Game 127: Tigers (62-64) at Rangers (62-65)
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 6:00 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintDetroit 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.
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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
Good call
I will actually take the under
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Astros
played this afternoon so i get the rangers feed…
by dettigionswings'stons on Aug 20, 2008 8:07 PM EDT reply actions
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
There's run #5
your work here is done Nate.
Seriously.
Done.
Please leave the mound as you found it.
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
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
I've decided.
For me anyways…when he’s good, Joyce is Thundercat. When he’s bad, he’s Snarf. F’n Snarf.
Lopez warming up
Tack on another 2-3 runs.
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 9:10 PM EDT reply actions
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
I'm surprised
that anybody at the stadium can actually see the game. With all of the firework smoke floating around…
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
I've seen it mentioned elsewhere...
But how much of this, if any, do you think has to do with Inge calling ballgames now?
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
yeah
Chuck doesn’t leave the ball hanging up either though.
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 20, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
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 Kurt Mensching on Aug 20, 2008 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions
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.
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.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Winner, winner! Chicken dinner!
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 20, 2008 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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?
If Bondo makes it back...
He could still be a solid 3rd starter. He is not the gas can desigNATE is by any stretch.
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!
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.
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
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.
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?
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.
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