VANCE!

The Tigers batting line tonight: 26 AB, 4 H, 2 R, 12 K, 1 BB
The Tigers against Johan Santana this season: 58 AB, 9 H, 4 R, 23 K, 2 BB

It was another game in which Johan Santana seemed unhittable for the Tigers lineup, as going into the bottom of the 8th the score was knotted at 0-0.  After a Chris Shelton walk that was sandwiched in between 2 strikeouts, backup catcher Vance Wilson walked up to the plate.  He then proceeded to homer to deep left, his first homerun of the season, giving the Tigers a 2-0 win over the Twins.  This extended the current Tigers win streak to 6...just another long win streak that we have become used to seeing in this somewhat special season.

I must say that I feel sorry that Johan Santana had to lose a game like that after pitching so well, but of course I can't deny the happiness of seeing a guy like Vance Wilson as the hero.  That and the fact that Justin Verlander was spectacular this evening, giving up only 6 hits over 8 innings and keeping the Twins blank on the scoreboard.  Verlander is now 5-3 with a 3.17 ERA, great numbers for a young guy in the major leagues.

Todd Jones picked up his 11th save of the season,  converting 5 of his last 5.  He did walk a batter and give up a basehit, but in the end the Tigers were victorious.

This was a great pitchers duel and I hope the Tigers can find ways to win these types of games everytime.