Game 127: Tigers (62-64) at Rangers (62-65)
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 6:00 PM EDT
in News
113 comments
Detroit Tigers at Texas Rangers, Aug 20, 2008 8:05 PM EDT
Nate Robertson (7-9, 5.87) vs. 
Kevin Millwood (6-7, 5.58)
There are some things in this life that truly frighten me. Spiders, for instance. Especially big, hairy tarantulas. I don't do well with heights, either. Though I think I'm better with that as I get older. However, I find myself growing more wary of clowns these days. Something else that could be added to this list, as it's kept me from a restful sleep this week, is the idea of Nate Robertson pitching in Arlington on a warm August night.
As this season wears on, we're finding more ways to describe just how terrible Nate's performance has been. He's won once in his last 10 starts. His ERA and hits allowed puts him in the same sentence with such pitching luminaries as Carlos Silva and Livan Hernandez. So this already wasn't looking good.
But then consider how badly Robertson pitched the last time he appeared in Texas. Ol' Nate couldn't make it out of the first inning. He didn't even record an out. And by the time he was taken out of the game, leaving a vapor trail from the mound, Texas had blasted him for six runs (on four hits and two walks). U-G-L-Y. And Nate had no alibi.
Kevin Millwood's been just about as bad for Texas this year. He's only won one of his previous eight starts. In his last outing, fresh off the disabled list, Millwood allowed five runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings. And when Millwood last faced the Tigers in Arlington, he was bombed for seven runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings.
So we could be in for a long, run-filled night. And wait until those bullpens get into the game. The scoreboard operators should be busy tonight.
Placido Polanco will sit out a second straight game with patella tendintis in his right knee. Between tonight's scratch and tomorrow's off-day, the Tigers hope he's ready for Friday night's opener in Kansas City.
0 recs |
113 comments
Email
Print
Comments
Starting Lineups
DETROIT
1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Ramon Santiago, 2B
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Carlos Guillen, 3B
6. Gary Sheffield, DH
7. Matt Joyce, LF
8. Edgar Renteria, SS
9. Brandon Inge, C
TEXAS
1. Brandon Boggs, LF
2. Michael Young, SS
3. Josh Hamilton, RF
4. Milton Bradley, DH
5. Marlon Byrd, CF
6. Gerald Laird, C
7. Chris Davis, 1B
8. Travis Metcalf, 3B
9. Joaquin Arias, 2B
I briefly wondered if Hamilton had been moved to right field because of his brain freeze last night on Matt Joyce’s fly ball, but he’s played 33 games over there this season.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 7:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Over/Under for Tonight...
Let’s say…16 combined runs?
by Rogo on Aug 20, 2008 7:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good call
I will actually take the under
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Astros
played this afternoon so i get the rangers feed…
by dettigionswings'stons on Aug 20, 2008 8:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dear Nate,
Strikes would be nice. Please throw some.
Sincerely,
Wendy
by wepri31 on Aug 20, 2008 8:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dear Wendy,
When I throw strikes, they end up 500 feet away. I should be released.
Thanks,
Nate
by Rogo on Aug 20, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
awww, come on now. one inning pain free. only 8 more to go!
by wepri31 on Aug 20, 2008 8:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If Joyce is Thundercat
Who is Snarf? Clete? Raburn?
by Rogo on Aug 20, 2008 8:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Miggy or Renteria kind of has the physique
Though not Snarf-like status
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
dear nate,
was that one of those strikes you warned me about?
by wepri31 on Aug 20, 2008 8:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
C'mon, Nate
One strike from getting out of the inning (1-2 count), and he serves up a home run.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 8:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well that's 2 runs...
He’s hit 40% of his nightly quota already
by Jerkwheat on Aug 20, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The fact that he made it out of the first inning
means this is already better than the last time Nate started in Arlington.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 8:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If anyone is interested in Dontrelle
He’s having a rough start in Norfolk tonight
Thus far 3 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB
by Jerkwheat on Aug 20, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
needs to get to this offseason and get his mind right
by dettigionswings'stons on Aug 20, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would love to know the name of the scout
who said he was throwing well.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Still want the under, Ian?
