Detroit @ Seattle GameThread, Jul 6, 2008 4:10 PM EDT

Game 88: Tigers (43-44) at Mariners (35-52)

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 6, 2008 3:05 PM EDT in News

Detroit @ Seattle

Nate Robertson (6-7, 5.56) vs. Ryan Rowland-Smith (2-1, 3.05)

One week after finally surpassing the .500 mark for the first time this season, the Detroit Tigers fell back below it after their second straight loss to the Seattle Mariners, who have the worst record in the American League. Winning today would salvage a series split. Baseball Musings has a post today showing how much the Mariners have improved in 15 games under interim manager Jim Riggleman.

Ryan Rowland-Smith makes just his second major league start today, filling Felix Hernandez's spot in the rotation. In his first start, he pitched a scoreless three innings before giving up three runs in the fourth. Fatigue was surely a factor, as that was the longest Rowland-Smith had gone into a game this season. He's apparently not fully stretched out for a starter's workload yet, so a patient approach from the Tigers might chase him from the game relatively early.

Nate Robertson has been a batting practice machine in his last two starts, giving up 11 hits in each of those appearances. Against the Cardinals, he somehow allowed only one run in that barrage. Robertson couldn't pull the same escape act against the Twins, however, giving up six runs. In his last three starts against Seattle, dating back to last year, Robertson has allowed at least four runs. At Safeco Field back in May, he served up two home runs to Adrian Beltre, but the Tigers' lineup bailed him out by scoring seven runs for him.

If you missed it, the All-Star lineups were just announced. Detroit will have one representative at Yankee Stadium, with Carlos Guillen being named to the squad.

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Starting Lineups

DETROIT

1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Carlos Guillen, 3B
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Marcus Thames, DH
6. Pudge Rodriguez, C
7. Edgar Renteria, SS
8. Clete Thomas, LF
9. Ryan Raburn, RF

SEATTLE

1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Jose Lopez, 2B
3. Raul Ibanez, LF
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
5. Richie Sexson, DH
6. Miguel Cairo, 1B
7. Kenji Johjima, C
8. Willie Bloomquist, CF
9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 6, 2008 3:20 PM EDT 0 recs

Pudge

6th, huh….we need to score some runs! N.O.W.

by Zappatista on Jul 6, 2008 3:23 PM EDT 0 recs

The Tigers' lineup

It really looks a lot worse without Maggs. They are so much more dangerous when he is healthy.

by Grant E. on Jul 6, 2008 3:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

The big problem....

Is that putting in this many subs means the guys ahead of them get nothing to hit. Joyce affects Sheff, etc. Having 2-3 semi-dead spots in the lineup actually can make 4-5, depending on who is hitting where.

Maybe having Clete behind Edgar will help. The back four of our order looks pretty scary, and I do not mean that in a good way.

by rook34 on Jul 6, 2008 3:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Anyone else watching Federer/Nadal?

Absolutely gripping drama. I’m not kidding.

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 6, 2008 3:31 PM EDT 0 recs

Just fantastic.

Such a great match. Both have made some simply unbelievable shots.

by Grant E. on Jul 6, 2008 3:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

the 4th set tiebreak

easily the best tennis I’ve seen in years.

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 6, 2008 3:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

Agreed.

Federer looked like he was going down in straight sets earlier. What a comeback.

by Grant E. on Jul 6, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

Federer is smelling blood here.

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 6, 2008 3:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

Looks like...

We may be geting tiebreaks in three consecutive sets.

by Grant E. on Jul 6, 2008 3:45 PM EDT up 0 recs

Magic act

by Fed digging out from 15-40.

by rook34 on Jul 6, 2008 3:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

there is no tie break in the 5th set at Wimbeldon apparently

they keep playing until someone has a 2 game lead.

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 6, 2008 3:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yup.

These guys may be awhile.

by rook34 on Jul 6, 2008 3:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well then...

I might not get to watch the beginning of the Tigers game.

by Grant E. on Jul 6, 2008 3:51 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yep...

I’m going to miss the start of the Tigers game. Too good to switch.

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

by spotstarters on Jul 6, 2008 4:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

I don't care if you like tennis or not

you need to put Federer/Nadal on. It’s #1 vs #2 in the world, and they’ve been battling each other for almost 4 and a half hours now.

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 6, 2008 3:55 PM EDT 0 recs

I'll second that.

by Grant E. on Jul 6, 2008 3:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

including rain delays

they’ve been out there 7 hours.

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 6, 2008 4:00 PM EDT up 0 recs

unreal!

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 6, 2008 4:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

Nadal is amazing.

I’d love to see him win.

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

by spotstarters on Jul 6, 2008 4:07 PM EDT 0 recs

they both are

Federer has been battling from behind for about 4 hours now…

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 6, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

they have got...

to be running on fumes at this point.

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

by spotstarters on Jul 6, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

Thanks for the teenis info

This is worth watching….better than watching the Sox win gain.

by MSU4LIF on Jul 6, 2008 4:08 PM EDT 0 recs

unbelievable

absolutely unreal. What a battle!

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 6, 2008 4:16 PM EDT 0 recs

agreed. great stuff.

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

by spotstarters on Jul 6, 2008 4:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

All that tennis stuff being said

Let’s go Marcus Thames!

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 6, 2008 4:19 PM EDT 0 recs

Alright.

Baseball time.

by Grant E. on Jul 6, 2008 4:26 PM EDT 0 recs

edgar

cant buy a basehit

THE HAMMER

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 6, 2008 4:29 PM EDT 0 recs

Look at it this way. At least it was not a double play.

by rook34 on Jul 6, 2008 4:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

Good first inning for Nate.

by rook34 on Jul 6, 2008 4:29 PM EDT 0 recs

I wonder

in the past 20 games how many the tigers have left on base the number has to be enormous

THE HAMMER

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 6, 2008 4:31 PM EDT 0 recs

lets go

polly

THE HAMMER

by (TIGS) JIMDALE on Jul 6, 2008 4:35 PM EDT 0 recs

Stat boy

I don’t have time to look up the numbers as I am watching the Tig’s and the Indy Car race, but the Tigers have to lead the leage in Runners Left On Base..no?

by Zappatista on Jul 6, 2008 4:40 PM EDT 0 recs