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Game 80: Rockies (32-48) at Tigers (39-40)

Colorado Rockies at Detroit Tigers, Jun 28, 2008 7:05 PM EDT


Jeff Francis (3-7, 5.65) vs. Justin Verlander (4-9, 4.49)

At the risk of invoking any sort of disfavor from the baseball gods (particularly the one named Jinx), I won't explicitly mention what the Detroit Tigers will accomplish with a win tonight.  But you know what I'm talking about.  It's something that hasn't been in reach since the first week of April, something that we took for granted before this season began. 

Jeff Francis was knocked around by the Royals in his last start, giving up seven runs, seven hits, and three walks in just 4 1/3 innings.  The first inning has been particularly problematic, with opposing lineups batting .413/.471/.600 against him.  Francis has given up more hits, runs, and walks during the first than in any other inning, so the Tigers should have a chance to jump on him early tonight.

Meanwhile, Justin Verlander looks to be throwing as well as he has all season.  Against the Padres, Verlander notched 10 strikeouts while allowing only two runs in 5 1/3 innings.  He also walked five batters, so his control wasn't great.  But the velocity was most certainly there.

Marcus Thames is back in the lineup after a two-game layoff.  His absence raised enough questions for Jim Leyland to address before last night's game.  Thames wasn't being benched, Leyland said, but he had "been out of character a little bit."  Apparently, that home run streak made The Hammer a bit impulsive at the plate and perhaps threw his swing out of whack.  Clete Thomas filled in quite well, but he obviously can't bring the thunder of The Mighty Thames.

Short Hops:

▪▪  Ramon Santiago says his shoulder is feeling better, and hopes to begin a minor league rehab assignment next week.

▪▪  Placido Polanco was voted the most underrated player in baseball in a Sports Illustrated poll of major league players.  This means he's no longer underrated, right?

0 recs  |  Comment 117 comments

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tough break

Too bad for Polanco. He’s now the Tayshaun Prince of MLB.

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

by spotstarters on Jun 28, 2008 4:33 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Accomplishment? What are you talking about? There’s nothing remarkable about this game in any possible way.

by tplants on Jun 28, 2008 6:01 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Who was the pitcher who bucked tradition

by telling everyone in the dugout that he was pitching a perfect game in progress? I think we should channel him today.

by Juskimo on Jun 28, 2008 7:13 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

And

Taveras – CF
Helton – 1b
Holliday – LF
Hawpe – RF
Atkins – 3b
Spilborghs – DH
Baker – 2b
Iannetta – C
Tulowitzki – SS

Renteria – SS
Polanco – 2b
Guillen – 3b
Ordonez – RF
Cabrera – 1b
Sheffield – DH
Pudge – c
Grandy – CF

by Juskimo on Jun 28, 2008 7:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Ugg

Thames is hitting 6th (bet Miggy and Shef) and playing right for Los Tigres

by Juskimo on Jun 28, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ha! Rod and Mario were talking about Francis’ first inning troubles. Luckily, they refrained from calling it Jeremy Bonderman disease.

Speaking of, did he have his surgery yet? Did it go well?

by tplants on Jun 28, 2008 7:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

GAH!

Get well soon, Maggs. We need ya!

by tplants on Jun 28, 2008 7:45 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I recommend that

Maggs not allow his children in the bed, or in the alternative, sleep in the guest room.

by Juskimo on Jun 28, 2008 7:46 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Maggs

didn’t look too serious, but it’s never good to see one of the biggest producers in pain.

by LosTigres on Jun 28, 2008 7:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Wow.

Nice little mini-victory for JV to get out of that jam.

by LosTigres on Jun 28, 2008 7:57 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

roar

Ryan Raburn!

by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 28, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

c'mon

Gary, poke one to right, let’s get 2 runs…

by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 28, 2008 8:08 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The Alaskan League plays across the street from me

I can see the outfield and second and third base from my balcony.

by Juskimo on Jun 28, 2008 8:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

RABURN!!!!

SALAMI!!!!!!!!!

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jun 28, 2008 8:28 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

BIG THINGS

FROM BIG SWINGS!

by Juskimo on Jun 28, 2008 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

85 Pitches for Francis so far

Where’s Grilli?

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jun 28, 2008 8:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

oh i hope they bring him out. what do you guys think will they cheer him or boo him?

by HavocRox on Jun 28, 2008 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

it's what have you done for me lately

mostly boo and I’ll never forget his implosion in the 2006 WS

by MSU4LIF on Jun 28, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

isn't Raburn a scrub?

I mean… that’s what you would think if you lived in San Francisco

by Boney on Jun 28, 2008 8:35 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

ugh

Need to get out of this inning.

by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 28, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

NEED

a double play here.

by ThaWalrus9 on Jun 28, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

whew

big whiff there for JV

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jun 28, 2008 8:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Just got home

And was that Grilli I saw warming up?

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 28, 2008 8:58 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

THANKS!!!

thought you were at the game?

by MSU4LIF on Jun 28, 2008 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maggs?

Any word on what happened to him?

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 28, 2008 9:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

lat/oblique spasm

radio guys seem to think a few days rest will cure it

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jun 28, 2008 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Uh-oh

Those obliques are tricky. The en vogue injury of the 00’s.

Thanks for the update.

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 28, 2008 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i'm with Juskimo

Maggs is not allow to move any pillows for the next few days

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jun 28, 2008 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey man, how’s it going?

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 28, 2008 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

it's ok

wish it would stop raining in my area… it seems like every day it rains now

by Boney on Jun 28, 2008 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Easy

some of us are in the lawn mowing industry and we’re loving this rain haha

by rossjohnson87 on Jun 28, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah well...

if you’re in the DC area you know what happens when it rains. all the idiot drivers get extremely friendly with the brake pedal

by Boney on Jun 28, 2008 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Miner

Did the Tigers really trade Bautista when they could’ve sent down Miner? Just checking.