Nate might cough up 16 himself.
by Rogo on Aug 20, 2008 8:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't like to use the word "hate"
But I really hate that guy.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 8:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
it's official
the tigers have driven me to drink.
by wepri31 on Aug 20, 2008 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Highest August average...
Melvin Mora. No kidding.
by Rogo on Aug 20, 2008 8:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nate is pitching batting practice
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 8:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BP
Well, I see I tuned in just in time to catch batting practice.
by Zappatista on Aug 20, 2008 8:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why
what is anyone out there going to do? More fuel for the fire?
by Zappatista on Aug 20, 2008 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's run #5
your work here is done Nate.
Seriously.
Done.
Please leave the mound as you found it.
by Jerkwheat on Aug 20, 2008 8:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
There’s plenty of room around the border, you might as well make it a Brady bunch photo and add them all around it, it would be quite fitting…..
by Zappatista on Aug 20, 2008 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nate needs to be released
And Freddy Garcia needs to be called up
even after being out of the game for so long he has to be better than Nate
by explosivo2k2 on Aug 20, 2008 8:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm a little freaked out by clowns these days too, Ian
by MackAveKurt on Aug 20, 2008 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh my Gawd
What is that from? I won’t be able to sleep tonight.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have to scroll up
It scares me!
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or is that scroll down?
Whatevs.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've decided.
For me anyways…when he’s good, Joyce is Thundercat. When he’s bad, he’s Snarf. F’n Snarf.
by Rogo on Aug 20, 2008 9:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lopez warming up
Tack on another 2-3 runs.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 9:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Might have to start tapping veins at this rate…
by Zappatista on Aug 20, 2008 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Come on!
Did we start the old man Hamilton took to the derby?
by Rogo on Aug 20, 2008 9:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
How can Leyland possibly keep Nate in this rotation?
It’s virtually a guaranteed loss.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm surprised
that anybody at the stadium can actually see the game. With all of the firework smoke floating around…
by Zappatista on Aug 20, 2008 9:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Only 2 more to go!
ML record for home runs allowed in a game is 7. Come on Nate, you can do it!
by ThaWalrus9 on Aug 20, 2008 9:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
the modern record
is only SIX. Come on Nate!
by ThaWalrus9 on Aug 20, 2008 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nate must have to ice his neck
After turning to the outfield so many times.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I've seen it mentioned elsewhere...
But how much of this, if any, do you think has to do with Inge calling ballgames now?
by Rogo on Aug 20, 2008 9:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Inge has been great at catcher
But he’s not the one hanging balls up in the middle of the plate.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Guess I'm trying to find a scapegoat...
other than Chuck Hernandez.
by Rogo on Aug 20, 2008 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
Chuck doesn’t leave the ball hanging up either though.
by MackAveKurt on Aug 20, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
his Catcher's ERA is a point higher than Pudge
But there’s so much that can factor into that. Blame a catcher for not throwing runners out if you must but I don’t put a lot of stock into the game calling theory.
by MackAveKurt on Aug 20, 2008 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rod is still using that "lifting and separating" line
This baffles me.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 9:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Evening everyone.
Caught last night’s game on the radio while driving through Ohio. Dan and Jim were concerned about the welfare of the infielders after Farns’ underhand pitching two nights ago.
I wonder if they are concerned about the welfare of the spectators tonight after 5 home runs served up by DFA Nate.
by rook34 on Aug 20, 2008 9:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I just turned the game on MLB.TV and heard
the words “Nate Robinson” and “5 home runs” in the same sentence. I immediately closed the window.
I salute the fans with tougher stomachs than I. GL with the train wreck.
by Juskimo on Aug 20, 2008 9:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If we settled on a nickname for Joyce...
we need one for Nate. My suggestion:
History.
by rook34 on Aug 20, 2008 9:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Winner, winner! Chicken dinner!
