Game 48: Oh, So THIS is the Bullpen We Feared

by MikeMcClary on May 24, 2008 12:07 AM EDT in News Comment 3 comments

The Gist: Armando Galarraga walked five, struck out five, gave up five earned runs and seven hits in six innings pitched. Not a Quality Start. Dontrelle Willis replaced Galarraga and in one inning game up four ones: hit, run, earned run, and a balk. And, of course, he walked a pair. Of his 28 pitches, only 13 were strikes. The result? Twins 9, Tigers 4.

The Tigers looked to be making another Comerica Park comeback against the Twins when, in the bottom of the seventh, they cut a 5-0 deficit to 5-4. Gary Sheffield's homer could've been tied at five if Marcus Thames hadn't strayed about a total of 50 feet off two different bases during the same play. The bullpen immediately gave back three runs in the top of the eighth. Jim Leyland got the thumb in the top of the seventh.

The Quote: Whatever Leyland said to get ejected.

The Stat: 0. The number of strikeouts by Willis, opposed to the 11 walks. In other words, he has more balks than strikeouts. Oy vey.

My Two Cents: I have a question for you, is it too soon to declare that this team has no heart? I'm just asking.

Up Next:

Saturday: Nate Robertson (1-5, 6.08) vs. Boof Bonser (2-5, 5.25)

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Heart isn't the problem

No, I don’t think it’s a question of heart. If the team had no heart in them, they wouldn’t have come back to get it to 5-4. We were due for a gas can outing by the bullpen.

I know I’m somewhat alone on this, but I don’t think it’s heart that’s lacking. It’s execution. Heart doesn’t have anything to do with leadoff walks given up by the pitching staff,, first pitch ground balls for double plays or failing to get a runner home from second with less than 2 outs.

Lack of execution at key times (or in some games, most of the time) is what’s hurting this team.

by rook34 on May 24, 2008 12:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

rook34 is right

They have heart. They want to win, but they just aren’t getting it done when they need to.

by densogirl on May 24, 2008 9:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They have zero heart. All that matters to them is the paycheck. If they had heart, they wouldn’t be in fifth place. Like Inge said, we’re no longer that Team of Destiny.

Go Tigers

by Tony K on May 24, 2008 11:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs