Detroit @ San Diego GameThread, Jun 20, 2008 10:05 PM EDT

Game 73: Tigers (34-38) at Padres (31-43)

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 20, 2008 8:01 PM EDT in News

Detroit @ San Diego

Eddie Bonine (1-0, 10.13) vs. Greg Maddux (3-5, 3.31)

That "rematch of the 1984 World Series" stuff doesn't seem too pertinent when the Tigers and Padres faced each other just three years ago, does it? Maybe that's a reason to dislike Interleague Play for some. For me, it's a reason to love it. I think it's great that we get to see the Tigers play at Petco Park and face one of the modern titans of pitching (Is that laying it on a bit thick?) in Greg Maddux.

Pitchers such as Maddux, who rely more on guile and deception rather than pure stuff, have given Detroit trouble in the past. But the Tigers are basically beating every kind of pitcher right now, so maybe it doesn't matter. Maddux is coming off one of his worst starts of the season, in which he gave up five runs (two earned) and eight hits in six innings vs. the Indians. In his three appearances before that, however, Maddux allowed just four total runs over 19 innings. Good hitting lineups have knocked him around this year, and right now, the Tigers are swinging the bat well.

Could this be Eddie Bonine's final start with the big league club? He can certainly influence such a decision with a solid outing tonight. But he really wasn't very good last Saturday against the Dodgers, giving up six runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings, and may have prompted the Tigers to begin thinking about other starting pitching options. Bonine didn't walk any batters, which is how he works, but he does give up some hits. I know some might think Petco Park's spaciousness could help him, but there's also a lot of space for hits to drop in if he can't keep the ball on the ground.

And will Joel Zumaya see some action tonight? The Tigers officially activated him this afternoon, and would surely like to see what he's got. Even if he's not great tonight, he can't possibly be worse than Fernando Rodney was on Monday, right? Right?

Gaslamp Ball has your SB Nation opposing view for this three-game series. If you happen to stop over there for some ribbing, please keep it civil. We're all friends here.

And if you stopped over because of Blake's generous plug at The Spot Starters, it's much appreciated. Thanks for joining the chatter and we hope you feel comfortable enough to stick around.

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Comments

GLB'er stopping in

Before you kick the crap out of us and I get bitter… nice post and good luck.

can you cure us of this fate
mock the litany in its face

by Axion on Jun 20, 2008 8:19 PM EDT 0 recs

Hey, thanks for stopping by

I’m looking forward to checking in over there and chatting.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 20, 2008 9:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

zumaya

He won’t do worse than Rodney? Way to work the jinx, Ian.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jun 20, 2008 9:15 PM EDT 0 recs

seriously

I don’t know if I could do worse in my first outing than Rodney did…

by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 20, 2008 9:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

So long as he doesn't give up a bomb to Giles or Greene

I’ll be happy with whatever Zumaya does… I’m not a fan of Greene and well, Giles is a former Tribe

by Boney on Jun 20, 2008 9:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

and

I wouldn’t be surprised if Giles’ name ever popped up on a HGH list or steroid list… look at how the power has dropped off

by Boney on Jun 20, 2008 9:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

Giles has been off the juice since they started testing.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard on Jun 21, 2008 3:24 AM EDT up 0 recs

Starting Lineups

DETROIT

1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Carlos Guillen, 3B
4. Magglio Ordonez, RF
5. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
6. Marcus Thames, LF
7. Edgar Renteria, SS
8. Pudge Rodriguez, C
9. Eddie Bonine, P

SAN DIEGO

1. Jody Gerut, CF
2. Edgar Gonzalez, 2B
3. Brian Giles, RF
4. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
5. Chase Headley, 3B
6. Scott Hairston, LF
7. Khalil Greene, SS
8. Michael Barrett, C
9. Greg Maddux, P

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 20, 2008 9:35 PM EDT 0 recs

Ian!!

by Boney on Jun 20, 2008 9:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Boney!!

What’s going on, man? Summer treating you well so far?

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 20, 2008 9:38 PM EDT up 0 recs

yeah it's been good man

how about yours?

by Boney on Jun 20, 2008 10:00 PM EDT up 0 recs

Busy playing catch-up so far

But I’m looking forward to some grilling and road-tripping.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 20, 2008 10:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

Worse than Rodney?

Knock on wood. We hope not.

Guess who I got to see tonight. Al Kaline was in town to watch his grandson Colin play ball with the Battle Creek Bombers. It was a mob scene so I didn’t get an autograph but still got some pictures. Just thought I’d throw some small town trivia in there.

by densogirl on Jun 20, 2008 9:45 PM EDT 0 recs

How cool is that?

And pictures to show for it.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 20, 2008 9:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'm really looking forward to the Cards series

Tigers will honor ‘68 team. Kaline, Lolich, Horton etc. in attendence. That will be a lot of fun.

by Grant E. on Jun 20, 2008 9:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

Denny McLain might be there if he can clear it with his parole officer, too.

by Grant E. on Jun 20, 2008 9:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

easy...

actually two years ago I caught the game against the cards that the tigers won in 10 (or was it 11) innings on a drive into the gap by Placido. Awesome game.

by Zappatista on Jun 20, 2008 9:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

Jody Gerut?

