoping for a win as a birthday present.

Game summary to follow in a few.

[RandyTiger]

Astros 7, Tigers 5. [Boxscore]

Summary: Pitching ineffective in loss.

Pitching: Well, Scherzer was bound to have an off-day sooner or later, and today just happened to be the day. While going 7, he gave up 5 hits (2 HR) and 3 walks resulting in 5 runs against 7 punchouts.

The bullpen... well, chalk it up to another "Gas Can" (in honor of Todd Jones) day collectively. Smyly threw just 2/3 of an inning, and while he struck out 2 batters, he gave up 2 hits. Fortunately for him, Alburquerque came in and put out that fire with a strikeout.

Then things got a little heated in the next inning when Al walked the only batter he faced. Coke replaced him... and promptly gave up a run-scoring double that cost them the game. The Astros scored another run off him a few batters later with a SacFly.

Alburquerque took the official loss, but it was really Coke's to lose.

Offense: The home boys got 8 hits and 5 walks, but it just wasn't enough as the Tigers couldn't take advantage of the opportunities they had. Bless them, they tried, but... ah, well. The only extra-base hit they had was Garcia's.

And speaking of Garcia, the extra-base hit he had washis first-ever MLB homer, a 474-foot blast to left! Way to go, kid!

Next game: Thursday, Tigers (22-16, 9-9 away) @ Rangers (25-14, 11-4 home (today's game not counted)), 8:05 Eastern. TV: FS-D, MLBN. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Projected starters: WHOO! Prime match-up! Verlander (4-3, 1.93) vs. Darvish (6-1, 2.73). While this is definitely a series to watch, this match-up is gonna be interesting!

[RandyTiger]

Roster move:

RHP Al Alburquerque optioned to Toledo. He was 0-1, 3.14, and he's struggled with his control in recent weeks.

RHP Evan Reed recalled from Toledo. Reed was claimed off waivers from Miami back on April 3rd. He's 28, and his stats with Toledo:

0-1, 3.00 ERA. WHIP: 1.19.
14 Appearances, 21 innings, 28 K, 7 BB.

He has never appeared in the majors.

Roster section of first post updated.

[CONN CHRIS]

That is an impressive team down there in Texas.