Detroit Tigers @ Toronto Blue Jays GameThread, Apr 18, 2008 7:07 PM EDT

Game 17: Tigers (5-11) at Blue Jays (8-8)

by Ian Casselberry on Apr 18, 2008 5:00 PM EDT in News Comment 96 comments

Detroit Tigers at Toronto Blue Jays, Apr 18, 2008 7:07 PM EDT

Kenny Rogers (0-3, 6.75) vs. David Purcey (0-0, -.--)

What looked like a freight train picking up speed came to a skidding stop last night in Cleveland, as the Tigers took an 11-1 butt-kicking from the Indians to end their modest (but reassuring, nonetheless) three-game winning streak. Now Detroit has to face the power of the powder blue, as the Blue Jays rock the throwbacks for a "Flashback Friday" home game. (Not a fan of the pullover jerseys, but I love the Jays' old blue-and-white caps.)

Kenny Rogers might be wondering what sort of bad karma he invoked, as the Tigers haven't scored a single run for him in either of his first three starts. That's not just a lack of run support; it's deadbeat offense. Of course, Rogers doesn't help himself when he gives up seven runs in four innings, as he did in his last appearance. But again, the dude could use some runs. That's all we're sayin'. Maybe Rogers needs to take his mates to one of the many wonderful restaurants in Toronto, both to get their strength up and to feel a little obligation toward their starting pitcher.

David Purcey gets the spot start tonight, filling in for A.J. Burnett, who (perhaps surprisingly) isn't out because of injury, but because he had to pitch relief on Wednesday when the Jays went 14 innings with the Rangers. In three starts with Triple-A Syracuse, Purcey posted a 2-0 record and 1.89 ERA, with 21 strikeouts in 19 innings. Will he give the Jays what Armando Galarraga gave the Tigers on two nights ago?

Bluebird Banter has your SB Nation opposing view for this four-game series. I'll likely be at a wedding rehearsal dinner during tonight's contest, so the BYB Brigade will be keeping it live for you in the comments.

Short Hops:

Curtis Granderson (who would be playing "centre" field if he were in Canada with the Tigers) begins his minor league rehab assignment with the West Michigan Whitecaps tonight. Make sure to check out The Surge, which covers the Whitecaps part of the Tigersosphere and will be filing reports on Granderson's performance.
Jim Leyland says he heard Francisco Cruceta was "filthy" (throwing 94 m.p.h.) during his throwing session in an extended Spring Training game yesterday. How long before Cruceta takes Zach Miner's spot in the Tigers' bullpen?

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Lineups

Tigers
C Rodriguez, Ivan
2B Polanco, Placido
DH Sheffield, Gary
RF Ordonez, Magglio
3B Cabrera, Miguel
1B Guillen, Carlos
SS Renteria, Edgar
LF Thames, Marcus
CF Inge, Brandon

Powder Blue Jays
LF Stewart, Shannon
2B Hill, Aaron
RF Rios, Alex
CF Wells, Vernon
DH Thomas, Frank
1B Barajas, Rod
3B Scutaro, Marco
C Zaun, Gregg
SS McDonald, John

by pfuhrmeister on Apr 18, 2008 7:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice hustle

Pudge makes a double

by pfuhrmeister on Apr 18, 2008 7:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sheff

comes up with 2 on and none out

by pfuhrmeister on Apr 18, 2008 7:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

K and another walk

Brings up Miggy with one out and the bases loaded

by pfuhrmeister on Apr 18, 2008 7:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

bases loaded

for Big Mig

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 7:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

At least

It’s an RBI

by pfuhrmeister on Apr 18, 2008 7:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hopefully not the last one tonight for the birthday boy

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good start tonight!

RBI Miggy! A 2 out base hit would be nice, though…

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 7:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bah

Should have gotten more than one

by pfuhrmeister on Apr 18, 2008 7:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jeez...

Not again with the walks!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 7:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Another Banner day for commentators

The Blue Jay crew says making Purcey smile will be the key to having him pitch well

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

4 BBs so far

patient bats a good sign for runs tonight

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 7:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

smallball???

the guy cant throw a strike and they’re giving away outs?

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 7:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Your reading my mind...

I HATE SMALLBALL!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

With a lineup like this

why play smallball?

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Purcey

just hit 50 pitches

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 7:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Come on, Sheff!

3-2 count, bases juiced.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 7:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dammit!

Too damn close to take.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 7:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh come ON

Sheff, you are better than that

by pfuhrmeister on Apr 18, 2008 7:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

guh

now he throws a strike

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 7:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

1-0 Red Wings!

Flippula going top shelf!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 7:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

woohoo

beat down Bubba!

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rod Barajas?

really Kenny? a HR to him?

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is the problem

All those walks and hits and only one run so the HR ties it.

Crap

by pfuhrmeister on Apr 18, 2008 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Indeed.

The Tigers should have at least 3-4 runs. Damn.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

crud

add another one to the stranded runner column

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 7:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Double crud!

These wasted opportunities are going to bite them in the proverbial ass.

Still 1-0 Wings, BTW,

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 8:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Gambler is mowing them down...

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

okay..

i am back, and ACTUALLY WATCHING VS. ON THE TV! just to reaffirm that yes, hockey is a sport!

Other observations: love the powder blue AND the pullover. the gambler is working at a feverish pace! and let us all not forget that the IRL races at midnight tonight.

okay, i’m better now.

by Zappatista on Apr 18, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cmon Tigers

let’s get Pursey to 100 this inning

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Still 1-0 Red Wings after 1 period

I’ll keep an eye on the Tigers for a few…

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

another running in scoring position

Will they be able to get him in?

