Tasty Homebrew: Tigers 3, Brewers 2

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 21, 2009 11:40 PM EDT in News Comment 15 comments

More photos » by Duane Burleson - AP

Justin Verlander got back to looking like an ace, holding the Brewers to two runs and five hits over seven innings. We'll just forget about that game in St. Louis last week.

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Last week in St. Louis, Justin Verlander's match-up against another team's ace didn't go so well. But the fans at Comerica Park got to see a clash of pitching titans on Sunday, with Verlander and Yovani Gallardo living up to their advance billing. Both pitchers went at least seven innings, walking three batters and striking out eight. But the three-run homer Gallardo gave up in the sixth made much more of an impact than the two solo shots Verlander bookended his day with.

(Verlander quickly killed those memories of the no-hitter he threw against the Brewers two years ago, serving up a homer to Casey McGehee on his seventh pitch of the game - and first to McGehee.)

Gallardo was dominating the Tigers until that fateful sixth inning, allowing just two singles with six strikeouts. But the middle of the Detroit lineup finally broke through, with Miguel Cabrera and Don Kelly knocking singles and giving Brandon Inge to slug the big blow of the day. Gallardo threw one too many sliders, hanging the third one up in the strike zone, which Inge blasted deep into the left field seats.

And unlike on Thursday, when he almost walked away the game, Fernando Rodney closed out the game with authority, ending a 1-2-3 inning by striking out Mat Gamel. A tremendous series for the Tigers ended with a great game, and Detroit heads into tomorrow's off-day on a four-game winning streak, along with a four-game lead over the Twins in the AL Central. What a weekend.

Roar:

Cabrera will probably be disappointed to see the Brewers' pitching staff leave Detroit. This weekend, he hit 7-for-13 with two homers and three RBIs. Batting behind him, Don Kelly may not seem like the ideal #5 hitter. But he thrived in that role, batting 6-for-11. He doesn't seem too interested in going back to Toledo.

Comment of the Day:

We don't always like to do predictions for these, but this was damn close:

Prediction for Verlander's line score today

7 IP, 2ER, 10 K
by B-Race Miles

Let's hear it for the new guy! And, of course, your runner-up.

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Comments

how about

seay’s stat line.

3 pitches, 3 strikes.

by actioncuse on Jun 22, 2009 12:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

About a month and a half ago

I was at the game and was taking some pics over by the bullpen. Juan Rincon ( right before his release) and Fernando were in there with Jeff Jones. Well, Bobby Seay comes walking out the door in the back of the pen, camera on and strapped to my neck, I couldn’t even take a picture. Actually I forgot I even had the camera. So I say, “Bobby Seay, you are an outstanding pitcher.” and he says “Hey, thanks. I appreciate that.” and gives me the peace sign and then walks back inside. What a freakin idiot I am. Who wants pictures of Juan Rincon? I said all that to say, of all the relievers he is by far the best LHP we have.

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

by Detroitchik on Jun 22, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, indeed

He has made a fine replacement for Jamie Walker.

Now… if we can only find a role for Nate. I’m thinking he should try and bring back the BLC because I saw some today at the grocery store and had the urge to bring it to the game on Tuesday in case we were down but I think people got over the “Big League Chew Rally” thing in 2006. Not me, though. Not me.

by B-Race Miles on Jun 22, 2009 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I've always been a big fan of the BLC rally, too

I’m not sure why everyone has gotten away from that rally starter. It probably has to do with the fact it was started by a pitcher whose entrance into the game now symbolizes a rally starter itself (for the other team), but BLC rally will always be gold in my book.

Detroit4lyfe

by Detroit4lyfe on Jun 22, 2009 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am going to the game on Tuesday

I feel bad for Nate. It seems to happen to a lot of pitchers, they lose it.That’s why I think its silly to lock a contract for a pitcher for more than a season or two at a time. I think this is one of the reasons he’s still around, 21.5 million over three years. That’s just ridiculous. Of course there are a few stipulations involved, but he clearly isn’t (or hasn’t) pitching the way he did before. I guess it’s burnout. Hard to say. All I know is when I see him warming up in the bullpen, I get nerves. I used to get excited when he was starting a game. I miss those days.

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

by Detroitchik on Jun 22, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great blog you guys have here

Expect me to post here on a regular basis

by B-Race Miles on Jun 22, 2009 12:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I was the new guy around here a month or two ago

It’s a fun place, probably the best blog and group of commentors anywhere I’ve been to. You can basically be as weird and have as much fun as you wish; this group gets it.

Welcome!

by Kmann on Jun 22, 2009 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey

Are you calling me weird?

Because if you are, you are quite correct, sir! :)

This is a fun group. It’s like watching a game with a bunch of friends at the house of the person who just got the biggest tv and wants to show it off – there is just that kind of comfort level and banter between the commenters, as well as the inside jokes.

Poor Maggs.

"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 22, 2009 7:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LMAO --------- I love you guys

Poor Maggs. I hear he may get some playing time tomorrrow. I also hear that while they’re at it they may go ahead and finally cut Rodney ;o)

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

by Detroitchik on Jun 22, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't play with my emotions

I'm so ahead of my time, my parents haven't met yet

by YakAttack on Jun 22, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about that jerk Fernando Rodney?

How dare he have a good outing and make us all think he’s a decent closer! Why can’t he just keep walking guys so we can complain about how bad he is?!

Man, I hate the fact that he’s 14/14 in save attempts, it means I can’t use “he’s blown a save” as my argument that he should be released and executed.

I miss Todd Jones. He blew saves so we had a reason to complain about him that made sense. But this Rodney guy makes it so difficult, I just sound like an idiot when I talk about how he shouldn’t be the closer anymore.

Am I right BYB Community?! Am I right?!

by MacRae on Jun 22, 2009 9:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well...

he did pick up the loss in a game. We could complain about that.

by madpoopz on Jun 22, 2009 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

another thing on Rodney...

I’ve personally never liked him. I’ve always considered him a bad pitcher. However, he is actually starting to prove himself in my eyes. Maybe being the closer is his destiny. Learning from Todd Jones probably isn’t helping his roller coaster saves though.

by madpoopz on Jun 22, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs