Game 3: Royals (2-0) at Tigers (0-2)
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 11:32 AM EDT
in News
37 comments
Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers, Apr 3, 2008 1:05 PM EDT
Zack Greinke (0-0, 0.00) vs. 
Jeremy Bonderman (0-0, 0.00)
UPDATE: As NYRoyal mentioned in the comments, Miguel Cabrera is a late scratch from the lineup today, due to soreness in his left quadriceps. As a result, Brandon Inge will move to third base, with Clete Thomas starting in centerfield (and also leading off). Getting the start in left field will be Marcus Thames.
Pointing to some consolation probably isn't necessary two games into the season, but for anyone who has one foot on the ledge or is wondering where they put that panic button already, here are a couple of things that might make you feel better.
First, it's not just the Tigers that are having trouble scoring runs. As Baseball Musings pointed out this morning, run production after the season's first three days is down compared to last year. What we saw from the Tigers yesterday is happening throughout baseball; fewer men are getting on-base. (Fewer batters are getting hits with runners in scoring position, as well, but that wasn't quite an issue for Detroit against Brian Bannister.)
Secondly, bullpens are bleeding all over baseball (as From the CoPa pointed out on Tuesday). Thanks to Comcast's free preview of MLB Extra Innings, I was able to see Arizona's Brandon Lyon blow a two-run lead by not getting any outs and serving up a home run pitch to Edwin Encarnacion. (The hilarious thing is that Dusty Baker originally wanted a bunt, but I'm digressing.) As Encarnacion took his victory lap around the bases, I was thankful that wasn't Detroit's bullpen.
(Of course, neither of those factors have prevented the Indians from going 2-0, so maybe I'm stretching a bit.)
Onto more pressing matters, Jeremy Bonderman went home sick yesterday, but is expected to be fine for this afternoon's start. No news to report otherwise, as I write this. And maybe, just maybe, Bondo will bring his new little friend, the change-up, with him. Could that pitch finally be ready for prime time? Bonderman was outstanding against the Royals last year, racking up 17 strikeouts and allowing just four runs in 20 innings.
Zack Greinke, on the other hand, largely struggled when facing the Tigers in 2007. allowing 10 runs and 17 hits in just 9 2/3 innings. Most of that damage took place in Greinke's first two starts against Detroit, one of which only lasted 2/3 of an inning.
Short Hops:
▪▪ The Tim Byrdak era with the Tigers is now officially over. He signed a minor-league deal with the Houston Astros yesterday.
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Cabrera scratched from the Tigers lineup, per MLB.com
Sore quad. Day-to-day. Inge will play third, Thomas in CF.
I probably disagree with you.
by NYRoyal on Apr 3, 2008 11:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the news
I just read that myself. Ergh.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 12:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Starting Lineups
KANSAS CITY
CF J.Gathright
2B M. Grudzielanek
3B A. Gordon
RF J. Guillen
DH B. Butler
LF M. Teahen
1B R. Gload
C J. Buck
SS T. Pena, Jr.
DETROIT
CF C. Thomas
2B P. Polanco
DH G. Sheffield
RF M. Ordonez
1B C. Guillen
C I. Rodriguez
SS E. Renteria
LF M. Thames
3B B. Inge
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 12:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A 1-2-3 first inning!
And in eight pitches! Already, this is looking good.
Not to put much pressure on young Clete Thomas, but the Tigers really could use a leadoff hit, just to shake off the bad juju from yesterday.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 1:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not bad
It's an out, but Clete gave it a ride. He definitely likes driving the ball to that left-center gap.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Placido's blue mouthpiece
You could probably insert digital ads on that thing.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 1:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
yeah
what's up with that? does he plan on some contact drills at 2B today?
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
by rock n rye on Apr 3, 2008 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crap
They let Greinke off the hook there. That was a great opportunity to put a run on the board.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 1:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The change-up!
He made Teahen look pretty bad with it. Of course, Teahen got a hit on the next swing...
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 1:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
perfect first inning
throwing change-ups...who are you and what have you done with Jeremy Bonderman?
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
by rock n rye on Apr 3, 2008 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only seven pitches?
Who does Greinke think he is? Brian Bannister?
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The new Tiger Killer
His name is Alex Gordon.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
08 Royals = 05 Whitesox and 06 Tigers??????
Are they going to be this years hot team?
Water covers 70% of the earth, Curtis Granderson covers the rest!!
by BigReg on Apr 3, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice avatar
Those stovepipe Pirates hats are hideous.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
C'mon...
Push one run across. Something. Anything.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I wonder
Does Rod know about this video on Youtube
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
by rock n rye on Apr 3, 2008 2:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
this time
Bondo gets the better of Gordon with the change-up
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
by rock n rye on Apr 3, 2008 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is becoming not fun
But still... Bondo should be able to give up three runs.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 2:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
greinke?
opening up the scoreboard to find the tigers getting shut out by Zach greinke is cause for a great big "UGH"
is 1 run too much to ask, let alone 4?
by ahtrap on Apr 3, 2008 2:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
How about getting a guy to 3rd?
That would almost be commendable right now.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 2:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
WOW
If we get swept by the Royals the world will have a heyday
I can already hear it on talk radio, "The tigers spent all this money for this" Blah Blah Blah
Water covers 70% of the earth, Curtis Granderson covers the rest!!
by BigReg on Apr 3, 2008 2:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't pretend to know as much about baseball as Leyland...
...but why is Pudge hitting in front of Renteria.
by Grant E. on Apr 3, 2008 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm grinding my teeth.
A leadoff double, and they can't even move him to 3rd, let alone drive him in.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The "Guh" stat of the day
by my count the Tigers are 0-10 with runners in scoring position today
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
by rock n rye on Apr 3, 2008 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That was scary
Not just getting taken to the fence, but Thames' wobbly catch.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And it goes double for that one
Nice catch, but Marcus hasn't exactly looked swift out there this inning.
by Grant E. on Apr 3, 2008 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We are on pace to be the worst scoring team in baseball
216 runs if we stay on this pace!
Water covers 70% of the earth, Curtis Granderson covers the rest!!
by BigReg on Apr 3, 2008 3:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
270, still the worst in history
Water covers 70% of the earth, Curtis Granderson covers the rest!!
by BigReg on Apr 3, 2008 3:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
270?
Weren't the Tigers supposed to score that many runs in April?
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 3:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Man, even when we catch a break
we can't catch a break.
by Grant E. on Apr 3, 2008 3:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What happened to Sheff?
Water covers 70% of the earth, Curtis Granderson covers the rest!!
by BigReg on Apr 3, 2008 3:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
is it just me
or does Alex Gordon look like "Jim" from "The Office"?
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
by rock n rye on Apr 3, 2008 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
well poop
This one stunk. If the Tigers don't get at least 5 runs off of Jose Contreras tomorrow, I'm going to start to worry
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
by rock n rye on Apr 3, 2008 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for having us, BYB
i've enjoyed the back and forth w/RR. Best luck.
The first thing I know about someone in a KC hat is that they're loyal.
by grantfunk on Apr 3, 2008 4:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good luck against the White Sox
Please beat the hell out of them. Contreras should be throwing batting practice, so enjoy.
I probably disagree with you.
by NYRoyal on Apr 3, 2008 4:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for stopping by, RR crew
Seriously, I appreciate it. Come by any time.
And maybe next time our team won't be quite as generous hosts.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2008 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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