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 28, 2008 9:16 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

My god, Miner. Get an out.

by LosTigres on Jun 28, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

maybe we can get Bautista back...

with or without that arm bruise he has

by Boney on Jun 28, 2008 9:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Escape!

Got Helton on a check swing!

I’d love to see a replay of that, but Helton doesn’t appear to be putting up much of a fight on the call.

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 28, 2008 9:21 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

How did JV look

Was it the walks or what…that pitch count is high for 5 innings

by dettigionswings'stons on Jun 28, 2008 9:22 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

My how far Helton has fallen...

jesus… he used to be a legit triple crown threat, now he’s turned into JT Snow

by Boney on Jun 28, 2008 9:24 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Brad Hawpe

That young man has not had a good series.

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 28, 2008 9:36 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

i just looked at the yahoo game page (not gamecast), and they had grilli in his tigers hat, against Miggy….in his Tigers hat….and I got really confused, and had a mini-heart attack thinking that somehow we had reacquired him….

by ahtrap on Jun 28, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

what’s the deal with Magglio leaving?

come to think of it, what’s the deal with me dropping in for a second and leaving, too? I gotta get me to a bar to watch the coming of .500 baseball in Detroit :)

(or to celebrate a friend’s 25th birthday….both excuses oughta work…..)

by ahtrap on Jun 28, 2008 9:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I was waiting for this moment for quite some time.

Let’s go bats.

by LosTigres on Jun 28, 2008 9:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

now

why couldn’t he do that when he was a Tiger?

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jun 28, 2008 9:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

put up the pic

it’s been good luck

do it now!

by MSU4LIF on Jun 28, 2008 10:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

c'mon DP and we're done

Moustache power Todd!

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jun 28, 2008 10:03 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

anytime i see Jonesy nearing the 25 pitch mark

i throw up in my mouth a little bit

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jun 28, 2008 10:09 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

so much for good luck

maybe you needed to put it up before the top half started

by MSU4LIF on Jun 28, 2008 10:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Damn it, Todd.

by LosTigres on Jun 28, 2008 10:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

there it is

1st blown save of the year….Bring in Dolsi STAT

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jun 28, 2008 10:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Okay

1) Booing Jonesy like that seems a bit harsh.

2) Cheering when Leyland comes to take him out? Also harsh.

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 28, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Though that WAS brutal

Four runs and five hits? Awful effort by Jonesy.

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 28, 2008 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Jones' new nickname?

taken from Earl Weaver’s name for Don Stanhouse:

“Full pack”

because Leyland smokes a full pack of cigarettes worrying about Jones’ ability to close out a game

by Boney on Jun 28, 2008 10:14 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The Rain

Should only last about 20 minutes or so. Now isn’t this something? My God, I don’t want to lose this.

by densogirl on Jun 28, 2008 10:14 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I haven't felt that uneasy about a Jones' appearance since

Game 2 of the ‘06 ALCS until the Big Skirt hit that towering popup to center with 2 out and the bases loaded

by Boney on Jun 28, 2008 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I CANNOT believe this.

by LosTigres on Jun 28, 2008 10:15 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

usually I'm pulling for Fuentes but...

seeing the Tigers reach .500 after everyone has already written them off is what I want to see…

I’ll take Fuentes not getting a save for my fantasy team if the Tigers pull it out

by Boney on Jun 28, 2008 10:22 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Let's go Cabrera

EARN YOUR PAYCHECK!

by MSU4LIF on Jun 28, 2008 10:26 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Cabrera's due for a big hit

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jun 28, 2008 10:26 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

holy balls

if you excuse I’m off to play the lottery

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jun 28, 2008 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

HE DID IT!!!

PAYCHECK EARNED!!!

by MSU4LIF on Jun 28, 2008 10:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Keep on bringing it

We might have to underwrite your gum budget if that’s the result we get.

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 28, 2008 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

WHOOOO

.500…never thought I would be this happy about that….

by dettigionswings'stons on Jun 28, 2008 10:28 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

yeah

I think Dolsi gets the win as he was the pitching in the game when the Tigers took the lead

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jun 28, 2008 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

.500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Boney on Jun 28, 2008 10:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Oops...my bad

Good for Dolsi!!!

by MSU4LIF on Jun 28, 2008 10:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

.500 and 5 games back

the second half is shaping up to be a fun ride

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Jun 28, 2008 10:32 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Next two weeks are KEY

Got to get that away record up. Going straight against Minny and can get second place.

by dettigionswings'stons on Jun 28, 2008 10:34 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yep

Have to start getting some of these wins against AL teams.

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 28, 2008 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

10 out of next 14

against there division.

by Wingz on Jun 28, 2008 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I fell asleep on the couch

What happened? We blew the lead? Took it down?

by Juskimo on Jun 28, 2008 10:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Jones blew the lead...

And the Tigers got it right back. Polanco single, Raburn walk, Cabrera double. Two runs score. Walk-off win!

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 28, 2008 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

long time reader

hey guys finally made an account. i have been following the blog for sometime now. great job… i believe the names matt? either way. this was a huge win and as one poster said earlier… the walk off wins definently do not get old. makes the 200 dollar extra innings i paid for so worth it lol. either way just wanted to say hello to everyone and go tigs. talk to you all soon.

by DtownsMurdersRow on Jun 28, 2008 10:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Welcome!

Don’t be a stranger. This is getting fun.

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 28, 2008 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i was at the game so i missed out on the thread…..wooooooooooooooo that was fun!

by wepri31 on Jun 29, 2008 12:57 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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