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here are the sorry facts
Nate is being paid 4.25 million this year. Next year, he will be paid 7 million dollars. In 2010, he’ll be paid 10 million dollars.
by ThaWalrus9 on Aug 20, 2008 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know people will disagree with this
But I honestly think Nate’s contract was a worse decision than Dontrelle’s.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well
Nate’s really never been better than a 3/4 starter. Dontrelle has at least performed at a supremely high level at one point. I think I agree with you.
by ThaWalrus9 on Aug 20, 2008 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
which reminds me
Dontreezey went 5 tonight and gave up 8 hits and 5 runs (only 3 earned, some terrible fielding by the Hens tonight), struck out 4, but walked five. He threw 98 pitches and 55 of them were for strikes.
by Jerkwheat on Aug 20, 2008 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what a disaster
Having 1 huge question mark locked up for a couple more years is survivable, but 3? (Bondo, Willis, Robertson) What a disaster. To be fair, I agreed with the decisions to sign Bondo and Robertson at the time.
by ThaWalrus9 on Aug 20, 2008 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep.
I never really liked Nate. But Bondo…I thought he’d be a solid #2, close to #1 by now. Is it really that hard to learn a changeup?
by Rogo on Aug 20, 2008 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
for Bondo
It’s a positively sisyphian endeavor.
by ThaWalrus9 on Aug 20, 2008 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
his start last Friday was somewhat better – 108 pitches and 69 strikes. He gave up 8 hits in 6 innings, but only walked 2 and K’d 5.
by Jerkwheat on Aug 20, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Bondo makes it back...
He could still be a solid 3rd starter. He is not the gas can desigNATE is by any stretch.
by rook34 on Aug 20, 2008 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pick your poison, no?
That is like comparing how you would like to pass! “I would rather go in my sleep” or “I want to get hit by a train”
THEY BOTH SUCK!
by Zappatista on Aug 20, 2008 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
in other words
Unless they want to go Damion Easley on him, he’s gonna be around for a couple more years in all likelihood.
by ThaWalrus9 on Aug 20, 2008 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Travis Metcalf...
…the Melvin Mora of Texas.
by Rogo on Aug 20, 2008 10:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That over-under of 16 is still alive
It might be all on the Rangers’ side.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 10:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
6 more runs
with these two bullpens. Very possible.
by Rogo on Aug 20, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is this game as exciting as the score looks?
At least Nate didn’t disappoint tonight
by Boney on Aug 20, 2008 10:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If by exciting, you mean like a hammer to the fingertips
Then yes.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking
it was more fun than sticking your hand in a bag of bees
by Boney on Aug 20, 2008 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Any way....
JL just shuts Nate down for the rest of the year just for his (and our) sanity? Put Garcia in. Someone from AA. Inge, perhaps? I am not really kidding on Inge.
by rook34 on Aug 20, 2008 10:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
In some twisted way...
I am looking forward to seeing the graphic Ian selects for the game recap. Does that make me a bad fan?
by rook34 on Aug 20, 2008 10:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Kevin Millwood hasn't pitched this good
since he wore a Braves uniform, oh so many years ago
by Boney on Aug 20, 2008 10:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And he probably won't again.
Nate giving up bomb after bomb had to have an effect on the hitters’ state of mind.
by Rogo on Aug 20, 2008 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well i’m off. have a good night everyone
by wepri31 on Aug 20, 2008 10:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nate
The Tigers need to start him as much as possible the rest of the year. They need to do this on the hopes that he somehow turns the corner and enhances his tradeability this offseason.
by ThaWalrus9 on Aug 20, 2008 10:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sheff: DP to end the game.
Tigers baseball in 2008.
by Rogo on Aug 20, 2008 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if only he'd been playing left field
he’d have hit a 10 run HR there.
by ThaWalrus9 on Aug 20, 2008 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
