Joy, Agony, Joy: Tigers 10, Red Sox 9

by Ian Casselberry on May 8, 2008 12:03 AM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Anybody else need to take a long drag on an oxygen tank after that one? No? Then a cigarette, perhaps? Hoo, baby. Trying to describe everything that happened in this game could take 2,000 words and I'm not sure I have it in me after going from a warm, fuzzy feeling to gut punch nauseous to hug and kiss anyone nearby.

The sickening gut punch came from Francisco Cruceta who gave up a game-tying, three-run homer to Mike Lowell, turning a sure win into possible tears-inducing loss. Will it be a while before Cruceta gets to put on his cape again in a key late-inning situation? Well... Jim Leyland doesn't exactly have a bunch of other guys he can trust right now. Cruceta will probably be out there again soon.

Actual vomiting may have been induced by Leyland's decision to send Magglio Ordonez running on contact in the eighth inning when the Tigers had men on first and second with one out against Hideki Okajima. Gary Sheffield neglected to contribute the contact part of the equation and Maggs was mowed down at third for a seemingly morale-crushing double play.

With the Red Sox having a closer that hadn't blown a save so far this season, it looked like game over, and one seriously bleak 20-hour wait until Thursday night's series finale. Fortunately for the Tigers, Julio Lugo apparently didn't get the memo. Even watching on TV, you could feel the air go out of Comerica Park when Edgar Renteria hit a ground ball to Lugo in the ninth inning for what looked like a sure double play ball.

Except Lugo muffed it, giving the Tigers a chance they probably never thought they'd see. And this time, they pounced on it, moving runners along and driving them in. Lugo was involved in the final play, as well, with Placido Polanco (who gets The Big Roar with a 5-for-6 night) blooping a broken-batted ball just over his outstretched glove to score Renteria - the runner who never should've reached base to begin with.

Let's go over that ninth inning again, in case you just joined us. Check-swing bouncer, error, sacrifice bunt, ground-out, broken-bat blooper. Tigers win. Tigers win!

Anyone else need some Dramamine? Whew!

Roll Call

We had a great GameThread tonight, with so many ups and downs. But these are the men who rode it out. It's always so much more fun when it's for a winning cause.

Thanks to pfuhrmeister, Germantiger, Zappatista, Fats Fothergill, Tony K, spotstarters, Grant E., Matt in Toledo, miggy4mvp, MackAveKurt, BigAl, rock n rye, ThaWalrus9, SonOfGibby, and Tigsfan, all of whom helped us through suffering and celebration in solidarity.

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Dramamine?!

Yep, should have. I think I fell asleep about 1 AM, and was up at 5:45, no alarm necessary today. But, I think the headline should be more like, “Joy, Agony, Joy, Agony…..hold steady….Crippling Agony (SO crippling, unable to rip the cape off…oh it BURNS), JOY!”

by Zappatista on May 8, 2008 7:40 AM EDT reply actions

That photo

...is triggering waves of childhood nostalgia. Cedar Point rules! And if you’re from OH, it’s extremely important to your growth and development as a human being. (Although the Corkscrew ain’t all that—it was a novelty when they built it, but it’s pretty obsolete.)

I’ll take credit for hanging in on the game thread, but of course I was in and out of the room. I get frustrated easily. :) I’m the guy who walks through the party occasionally, making smart-ass comments.

by Matt in Toledo on May 8, 2008 11:25 AM EDT reply actions

The Corkscrew

The first time I rode it, my gum fell out of my mouth when we turned upside down. To this day, I wonder if it landed in someone’s hair or food.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on May 8, 2008 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

A win is a win

No matter how you slice it. Sure there are things about that game that you can pick apart – Cruceta didn’t look good, Sheff’s failure at the hit and run, Dirty Curty going ofer. But Sheff got three hits. Polly got FIVE. And for the first time this season, everyone on the team is hitting over .200.

Before the season started, this is exactly the kind of game we expected – weak pitching, lots of hitting. So let’s enjoy it.

And speaking of amusement parks, does anyone remember – what was it’s name – Bob-Li?

by pfuhrmeister on May 8, 2008 12:04 PM EDT reply actions