Game 94: Twins (53-41) at Tigers (46-47)
by Ian Casselberry on Jul 13, 2008 11:00 AM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintMinnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers, Jul 13, 2008 1:05 PM EDT
Nick Blackburn (7-4, 3.72) vs. 
Justin Verlander (6-9, 4.24)
Before this series began, the Twins beat writer for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, La Velle E. Neal, posted a preview on his blog. And one of his readers left the following comment:
the last two times the twins have faced the tigers, they have been “red hot” and “ready to make a charge for the top of the division”. and what did the twins do both times? shut em down.
Of course, my immediate response was, "Yeah, we'll see about that, buddy." But the dude got it right. The Twins are making him look pretty smart right now.
If momentum is today's starting pitcher, maybe the Tigers have something on their side this afternoon. Justin Verlander hasn't allowed more than two runs in six straight starts. And after a rough first inning against the Indians in his last outing, Verlander pitched no-hit baseball for his next six innings. However, he hasn't beaten the Twins this season, despite a 3.21 ERA in those two appearances.
But the Twins not only have actual momentum from winning the first three games of this series, but Nick Blackburn has pitched well in his last two starts. And in one of those outings, he shut out the Tigers for seven innings, allowing just three hits. Detroit got to Blackburn in his previous start against them, however, tagging him for four runs in 5 2/3 innings.
So how about going into the All-Star break on just a little bit of a high note with one win? Or going into baseball's three-day recess (four for most other MLB teams) with a .500 record? Is that too much to ask for? Holy lowered expectations, Batman!
I'll be at the ballgame today, reveling with the Mike McClary birthday bash, so won't be able to participate in the GameThread. Hopefully, some Vernors will be on tap, and we can push some of those good vibes onto the field.
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This game is a must win
.500 is nothing to be proud of at the All Star break, but to go into the break 2 games under .500, on a 4 game losing streak, is much, much worse. They probably only have about 1 in 20 odds of making the playoffs as it is, if they don’t win today, then Dombrowski should spend the break burning up the phone lines looking to unload some people and try to retool in time for next year, which might be their last chance to make a run with much of this core of talent.
agreed
On pretty much everything you said, Walrus.
by Kurt Mensching on Jul 13, 2008 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
This thing didn't work for me.
You weren’t around on Thursday afternoon, so I posted this picture when Jones came into the game. TJ promptly blew the save (with a little help from Joyce). See if I ever do your dirty work again.
I want the x-mo cam to follow me around
so I can have shots of myself doing things like signing documents or opening email or drinking coffee in super slow mo.
To be fair to Joyce...
We wouldn’t have been in position to win that game if not for the 2-run HR that he’d hit earlier. Not really an excuse to butcher that play like he did, but it warrents mentioning.
Nice catch!
What a game (again) for the Hens. Jones pitched the ninth like he doesn’t want anybody sharing his job with him.
so ends the first "half."
47-47, the definition of mediocrity. They’re going to need one heck of a second half in order for this season to be meaningful.
better than 46-48, and at least it stops the talk of, OH NOES THE SEASON’S OVER! for the moment.
Had the chance to really close the gap on the Twins, and make up ground on the Sox this week, and the Tigers didn’t do it, but at least they averted the sweep.
agreed
It’s been disappointing that since reaching .500 they’ve gone 2 games over then slid back to even a couple times, rather than building up a decent record. We’ll see what the second half brings. Still have 9 games against the White Sox, so anything is possible.
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