Dual Threat Porcello: Tigers 3, Pirates 1

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 13, 2009 12:45 AM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Maybe the headline should read "Rick Porcello 2, Pittsburgh Pirates 1." With the Tigers' offense still struggling to score runs, the rookie took advantage of playing in a National League ballpark, and seized the opportunity to help himself.

Looking surprisingly comfortable with the bat (he's only two years removed from playing shortstop in high school), Porcello smacked two hits off Ian Snell and drove in two runs. That was really all the offense he needed, against a Pirates lineup that didn't pose much of a threat. (Without help from the umpire, that is. More on that later.) Miguel Cabrera looked as if his hamstring was feeling fine, helping out with several nice defensive plays at first base. And Brandon Inge gave Porcello a bit more cushion, with an eighth-inning homer off the first pitch he saw from John Grabow.

And after his second two-game winless streak of the season, Porcello quickly gets back on the winning track. The first time, he went on to win five straight games. Can he string another bunch of wins together again?

Roar:

Is Inge getting his power stroke back? That's two home runs in his last four games.

Whimper:

We usually save these for the players, but really the only mistake of the night was by second base umpire Gerry Davis, who blew a call on a stolen base by Nyjer Morgan. Morgan was out, as Gerald Laird made a good throw to beat him, and Placido Polanco made the tag in time. Davis, however, didn't see it, though he appeared to be in position to make the correct call. That ended up costing the Tigers a run, as Morgan scored on a double by Freddy Sanchez. That was the only offense the PIrates could generate, however.

Comment of the Night:

Porcello's gonna be hanging out around the batting cage

giving out tips

by NCDee

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Comments

kuddos to leyland...kinda

for bringing up Kelly and allowing him to have his Tiger’s start in his hometown. He shouldn’t have been the number 3 hitter, but it’s cool that Leyland would do that for someone.

by actioncuse on Jun 13, 2009 3:02 AM EDT reply actions

Who Knew

Porcello could do that…? I for one am proud to have him as a Tiger. This kid was a real find. Nice job. He has another win, thanks to him. Ha!

Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.

by Detroitchik on Jun 13, 2009 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

Porcello Miggy Polanco and Fernando.....

……All had great games…..Porcello….what can we say AWESOME NIGHT!!!…Polanco 4 hits!!!….Miggy making evey play at 1st!!!!…Fernando great bounce back….thats what ya gota do as a closer!!!……GO ARMANDO AND TIGS ON SATUDAY!!!!

by BennieBladesFan on Jun 13, 2009 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

Polanco

Geez, I really stiffed him in this recap, didn’t I? Four hits should’ve gotten a “Roar.”

Sorry, Polly. It was late, and I was nursing some Red Wings disappointment.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 13, 2009 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

You weren't the only one.

Still, they’ll be back next year. For all the talk about how they’re a team on the decline, it’s just wishful thinking by the rest of the conference. With the exception of Nick Lidstrom (who was injured) their best players are in the 25 to 30 range, and they have some good youngsters. A summer to heal, rest, and recover, and they’ll be ready to go in the fall.

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jun 13, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

and now that we know why Nik was injured

all the more reason to hate chicago!

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Jun 13, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

ugh

Something similar happened to the Diamondback’s catcher last year I remember

by Tagne13 on Jun 13, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

yup

I remember when he was a surprise scratch in game four against Chicago, with rumours that he was possibly ill – turns out he was having surgery to repair the damage. Called it the most painful injury he ever had (no shit).

From the chatter, Holmstrom, Samuelsson, and Draper were really beat up, Cleary wouldn’t have been playing in the regular season, there was Ericsson’s appendectomy, Rafalski, Lidstrom, and Datsyuk were all hurt a lot worse than they let on, Zetterberg was at maybe 70% (and was wearing different gloves during the Chicago series and afterwards, with some additional support – something torn in his wrist or forearm, maybe?) – Everyone was beat to hell and gone.

Going an extra 20 games or so the last three years takes its toll. They had nothing left.

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jun 13, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Rumors...

Chelios – retiring, Conklin – gone, Samuelsson – gone, Kopesky – gone (big deal), Hudler, gone (I hope not, though he didn’t do much in the playoffs)…..I think it’s fair to conclude that Hossa will also be gone now

by Tagne13 on Jun 13, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Hudler likely gets an offer sheet. Too bad, but they can’t afford everyone.

On the positive side, Helm will be up the whole year, Ericsson will be up – MAYBE Abdelkader, but he probably has another year in Grand Rapids unless he blows them out of the water in training camp.

The persistent Hossa contract rumours make me nervous – but I’m reserving judgement until I know how badly hurt he was. Something was wrong – his skating and shot were bad, and that doesn’t just disappear if you are healthy – and he battled a sore groin during the season.

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jun 13, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah exactly

it basically comes down to who would you rather have – Hudler or Helm?

I know what my answer is.

It’ll be interesting to see what was up with a lot fo these guys….like if Datsyuk’s foot was truely broken (never saw that officially confirmed)…I think it’ll soften the blow a little bit

by Tagne13 on Jun 13, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Nightmare on Helm Street

No doubt. The kid is a compact feisty ball of fury.

Datsyuk isn’t talking about his foot – he’s too disappointed to say much – but considering how long he was out, it’s highly likely. He’s one tough player.

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jun 13, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

This was via

Ken Daniels btw

by Tagne13 on Jun 13, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Well except for Hossa

that was just my own opinion

by Tagne13 on Jun 13, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I really hope we can somehow sweep these guys

and just get the hell out of Dodge. A city’s fans haven’t been this annoying since the last time a city won multiple titles (Boston Sox, Pats)

by Tagne13 on Jun 13, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

I would so love a sweep.

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jun 13, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

with our 4 & 5's

it’d be a huge confidence booster for us fans

by Tagne13 on Jun 13, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

i've felt better about galarraga lately

He had a bad May but he’s getting back on track. He just needs to get a little run support. D-Train, well, who knows what he’ll do from game to game.

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Jun 13, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

At least Willis can hit.

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jun 13, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

You mean besides walk people?

by Tagne13 on Jun 13, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

The Penguin fans are like the plague. When their teams are winning they spread like wildfire. The Pirates aren’t winning so the disease hasn’t attached itself to that host yet. They’re firmly in place on the Steelers and the Penguins.

by killianskid34 on Jun 13, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

but why?

I don’t get it. On the hockey blogs I comment on you get some trolls, with every series – but no one was as venomous and mean-spirited as the Penguins trolls. Wishing that people’s parents had had abortions, ripping Detroit and Michigan, hoping that people would become homeless, wishing that their children would starve to death because the parents couldn’t afford to feed them … Even this morning, when any normal fan would be with their own people celebrating the win, they insist on being world-class pricks.

This didn’t happen last year with Nashville, Dallas, or Colorado (maybe a little more spiteful, but there was a lot of history between the teams and it was an ugly sweep for them), it didn’t happen this year with Columbus, Anaheim (!), or Chicago – just with Pittsburgh. Are there that many bandwagon fans or what? I’m not familiar with the city or their sports history all that much – I don’t follow football, and I know they are a big football town, so I don’t have any reference there. Just the Penguins the last couple years since they actually cashed in on their several years of tanking. I mean, you guys won – enjoy it. Why waste your time coming on the other team’s blog to stir crap up?

Oh, well. (I was hoping it would be the Capitals coming out of the East, anyway.)

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jun 13, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I dunno...

the blogs I was on the Anaheim fans were pretty bad

by Tagne13 on Jun 13, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

sigh

Well, time to start switching my front burner attention from hockey to baseball again. At least it was a fine year for the Wings, and the Tigers aren’t making me miserable (at least not yet).

And I hope that the Penguins have the most epic Cup hangover in the history of Cup hangovers, and finish next year in ninth place – juuuuuust out of the playoffs – with a loss to the Islanders – with New York netting a John Tavares hat trick. Because even the nicest people can have a tiny little streak of vindictiveness sometimes. :)

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jun 13, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions