Game 72: Tigers (33-38) at Giants (31-41)
Detroit Tigers at San Francisco Giants, Jun 18, 2008 3:45 PM EDT
Armando Galarraga (6-2, 3.31) vs.
Barry Zito (2-10, 5.88)
The Tigers came back strong after their first loss in six games for a 5-1 win last night over the Giants, perhaps indicating that Monday's game was more of a stumble than a fall. As Kurt said at Mack Avenue Tigers, the loss felt like more of a fluke rather than a return to bad form. Clinching a series win this afternoon would confirm that sentiment, however.
Is it at all strange that Barry Zito's record resembles Justin Verlander's (3-9, 4.55)? In last night's GameThread, Matt was lamenting the way wins and losses are decided for pitchers, and Zito and Verlander present two examples of how won-loss record is often not an accurate barometer for judging a pitcher's merit. Verlander has been frequently victimized by a lack of run support, while Zito apparently suffers from an inability to get hitters out. Zito's been hurt by his lineup in a few games too, but in eight of his 14 starts, he's given up five runs or more.
On Detroit's side, the Armando Galarraga Experience continues to gain stature. Unless he's "piggybacking" on another pitcher's start, Galarraga has been close to outstanding, as if he was sent from another planet to save Tigers baseball. (And I'm not discounting that, by the way. A proper investigation - preferably by NASA - has yet to be conducted.) Over his last three starts, he's given up just four runs in 21 innings.
By the way, I completely overlooked Edgar Renteria getting his 2,000th hit last night (something Samela did not do), which is something that deserves its own post. I hope to get to that later tonight. (Meanwhile, Billfer attacked the notion that Renteria's defense is poor, which is another sort of tribute.) I just got caught up in the excitement from Ryan Raburn and Marcus Thames hitting the long ball, which surely fueled me through some 1 a.m. typing.
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Starting Lineups
DETROIT
1. Edgar Renteria, SS
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Carlos Guillen, 3B
4. Magglio Ordonez. RF
5. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
6. Marcus Thames, LF
7. Ivan Rodriguez, C
8. Curtis Granderson, CF
9. Armando Galarraga, P
SAN FRANCISCO
1. Fred Lewis, LF
2. Jose Castillo, 3B
3. Randy Winn, RF
4. Bengie Molina, C
5. Aaron Rowand, CF
6. John Bowker, 1B
7. Travis Denker, 2B
8. Omar Vizquel, SS
9. Barry Zito, P
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 2:34 PM EDT reply actions
hey guys, im new here, but gooooooooo tigers
by Ramon Santiago (little man big heart) on Jun 18, 2008 3:06 PM EDT reply actions
Welcome!
Glad you stopped in. Don’t be a stranger!
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
almost game time, thank god
I have read every single article printed about the TIgers today, ready for first pitch..LETS GO!!! I am just so much happier when they are playing well..
This is how you lose ball games..
bases loaded with 1 out and not getting anyone in??? come on guys
Happy or Disappointed
Are you guys more happy that the Tigers got 2 in the first, or disappointed that they only scored 2?
those who say disappointed are spoiled from the recent play of this team..we have to remember this is the team that got shut out 7 times already this year
Galarraga
$5 for everyone here if Galarraga goes deep.
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Why is it?
that ESPN.COM is freezing up on me at work, but bless you boys is running smoothly…whats going on? still 2-0?
3-0
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by spotstarters on Jun 18, 2008 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
5-0
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by spotstarters on Jun 18, 2008 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Barry Zito
At least our awful lefty (d-train) isn’t messing things up in the majors like poor Barry Zito. He just has to sit there and get booed pretty much every game. It’s 3-0
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yeah, nasty.
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by spotstarters on Jun 18, 2008 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
yes
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by spotstarters on Jun 18, 2008 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
For all those not able to watch the game some writer for the San Francisco Chronicle (or whatever it is) wrote in the paper that it would be bad enough being beaten by one of the Tigers high paid thumpers, but the Giants got beat by a .219 hitting scrub named Raburn
That roster
If Raburn played for the SFG he would probably bat 2nd. Look at that roster. Molina is servicable, but not as a cleanup hitter. Lewis and Rowand are the only everyday players that could even sniff playing time on a contender. So, does this writer expect the Giants to sweep a rolling, talented club?
Wow.
Everything is jumping off the bats. Zito’s pitching is like a tasty, tasty beef brisket sandwich. Yum! (yes, I’m hungry)
ok, granted, it’s only the second inning, but is anyone else already ruing the fact that the man with the crooked hat messed up what could have been a third straight sweep?
Bummer
You typically like to get to the long relief as early as possible Not when Zito is on the mound, though.
holy crap...
did anyone just see the Rod Allen clip the San Fran broadcast just showed?
Jeff
no kidding.
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by spotstarters on Jun 18, 2008 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Did I miss all the fireworks?
Zito isn’t even in the game anymore? Whoo!
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 5:05 PM EDT reply actions
The Giants are not very good.
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by spotstarters on Jun 18, 2008 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
He walked Galarraga if that tells you anything.
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by spotstarters on Jun 18, 2008 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe someone told Zito it was Andres Galarraga.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
This makes me so happy
Like I said last night, if the Tigers hadn’t come out and pounded Zito today, it would’ve been such a disappointment.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 5:08 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah, I thought you jinxed us last night with that comment.
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by spotstarters on Jun 18, 2008 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I just read that SF Chronicle story
Pardon my French, but what an asshole.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 5:12 PM EDT reply actions
yeah..
That’s just really surprising. I just did a little write up on it (plug). It’s unusual to see a journalist do that.
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by spotstarters on Jun 18, 2008 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s just oozing with bias, for one thing.
And it comes off as somebody’s mad he has to watch bad baseball.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Then he calls Marcus Thames “Homer or Nothing.” How bitter is that?
Here’s the article in question.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
didn;t think it was all that bad
the .219 hitting scrub on raburn was a bit harsh, but as a beat writer covering a team, you’re supposed to come across as a supporter as well as a reporter, I think….
I mean, personally, the worst type of sports reporter is the Drew Sharp type, who’d go out of his way to slam home teams unnecessarily….so he took a couple of shots, (well, one, at Raburn), so what? He called the Tigers team a murderer’s row, and gave props to a young up and comer in Sanchez.
Right, that was the other thing. Like he feels like he was wronged personally that the Giants weren’t able to win after a quality start and that the Tigers were doing it to ruin his life. Weird style.
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Might as well link to your post on the subject, Blake.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
You are the man Ian. A God among men.
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by spotstarters on Jun 18, 2008 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Thank you
But I think Marcus Thames has dibs on that title.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
good point.
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by spotstarters on Jun 18, 2008 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Galarraga is an on base machine.
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Never quite felt like a threat
But nice to see Galarraga finish off that inning so he’s eligible for the win.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, the Giants aren't very good....
but, with our bullpen, a big lead makes me feel more comfortable
That does seem a little bit harsh, doesn’t it? Let him try for #9.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I think you’re right. Sit back and enjoy the win.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
why is Galarraga being charged with an earned run by Yahoo? That first run followed a error by cabrera before the striekout/wild itch that allowed the run….shouldn’t the error have rendered it unearned?
The 68-year-old "ball dude"
Would the Giants be better if they had him playing third base right now?
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 6:13 PM EDT reply actions
As much as I love this blog, the game, and you guys, there’s free beer and burgers in the hotel lobby, so I’m outta here.
I could probably offer a fifth of dark rum and some nachos. I’ll have to check the freezer for burgers.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Ball Dude layin' out for the ball
Sabean needs to put him on the roster.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 6:28 PM EDT reply actions
Or Leyland could pay him $20 to stand in for him the rest of the game. Just switch uniforms.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe the Tigers need to acquire him for the stretch run...
Not like they’re in the middle of a youth movement or anything.
Just a thought
assuming Dolsi gets through this with the 5 run lead intact…..do you send Rodney out there to mop up, and get in a few pitches in a less threatening situation that what he faced Monday?
I was thinking the exact same thing. Is that an insult to Rodney? Or an opportunity to work some things out?
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I was thinking the latter….but….then again, he came in against the Giants and couldn’t get them out (I mean, seriously, Bowker?), would you put him in a pressure packed situation against the Red Sox or even the White Sox right now?
I agree
Let him try to locate that fastball.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
was driving around doing field work most of the day
listening to a drubbing of Barry Zito, made the Atlanta traffic much more enjoyable
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
As fun as these three games have been...
I am really looking forward to sleeping at a decent hour tonight.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 18, 2008 7:01 PM EDT reply actions
As much as I hate to say it
In that seris with San fran I truly can give enough credit to Aaron Rowand, it seemed every time he made a routine fly ball and someoine was on base he would keep them honest and almost turned the double play on maggs in game 2 i think? Wasn’t there once trade possibilities of getting him, but hey now THE HAMMER, GRANDO, and maggs hold it down i couldn’t be more happy
THE HAMMER
by Ramon Santiago (little man big heart) on Jun 19, 2008 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

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