Game 79: Rockies (32-47) at Tigers (38-40)
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 5:32 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintColorado Rockies at Detroit Tigers, Jun 27, 2008 7:05 PM EDT
Ubaldo Jimenez (2-7, 4.52) vs. 
Eddie Bonine (1-0, 5.84)
And so our love affair with the National League comes to an end after this weekend. Following a three-game dogfight with the St. Louis Cardinals, the defending NL champions come into town, fresh off being swept out of Kansas City by the Royals. I'm a bit worried that the Tigers are worn out after trading blows with the Cards and could suffer a bit of a letdown against Colorado, but maybe they're even more confident after winning a series from one of the best teams in baseball.
The Rockies have lost five of their last six games, giving up an average of almost six runs in those losses. Ubaldo Jimenez has pitched well in his last three starts, allowing just three earned runs in 20 innings, yet only has one win to show for the effort. Here's an insightful feature on Jimenez and his pitching repertoire from the Denver Post (via SB Nation broham Purple Row).
This also means the return of Jason Grilli to Comerica Park, where he doesn't pitch very well (thanks Billfer) and the fans just plain don't like him. (Maybe BYB could be considered one of the places where "angry fans" devote "web space" to "ripping" Grili, but I think this site deserves most of that spotlight.) Grilli has been good lately, allowing just one earned run in his last nine appearances (9 1/3 innings), but it'll be interesting to see what happens if he pitches in Detroit.
I don't know how short of a leash Eddie Bonine was on with Tigers management, but he certainly made a case for staying in the starting rotation with his performance last weekend in San Diego. Bonine didn't look so good in his debut against the Dodgers, but was bailed out by his lineup and bullpen. However, he held the Padres to just two runs and pitched seven innings. Giving up home runs is a concern, however, as Bonine has served up three in just 12 1/3 innings. Chicks dig the long ball, Eddie, but only when hitters jack them over the fence.
By the way, don't ask Jim Leyland about his time in Colorado. He doesn't want to talk about it. How many of us do like talking about old jobs, anyway?
The aforementioned Purple Row has your SB Nation opposing view for the weekend.
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Lineups
Colorado
W. Tavaras, CF
S. Podsednik, DH
M. Holliday, LF
B. Hawpe, RF
G. Atkins, 3B
J. Baker, 1B
C. Iannetta, C
T. Tulowitzki, SS
C. Barmes, 2B
Detroit
C. Granderson, CF
P. Polanco, 2B
C. Guillen, 3B
M. Ordonez, RF
M. Cabrera, 1B
C. Thomas, LF
G. Sheffield, DH
I. Rodriguez, C
M. Hollimon, SS
No Rentetria?
and so much for Thames winning the LF job. He may be country strong but he’s not strong enough to take on the Clete’s Cult.
"I have an Alka Seltzer bat. You know, plop plop fizz fizz. When the pitcher sees me walking up there they say, 'Oh what a relief it is" - Andy Van Slyke
I was surprised about both of those as well
Looks like it’s just Leyland trying to ride the hot hand. Says both Renteria and Thames will be back in there tomorrow.
The suspicious part of me...
I know this probably isn’t the case, but I briefly wondered if Leyland might have been mad at Thames for muffing that ball in LF Wednesday night, as well as getting ejected.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe the muff in the outfield
Leyland doesn’t seem to be upset by the occasional ejection arguing balls and strikes. Especially as, in my words from that night, Marcus got rung up on a “horseshit call” (again, pardon my french). Still and all, Jimmy isn’t really the type of manager who benches their players for an on-field gaffe, such as not running out a ground ball, or muffing a catch in the outfield.
like this
he’s getting ahead of everyone in the count
"I have an Alka Seltzer bat. You know, plop plop fizz fizz. When the pitcher sees me walking up there they say, 'Oh what a relief it is" - Andy Van Slyke
"He don't wanna pitch to you!"
Jimenez wanted no part of Sheff there.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 7:31 PM EDT reply actions
thanks
I was just wondering didn’t want to sound like an idiot, but he could have a crazy last name, I don’t care as long as he’s making those plays
THE HAMMER
if there were any doubt's before tonight
that triple confirms Grandyland is open for business
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
So sweet to see him get a triple. It’s all coming together for Curtis now.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
After the Cardinals series...
I expected the home plate ump to call that a strikeout on Guillen.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 7:50 PM EDT reply actions
Clete!
