Boston Red Sox @ Detroit Tigers GameThread, May 6, 2008 7:05 PM EDT

Game 34: Red Sox (21-13) at Tigers (14-19)

by Ian Casselberry on May 6, 2008 6:30 PM EDT in News Comment 58 comments

Boston Red Sox @ Detroit Tigers

Tim Wakefield (2-1, 4.03) vs. Nate Robertson (1-3, 6.82)

Okay, so maybe tonight is the night Detroit's new lineup clicks and fires. (By the way, don't mention the word "fire" around Jacque Jones right now. Might be a little sensitive.)

Tim Wakefield faced the Tigers in Boston about a month ago, and held them to one earned run over five innings. However, he also walked five batters that night, and the chances are that Wakefield rack up some more walks tonight with that knuckleball. Any chance the Detroit batters can make him pay for putting men on base, instead of letting him off the hook like they did with Dice-K last night?

Nate Robertson won last week at Yankee Stadium, but doesn't that series now seem so long ago? And he's still giving up a lot of runs. Even in winning last week, Nate coughed up four to the Yankees. He hasn't given up less than four runs in each of his six starts. Tigers hitters aren't the only ones who need to bear down. Robertson needs to give his team a fighting chance.

Tiger Town's favorite third baseman, Brandon Inge, gets the start tonight, as he's hit two home runs off Wakefield in 24 career at-bats (.250/.269/.542). That makes it Carlos Guillen's turn to man the DH spot.

Short Hops:

Red Sox Monster has started an online petition, asking the Red Sox to honor Matthew Boudoin, who was killed in a senseless dispute with a drunken fan, at Fenway Park this season.
While we were waiting to see what lineup changes Jim Leyland was making, Curtis Granderson tells us what that was like from his perspective .
Did you know tonight was Danny Knobler's last night covering the Tigers for MLive.com? He's off to CBSSports.com. Print loses another guy to online. Anyway, these Tigers blogs wouldn't have much in the way of updates without the breaking news that beat guys like Knobler and Jason Beck provide, so he gets the BYB slow clap.

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Read More: Bondo 1, ESPN Camera 0(Bless You Boys), A move to honor the late Matthew Beaudoin, a Red Sox fan(Red Sox Monster), Remembering Matthew Beaudoin, the courageous Red Sox fan(Big League Stew)

Comments

Starting Lineups

DETROIT

1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Carlos Guillen, DH
4. Magglio Ordonez, RF
5. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
6. Gary Sheffield, LF
7. Edgar Renteria, SS
8. Pudge Rodriguez, C
9. Brandon Inge, 3B

BOSTON

1. Coco Crisp, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
7. J.D. Drew, RF
8. Kevin Cash, C
9. Julio Lugo, SS

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 6, 2008 6:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

"Catching is cool"

According to Lynn Henning on the Detroit News, Inge is actually enjoying catching.
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/SPORTS0104/805060447/1129

by pfuhrmeister on May 6, 2008 6:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great news...

His offense is definitely adequate for a catcher, and he can still help out at 3B when needed.

by russkiejedi on May 6, 2008 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't care if Guillen likes DHing or not

This line-up I think gives the Tigers the best chance to win at the plate and in the field

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on May 6, 2008 7:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can't agree with you

Not with Sheff out in LF.

by pfuhrmeister on May 6, 2008 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you're right

completely blanked on Sheff, good call

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on May 6, 2008 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And the Tigers have to come from behind again...

Damn, the starting pitching is frustrating as all Hell.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on May 6, 2008 7:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I've about had it with Nate

Granted, I would’ve said the exact same thing last week. But giving up a double to Kevin Cash to bring in a run? C’mon.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 6, 2008 7:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Four pitches. Two outs.

Nice, Sheff.

by Matt in Toledo on May 6, 2008 7:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A 5 pitch inning?

Ugh.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on May 6, 2008 7:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Somebody up in the bullpen yet?

Nate ain’t great.

by pfuhrmeister on May 6, 2008 7:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would feel a little better about the team if I saw some hustle, but I see none. Pudge, Renteria, Sheffield…I’ve never seen such poor body language in my life. (Of course, there’s always the chance their bodies have lost the ability to hustle, but I digress.)

I know it’s a dumb question, but do these guys even care???

by bradm on May 6, 2008 7:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well...

I agree; judging motivation through body language can be a dodgy thing.

But a couple of weeks ago, I was asking the same question and wondering how that reflected on Leyland. What’s the best way to judge a coach? How hard do his players play for him?

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 6, 2008 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When a team isn't hitting...

It can look for all the world to like they aren’t hustling, or just going thru the motions.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on May 6, 2008 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Starters

Nate and Bondo continue to make easy out batters look like Ted Williams. Both of them had consecutive horrific outings with one mediocre win which had little to do with their pitching. Their weak W’s followed by talk of them “finding their game” which is BS. These guys are terrible.

by SonOfGibby on May 6, 2008 7:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Totally off-topic

But someone has to explain to me how North Carolina can already be called for Obama, with 0% reporting, yet Indiana is still too close to call. I know there has to be a formula or whatever, but it baffles me.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 6, 2008 7:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Indiana & North Carolina

All the areas that are expected to go for Obama aren’t in yet, so even though Clinton has the rest of the state, they still don’t know.

