Game 39: Tigers (16-22) at Royals (16-21)
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 7:01 PM EDT
in News
119 comments
Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals, May 13, 2008 8:10 PM EDT
Nate Robertson (1-4, 6.64) vs. 
Zack Greinke (4-1, 1.80)
Two teams will enter, one team will leave. Last place in the AL Central, that is. The Kansas City Royals are currently a 1/2-game ahead of the Tigers for fourth place, having lost six of their last 10 games. Of course, Detroit has lost seven of its last 10, so we're not talking about two teams gathering momentum here.
This would be an excellent opportunity for the Tigers to exact some revenge for getting swept by the Royals in the opening series of the season. To wreak vengeance, however, they'll have to go through KC's best starting pitcher. Zack Greinke leads the Royals in ERA, strikeouts, and shares the team lead in wins with Brian Bannister. Against the Tigers in his first start of the year, he was brilliant, allowing just one run and six hits over seven innings.
As I said on Sunday, when Nate Robertson was originally scheduled to start, the Tigers will probably have to score at least five runs tonight, because we know ol' Nate is likely to give up four. He's allowed four runs or more in each of his seven starts this season. But maybe getting to pitch in front of family and friends in Kauffman Stadium will provide a little more inspiration against a Royals lineup that hits Robertson quite well. Here's hoping.
Royals Review has your SB Nation opposing view for this three-game series.
Short Hops:
- Our buddy Sam Mellinger interviewed the Freep's Jon Paul Morosi at Ball Star today. I wonder if Sam thought about me at all during the chat? Do you think he likes me better? I thought about Sam the whole time I exchanged e-mails with Joe Posnanski. At least that's what I told him.
- Sam also wrote a post about Five Guys, which I enjoyed because I finally got to try one of their burgers a few weeks ago in Charleston. They need to open a franchise in Michigan ASAP.
- As expected, the Tigers couldn't find a trade partner for Jacque Jones, and filed for his unconditional release today. Jones will become a free agent on Thursday, and has made it known that he'd like to sign with the Florida Marlins.
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THE STRAP..
Well Ian, a Zagnut is coated in toasted coconut while a butterfinger has milk chocolate surrounding it. A person could equate this scenario to oh…...The strap of five years ago (pretty good) to that of present day (messy and not nearly as good).
The link to the story and especially the slide show of TS was pretty moving. Great photo’s.
Here’s to Nasty Nate tonight boys!
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 7:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I must be thinking of a different candy bar
There’s another candy bar which has chocolate coating a crunchy peanut butter flavored substance, isn’t there?
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 7:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
5th Ave.
I believe you speak of the 5th Ave bar, which is much to high class for me. The funny thing is, I barely eat candy bars, but that changes if I go into a place and they actually have the zag, then it is a whole new ball game.
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
5th Avenue – that’s it. Thank you. How I got that mixed up with Zagnut, I don’t know.
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember when I worked at Kroger as a teenager, and noticed the box of 5th Avenue bars by the register coated in dust. Clearly a popular treat in my neighborhood. And a great job in turning over product at that store.
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Starting Lineups
DETROIT
1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Carlos Guillen, 3B
4. Magglio Ordonez, RF
5. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
6. Gary Sheffield, LF
7. Matt Joyce, DH
8. Edgar Renteria, SS
9. Pudge Rodriguez, C
KANSAS CITY
1. David DeJesus, LF
2. Mark Grudzielanek, 2B
3. Alex Gordon, 3B
4. Jose Guillen, DH
5. Billy Butler, 1B
6. Mark Teahen, RF
7. John Buck, C
8. Tony Pena, Jr., SS
9. Joey Gathright, CF
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 7:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Greinke
Man, his numbers are GOOD. Kind of reminds of me of another young pitcher that people thought would turn into a really good #1. What was his name….?
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 8:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Scoring on Greinke early
Love to see the Tigers take a lead, which has felt so rare this season.
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 8:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
FIve Guys
One of the reasons I’m glad I live down south
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on May 13, 2008 8:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
FG's
I was trying to think, and then remembered! I ate one when I lived in Florida. I just searched and there are 4 in Indy, didn’t even know it. I love me a good burger, and I’m leaving for LA on Sat….first stop, In n’ Out….mmmm
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In & Out
I don’t suppose there’s one in the LA airport? I’ll be there for five hours on the way to Malaysia.
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
John F'n Buck...
err, I would have HATED to let Miggy actually bat with a RISP.
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 8:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
if you're asking what ended the Tigers inning...
John Buck threw out Carlos at 3rd.
by LosTigres on May 13, 2008 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, but
Did he tag and try to advance on the fly out, or was he trying to steal with Midge at bat?
by pfuhrmeister on May 13, 2008 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
blocked
a ball in the dirt, then threw
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Guillen thought it was a passed ball/wild pitch and went for third. Buck recovered in time to throw him out.
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Almost had that one...
Not the best start for nate.
by LosTigres on May 13, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
One shame about Cabrera playing 1B
He has a heck of an arm. Almost gunned down Grudzielanek trying to take second.
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
by the way...
I just realized that cabrera hasn’t driven in a run since May 1st.
by LosTigres on May 13, 2008 8:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re-Joyce
HR #2…Clete who?
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on May 13, 2008 8:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hard to have a cult when your leader is M.I.A.
by miggy4mvp on May 13, 2008 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Easy...
I still really like Clete. His speed was top notch, top notch….
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I liked him to
and he will be back with the big boys in the future, he just gone missing at the plate in AAA
by miggy4mvp on May 13, 2008 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
JOYCE!
it would have been nice to not have that dp!
by LosTigres on May 13, 2008 8:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sheff
This is one more reason he should leadoff – he’ll hit into less DPs!
by pfuhrmeister on May 13, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You always hope that doesn’t come back to haunt you.
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone else
think Pudge has looked much better at the plate this year? He’s not the hitter he once was, but I feel like he’s been a much better hitter this year. The numbers are pretty close to last year, except that he’s already taken 7 walks this year (only 9 last season!) so maybe he just doesn’t seem to be flailing at everything as much…
by ThaWalrus9 on May 13, 2008 8:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
it's a contract year
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on May 13, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
Much better on defense, too. He’s blocking more balls and gunning down basestealers again.
Somebody’s playing for a new contract
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
contract, ya
I think it has more to do with him getting back to his roots. He has been hitting liners, especially the other way.
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
3 hits, 1 error
and we only manage 1 run.
by LosTigres on May 13, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Now THAT'S a scoreboard
Were the scoreboard people at Comerica Park looking at that? Imagine that – providing more game information to the crowd…
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
care to explain
for those of us stuck watching the Royals’ TV feed?
by ThaWalrus9 on May 13, 2008 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have the feed too,
but that thing is ENORMOUS. HUGE. No crown though, that kind of sucks..
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Miggy!
Look at those skillz to pay da billz!
pretty impressive, could he be the reincarnate (sp?) of the Big Cat?
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I hope
that Urbina was able to watch that catch from his cell, wow.
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 9:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: Scoreboard
You have the player’s roster photo (in this case, Carlos Guillen) taking up the top half of the screen.
Below, from left to right, you have the Tigers batting order; Guillen’s batting average, at-bats, hits, home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases, along with what he did in his last at-bat, his OBP, SLG, and OPS; then the Royals’ defensive alignment.
Below that, from left to right: The two pitchers’ stat lines on each side of the screen, with the radar gun reading in the middle.
At the very bottom of the screen is the line score.
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 9:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh, one more thing
Below the batting order, the scoreboard says what the last hitter did. Great for if you’re keeping score, looked away, and missed the play.
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joyce
That takes some maturity. Gets a dinger in his first at bat, but doesn’t get giddy and has a good second AB resulting in a walk. I like to see that.
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 9:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Tigers' double play grounder skills
are in mid-season form. They’ve hit 4 of them (Sheff and Polly were able to leg out 2 of those).
by ThaWalrus9 on May 13, 2008 9:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nate Robertson = Nuke LaLoosh?
Nice pitch over David DeJesus’ head.
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
did he hit the bull?
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on May 13, 2008 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not quite
But he smacked that behind-home-plate ad pretty good.
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Disaster
averted. Woo, thank them for the tailor made…
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 9:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, I might be wrong. Actually, I am certainly wrong. Way to bulldog it, Nate.
by rook34 on May 13, 2008 9:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
NBA
I hate it. and to make things worse, TP just threw up a nasty block, but I can’t like him being a Wildcat and all. Congrats to you all.
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 9:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Piston Update
Tayshaun whit a HUGE block, Pistons have the ball, and 2 Rip free throws are now up 5 with 12.7 in the 4th
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on May 13, 2008 9:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Miggy with some nice patience there. Let’s avoid the double play. Please.
by rook34 on May 13, 2008 9:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Renteria
If ruled a BH, which it should be would make him 1 for his last 21. ouch.
