Game 50: Deep Sixed

The Gist: The real Justin Verlander returned but the real Francisco Cruceta undid all of Verlander's stellar work in the Tigers' 6-1 loss to the Twins on Sunday. Verlander's line: seven innings of work, one run, five hits, three strikeouts and four walks. Carlos Guillen was three for four with a double and his fifth homer of the year. The coup de grâce was Cruceta grooving a 3-2, bases-loaded heater that Jason Kubel sat on and drilled for a grand slam. Infuriating.

The Quote: "[Expletive]!" -- Mike McClary when Cruceta served Kubel a meatball.

The Stat: 1.8. Follow me on this one: Seven times this year the Tigers have lost a game following one in which they scored 8+ runs and won -- such as Satuday's 19-3 win followed by Sunday's 6-1 loss. In the seven games they've lost, they've scored 13 runs -- or an average of 1.8 runs. That, folks, is what you call feast or famine.

Up Next: Tigers @ Angels

Kenny Rogers (4-4, 6.66) vs. Jon Garland (5-3, 4.34)