So Close, Yet So Far: Red Sox 6, Tigers 5
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 11, 2009 8:30 AM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintMaking too much of one loss in a four-game series is probably silly. But I wonder if the Tigers are going to look back later on and think this is one they should've gotten.
The Red Sox had to be worn out after playing late on Sunday night. Brad Penny kept leaving pitches out over the plate, begging to be hit. Yet in typical fashion for this Tigers team - especially on the road - too many scoring opportunities were wasted.
Squandering those runners in scoring position was magnified once it became clear that it wasn't going to be Edwin Jackson's night. And that was apparent immediately, when Jackson gave up a leadoff double to Jacoby Ellsbury, followed by a homer from Dustin Pedroia. One inning later, Nick Green - carrying a whopping home run total of five into the game - led off the second by mashing a ball over the Green Monster.
Jackson ended up throwing 104 pitches in four innings as the Red Sox wore him down. But he did manage to keep the game in check until the Tigers' bats could get going. And they finally did with a two-run fourth inning.
By the seventh, the Tigers even tied the game at 6-6, thanks in large part to a red-hot Placido Polanco (who notched his second straight three-hit game). It looked like Detroit might be able to break through, if only the pitching could hold off the Red Sox offense.
Unfortunately, Zach Miner did what he's done far too often lately: give up runs. To be more specific, he's allowed four runs over his last four outings (covering 6.2 innings). Miner gave up singles to two of the first three hitters he faced in the Boston half of the seventh, and unlike the Tigers, the Red Sox put the ball in play with runners in scoring position, bringing home the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Green.
However, the Tigers had a chance to tie the game, if not take the lead, in the eighth, with runners on second and third and one out. But Adam Everett struck out in an awful at-bat, swinging and missing at three consecutive pitches way out of the strike zone (two of which had to be blocked by the catcher).
Striking out in that situation is not a crime. But failing to at least battle a pitcher with two men on base, and the game at stake, was horrible. (Curtis Granderson popping out to the catcher wasn't very good, either, but at least he made contact.)
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Trying to see the glass half full here
When we had that God-awful time in the beginning of June, it seemed like ALL the bats fell asleep at once. I’m encouraged by the fact that Polanco, Ordonez (gulp), thames and Granderson staying pretty strong.
In the trade deadline frenzy I remember the name of Marco Scutaro bandied about here. Boy, wouldn’t that be sweet?
Agree with you on the half-full perspective, but I’m getting tired of moral victories here. That was a good game last night that I probably wouldn’t mind losing, but our road struggles combined with the opponent just make it extra frustrating instead.
I still am wondering what exactly went through Everett’s head on that at-bat.
"I should have just put the ball in play," Everett said. "They were playing back. A groundball in the middle of the infield ties the game."
Ya think?
I couldn't have been the only one screaming at my TV in the 8th inning
I missed the game thread and I am sure this was discussed. But I thought I was going to lose my mind after Leyland didn’t pinch hit for Everett. I have complete confidence that Ramon Santiago or Ryan Raburn could have put a ball in play in that situation.
Tough loss, but I do love that they never packed it in and gave up – Edwin included.
You weren't
I was completely shocked that Everett was out there in that situation. Was Santiago unavailable to play the field? That is the only excuse for Raburn not getting a chance there. When they showed Leyland annoyed after that brutal at-bat I sincerely hope he was mad at himself, and not at Everett because that was pretty predictible.
Jason Beck has more on the decision to not pinch hit for Everett
http://beck.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/08/leyland_on_everett.html
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 11, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Link fail
http://beck.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/08/leyland_on_everett.html
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 11, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Disagree
It was a decent decision by Skip to leave Everett in there. If all you need is a guy to put the ball in play, Everett’s a solid choice. The only guy on the Tigers who strikes out less frequently than Everett is Polanco.
Down 1
I disagree w/ the decision. When you are down 1 on the road in the 8th after going to your pen to start the 8th you need to go for the win. Getting 1 run in to tie the game is too conservative. If Jackson is still on the mound then it is more defensible. Raburn gives you a much better chance at a big inning against a struggling pen.
Can see it both ways
We all know Everett is in for his defense, so we have adjusted our offensive expectations accordingly. That said, he should have been able to put the ball in play.
I think if he strikes out after a 7-8 pitch at bat where he battles all the way, the criticism is muted a little more, but since he looked so terrible up there (God knows why he didn’t wait out a pitch or two, especially after his first strike), it becomes much easier to second guess. I didn’t like the result, but both Raburn and Santiago are more prone to striking out there, which was the worst-case scenario. It is hard for me to 100% fault Leyland, therefore, although I think the idea of a squeeze is probably one that should have been considered, especially after strike 1.
by VATigersFan on Aug 11, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Jim Leyland
is going to do what he thinks is the right thing to be done at the time. Nothing is ever 100%. He’s never going to please all of us at the same time. I, myself can think of at least 20 – 30 times he’s ticked me off this year. Personally, I have not been a very big fan of Everett’s since he got here. I like Ramon out there.
That being said; is it the first game that Leyland has cost the team this year by making a decision we don’t agree with, no. Probably will not be the last either. Sometimes his crazy decisions pay off. I happened to be at the game where Raburn hit a walk off, after being called upon to pinch in the 9th. But there was one other time, more recently (maybe in Texas, I don’t recall) where he did the same thing and it didn’t pay off. Some days I like Jim and some days I don’t.
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
by Detroitchik on Aug 11, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
In spite of our loss
I feel pretty good about our guys. When it was 4-0 I had serious doubts and thought to myself OMA, three more games like this one at Fenway? But these guys really fought back hard and it didn’t seem so bad. Kendra was my faith restorer last night ( she has Avila strong within her) and reminded me that we rose up out of the ashes (so to speak).
I LOVE THESE GUYS!!!
and thank you, Kendra <3
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
yay
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
by Detroitchik on Aug 11, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Glad I could help :)
Just doing the good work of our lord.
by kendra.michelle on Aug 11, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
And I was really tempted to make a joke there about Avila being strong within me
but decided against it.
by kendra.michelle on Aug 11, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
after that statement
there is no need. I might be old but I’m still quick – and I gotcha. ;o)
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
by Detroitchik on Aug 11, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
re that screen shot I was trying to get
no HD at all for last night, I guess. comes out terrible :( bummer.
along with kid rick and the chosen one going tonight....
We also have the fact that I will not be in attendance going for us. My last three-contrares shutting us down at the cell, saturdays copa debacle, and last night. I have to stay away from the ballpark-i am clearly bad luck.
by rook34 on Aug 11, 2009 10:51 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I have been a huge supporter of Miner,
especially as a starter, but Jim, it shouldn’t have even came to this……
"Stupidity has a certain charm - ignorance does not"
agreed...
When I heard the announcer call miners name, I turned to the sawx fan next to me and said happy birthday.
by rook34 on Aug 11, 2009 11:03 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Miner changed things up a bit, though...
He gave up a leadoff single, NOT a leadoff walk.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 11, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
the bullpen did well. 2 runs in 4 innings at Fenway should be good enough.
minor did fine. no blame on him. same with ni (who also gave up a run).
everett’s at bat was the problem. the worst at bat i have ever seen. it
is impossible to imagine a worser at bat….
best news is that the hitting is coming around. you can smell it.
i look for a huge explosion tonight (before Beckett sets us straight)
Don't forget Nick Green
Does that mean the Red Sox get Arby’s?
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 11, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Free clam chowder?
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 11, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
How about giving them all a free copy of this:
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
HA
No Arby’s for you
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
by Detroitchik on Aug 11, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Turns out he split his finger open
According to his brother, commenting on Take 75 North:
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 11, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok I wondered exactly why...
I left to go get something to drink and the next thing I knew someone else was in.
And the someone else proceeded to give up runs and LOSE! :)
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." -- Philo of Alexandria
Don't try to play innocent!
You showed me the text message. :D
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." -- Philo of Alexandria
Thoughts from Fenway
I had like ridiculous-awesome seats for last night’s game, and while the memory is mine, I’ll share one point you missed.
Francona used his runners very well.
The go-ahead against Miner was set up by two hit-and-runs, one of which got Boston out of a sure-fire double-play, and another that allowed a runner to get from 1st to 3rd on a weak ground ball.
Every time Francona got one of his faster guys on base, they were tempting Laird. In the end, it was the difference. I think Leyland should open it up a bit more. Granted, when it’s Magglio or Cabby on base you’re not gonna get great speed. But stationary ball and swinging early in counts do not go well together — if we’re playing station-to-station, the guys need to work themselves deep into counts. If we’re gonna have them swinging away, the runners should be moving more often.
There were some other key plays too — Thames dropping that ball in the 1st led to a lot more pitches for Jackson, not to mention an extra run. Inge’s extra step on a tough ground ball in the 2nd was the difference in not getting a key out — if it was anyone but Inge I’d say eat that ball but he made the same play later in the game for an awe-struck crowd. Little things like that, plus the aggravating running of the Red Sox runners, plus an incredibly stingy (for both sides) strike zone on the night, made for a TON of extra pitches for Edwin Jackson. He didn’t have his command, but he had his stuff, and was battling through lots of adversity — he deserved to get bailed out a lot more.
All things said, it was remarkably close in the end, but it played like the Red Sox’ night.
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