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 9:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Pudge and his
MO, high heat, man he loves to swing at that.
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 9:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah...
The KC broadcasters just mentions Sheff’s injured fingers. I’d forgotten about those. Whatever happened with them?
by ThaWalrus9 on May 13, 2008 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What makes it worse
Is the KC announcing crew on XM
by pfuhrmeister on May 13, 2008 9:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't get me wrong
They’re not bad announcers, they just way too much glee in Pudge’s strikeout.
by pfuhrmeister on May 13, 2008 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not that I'm complaining...
But what’s up with Billy Butler? He’s usually a Tiger Killer.
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 9:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You could have waited
until after the SERIES was over there, big boi!
c’mon!
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
XM generally has the home team’s announcers.
by rook34 on May 13, 2008 9:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know, but
sometimes when the Tigers miss a great opportunity, they are just salt in the wound.
by pfuhrmeister on May 13, 2008 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Patience, Ian. He’s got at least one more AB coming.
by rook34 on May 13, 2008 9:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lots of hits,
not too many runs…and that goes for both sides
by spartyboy40 on May 13, 2008 9:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, if Nate’s done after 6, he’s battled hard without great stuff.
by rook34 on May 13, 2008 9:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Can you say "Quality Start"?
I knew you could.
by pfuhrmeister on May 13, 2008 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you can!
say it, every third start with NN. Hopefully, he can put more of them together.
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
pitch count only in the 70s in the 7th
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on May 13, 2008 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Grandy has looked pretty bad the last week.
by rook34 on May 13, 2008 9:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Best performance while letting up 9 hits i’ve seen in a while
by spartyboy40 on May 13, 2008 10:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
another walk for Miggy
1.000 OBP tonight
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on May 13, 2008 10:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah...
The KC broadcasters just mentions Sheff’s injured fingers. I’d forgotten about those. Whatever happened with them?
by ThaWalrus9 on May 13, 2008 10:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good question
You never hear about that finger anymore. Overshadowed by the shoulder, perhaps.
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let’s see if Mr. Joyce can hit a lefty. Or does Jim pull him for Thamsie?
by rook34 on May 13, 2008 10:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
How many?
How many base runners have we stranded tonight?
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 10:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ouch....
ya, I didn’t want to look myself!
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Caped Cruceta
he does have some nasty pitches.
by ThaWalrus9 on May 13, 2008 10:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sheff
seems like he lollygags it in the outfield. Channeling his inner Manny Ramirez.
by ThaWalrus9 on May 13, 2008 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Edgah...
How can you make such a good play, followed by a moronic play?
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 10:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That was terrible.
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
by spotstarters on May 13, 2008 10:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I hate the Tigers
at this moment, I’m so sick of this same old crap.
by ThaWalrus9 on May 13, 2008 10:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
bleh
I’m sick of losing games when we score only two runs.
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
by spotstarters on May 13, 2008 10:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We got a good start, not a great one, but a good one, and we find yet another creative way to lose.
by rook34 on May 13, 2008 10:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
3 runs allowed through nine innings
should be enough for the 1000 run offense. Sickening
by ThaWalrus9 on May 13, 2008 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Frustrating
if we get this loss, the Tigers should be kicking there heads, and Leyland should be kicking some ass. Unfortunately, how much more can Leyland do?
by Tigsfan on May 13, 2008 10:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Grandy
we need some of that power back!
by Zappatista on May 13, 2008 10:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Anyone else think Renteria will ascend to the post of Public Enemy #1?
by rook34 on May 13, 2008 10:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
yep
until Todd Jones blows a save
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on May 13, 2008 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about Leyland?
Why the hell did he even pull Robertson? These are the decisions that make no sense to me.
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
by spotstarters on May 13, 2008 10:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
crap
crap.
Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.
by spotstarters on May 13, 2008 10:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Right back where we started. 7 games under.
by rook34 on May 13, 2008 10:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
so....
How bout them Red Wings and Pistons???
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on May 13, 2008 10:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
There is no spinning this. This is not a good team in any way, shape or form. Our best offensive player right now is a call up from the minors.
by rook34 on May 13, 2008 10:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m really sick of watching the FSN Detroit guys interview the other team’s players.
by Ian Casselberry on May 13, 2008 10:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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