Game 56: It Took Nine Weeks, But Tigers Finally Win on Sunday

by MikeMcClary on Jun 1, 2008 9:58 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

The Gist: The Tigers mounted a ninth-inning rally against the Mariners' J.J. Putz to take a 7-3 lead. Todd Jones gave back two in the bottom half but the Tigers held on to win 7-5 and take the series. Jeremy Bonderman was solid despite giving up 12 hits in seven innings; he struck out five, walked none and allowed only three runs. The ninth-inning was fueled by a Brandon Inge one-out walk. Curtis Granderson singled him to third and the next hitter, Placido Polanco, dropped a bloop single into right to give the Tigers a 4-3 lead. Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera followed with a single and double, respectively, to pad the lead which, thanks to Jones allowing a moon-shot homer to Raul Ibanez, the Tigers ended up needing.

The Quote: "I was wondering why they went to him." -- Granderson on the Mariners' decision to bring in Putz in a non-save situation.

The Stat: 9. The number of balls hit to Carlos Guillen all of which he handled with relative ease.

Up Next: Tigers @ Athletics

Kenny Rogers (4-4, 5.88) vs Rich Harden (3-0, 2.60)

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Guillen

I was at the game yesterday and Guillen looked very comfortable out in LF. After the catch in the 1st inning that gave me a heart attack (he caught a sinking liner waving his glove at it like an infield fly rule pop up) he ran a couple of good routes to fly balls later in the game. The move is still quite curious just days after Thames was declared the everyday LF.

by tbliggins on Jun 2, 2008 1:52 PM EDT reply actions

Leyland’s throwing stuff on the stoop right now, to see if any cats’ll lick it up. Somewhere, there’s a combination that will work, and here’s hoping it gets found soon. With Tbay playing out of its mind, there might not be a wild card to fight for in the fall, and Detroit going to have to win its division to ascend into the postseason.

Fortunately, the Tigers play in the AL Central, which was supposed to be murderer’s row, but more resembles a muddled mess right now….

by ahtrap on Jun 2, 2008 3:22 PM EDT reply actions

I think the wildcard train left a few weeks ago as far as Detroit is concerned. I have trouble believing that the White Sox’s pitching will continue. The Central race is still wide open, but they have to start actually winning series against those teams. Their 5-17 record vs the Central has them in the deepest hole.

by tbliggins on Jun 2, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

The worst part is the 0-6 number against the Royals who have fallen off the map completely

by ahtrap on Jun 2, 2008 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

the division

I think their is still time and a lot of games left within the division, I agree they cannot afford to lose or get swept in series within the division…at the all-star break 6 games back= it will be hard 5 games back=they could do it still 4 games or less= they are right there in the thick of things..starting pitching of late has been somewhat positive..and Rodney and Zumaya will be back in June..I honestly look forward to giving the D-train a shot..he had 2 outings with the Tigers this year one game he pitched into the 6th or 7th with no runs left a couple guys on base the the relief could not hold…and then his 2nd outing he gets injured after 14 pitches he really has not had much of a chance in Detroit yet..Go Tigers!!

by PBURGTIGER on Jun 2, 2008 5:32 PM EDT reply actions