North Carolina exit polls were overwhelmingly in favor of Obama.

by pfuhrmeister on May 6, 2008 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

You’re better than Tim Russert, Peter.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 6, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And if you'll notice

When you posted that, it was 57/43 Clinton. Now it’s 55/45. So there is still a lot to count.

by pfuhrmeister on May 6, 2008 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Explaining

I find it a lot easier to explain elections and polls than I find it to explain what the hell is wrong with our Tigers.

by pfuhrmeister on May 6, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh My God!!!!!!

Kevin Cash is 2 for 2…......
I might just have to jump over to NBA

by SonOfGibby on May 6, 2008 8:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My exit polling tells me...

Nate won’t make it thru 5 innings

Thanks for the reminder, though. I’d forgotten there would be primary results.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on May 6, 2008 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bunt

Well that’s ONE way to get an out.

by pfuhrmeister on May 6, 2008 8:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Throwing out Cash at third?

Rod’s saying Nate could’ve gotten Cash there, but honestly, what are the chances he would’ve fired that ball into left field?

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 6, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The BoSox are doing the Tigers a favor by playing small ball...

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on May 6, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grrrr

Good call Nate, everybody knows that Cash has the speed of a young Rickey Henderson

by SonOfGibby on May 6, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

WOW

Got out of that mess!

by pfuhrmeister on May 6, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The broadcast of the merry go round might be more competitive Mario.

by SonOfGibby on May 6, 2008 8:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Elections

I might have to call Detroit for Wakefield.

by pfuhrmeister on May 6, 2008 8:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A painless 5th for Nate

He’s doing what he can to keep the Tigers in the game. Now how about some runs?

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 6, 2008 8:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't hold your breath

Another K for Sheff

by pfuhrmeister on May 6, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is rough.

13 in a row???? Is Wake a Cy Young candidate or is our offense in a coma? If I had to guess I would choose the latter.

by SonOfGibby on May 6, 2008 8:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Last inning for Nate?

Well over 90 pitches.

by pfuhrmeister on May 6, 2008 8:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

To the Tigers have somewhere to be tonight?

they sure are swinging like they have other plans

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on May 6, 2008 8:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A great way for Grandy to sell more magazines...

would be to hit a home run here.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 6, 2008 8:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I've got a bad feeling

Robertson has thrown a lot of pitches and the sluggers are up.

by pfuhrmeister on May 6, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, one hitter is finding his stroke

Unfortunately, it’s David Ortiz.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 6, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

BOOM goes Manny

Atta boy, Freddy Dolsi.

How often do you see a ball hit into the shrubs over Curtis’ head? Brutal.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 6, 2008 8:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That was Manny's way of saying...

“welcome to the big leagues, kid”

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on May 6, 2008 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So

How ‘bout them Celtics?

by pfuhrmeister on May 6, 2008 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am at a loss for words. We sweep the Yankees at Yankee for the first time in 42 years, and lose five in a row. Two steps forward, ten steps back.

Go Tigers

by Tony K on May 6, 2008 8:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Seven Innings

One hit, no walks. The Tigers make every pitcher look like a Cy Young winner. A thousand runs this season? More like a hundred.

by pfuhrmeister on May 6, 2008 8:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Knuckling away

I was silent the last day because of sheer frustration and now I am speechless. I can’t take it anymore for today. To see the knuckler on the mound is painful for me especially when the Tigs don’t get it done against him for the second time now. 1 Hit I cannot believe it. 85 Pitches in 7 Innings. It’s 3 am in Germany now, I am going to sleep. Next time we’ll beat them

Greetings from Germany. Dirk

by Germantiger on May 6, 2008 9:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Glad to hear from you, Dirk

If only the Tigers could’ve sent you to sleep with a better feeling.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 6, 2008 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is like a car crash

I can’t stop wathing!!!

by miggy4mvp on May 6, 2008 9:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

*watching

by miggy4mvp on May 6, 2008 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ONE HIT?? THE SECOND HIGHEST EFFING PAYROLL IN THE GOD DAMN MAJOR LEAGUES, AND ALL WE CAN GET IS ONE HIT OF A 65 MPH KNUCKLEBALLER?!

Go Tigers

by Tony K on May 6, 2008 9:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sheff on D

Was Sheff shooting the breeze with Granderson while that ball was rocketing towards his face

by SonOfGibby on May 6, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sheff at the plate

That was a NASTY pitch from Wakefield to strike him out.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 6, 2008 9:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it just me

or does Wakefield pitch at least one fastball per at bat? Why don’t they just look for the fastball and swing at it no matter were it is.
holy hell is that a hit and a runner on 2nd

by miggy4mvp on May 6, 2008 9:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

crap

I was looking to use Harry Doyle’s quote in a game recap tonight, the Tigers can’t even suck right

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on May 6, 2008 9:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd say it's time for a Leyland blowup...

but he’s already played that card. Along with the juggling the batting order card, switching positions card, and the “drastic” change card. Are there any cards left?

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on May 6, 2008 9:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

To me, that's the big worry

What other cards are there for Leyland to play, other than having his blowup in full view of the press this time?

What more can he do, really? This week, he tried to make his players accountable for their lack of production. Now they have to start playing better, don’t they?

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 6, 2008 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs