Game 8: Tigers (0-7) at Red Sox (4-4)
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 6:37 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintDetroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox, Apr 9, 2008 7:05 PM EDT
Jeremy Bonderman (0-1, 5.68) vs. 
Jon Lester (1-1, 3.38)
This is probably going to surprise you, but I wasn't much of an athlete in high school. (I know, I know. But really - I was more the scholarly, schlubby type. Not a lot has changed, actually.) However, I did play on a local recreation league basketball team. And man, we were terrible. Forfeits and mercy rules were relatively common outcomes. It got to a point where we would begin a game, and my buddy and I would sit on the bench (no, I didn't start very often) and wonder how far we would fall behind. And how big should the margin be before we call for a time-out? 10-0? 15-0? 20-0?
I wonder if that's sort of how the Detroit Tigers are feeling right now, with their 0-7 record and two more games against the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox. At what point does that dread creep in, that "ooooh, no" feeling? Has that feeling settled in with their current record? Or do they feel that way during a game when they fall behind by a run or two, and they still haven't gotten a hit? Maybe they don't feel that way at all, and that's the difference between being a good team and a collection of athletic wanna-bes.
Last year, I'd feel extremely confident about the Tigers facing a left-handed pitcher. This lineup devoured lefties like Joey Chestnut scarfs down hot dogs. But Mark Buehrle made the Detroit batters look bad on Sunday night, and Jon Lester's pitched very well in his last start. He wasn't very good in his season debut, however, so maybe he has one of those good start/bad start patterns developing. Or, you know, the Tigers could decide to start hitting like the Superfriends lineup that everyone made them out to be coming into this season.
Jeremy Bonderman made everyone giddy last week by pitching a 1-2-3 first inning. (Kind of like how we all feel when Todd Jones throws a 1-2-3 ninth.) He actually cruised through his first three innings until he ran into the Tiger-killing buzzsaw that is Alex Gordon's bat. After that, it got a bit dicey. Of course, if Bondo's teammates had scored any runs for him, whatever he gave up wouldn't have been an issue.
Short Hops:
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer points out the relative absurdity of Placido Polanco's errorless streak being broken up by Manny Ramirez's hustle.
- Bartolo Colon's call-up to the Red Sox is on hold while he nurses a "tender" oblique. Aren't tender obliques kind of what put Colon in his current career situation to begin with?
- Big League Stew is wondering why there's such a slow trigger finger at FireJimLeyland.com.
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Starting Lineups
DETROIT
- 1. Ivan Rodriguez, C
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. Marcus Thames, LF
9. Brandon Inge, CF
BOSTON
- 1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
2. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. J.D. Drew, RF
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
9. Julio Lugo, SS
And here's a question for you, folks...
If you're in southeastern Michigan and have Comcast, what channel is tonight's Tigers game on (FSN Plus)?
Got it!
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Stupid FSN Plus
Im at work until at least 8, and the TV here only gets regular FSN, so instead of the Tigers I get a meaningless Pistons game, not cool.
Didn't Pudge again? Leading off again. After swinging at all 5 pitches he saw from the leadoff spot on Sunday.
I've got a feeling in the pit of my stomach
that the Tigers win tonight....or maybe it's just gas?
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
Keep me posted
On whats going on, no broadcast, and gameday's messin up on me. Btw, Clete Thomas piss off Leyland or something, he's one of the few guys showing up lately.
Clete
I assume he's not in the lineup because Cabrera and Sheff are healthy enough to play now, and Leyland would rather have Inge in the lineup then Clete
And the lefty
I think Clete's sitting against Jon Lester, too. He didn't play against Buehrle on Sunday, either.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Strike 'em out, throw 'em out
That happened while I was having problems connecting via wireless. Maybe we're onto something, and I should disconnect again.
Polanco
Apparently, Placido would like to start a new streak in which he commits an error in each game.
Ugh
This is reminding me too much of UM's 0-2 start last year. Horrible, embarrassing losses to start the year. It's too bad the Tigs don't have ND on the schedule.
Good call
I was thinking a similar thing today. When was the last time I had this feeling... ?
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions
You know what?
I will tolerate being beaten by Big Papi, Manny, or Youkilis. But not Julio Lugo. This is bordering on cruelty.
How many ways can one team lose?
