Game 69: Dodgers (31-37) at Tigers (31-37)
Los Angeles @ Detroit
Clayton Kershaw (0-1, 4.50) vs.
Nate Robertson (4-6, 5.88)
As The Daily Fungo pointed out in its recap of yesterday's win, today's game could show us how far the Tigers have come over the past 10 days. Not only would finishing off a second straight series sweep (alliteration!) be impressive, but staying focused on a getaway day (before a big west coast trip) would also indicate renewed mental toughness.
Detroit has been helped a bit during their five-game winning streak by finally getting to face some left-handed pitching. But Clayton Kershaw is no soft-tossing lefty. The Dodgers' top prospect throws in the mid-90s, with a curveball that could be a public menace. Though he hasn't given up many runs (allowing more than two only once in four starts) and strikes out a batter per inning, Kershaw's big bugaboo has been his control. In 20 innings, he's issued 13 walks. As a result of his wildness, Kershaw racks up high pitch counts and hasn't gone deep into games.
Nate Robertson allowed fewer than four runs against the White Sox in his last outing, which made it one of his best performances of the season. This five-game winning streak began with that win, by the way. Could Nate be on a roll? Winning three of his last four starts says he just might be.
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. Hopefully, a day at the ballpark with your son is part of the celebration for at least some of you. You know what would go great with your gift on this hot summer day? An ice-cold, effervescent Vernor's ginger ale. We're not messing with a winning streak.

(Though if this keeps going, Schweppes might want to note all the free publicity they've been getting. We're pretty happy with the winning, however.)
Short Hops:
- Billfer peeked at Joel Zumaya's rehab outing for Toledo last night. Zumaya threw one scoreless inning with one strikeout on 11 pitches. The next (and perhaps last) test is to see if he can pitch on consecutive nights. If so, Zumaya should join the Tigers in San Diego next weekend.
- As if yesterday's results didn't make it clear, something actually is wrong with Brad Penny. Specifically, his shoulder. (via Dodger Thoughts)
- If the Tigers only have one All-Star this year, Jon Paul Morosi (who seems to be quiet this season) thinks Magglio Ordonez should be Detroit's representative.
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Comments
i know he hasn't been as lights out lately...
...but I nominate Armando Galarraga as the Tigers’ all star rep. 6-2 with a 3.31 ERA for a call-up pitcher?
If he’d been up for opening day, he might have been pushing 10 wins before the all star game….heck 3 or 4 more starts before mid-july, he might get there anyway….
by ahtrap on Jun 15, 2008 12:46 PM EDT 0 recs
just looked up the stats
He has been lights out recently again….not so hot in May, but the last couple games have been great….so, yeah, if it’s legal to do so, I second my own nomination….
by ahtrap on
Jun 15, 2008 12:47 PM EDT
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Second second
I totally agree. Maybe he doesn’t have the name value, but Galarraga would be a suitable All-Star rep.
by Ian Casselberry on
Jun 15, 2008 12:50 PM EDT
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Starting Lineups
LA DODGERS
1. Juan Pierre, LF
2. Luis Maza, 2B
3. Blake DeWitt, 3B
4. Russell Martin, DH
5. James Loney, 1B
6. Matt Kemp, CF
7. Andre Ethier, RF
8. Angel Berroa, SS
9. Danny Ardoin, C
DETROIT
1. Edgar Renteria, SS
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Carlos Guillen, 3B
4. Magglio Ordonez, RF
5. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
6. Marcus Thames, DH
7. Brandon Inge, C
8. Ryan Raburn, LF
9. Brent Clevlen, CF
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 15, 2008 12:49 PM EDT 0 recs
Today promises to be a good sports day
Tigers/Dodgers, then Tiger Woods trying to win the US Open, the Celtics/Lakers. I’ve got a case of Imperial to keep me company through it all.
by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 15, 2008 1:07 PM EDT 0 recs
nice 6 pitch inning
Nasty Nate starting strong
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
by rock n rye on Jun 15, 2008 1:11 PM EDT 0 recs
Minor goof by the guy preparing the defensive alignment graphic on FSN Detroit
I’m guessing Jeff Kent isn’t manning centerfield, and that they meant to say Kemp
by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 15, 2008 1:18 PM EDT 0 recs
Infield defense
has settled down and doesn’t look like an unmitigated disaster anymore. Guillen and Cabrera both seem to be getting comfortable at their new positions.
by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 15, 2008 1:23 PM EDT 0 recs
It has to help that Guillen knows he’s going to be at 3rd base every day, instead of maybe being in left field, first base, or DH.
by Ian Casselberry on
Jun 15, 2008 1:25 PM EDT
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37 pitches for Kershaw
if he keeps this pace up, he’ll be out of there after 5 innings….
by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 15, 2008 1:36 PM EDT 0 recs
That’s pretty much been his M.O. so far this season.
by Ian Casselberry on
Jun 15, 2008 1:39 PM EDT
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Thunderstorms?
They showed the clouds looming toward Comerica Park on TV. Here in Ann Arbor (40-ish miles away), we’re under a severe thunderstorm watch until 2:30 p.m. EST.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 15, 2008 1:43 PM EDT 0 recs
looking pretty ominous here too
...but I’m in Mobile, AL so that probably has no relevance to the game. I just looked at the Detroit radar and I’d say there’s a good chance we’re going to be seeing a rain delay
by ThaWalrus9 on
Jun 15, 2008 1:45 PM EDT
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Looks like
one nasty little cell coming straight into downtown. Maybe a quick break and then back at it..
by Zappatista on
Jun 15, 2008 1:48 PM EDT
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the heaviest stuff might pass just north of Comerica
if it does, they may be able to play through it. But yeah, there’s likely going to be a 30-45 minute delay.
by ThaWalrus9 on
Jun 15, 2008 1:50 PM EDT
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Good call
Enjoy Ryan Raburn “In My Own Words,” next on FSN Detroit.
by Ian Casselberry on
Jun 15, 2008 2:07 PM EDT
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Good Ole' MLB TV
takes you to a wonderfully blurry pic of a nondiscript ground crew (still shot).....fun stuff.
by Zappatista on
Jun 15, 2008 2:10 PM EDT
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Meanwhile...
The Red Sox are taking batting practice on Homer Bailey in Cincinnati.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 15, 2008 2:10 PM EDT 0 recs
Normally
I’d fire up Meet the Press on my Tivo. Sadly, today’s episode is devoted to the passing of Tim Russert. Still, going to give it a view, going to miss spending some of my Sunday with him every week.
by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 15, 2008 2:13 PM EDT 0 recs
The empty table on the ‘Meet the Press’ set, in tribute to Russert, is just a heartbreaking image.
by Ian Casselberry on
Jun 15, 2008 2:21 PM EDT
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whats the prognosis....
its 95 and 80% humidity in Houston today
by dettigionswings'stons on Jun 15, 2008 2:42 PM EDT 0 recs
Back in action
I am mildly surprised to see Robertson back out there. Looks like Chan Ho Park might come in for the Dodgers…
by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 15, 2008 2:57 PM EDT 0 recs
New Guy
Hey Everyone, long time reader, first time in the room..
by nerdrock1985 on Jun 15, 2008 3:13 PM EDT 0 recs
For Sure
loved the kid since we drafted him, had a friend of a friend that went to high school with him and just spoke of what a good guy he was (personality wise)
by nerdrock1985 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:17 PM EDT
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Thanks for stopping in
Glad to have you join us, and we hope you have fun here.
by Ian Casselberry on
Jun 15, 2008 3:22 PM EDT
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Help me out here
Kershaw seemed to be throwing a pretty good game, why did they take him out?
by pfuhrmeister on Jun 15, 2008 3:14 PM EDT 0 recs
long rain delay
didn’t want to risk a young arm after sitting down for probably close to an hour.
by ThaWalrus9 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:15 PM EDT
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Thanks
I’m just tuning in, been setting up the smoker I got for Father’s Day.
by pfuhrmeister on Jun 15, 2008 3:16 PM EDT 0 recs
Smoker?
Oh, baby. You are speaking my language…
by Ian Casselberry on
Jun 15, 2008 3:23 PM EDT
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Rodney Ready
news says they are activating Rodney after this game, and rumor has them sending dolsi back down (especially with leyland’s comment’s), is that the right choice?
by nerdrock1985 on Jun 15, 2008 3:19 PM EDT 0 recs
we chatted about this last night a bit
right choice? maybe maybe not, but Dolsi’s got minor league options, which a lot of the guys in the pen don’t.
by ThaWalrus9 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:20 PM EDT
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last night
oh, sorry, like I said, new guy..what was the consensus?
by nerdrock1985 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:22 PM EDT
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no prob
Most felt he deserved to stay. Realistically though, seeing as he has minor league options left, he’s likely to go. Even if he avoids being sent down today (say the send down Fossum instead), he’ll probably get sent down when they call up Zumaya.
by ThaWalrus9 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:24 PM EDT
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Matt got it right
Most of us raised eyebrows when he said Dolsi (“What? He’s their best reliever right now!”) was the likely guy to go down, but if it’s a question of options, Dolsi has them so the Tigers can afford to send him down.
by Ian Casselberry on
Jun 15, 2008 3:25 PM EDT
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I don't know if thats smart...
sending Dolsi down before Rodney proves he’s the pitcher of old sounds like a mistake.
Jeff
by cannonad03 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:25 PM EDT
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The Hammer!
You know, I think Marcus Thames has to stay in the lineup.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 15, 2008 3:25 PM EDT 0 recs
really
I don’t think you have made your feelings public on this topic!
by Zappatista on
Jun 15, 2008 3:27 PM EDT
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Well, I looked like kind of a fool after complaining that Clevlen wasn’t playing left…
by Ian Casselberry on
Jun 15, 2008 3:28 PM EDT
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Miner
Why doesnt marcus start every day? why i ask? WHat about miner,he has options and though is pitching good of late stil makes me nervous when he is up there
by nerdrock1985 on Jun 15, 2008 3:26 PM EDT 0 recs
Miner
Miner can go 3 or 4 innings, so he’s almost more of a long reliever, plus, after a rough April he’s been very good in May and June.
by ThaWalrus9 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:28 PM EDT
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And this is total speculation, but I think Leyland trusts Miner more, by virtue of managing him longer. But yes, his versatility also makes him valuable.
by Ian Casselberry on
Jun 15, 2008 3:29 PM EDT
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he only went three once this year, a month ago…i just think dolsi is proving better
by nerdrock1985 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:30 PM EDT
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I look forward
to him being the everyday starting catcher next year
by ThaWalrus9 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:27 PM EDT
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Oh, I love back-to-back homers
And Inge hit one while catching, which hopefully means he’s okay with his hitting while he’s catching now.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 15, 2008 3:27 PM EDT 0 recs
i thought that was it, but i was lost on the actual date, the commercial always makes me smile (who can go back to back? magglio and cabrera)
by nerdrock1985 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:32 PM EDT
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Cheated...
This stretch is making me feel cheated for the first 8 weeks of baseball we had to endure!
by Zappatista on Jun 15, 2008 3:28 PM EDT 0 recs
as this is what most of us expected to see all along
by Zappatista on
Jun 15, 2008 3:29 PM EDT
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Wonder if Chan Ho Park just blew his chance to take Brad Penny’s spot in the Dodgers’ rotation, too.
by Ian Casselberry on
Jun 15, 2008 3:31 PM EDT
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They should put
Kuo into the rotation, guys got electric stuff.
by ThaWalrus9 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:32 PM EDT
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Marcus
Does Sheffield steal his playing time when he comes back? Hope not.
by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 15, 2008 3:30 PM EDT 0 recs
Geez - good question
It shouldn’t affect Marcus. They’ll just send down Larish, and put Sheff at DH again. But Leyland is so accommodating to Sheffield, who knows what will happen?
by Ian Casselberry on
Jun 15, 2008 3:32 PM EDT
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i never understand why monroe got so much time over thames..
by nerdrock1985 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:33 PM EDT
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Sheff IS a Hall of Famer
he has earned a pretty long leash. If Leyland isn’t afraid to play Marcus in left, he might not lose any playing time, he’s just logged quite a few games at DH recently…
by ThaWalrus9 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:34 PM EDT
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Big BOIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Just caught that he jacked another one! great stuff from Marcus, man has got some heart out there. Hopefully they keep him out in left more often despite Clevlen’s talented outfielding abilities.
by Tigsfan on Jun 15, 2008 3:33 PM EDT 0 recs
Leyland will let sheff play in LF again if Shef wants. Sheff gets what Sheff wants. But a healthy Sheff could not be a bad thing right?
by BobbyHigginson on
Jun 15, 2008 3:36 PM EDT
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No
Sheff was actually heating up when he got hurt, he was over .300 with three multihit games and a HR in the week prior to getting hurt. If he’s healthy, he’ll be a big help.
by ThaWalrus9 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:38 PM EDT
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World Baseball Classic
aside, can anyone remember when Park was actually decent? HE must really not wanna go back east
by nerdrock1985 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:36 PM EDT
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When did he sign that ridiculous contract with the Rangers? 2001? Before that, he was a solid innings-eater that won 15 games a season.
by Ian Casselberry on
Jun 15, 2008 3:39 PM EDT
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5 years, 65 million
yeah, dumb contract. I’ve always said, it’s not paying ARod 25 mill a year that kills you, it’s paying Chan Ho Park 12 mill a year…
by ThaWalrus9 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:41 PM EDT
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fun fact about Chan Ho Park
from Wikipedia: “Park’s sister, Seong Kim, is a model for a Korean plus-size clothing line.”
by ThaWalrus9 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:46 PM EDT
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Rangers
I think its a result of getting paid good money to pitch for the rangers, you will forever play worse
by nerdrock1985 on
Jun 15, 2008 3:41 PM EDT
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I know I said this yesterday
But watching these Dodgers is like watching the Tigers earlier this season.


