Offensive Rebound: Tigers 8, Royals 5

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 7, 2009 11:50 PM EDT in News Comment 33 comments

More photos » by Duane Burleson - AP

Justin Verlander continues to look unbeatable at home this season, after throwing 11 strikeouts Tuesday night versus Kansas City.

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It wasn't easy, and at this point, maybe no win's going to be pretty for the Detroit Tigers. But after a bad loss last night in the series opener, the Tigers rebounded to get what felt like a much needed win. A Justin Verlander-Bruce Chen pitching matchup isn't the sort that this team should be losing. And given how the lineup has struggled to score runs lately, any output exceeding five runs can't be wasted, either.

Maybe this one didn't go quite as expected, with Verlander giving up five runs (though only three of those were earned, thanks to errors by Gerald Laird and Brandon Inge). But the Tigers' ace was otherwise outstanding, racking up 11 strikeouts (tied for his second-highest total of the season) and allowing no walks. (Billfer pointed out on Twitter that it's been 21 years since a Tigers pitcher threw at least 10 strikeouts while walking no one.)

86 of Verlander's 114 pitches were thrown for strikes, and though he made a handful of mistakes that the Royals pounded for extra-base hits, the Tigers' offense (carried by home runs from Miguel Cabrera, Placido Polanco, and Marcus Thames) made sure that his effort wasn't wasted. That in itself felt like a victory.

Roar:

Detroit's batting order looks so much better when someone's swinging a big stick in the cleanup spot. After slumping during the Tigers' latest road trip (likely due to a touch of the flu, according to Rod Allen), Thames is bringing the thunder again. He smacked a home run for the second consecutive night (and third in his last four games), this one a three-run shot that blew the game open (albeit temporarily) with a 7-3 lead.

And any time the Tigers get a home run from Polanco, that has to be considered a sweet bonus. His two-run homer in the third inning tied the game at 3-3, and a RBI single in the fifth gave Detroit the lead for good. For the night, Polanco went 3-for-5 with four RBIs.

Comment of the Night:

this is why we can't have nice things!

we squander leads

by murrajo

But we have to give allikazoo the runner-up for nabbing a screen shot of Mario Impemba and Rod Allen appropriately photoshopped for Elvis Night at Comerica Park:

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Comments

I missed you guys tonight

but I had more fun at this game than any I’ve been to all season. I am not an Elvis fan per say but the novelty of people dressing up like him was sounded like a good time and it definitely was. Most especially those Arby time homers. And I have officially decided that my “Detroit Chicks Dig the Longball” t is good luck as I wore it tonight…and well… you know the rest.

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

by Detroitchik on Jul 8, 2009 12:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

glad you had fun!

by allikazoo on Jul 8, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

great game! but missed you here.

between BYB and my sis texting me, (she was at game), I was multi tasking. heehee

by VegasTigers on Jul 8, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's the Tigers' record with you in attendance?

We love having you in the GameThreads, obviously, but we might have to consider the bigger picture here. We might have to take up a collection for your tickets.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 8, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

That’s an interesting question. I has never really thought about it. But now that you’ve mentioned it, I am going to add it up.

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

by Detroitchik on Jul 8, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok

After much investigation, I have the final count
For the season (thus far) from my game attendance
The Tigers are 6W vs 3L when I go to the game….

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

by Detroitchik on Jul 8, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you're sayin there's a chance....

by Tagne13 on Jul 8, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

add 1 more W to that

I forgot 5/3 vs. those stinkin’ Indians

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

by Detroitchik on Jul 8, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

can you start attending away games?

Mack Avenue Tigers

by MackAveKurt on Jul 9, 2009 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you guys buy plane tickets

I will travel any where in the Continetal United States. it would be my pleasure.

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

by Detroitchik on Jul 9, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can you dig it?

Nice to see Polly have a great game. Nicer to see Rod in that get up.

"A drug is not bad. A drug is a chemical compound. The problem comes in when people who take drugs treat them like a license to behave like an asshole. "

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2009 8:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Found this in an article I was reading...

Prospecting
Scott Sizemore, Det, 2B – Placido Polanco(notes) is in the midst of, perhaps, his worst full-season campaign of his career. He is not under contract for next season, so Sizemore’s strong play at Triple-A Toledo for the past month could factor into the Tigers’ thought process as they navigate through trade season these next few weeks. Sizemore entered the season as Detroit’s No. 7 prospect, according to Baseball America. Ironically, that publication compared him to Polanco for his ability to make contact with a short, compact swing. Relying more on instinct than speed, Sizemore has also proven to be a 15-20 steal threat. This season, split between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo, he’s produced a .308 BA, 11 HR and 8 SB in 289 ABs. He’s gone 10-for-21 in his past five games at Toledo, and if his bat keeps sizzling over the next few weeks, Polanco’s security could land on very shaky ground.

by Tagne13 on Jul 8, 2009 8:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm assuming it was written before last night's game, but you get the point

by Tagne13 on Jul 8, 2009 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, the Cult is pleased this morning!

"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 Jul 8, 2009 8:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

voting voting voting

by allikazoo on Jul 8, 2009 9:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yes yes yes

by Tagne13 on Jul 8, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Via Twitter

beckjasonFans who vote Inge in #finalvote at least 100 times entered in drawing to deliver game ball to mound Aug. 4: http://tinyurl.com/mv2325

Here’s the real link:
http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090707&content_id=5752532&vkey=pr_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det

by wepri31 on Jul 8, 2009 9:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I MUST WIN

even though I can’t really afford the airfare. haha

by allikazoo on Jul 8, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hear ya

by VegasTigers on Jul 8, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I win this, I will insist that I deliver the game ball in a postal uniform.

Shorts and high socks!

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 8, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Postman night at the CoPa!!

Mack Avenue Tigers

by MackAveKurt on Jul 8, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is Rod Allen gonna have to choke a *****?

by ThaWalrus9 on Jul 8, 2009 9:34 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Now that is right on!

"A drug is not bad. A drug is a chemical compound. The problem comes in when people who take drugs treat them like a license to behave like an asshole. "

by Zappatista on Jul 8, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha!

by Tagne13 on Jul 8, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Daily wtf moment came early

now, it’ll probably be gone the next time I hit refresh, but I fire up BYB just now, and the scoreboard at the top of the home page is sporting the situation from the 2nd inning last night.

It took me a second to realize what was going on. The first thought was, I didn’t know we had a day game today, the second was what the heck are they doing playing at 10 AM??? And the third was, along the lines of “I’m an idiot”.

Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!

by ahtrap on Jul 8, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs