Where's Detroit's Rally Monkey? Tigers 12, Angels 10

by Ian Casselberry on Apr 23, 2009 8:00 AM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

It definitely wasn't pretty, but on a night when Justin Verlander was terrible (and looked absolutely unable to comprehend how it was happening) and Fernando Rodney had his worst outing of the season, the Detroit Tigers kidnapped Anaheim's Rally Monkey and stole its restorative powers for their own big comeback.

Forget all the talk from Friday about Verlander achieving some sort of breakthrough and figuring things out. He gave up a 2-0 lead right away, and though he wasn't very good in any of his five innings, it was that fifth inning that once again bit him hard. After his lineup gave him a 5-4 lead, Verlander gave up four straight singles that resulted in three Angels runs. And it could've been worse had Gary Matthews, Jr. not hit a ball right back to Verlander to start a 1-6-3 double play.

Fortunately for the Tigers, LAAnaheim had a pitcher who was just that much worse last night in Scot Shields. The Angels' formerly lights-out middle reliever looked like a pitcher who may be shot during an awful seventh inning. The first four Tigers batters he faced reached base on two walks and two singles, eventually leading to three Detroit runs and a lead the Tigers never gave back (though Rodney sure tried his best to do so). Shields didn't retire a single batter, loading the bases, and walking in a run in just 18 pitches. He was efficiently bad.

Roar:

Adam Everett barely hit anything over the infield dirt last night, yet dropped in three hits and drove in two runs, including the go-ahead score. He also showed some of that old defensive flash, starting a slick double play in the seventh by fielding a ball up the middle and flipping it to Placido Polanco for the turn. Everett doesn't look content to give up that shortstop job to Ramon Santiago just yet.

Whimper:

How long would Ryan Raburn like to stay in the major leagues? Here at BYB, we've often stuck up for Raburn, but by the third inning, I think the Tigers were ready to call up Jason Tyner and maybe insist that the Brewers take Raburn in return.

I'm hoping that Leyland's first words to Raburn after the game were, "Letting two catchable fly balls go over your head is no way to get through life, son." (Though publicly, Leyland had his back in post-game comments.) Raburn looked like me playing right field in softball, badly misjudging two balls hit to him that resulted in at least one run and surely prolonged Verlander's agony.

Random Thought:

Can you get more of a vulture win than what Juan Rincon stole last night? He gave up one run on two hits, two walks, and a wild pitch in just one inning, but he was the pitcher of record in the seventh, and thus got the win. That was some master thievery.

Comment of the Night:

100% chance
the 2008 Tigers lose that game. Either they pack it in after going down 7-5, or they blow it in the 9th.
by ThaWalrus9

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Thank you for the Roar!

"It's designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything is new again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops, and leaves you to face the fall alone". A. Bartlett Giamatti

by densogirl on Apr 23, 2009 8:06 AM EDT reply actions

Quite frankly

I’m shocked we won this game. We got really lucky without any help from our ace. EJ, Porcello, and AG are going to have to carry this team if Verlander doesn’t get his **** straight.

by actioncuse on Apr 23, 2009 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

Whats up with Verlander?

…..he didnt pitch very well tonight……His ERA is at 9.00!!!!…..He has to turn it around soon or Bonderman or Willis may take his spot……I know its hard to believe but he is leaving way to many pitches up…..Every other starter minus Miner has found something this year while JV is stuck…..Im not sure what it is…..Im not giving up on him but its starting to get frustrating…..I used to look forawrd to the W when Justin pitched….Yes we gt the W last night but it wasent becasue of Justins Dominance…..Figure it up JV…..WE NEED YA!!!!

by BennieBladesFan on Apr 23, 2009 11:33 AM EDT reply actions

An open letter to Justin V.

Dear JV,

I have loved you dearly in the four seasons you have played for Detroit. You were just what the team needed in 2006—a bonafide ace— and deservedly won Rookie of the Year honors. You follow that up with a no-hitter the following season. With your power arm, and devilish good looks, you made the followers of Tiger Town fall in love with you.

Granted, 2008 was not your best season—but no one on your team had a particularly spectactular season. I cut you slack because a. You had never once struggled in your career before. You have to overcome obstacles, mental or physical, in order to grow in what you do and b. I don’t know how many times you pitched last year where the defense and offense couldn’t get it done for you (who would have thought Renteria would go and hit a slam off of Jake Peavy of all people?!). So what? I thought to myself. JV will get his act together, and make a run at a Cy Young in 2009.

And now you are 0-2, with an ERA of 9.00 in 2009. And no matter how much you flash your crooked smile and light up the radar gun, the fact of the matter is, you ain’t gettin’ it done bro. Do this girl a favor—pitch, don’t throw. Walk off the mound after each batter. Take a hot second to think about your pitches. You are working so fast, it is as if they won’t hold you a place at Cheli’s after the game. Bum a smoke off Leyland, or perhaps call the Gambler and have a convo about pacing the game. Your name is Justin Verlander, not Speedy Gonzalez. I am sick of throwing things at my television because you have a pacing problem more now than ever before.
Love,
peazgrl

by peazgrl on Apr 23, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions