Trashed: Blue Jays 12, Tigers 5

by Ian Casselberry on Apr 6, 2009 11:10 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

That Opening Day glow didn't last long, did it? At least we had the day leading up to game time to enjoy the anticipation. Is there anything that didn't go wrong which the Tigers needed to go right?

Justin Verlander couldn't make it through the fourth inning. The bullpen - notably spring standout Juan Rincon - failed to keep the game in control. Defensive whiz Adam Everett made a key error on a ball hit right at him.

Even basic civility seemed to break down, as some pinhead threw a baseball at Josh Anderson in left field, only to be joined by others tossing garbage onto the field, which led Jim Leyland to pull his team off the field in the eighth inning. (No word on why an announcement wasn't made to the crowd to simma down now. Or if there was ever any question as to whether the Jays might have to forfeit the game. Though I doubt it ever came to that.)

Roar:
Not sure this should go to anyone when the Tigers lose so decisively, but Brandon Inge had the best night with the bat, going 1-for-4 with a two-run homer. Maybe we should give this to Adam Lind, who went 4-for-5 with six RBIs.

Whimper:
Getting only 3.2 innings from Verlander not going to help the Tigers win many games this season. What's particularly baffling is that Verlander looked strong to start the game, throwing in the upper 90s and spotting the ball right on the outside part of the plate. But it fell apart three batters into the game.

Turning Point:
Verlander's two-out walk to Alex Rios was when the game went sour. But I'll argue that it became officially out of reach with Lind's home run off Eddie Bonine. Things didn't look good for the Tigers, down 6-1, but Lind's three-run bomb put a lid on it.

Comment of the Night:

2 out walks

This is why pitching coaches HATE! more than any other type of walk or flaw in pitching the TWO OUT WALK.

by Detroit4lyfe

Thanks to everyone who came out for the GameThread. Opening Day excitement or not, we had a fantastic turnout. If only the game wouldn't have gotten out of hand so early, it would've been a hell of a lot more fun. Hopefully, we'll see most of you back tomorrow night.

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Jackson The Real Ace Will....

…..Get things back on track on Tuesday……GO TIGS!!!!

by BennieBladesFan on Apr 6, 2009 11:59 PM EDT reply actions

Wow.

I am kinda glad I had to work while this game was going on. Big let down.

Only one game, but.. man. Spring enthusiasm took a hit today.

download my minimalist tigers wallpaper here

by explosivo2k2 on Apr 7, 2009 1:00 AM EDT reply actions

Umpires Squeeze the Tigers Strike Zone

Since the Tigers beat the Yankees, I have noticed that Verlander and company do not get the calls!! Look at the K-BB ratio pre and post it is Elias bureau FBI material!! Verlander did not wake up and forget to pitch one day, Robertson did domniate prior to the Yankees series and the team as a whole was throwing to the strike zone more or were they? Watch an archieve game Dombroski then show it to the league. The league has a bone to pick with Illich for spending his money and the powers that be Andy McPhail (Twins pitchers always get the call) are playing Pete Rose with my Tigers!!!

by Marcmargolis on Apr 7, 2009 2:28 AM EDT reply actions

Inge

I for one, am really happy that Brandon got off to a solid start at the plate. Hopefully, he can return to his .270 average too…..

by Zappatista on Apr 7, 2009 7:39 AM EDT reply actions

I will be giving the Tigers pep talk for their next game.

So we all want to feel sorry for ourselves, sit around here and talk about how the glow is off the apple that is the new season. Let’s just pack it in and try again next year, it is all over.

But this isn’t over. Nothing is over until we say it is over. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? No.

Today is a new day. We gotta go out there and win one for the Gipper. We have to go to Russia and fight Ivan Drago for killing our Apollo Creed that was the new season. We gotta go out there and win because I love Brian Piccolo.

Do you believe in miracle? YES! So stand up Detroit, because it is April in the D and your Tigers need you.

Restore the Roar and Bless You Boys.

by ReichardZ on Apr 7, 2009 1:22 PM EDT reply actions