Game 151: Tigers (70-80) at Rangers (75-77)

by Ian Casselberry on Sep 17, 2008 7:00 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Detroit Tigers at Texas Rangers, Sep 17, 2008 8:05 PM EDT

Freddy Garcia (0-0, -.--) vs. Dustin Nippert (3-4, 6.20)

You know, it didn't quite hit me until I typed out the headline for tonight's GameThread. The Tigers are 10 games under .500 after losing six in a row. Double-U. Tee. Eff? Can they salvage a win in tonight's series finale, if for no other reason than to try and maintain the delusion of going 11-1 to finish at .500? (They'd need that extra game to be played at Chicago after the season, by the way.)

Someone that could help next season be more successful than this one (if both sides agree on another contract, that is) is tonight's starting pitcher. Freddy Garcia hasn't pitched in the majors for more than a year, as he's been recovering from surgery on a torn labrum. How will he perform after a handful of minor league starts and simulated games? Well, if he throws like Dontrelle Willis did on Monday, that might be all right.

Of course, no matter how well Garcia pitches tonight, that Tigers bullpen will still have to finish the game...

Dustin Nippert has won his past two starts, and the numbers say he was pretty dominant in doing so. In his last 12 innings, Nippert has only allowed one run and 12 hits, while also striking out 11 batters. At home, his record is 1-2 with a 3.77 ERA in seven appearances (two starts). This will be the first time Nippert has faced the Tigers.

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Starting Lineups

DETROIT

1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Marcus Thames, LF
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Gary Sheffield, DH
6. Edgar Renteria, SS
7. Ryan Raburn, 2B
8. Brandon Inge, 3B
9. Dusty Ryan, C

TEXAS

1. Brandon Boggs, LF
2. Michael Young, SS
3. Josh Hamilton, DH
4. Marlon Byrd, CF
5. Hank Blalock, 3B
6. Nelson Cruz, RF
7. Chris Davis, 3B
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Joaquin Arias, 2B

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Sep 17, 2008 7:48 PM EDT reply actions

Oops

I have the Rangers with two third basemen. I saw Hank Blalock and just instinctively typed in 3B. He’s at 1B tonight. Sorry about that.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Sep 17, 2008 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Struck out his first batter

Better start than Dontrelle already! :-)

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Sep 17, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

3 pitches, 3 strikes...

You can tell that Chuck Hernandez hasn’t worked with Garcia too much :)

by Grant E. on Sep 17, 2008 8:12 PM EDT reply actions

HA!

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Sep 17, 2008 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm convinced

Sign Garcia to a three-year deal before he comes out for the 2nd.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Sep 17, 2008 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

yay brandon!

by wepri31 on Sep 17, 2008 8:29 PM EDT reply actions

And Garcia gets a lead

Thanks to Brandon Inge’s two-run double.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Sep 17, 2008 8:29 PM EDT reply actions

those bitches tricked brandon.

by wepri31 on Sep 17, 2008 8:34 PM EDT reply actions

with a play my high school softball team used…

by wepri31 on Sep 17, 2008 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Garcia

It’s nice to turn the game on and see Garcia fending for one’s self…

by Zappatista on Sep 17, 2008 9:10 PM EDT reply actions

Yay Garcia!

Eat 'em up!

by Tony K on Sep 17, 2008 9:23 PM EDT reply actions

Premature entrance?

Mendoza thought he was coming into the game, but then was sent back so Nippert could intentionally walk Sheffield.

Now he’s coming back out. Ooops.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Sep 17, 2008 9:29 PM EDT reply actions

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Sep 17, 2008 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Please...

No Farnsworth.

by Grant E. on Sep 17, 2008 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

My only concern about this scoring onslaught...

Garcia’s been sitting in the dugout for a long time now.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Sep 17, 2008 9:49 PM EDT reply actions

Sheesh

It’s been a long time since I wish I could be watching the game….

by gf206 on Sep 17, 2008 9:52 PM EDT reply actions

Thundercat!

Nice catch against the wall in left by Joyce! (He’s in the game for Thames.)

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Sep 17, 2008 9:56 PM EDT reply actions

by explosivo2k2 on Sep 17, 2008 10:42 PM EDT reply actions

*probably

by explosivo2k2 on Sep 17, 2008 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

What the hell is going on?

I get home and this is going on?

Awesome. I like this.

I’ll also be thoroughly excited to see who is going to “try” and blow it.

by TFerg1103 on Sep 17, 2008 10:51 PM EDT reply actions

Nate's doing his best

But the lead is just too big for the poor guy.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Sep 17, 2008 10:52 PM EDT reply actions

Freddy Looks good

finally got to watch a tigers game

by dettigionswings'stons on Sep 17, 2008 10:53 PM EDT reply actions

it’s 16-3 in the 8th….is it safe to assume tonight that the Tigers will be able to close this one out? Heck, I’m feeling magnanimous….send Farnsworth out there….

by ahtrap on Sep 17, 2008 10:56 PM EDT reply actions