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 8:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

runner

me good at English

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That unpossible!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

4 months in Georgia will do that

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ARRRGH!

Picture froze for a good 45 seconds! Damn FSN +!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 8:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

kenny “the new galarraga” rogers

by Krazzid on Apr 18, 2008 8:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I can't remember the last time...

I saw a pitcher go to 3rd on a groundball with men on 1st and 2nd and one out. Interesting decision. by The Gambler.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 8:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and it comes back to bite him

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn turf!

That’s a single in Comerica.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 8:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and it all starts to fall apart

it back to week 1 Tigers tonight

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Is the trend going to continue?

If the Tigers win, Wings lose, and vice versa. It’s holding true so far tonight.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

simmer

down. this is nothing, wait until they bing grilli in!

by Zappatista on Apr 18, 2008 8:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thames...

he’s due for a HR

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 8:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

or a RBI single

I’ll take it

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still 1-0 Wings!

Halfway thru the 2nd.

Yes, Thames is due! Overdue…

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 8:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just got home...

What’s the story on the game so far?

by Grant E. on Apr 18, 2008 8:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

until this inning the Tigers were 0-8 with RISP

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s really been annoying so far this year.

by Grant E. on Apr 18, 2008 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow. Good time for me to tune in. First pitch I saw was Pudge’s double.

by Grant E. on Apr 18, 2008 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

The Tigers wasted 7 walks by a pitcher in his MLB debut

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tigers left a boatload of runners on base

in the first 2 innings. They should have well more than 3 runs, but couldn’t get a timely hit.

Gambler hasn’t been too bad, but had a rough 5th inning.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

8.53

that’s a nice number to see on an opposing pitcher’s ERA that’s coming into the game

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 9:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm sure that's what opposing fans say

when Grilli of Miner enter the game for us.

by Grant E. on Apr 18, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

1-2-3

good inning for Kenny. Time to take the lead

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 9:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

seven

the amount of pitches it took the gambler to get out that inning….man we need some more of those

by Zappatista on Apr 18, 2008 9:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

there you go Shef

that’s a good way to start an inning

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 9:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

no..

ahhh

by Zappatista on Apr 18, 2008 9:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I went from

cussing to exhaling. He hit that in his normal fashion and Stewart got a great bounce…we got a bad call.

by Zappatista on Apr 18, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

all right Maggs

Put ‘em ahead Big Mig!

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

New ballgame!

Maggs with the RBI double!

Still 1-0 Wings, late in the 2nd.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 9:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I could be wrong

but aside from Thames RBI single, has every Tiger hit been a double?

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 9:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think that's correct...

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I shouldn't do this...

but Miggy the Piggy? Too harsh? Ya, he is looking svelte…i will stop.

by Zappatista on Apr 18, 2008 9:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thru McDonald's wickets!

Tigers lead! w00t!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

haw haw

Gritty Gutty Eckstien would of had that one

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

YEAH!

RENTERIA GOES YARD!

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 18, 2008 9:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hows that

for an entrance?

by Zappatista on Apr 18, 2008 9:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Edgar goes deep!

Yes!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 9:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Goodnight Gambler!

Not a bad performance!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 9:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hello Lopez!

Way to pick up The Gambler!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 9:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Inge

I think it is safe to say that we are all happy to still have him. NOW, when Grandiggity comes back….well, here’s one person hoping ol’e JJ gets the pink slip.

by Zappatista on Apr 18, 2008 9:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Inge could only hit more...

than Miggy’s weight, he could play everyday.

As much as JJ been an epic fail, you know how Leyland like his vets. Clete is odds on favorite to go down, unfortunately.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was strike 3, dammit!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 9:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Got The Big Hurt anyway...

Nice pitch by Bautista!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bautista!

Bautista may be the ugliest man I have ever seen but he is one damn good pitcher!

by spartyboy40 on Apr 18, 2008 9:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Miggy steals 3rd?

Holy…

Didn’t see that coming. Now get him in, the more of a cushion Jones has, the better!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 10:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

NOOOOO!

Go Tigers

by Tony K on Apr 18, 2008 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ouch

That bean ball that hit Caros was nasty

by spartyboy40 on Apr 18, 2008 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Still 1-0 Red Wings

1 minute left…

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 10:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Crazy

I got some crazy PIP going on right now

by spartyboy40 on Apr 18, 2008 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ARRRGH!

Preds tie it up with 0:43 left.

Typical Wings playoff game, out shoot someone 50 something to 20, and can’t put them away.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

1-1

RW gave up a goal, I will say it isn’t that bad to watch with one eye

by Zappatista on Apr 18, 2008 10:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

sorry...

by Zappatista on Apr 18, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No biggie.

Damn Red Wings!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why?

why Jonesy now? ugh

by Zappatista on Apr 18, 2008 10:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

THROW STRIKES JONES!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Apr 18, 2008 10:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

you have to realize

Jonesy is contractually obligated to have at least one baserunner per outing.

by ThaWalrus9 on Apr 18, 2008 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not even a save opportunity so

why not leave Bautista in?

by Zappatista on Apr 18, 2008 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

of course

it could quickly turn into one…

by Zappatista on Apr 18, 2008 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

also

If the difference in runs is more than 1, Jonesy is obligated to have at least 2 baserunners. Seriousl though, Leyland likes to keep everyone in their roles. Bautista takes the 8th, Jones the 9th. I don’t think Leyland really cares about the “save situation” rules. He trusts Jones more than anyone else in the pen.

by ThaWalrus9 on Apr 18, 2008 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs