It's Clobberin' Time! Tigers 15, Rangers 2

by Ian Casselberry on Apr 10, 2009 5:45 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Maybe it was playing in the comfort of Comerica Park. Maybe it was playing outdoors on grass, instead of under a roof on carpet. Maybe it was wearing those splendid home uniforms. Or maybe it was just facing the Texas Rangers' pitching staff.

Whatever the reason, the Detroit Tigers brought out the big guns and put on a show for the first home crowd of the year. Only Brandon Inge didn't drive a run in (though he did get a hit), and Carlos Guillen was the lone hitless batter (though he did get a RBI). Those jets flying overhead before the game weren't the only things that went BOOM...

Roar:

Miguel Cabrera continued his monstrous start to the season, blowing the game open in the fourth inning by launching a grand slam off Kris Benson. The home run landed near the flagpole in left-center field, where the fence meets the centerfield wall. Other than hitting a ball to dead center, or higher up along the brick wall, a ball can't be hit much farther in Comerica Park.

Cabrera barely missed another homer in the seventh, when another drive to left field hit the top of the fence. For the day, the man still in need of a classic nickname went 3-for-5 with six RBIs. Think he's locked in right now?

Also impressive was Armando Galarraga, striking out a career-high eight batters and shutting down a lineup that had scored 29 runs in three games before coming into Detroit. He allowed five hits and only one walk in seven innings against his former Rangers teammates, all in under 100 pitches. (97, to be exact.)

Many have questioned whether or not Galarraga can repeat his success from last season, but today, he certainly looked capable of giving the Tigers the same sort of performance. And sure, it's only one game, but if fans can boo Brandon Lyon on Opening Day after just one poor performance, we can get excited about this. (Juan Rincon also heard boos during pre-game introductions, in a somewhat surprising display of venom from the home crowd.)

Turning Point:

How about when Benson took the mound in the fourth inning? That's pretty much where the game ended.

Comment of the Day:

I swear to God
If we don’t get any runs out of this, I’m gonna……
MIGGY OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
by baum

Oh, if only every day could be Opening Day in Detroit.

Tweet Comment 3 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Galarraga

Galarraga was awesome! The Rangers were whiffing on everything. I was at the game up in 212 so it was a little difficult to see what types of pitches he was throwing, but he must have had his sinker going really well today. I hope he keeps it up the rest of the season.

Also, the F14s that flew over before the game could have possibly been the loudest thing I have ever heard. Ever.

All in all, a good day.

download my minimalist tigers wallpaper here

by explosivo2k2 on Apr 10, 2009 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

Had to dodge tornadoes on my way home.

Thanks to the free Extra Innings preview I was able to DVR the game and watch it in all it’s splendor. If only my dad hadn’t half given away the ending with a half-drunken voicemail as he was leaving the game. To Kris Benson, the ultimate slump buster

http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com/

by rock n rye on Apr 10, 2009 9:10 PM EDT reply actions

What a day!!

Magnificent game. Great result.
Comerica was a ZOO!
Did anyone see the large inflatable ‘thing’ that dropped onto section 142 from the upper decks? Look here…… Opening Day 2009, look halfway down – there are also a ton more pics there of Opening Day as I seen it.

Galarraga particularly impressed me – I know I feel this way most years at the start of the season (with the obvious exception of last year), but I think it’s going to be good. Toronto shook us up. The Tigers are back on track though – but Anderson needs to shape up or ship out.

Never say never!
http://motorfamilymotorcity.blogspot.com/

by motorfamilymotorcity on Apr 12, 2009 11:57 AM EDT reply actions