Game 13: Twins (6-6) at Tigers (2-10)
by Ian Casselberry
on Apr 14, 2008 6:47 PM EDT
in News
Minnesota @ Detroit
Nick Blackburn (0-1, 2.25) vs. 
Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 3.97)
We'll find out soon enough whether Jim Leyland's clubhouse rampage (I'm sure he would love seeing it described that way) kick-started some urgency into these Detroit Tigers. They're only back home for a quickie two-game series, but taking two from the Minnesota Twins here would make up some ground in the AL Central.
And what better way to begin a series than by putting your winningest starting pitcher on the mound? Never mind that Jeremy Bonderman is the only Detroit starter with a win. Then there's the whole problem with the Tigers having just two wins for the season. Semantics!
Nick Blackburn has only allowed three runs over the 12 innings he's pitched so far. He's given up 12 hits in those two starts, but has also struck out 11 batters. When Blackburn faced the Tigers in Detroit last September, however, they smacked him around for six runs and seven hits in just two innings.
So much for Carlos Guillen sitting out a few games for that strained hamstring. He's back in the lineup tonight at first base. Placido Polanco will also return to his usual spot after getting yesterday off because of a sore back. And Brandon Inge gets a break after having to catch. Starting lineups will be posted in the comments.
Twinkie Town provides your SB Nation opposing view for this two-game series.
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Starting Lineups
MINNESOTA
1. Carlos Gomez, CF
2. Denard Span, RF
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Delmon Young, LF
6. Jason Kubel, DH
7. Brendan Harris, 2B
8. Mike Lamb, 3B
9. Adam Everett, SS
DETROIT
1. Clete Thomas, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Gary Sheffield, DH
4. Magglio Ordonez, RF
5. Miguel Cabrera, 3B
6. Carlos Guillen, 1B
7. Edgar Renteria, SS
8. Ivan Rodriguez, C
9. Jacque Jones, LF
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 14, 2008 6:52 PM EDT 0 recs
FSN Plus
Just in case you need that list of channels again, here you go.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 14, 2008 7:06 PM EDT 0 recs
Scoreless first inning for Bondo!
That might never get old.
And it's nice to see the other team hit into a double play for once.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 14, 2008 7:12 PM EDT 0 recs
yeah
it would also be nice to see Polanco and Sheffield hit a ball to something other than a Twin glove
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
by rock n rye on
Apr 14, 2008 7:19 PM EDT
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I don't know if this is old news
But the Dan Dickerson just said Fernando Rodney has an appointment with Dr. James Andrews of Tommy John surgery fame
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
by rock n rye on Apr 14, 2008 7:23 PM EDT 0 recs
Not old news here
Any time the name "Dr. James Andrews" is in a sentence or paragraph about a player, it ain't good.
by Ian Casselberry on
Apr 14, 2008 7:26 PM EDT
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Rod Allen = The New Yogi Berra?
Did you catch what he said during Jason Kubel's at-bat?
"A lot of times, you'll see hitters that want to use a little bit of a heavier bat, but they want to take some of the weight out of it. Therefore, the end of the bat's cupped."
Wha... ?
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 14, 2008 7:30 PM EDT 0 recs
Huge Insult
Yogi was a great ball player which made him funny, and there is a video of Rod Allen on youtube chasing a pitcher through the outfield in a japannese baseball league, which makes him an idiot.
by jgrubbs on
Apr 14, 2008 7:32 PM EDT
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Another error comes back to bite
If Pudge catches that foul behind the plate, they're out of this inning without giving up a run.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 14, 2008 7:33 PM EDT 0 recs
Getting sick of this
Wait, i've been sick of this.
Nvm
by MackAveKurt on Apr 14, 2008 7:34 PM EDT 0 recs
Off to Starbucks again, then?
Have you tried that new Pike Place Roast? :-)
by Ian Casselberry on
Apr 14, 2008 7:35 PM EDT
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hahaha
Yesterday actually. Tasted like all the other roasts to me. They had a nice chocolate-desert roast back in like October-November I liked and they quit making it.
by MackAveKurt on
Apr 14, 2008 7:37 PM EDT
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Did you see that?
Minnesota's shortstop gloved a ball that was hit deep in the hole. No, Everett didn't get to make a throw, but...
Have we seen Renteria do that this year? Can he anymore?
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 14, 2008 7:39 PM EDT 0 recs
At this rate...
...I'll be paying more attention to the Red Wings tonight.
Will anything EVER go right for the Tigers? One dropped foul pop, and it' suddenly 2-0 Twinkies?
