Game 161: Rays (96-65) at Tigers (74-86)

by Ian Casselberry on Sep 28, 2008 12:00 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Tampa Bay Rays at Detroit Tigers, Sep 28, 2008 1:05 PM EDT

James Shields (14-8, 3.57) vs. Zach Miner (8-5, 4.26)

It's the final home game of the season for the Detroit Tigers, as both players and fans say their goodbyes and turn out the light on 2008. Can the Tigers actually finish off their homestand with a sweep of the AL East champions? Regardless of the outcome, today is Fan Appreciation Day at Comerica Park, and the Tigers will be shedding their jerseys after the game and passing them on to some very lucky fans.

Another lucky souvenir for a fan today could be Gary Sheffield's 500th home run ball. Sheff will be batting second in the lineup today, as Jim Leyland tries to get him a few extra at-bats to get his 500th home run. (Placido Polanco remains out with his sprained ankle.)

Zach Miner pitches his last start of the season for Detroit, and hopefully reminds the Tigers' coaches that he should be considered strongly for next year's starting rotation. (And Leyland has already gotten a head start on assigning positions for next season.) He's currently nursing a four-game winless streak, but if the Rays put out the sort of lineup they did last night, Miner might have a bit easier time of it today.

Whether or not today is the Tigers' actual last game on the schedule depends on how the White Sox and Twins fare in their respective season finales. A Twins win combined with a White Sox loss would give Minnesota a 1 1/2 game lead and render a 162nd game for Detroit and Chicago unnecessary. But if the White Sox win, they'll be playing the Tigers tomorrow afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field. So I imagine there will be a healthy amount of scoreboard and television watching on the Tigers' side.

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Go TIgers. Go White Sox (even though I hate them). I want one more game!

Eat 'em up!

by Tony K on Sep 28, 2008 1:29 PM EDT reply actions

Breaking news, according to detnews.com

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080928/SPORTS0104/809280320

Farewell, Chuck. Someone had to go. Best wishes.

by rook34 on Sep 28, 2008 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

The link is dead...

Still, good news as far as I’m concerned. I don’t think that Chucky had his finest performance this year.

by Grant E. on Sep 28, 2008 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

JV, Nate, and others went backwards.

Not all his fault, but if Leyland is not getting canned, Chuck is the next candidate.

by rook34 on Sep 28, 2008 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Welcome to Grandyland.

Nice to say that one more time this year. 3-0.

by rook34 on Sep 28, 2008 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

Late lineup...

Tampa Bay ~~Devil~~ Rays

1. Iwamura, Akinori – 2B
2. Upton, B.J. – CF
3. Longoria, Evan – 3B
4. Baldelli, Rocco – DH
5. Aybar, Willy – 1B
6. Zobrist, Ben – SS
7. Gross, Gabe – RF
8. Hinske, Eric – LF
9. Jaso, John – C

Detroit Tigers

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

by Grant E. on Sep 28, 2008 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

Not a conventional RBI for Grandy, but we will take it.

by rook34 on Sep 28, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

It is time for Maggs...

to clear the bags.

by rook34 on Sep 28, 2008 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

Or not.

by rook34 on Sep 28, 2008 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Cabrera...

If he were to hit a grand slam here, he would take over the AL lead in RBI’s.

by Grant E. on Sep 28, 2008 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

Yikes.

Baldelli got all of that one. 5-1

by rook34 on Sep 28, 2008 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

Ugh. 5-3

by rook34 on Sep 28, 2008 2:33 PM EDT reply actions

It would not be the last game of the season without...

another bullpen meltdown. Here….we…..go!

by rook34 on Sep 28, 2008 3:33 PM EDT reply actions

FYI: Chuck Hernandez got the ziggy

As per the Freep: Tigers fire coach Chuck Hernandez

waynefontes.com

by BigAl on Sep 28, 2008 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

What?

Where’s the bottom of the ninth celebration??

GO MAGGLIO!!!

by MSU4LIF on Sep 28, 2008 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

I'm calling it

Miguel Cabrera 11th inning walk-off to the power alley by the MLB 2k8 sign in left field.

Eat 'em up!

by Tony K on Sep 28, 2008 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

Better yet

A Sheffield walk off home run (though, he’s three outs away from having an opportunity tomorrow to take a crack at the 500 mark, too.)

by JMonsoon on Sep 28, 2008 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I came across this website in winter of last year.

I used to be in here all the time this season, but come mid August I just couldn’t take it anymore. This is the first time I’ve been back since. I was hoping to tell Ian thank you for putting this website together. I look forward to all the off season news put on here and a new season come Spring.

Thanks Ian…….

- Jeff in Grand Rapids

by MSU4LIF on Sep 28, 2008 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

I agree. You are a lot more committed and have a lot more patience with this team than I ever could. Thanks for everything Ian.

Eat 'em up!

by Tony K on Sep 28, 2008 5:02 PM EDT reply actions

It’s been a long, long season. Finally it comes to an end…

…after just ONE MORE game tomorrow. I don’t know if I can take it!

by john.kmiecik on Sep 28, 2008 6:27 PM EDT reply actions

What would the stereotypical 2008 Tigers game be for tomorrow?

I say they score 5 runs in the first, but leave them loaded. Then the starting pitcher gradually gives up 4 runs over the next 5 innings. Then they Tigers score 2 more to take a 7-4. The the inevitable, multi-inning implosion. 7-5 after 7 innings. Then Farnsworth giving up a 2 run homer in the 8th. Then the Tigers score a run in the top of the 9th, then Rodney blows it in the bottom of the 9th, 9-8 loss.

by ThaWalrus9 on Sep 28, 2008 8:45 PM EDT reply actions