This is getting a little ridiculous, losing games because you cant hit, starters cant pitch, bullpen cant pitch, baserunning blunders, now they fall behind because their recording setting 2B suddenly decides to start comitting errors, is there anything else they can do?
shhhh
there are much worse ways we could lose....
by Kurt Mensching on Apr 9, 2008 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions
A much, much needed double play
Still some damage done, but the Red Sox could've blown the game open right there.
does anyone have a rulebook handy?
both teams are allowed to score, right ?
i'm not remembering the rules incorrectly?
found one
SF has a lower OPS and the Yankees have a lower OBP!
by Kurt Mensching on Apr 9, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Do a Piniella!
I wouldn't mind seeing that myself.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Guillen
should bat leadoff in lieu of Granderson/Clete
whew
i just scared both my dogs, some of my family, and most of the neighborhood with my screaming
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
Rulebook
OK whomever had that rulebook handy needs to verify that hitting a HR w/ someone on base is allowed.
Ouch
Not too often 1 guy makes all 3 outs in an inning.
So, I was on the phone...
And they're winning here. So do I get back on the phone, and not comment here? What do you guys think? (I did have that awkward moment where it was clear I wasn't listening when Thames hit that home run...)
PHONE!!!
Don't mess with a good thing!
by Kurt Mensching on Apr 9, 2008 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions
By the way...
I appreciate no one pointing out how I mistakenly had this as "Game 7," rather than Game 8. Another bad cut-and-paste. Oops.
or possibly
that tell you about our powers of observation!
by Kurt Mensching on Apr 9, 2008 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe I'll call my mother
She asked me yesterday, by the way, "What do you write about the Tigers when they keep losing?"
Call upstairs
Of course, I would be calling from her basement, while wearing pajamas, as us bloggers do.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
April in the D
I'm totally ready to blame the Tigers' losing streak on this damn commercial. (I know Kurt has his own thoughts on that ad/song.)
yes
but they're not printable in a family blog.
by Kurt Mensching on Apr 9, 2008 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Clete pinch-hit for Thames?
Not sure about this...
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 10:05 PM EDT reply actions
Good point
I hadn't thought about the defense.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
All right then
That was a great bunt. Perfectly placed down the third base line.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions
INGE-CREDIBLE!
The Tigers are getting the big hit tonight! A two-run single!
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 10:07 PM EDT reply actions
Nice hit, period
Watching baseball can be fun!
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Forget I said that
Still have that little problem with the double plays. Blurgh.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions
still holding breath
room...gettting...
smaller...
by Kurt Mensching on Apr 9, 2008 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions
FSN Detroit graphics
They had me scared there for a minute. The top of the screen still had "0 out" after Bautista got Ortiz out.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 10:24 PM EDT reply actions
That Sean Casey speed
Glad to see another team "benefit" from it. That was a slow-developing double play, but didn't matter with Casey chugging down the line.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 10:27 PM EDT reply actions
WHOOO DOUBLE PLAY
Sweeeet play , though I still root for Casey even though he's not a tiger. He always reminded me of Kirk Gibson.
Ugh Todd Jones
I don't care if the Tigs get even 10 runs this inning... if Todd is coming in, i'm still nervous.
Is that Don Zimmer?
In the cop's uniform next to him?
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Clete is sweet!
We need to make some t-shirts for this guy.
"Clete's Crew"? What do you think? Any ideas?
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 10:39 PM EDT reply actions
hmm
Thomas' Cleats?
haha I suck at this.
by Kurt Mensching on Apr 9, 2008 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
This is crazy
I almost feel like this is the bottom of the ninth in Game 6 of the World Series
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 10:42 PM EDT reply actions
THANK GOD
This was the most proper way to finish that game... todd jones nearly killing us fans. Very apropos.
at last
our long national nightmare is over. Here's to pounding Tim Wakefield for win #2 tomorrow
"WOO HOO HOOOOO...HOO" - Rod Allen
Well...
It WAS a long game, so you probably won't have gotten enough sleep.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 9, 2008 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions
hanshin tigers
are a bit of an in-joke in my family. i have a hanshin jersey, and my dad has a hanshin tie.
Sorry
Didn't think the picture would be quite that big.
by Ian Casselberry on Apr 10, 2008 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
oh yeah
Ian was referring to my post before the game:
http://www.mackavenuetigers.com/2008/04/09/this-is-all-my-fault/
by Kurt Mensching on Apr 10, 2008 12:30 AM EDT reply actions
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