Seriously, who saw that one coming? Remember when he used to murder the Tigers?

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jun 20, 2008 9:46 PM EDT 0 recs

At the risk of sounding like a jerk...

If the Shock game isn’t over by 10 pm, FSN Detroit is switching to the Tigers, right?

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 20, 2008 9:48 PM EDT 0 recs

wow

If they don’t I would be shocked and would laugh in poor taste.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jun 20, 2008 9:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

FSN+

I would have to assume

by Grant E. on Jun 20, 2008 9:51 PM EDT up 0 recs

Programing Filler

This is most likely the most watched the shock has ever been

by KZone on Jun 20, 2008 9:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

KZone?

Does Joe Morgan know you’re hanging out with us on a Friday night? Is he jealous?

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 20, 2008 10:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yeah

I have the week off, have to get rested up for Sunday night

by KZone on Jun 20, 2008 10:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

I don't always get a chance to see my brother x-mo in action

thought I would check him out

by KZone on Jun 20, 2008 10:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

So you two ARE related. I knew it!

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 20, 2008 10:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

Heady

Is that Heady Lamar in their lineup? It’s Headley!!!!!!

by Zappatista on Jun 20, 2008 9:54 PM EDT 0 recs

blazing saddles?

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jun 20, 2008 10:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

Oh, I suppose we could, don’t you….

by Zappatista on Jun 20, 2008 10:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

Consider it a tribute to the recently-departed Harvey Korman

by Grant E. on Jun 20, 2008 10:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

You've GOT to be shitting me

She better miss one of these

by Grant E. on Jun 20, 2008 10:01 PM EDT 0 recs

Thank God she missed that

by KZone on Jun 20, 2008 10:02 PM EDT 0 recs

talk about good timing

by KZone on Jun 20, 2008 10:06 PM EDT 0 recs

What, no Shock Live?

Where’s the post-game show?

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 20, 2008 10:06 PM EDT 0 recs

Nice start!!!

by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 20, 2008 10:06 PM EDT 0 recs

grandigity!!!!

by Zappatista on Jun 20, 2008 10:06 PM EDT 0 recs

Well then

That’s a hell of a way the start this party

by Grant E. on Jun 20, 2008 10:06 PM EDT 0 recs

Eddine Bonine and all...

I like our chances tonight. I’m feeling confident.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jun 20, 2008 10:10 PM EDT 0 recs

he better hope they start giving him the inside corner..

by Zappatista on Jun 20, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

Eddie Bonine and Zach Miner

Brothers? Look a lot alike.

by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 20, 2008 10:13 PM EDT 0 recs

pudge

still has it behind the plate. wow.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Jun 20, 2008 10:14 PM EDT 0 recs

Awesome throw

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 20, 2008 10:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

much like Peyton Manning

he has a laser, rocket arm

by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 20, 2008 10:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

But does Pudge make so many funny commercials back in Puerto Rico?

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 20, 2008 10:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

How would we know?

Maybe he does! He’s a comic genius!

by Matt in Toledo on Jun 20, 2008 10:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yeah,

Feeling good.

Anybody know how Granderson’s lead-off homer stats stack up in the grand scheme of things? Seems like he’s got a pretty good number of them already.

by Matt in Toledo on Jun 20, 2008 10:16 PM EDT 0 recs

Rickey Henderson holds the career record

With 81. Craig Biggio is second with 53. That was Grandy’s 10th of his career.

by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 20, 2008 10:20 PM EDT up 0 recs

so he's got a long way to go

Man, Rickey Henderson was a hell of a player.

by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 20, 2008 10:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

Cool, thanks.

I’d’ve guessed he had more. But I guess you tend to remember them.

by Matt in Toledo on Jun 20, 2008 10:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

I woulda guessed more too

But that was his 10th out of 59 career, so still a pretty high percentage.

by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 20, 2008 10:24 PM EDT up 0 recs

Tenure?

Rickey got 23 years!

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 20, 2008 10:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

Thames

Did you see that shot he threw to Polanco, no Jacque strap arm there..

by Zappatista on Jun 20, 2008 10:18 PM EDT 0 recs

In case you wondered...

Dave Gumpert wore #43 for the Tigers in the early 1980s. Almost the same type of pitcher a Senor Bonine. Carry on.

by MikeMcClary on Jun 20, 2008 10:20 PM EDT 0 recs

Hedy's up!

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on Jun 20, 2008 10:21 PM EDT 0 recs

where’s ducky?

by Zappatista on Jun 20, 2008 10:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

I wish I could watch the game...

I guess that’s what I get for living in DC

by Boney on Jun 20, 2008 10:23 PM EDT 0 recs

MLB.tv

isn’t bad

by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 20, 2008 10:24 PM EDT up 0 recs

I know..

but I’m cheap

by Boney on Jun 20, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

UNLESS

One lives in close enough proximity to the archestest rival Chicago, and every game that they play against each other is BLACKED OUT. Talk about rape, arson, murder, and rape.

by Zappatista on Jun 20, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up 0 recs