After Pudge's kick ass spring, I thought he might have a resurgence, but he's been...Well, awful at and behind the plate. Not quite how you want to start your campaign for a new contract.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on Apr 14, 2008 7:41 PM EDT 0 recs
Mario: "something brewing"
He's following our starbucks conversation and sending secret messages that he feels our pain, I KNOW it!
by MackAveKurt on Apr 14, 2008 7:41 PM EDT 0 recs
Is it?
What would be great was if there was some sort of commercial that let us know about that...
It'd be even better if a Kid Rock soundalike sang along.
by Ian Casselberry on
Apr 14, 2008 7:48 PM EDT
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how did you know I sang along?
or sound like kid rock? *creeped*
by MackAveKurt on
Apr 14, 2008 7:49 PM EDT
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damn that song
spent one week in MI and that song is firmly stuck in my head. It's sharing residence with "the Braves Play Here" song (sung by a guy I thought was Shawn Mullins, but wasn't) on local TV down here
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
by rock n rye on
Apr 14, 2008 7:53 PM EDT
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Pudge
He had an excellent opportunity to make up for the error there. Blurgh.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 14, 2008 7:48 PM EDT 0 recs
Thats ok
Im sure they are just conserving those runs for the dog days of summer
by jgrubbs on Apr 14, 2008 7:51 PM EDT 0 recs
These 2 weeks
is just like 2006 when Shelton hit 9 HRs. Only the exact opposite in every conceivable way.
by tbliggins on Apr 14, 2008 7:55 PM EDT 0 recs
Haha
I miss Chris Shelton, anyone know where he is these days, is he still in the minors?
by jgrubbs on
Apr 14, 2008 7:57 PM EDT
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Playing for your Oklahoma Redbirds
The Rangers Triple-A affiliate.
.364/375/.727 with two homers and nine RBIs in 22 at-bats.
by Ian Casselberry on
Apr 14, 2008 8:01 PM EDT
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Thanks
There must be something about these two weeks that just allows Shelton to rake
by jgrubbs on
Apr 14, 2008 8:02 PM EDT
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He will always remail a mystery to me. The way he hit in the summer of 05 & April 06 I thought he would have a long, long career in Detroit. And then he completely lost it. Too bad, I liked watching him hit back then.
by tbliggins on
Apr 14, 2008 8:04 PM EDT
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Fire in the dugout
Hopefully, that was some sort of voodoo ritual to warm up the bats.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 14, 2008 7:57 PM EDT 0 recs
that'a'boy, Grandy
If you cant' light a fire under your teammate figuratively, literally will do fine, too.
by MackAveKurt on Apr 14, 2008 7:58 PM EDT 0 recs
1-0 Red Wings
Glad to see one Detroit team handling the pressure of living up to high expectations...
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on Apr 14, 2008 8:03 PM EDT 0 recs
Thanks for the update, Big Al
My DVR is all booked up, between the Tigers game and 'The Big Bang Theory.'
by Ian Casselberry on
Apr 14, 2008 8:07 PM EDT
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I'll have to make a choice shortly too...
As I'll be recording How I Met Your Mother. I think the Wings are going to take precedence over the kitty cats. Then again, who knows what will happen as my suddenly FUBAR'ed Charter cable box thinks it's currently 6:46 PM?!
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on
Apr 14, 2008 8:16 PM EDT
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go Bondo
Nice 6 pitch inning
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
by rock n rye on Apr 14, 2008 8:05 PM EDT 0 recs
at least Bondo is cruising
Too bad about that error.
by MackAveKurt on Apr 14, 2008 8:06 PM EDT 0 recs
...
a TWO out hit, too bad nobody can do that when someone is actually on base!
by Zappatista on Apr 14, 2008 8:13 PM EDT 0 recs
Granderson
Anyone heard a date that he might be back w/ the club?
by tbliggins on Apr 14, 2008 8:15 PM EDT 0 recs
Cabrera
C'mon, man - that was a routine throw to third base, and he sailed it. It has to be the way he's gripping the ball or something.
And I'm sure everyone was thrilled to see Guillen jumping in the air for that throw with a gimpy hamstring.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 14, 2008 8:19 PM EDT 0 recs
He looks good so far...
But I'm not convinced yet. He may be another Brent Clevlen.
Red Wings 1, Nashville 0 after one period.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on
Apr 14, 2008 8:25 PM EDT
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clete..
I am digging some Clete, he's fast but didn't look to good at the plate yesterday...
by Zappatista on Apr 14, 2008 8:23 PM EDT 0 recs
I am in class tonight
It looks like the same old song and dance tonight, at leat we are still in striking distance
by miggy4mvp on Apr 14, 2008 8:27 PM EDT 0 recs
Renteria
You know, I don't understand the venom some people have had (other than like, Mlive syndrome) toward him. He's one of the few bright points this season and singlehandedly kept the Tigers out of two no-hitters.
by MackAveKurt on Apr 14, 2008 8:29 PM EDT 0 recs
Expectations?