Oh, this left field thing could develop into a nice problem to have.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions
need a few more runs here
for as much as Jimenez has struggled, the Tigers should have a bigger lead…
No Grilli yet
Ryan Speier warming up in the bullpen.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions
Could be just that people don't have much of a "book" on him yet
Or he could be a good pitcher. Too early to tell.
by pfuhrmeister on Jun 27, 2008 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Eddie
In that first game, where he got the win, he looked so hittable. He learned a lot in a short time. He realized that he had to throw the low strike, and has been amazing (for a rookie) ever since.
He definitely needs the defense
In his first start, the Tigers weren’t making many plays behind him. And Bonine needs that because, as you said, he’s not going to blow hitters away. But he’s getting it done.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 8:49 PM EDT reply actions
As much as I/we rip on Grilli...
That picture is one of my favorite memories of 2006.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Clete's in a good spot
With Sheffield behind him and hitting fairly well. I’d not want to be an opposing pitcher looking up and down this lineup. You’d have to feel that Hollimon is your only break.
As solid as Bonine has been
Let us not forget, all 3 starts so far have come against NL West teams, all with losing records. He scares me when we get back to the AL games…
Beer
My son bought me a variety of beers for Father’s Day. Right now I’m drinking something called Stone Imperial Russian Stout. It’s a 1 pint 6 oz bottle, and 10.8% ABV. I might start slurring my typing soon.
On Thames not starting
Via Jason Beck:
“Marcus Thames is going to play a whole bunch. But sometimes people play best when they’re in a comfort zone. He’s going to be fine tomorrow. He’s fine right now. I talked with him yesterday [about the ejection]. He knows that wasn’t him. [Umpire] Wally Bell knows that wasn’t him. But all of a sudden, people expect you to hit a home run every time up. That’s not fair. This is a good lesson for Marcus to learn how to deal with some stuff. And he’ll handle it beautifully. I would guess Marcus Thames will get two hits tomorrow night. I don’t know if he’ll hit a homer, but I feel real good with Marcus Thames up there.”
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply actions
Plenty of room
By the way, if you’ve been to a game this season, Clete’s roster photo on the scoreboard is kind of hilarious. He looks like someone told him that ghosts exist or that he’s been traded to Japan.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions
haven't had a chance
Haven’t managed to catch them on the road either. Tough year for that.
by pfuhrmeister on Jun 27, 2008 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Zumaya warming up
This IS a good spot to put him in, with a four-run lead.
And this will be the first time this season that Zoom enters the game with a full crowd in the seats. Hardly anyone was there on Wednesday when he came in.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions
Brutal Brad Hawpe
He has not had a good game in right field tonight.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 9:24 PM EDT reply actions
the ball hits the wall, and he's already rounding second
I heart Curtis
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
A STAND-UP TRIPLE!!
Oh, baby! Grandy smoked that one. And Hawpe once again looked kind of bad.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 9:25 PM EDT reply actions
14 hits?
This is what we thought we had back in March before the team went North and went South at the same time.
Was the first one stand-up, too? Oops, my bad.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
So for the recap...
What’s the lead? Bonine or Granderson?
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 9:28 PM EDT reply actions
Bonine
Grandy has had a good night, but the Ligers (pretty much my favorite animal) have 15 hits tonights, so it’s not all Grandy. A 6 year minor league vetern (Bonine) allowing 1 run in 8 innings to a team that went to the World Series last year has to be the lead.
I know I'm late to the cult
I love watching Marcus hit the longball. But Clete has shown himself to be a pretty mature player, especially over the last two games (including tonight.)
by pfuhrmeister on Jun 27, 2008 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, at first I thought Clete took a poor angle on that ball, but it just kept going.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Ian, let me reiterate
A 6 year minor leaguer, making his third career start, just held a team that went to the World Series last year to 1 run in 8 innings.
Bonine has to be your lead.
I have to say...
I love games ending before 10 pm. Especially this week.
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 9:40 PM EDT reply actions
Fun Facts
Curtis Granderson’s BA 6/10: .235
After tonights game: .295
OBP: .294 to .343
So as Curtis goes, so do the Tigers?
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/
Could be
Wasn’t his absence one of the reasons we thought the Tigers were struggling at the start?
by Ian Casselberry on Jun 27, 2008 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions
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