Maybe fans expected him to be a superstar, between what was traded to get him and moving Guillen over to 1B.
by Ian Casselberry on
Apr 14, 2008 8:39 PM EDT
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seriously
will a Tigers hit ever get by a RF or SS again?
by MackAveKurt on Apr 14, 2008 8:31 PM EDT 0 recs
Jacque Jones
DP or K at this at-bat?
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
by rock n rye on Apr 14, 2008 8:32 PM EDT 0 recs
DP
Jacque Jones eats poo
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
by rock n rye on
Apr 14, 2008 8:35 PM EDT
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I've been trying to not watch the Tigers game to save myself the frustration, but I just can't stop watching
by jgrubbs on
Apr 14, 2008 8:46 PM EDT
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Sorry, I was burning my Clete t-shirt
The Cult of Clete was short-lived.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 14, 2008 8:46 PM EDT 0 recs
ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
I'M DONE. I'M FUCKING DONE. THIS IS THE LAST TIGER GAME I WILL EVER WATCH.
Go Tigers
by Tony K on Apr 14, 2008 8:47 PM EDT 0 recs
my new plan to save the tigers
Relegate the entire fricken team to AAA and call up Toledo to the A.L. Central. They can't possibly do worse.
by MackAveKurt on Apr 14, 2008 8:48 PM EDT 0 recs
This is depressing...
I write about and watch sports to have FUN! This is not fun. Not fun at all.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on Apr 14, 2008 8:48 PM EDT 0 recs
Everyday
I tell myself its still early, the Tigers just need to win today and start themselves a little winning streak. Then everyday I find myself in the same place, complaining about their crappy play. I think its an addiction.
by jgrubbs on Apr 14, 2008 8:49 PM EDT 0 recs
Rally time
Ok, this is the moment when the season gets turned around, here we go!
by pfuhrmeister on Apr 14, 2008 8:50 PM EDT 0 recs
THE NIGHTMARE IS OVER!
24 innings later, the Tigers have scored!
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 14, 2008 8:58 PM EDT 0 recs
OUCH
did not like the way Guillen was hobbling one bit.
by MackAveKurt on Apr 14, 2008 9:03 PM EDT 0 recs
Might be time to call it a night
He was NOT looking good rounding third.
by Ian Casselberry on
Apr 14, 2008 9:04 PM EDT
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Ow, ow, ow!
Guillen is laboring on that hamstring, man. I thought he was going to be thrown out at home. But he made it. 5-4 ballgame!
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 14, 2008 9:03 PM EDT 0 recs
Holy crap,,,
Guillen looked gimpy as all get out rounding 3rd. I can understand why Renteria sacrificed himself on the basepaths. Should he even be playing?
2-1 Wings late in the 2nd.
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on Apr 14, 2008 9:04 PM EDT 0 recs
Tough call
Guillen DID drive in two runs in that inning...
by Ian Casselberry on
Apr 14, 2008 9:11 PM EDT
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Bring in Inge
Carlos needs the rest more than Brandon
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
by rock n rye on
Apr 14, 2008 9:13 PM EDT
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Guillen
Is probably our best hitter right now. That being said - we wouldn't want to lose him for any extended time, so I'd hate to see him make it worse.
by ViolaHalo on Apr 14, 2008 9:13 PM EDT 0 recs
R & R
Cabrera and Guillen need an extended period of rest. Might as well do it while we're losing. Otherwise, they're going to play at 80 percent all season.
by bradm on Apr 14, 2008 9:17 PM EDT 0 recs
Crusher
Seay was their best reliever thus far. And he couldn't get out of that jam. Rally officially squelched.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 14, 2008 9:22 PM EDT 0 recs
Rally.
And for the tenth game in a row, the Tigers give up runs the very next inning after scoring runs.
This team cannot do anything right. And I mean anything.
by bradm on Apr 14, 2008 9:24 PM EDT 0 recs
And the boos rain down...
Has the pen allowed EVERY inherited runner to score?
waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com
by BigAl on Apr 14, 2008 9:26 PM EDT 0 recs
This is one of the problems with Leyland this year
Why the hell is Seay still in there?
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 14, 2008 9:26 PM EDT 0 recs
Because the next best option throws like a 3rd grader
from Farmington Hills.
by ViolaHalo on
Apr 14, 2008 9:27 PM EDT
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Glad we got out of that one
only having given up 4 runs.
<>
by ViolaHalo on Apr 14, 2008 9:30 PM EDT 0 recs
The way I see it
The Tigers put together their best two out rally of the season so far. I don't expect the bullpen to work miracles, but if those bats can finally wake up, there is still hope.
by pfuhrmeister on Apr 14, 2008 9:31 PM EDT 0 recs