Angels Run Wild: Angels 4, Tigers 2

by Ian Casselberry on Aug 26, 2009 9:50 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

After playing some inspired baseball to win the first two games of this series, the Detroit Tigers reverted back to some old tendencies in the getaway finale. In particular, they couldn't generate much offense against a pitcher who had been struggling, the kind that a good lineup should beat.

(Remember the days when the Tigers would pound a soft-tossing left-hander? I used to really enjoy writing those posts. Was it just two years ago?)

Joe Saunders hadn't experienced much success against the Tigers in six previous match-ups, but you wouldn't have known that from today's performance. Fresh off the disabled list, Saunders held Detroit to four hits over five innings. He also struck out six batters.

(Could this be further evidence of the BYB Preview Jinx, as some asserted in today's GameThread? If I happen to mention an opposing pitcher's mediocrity or recent struggles, is he destined to have a good game against the Tigers? Bloggers have no such power. Or do they... ?)

Meanwhile, Edwin Jackson struggled from the outset, serving up a two-run homer to Torii Hunter. (Once a Tigers Killer, always a Tigers Killer.) He just never seemed to settle in, perhaps best indicated by his four walks. But maybe the Angels should get some credit for that.

Mike Scioscia likes to keep his runners moving and manufacture runs, and his guys seemed determined to set an aggressive tone on the basepaths today. Led by two swipes by Chone Figgins, the Angels stole five bases, tying a season-high. (Figgins almost stole home in the seventh, but the third-base umpire had stopped play.) Ultimately, that seemed to distract Jackson and Gerald Laird from focusing on the pitcher vs. batter task at hand.

Despite the 4-2 loss, however, the Tigers did have some success on this west coast road trip. Considering how badly they've played on the road over the past two months, winning three out of six is some notable progress. Especially when two of those wins came against the second-best team in the American League (and arguably their two best starting pitchers.)

After tomorrow's off-day, it's back home, where the magic happens, for the next seven games.

Comment of the Day:

WHAT

Is this bizarro land? Adam Everett hits a jack and E-Jax can’t pitch? What’s next, an uneventful save from Fernando?

by demondeaconsbaseball

And your runner-up. You guys have been warriors in the GameThreads.

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Comments

Before the trip

I never imagined we would gain ground on the white sox. The twins made up some ground, but only to even up with the sox(assuming at this moment they lose to the O’s).

by actioncuse on Aug 26, 2009 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

Still waiting for that uneventful save

President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.

by David Tokarz on Aug 26, 2009 10:22 PM EDT reply actions

3-3 on the trip. Are we satisfied?

After all, the before the road trip thread seemed to indicated many of us would be ok with an even trip out West. I’m sure most of us were thinking take 2 of three from the A’s, give 2 of three to Anaheim, and it’s all good. Instead, we gave away a game to the As, and then stole an extra one form the Angels to land in the same place. I’ll take it, especially since the Red Sox swept Chicago, and as of this moment, the Orioles are beating the Twins. If that stays true through the 8th and 9th, the Tigers will have picked up two games over the past 6 days in terms of their Central Division lead. I’ll definitely take that outcome.

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

by ahtrap on Aug 26, 2009 10:27 PM EDT reply actions

Two best things

1) As you mentioned, we actually gained ground over the road trip.

2) We took two of three on the road against a possible playoff opponent.

As of right now, I can’t see any other team I’d rather face in a short series, although we look pretty good to face the wild card at this point.

by Elfuego51 on Aug 26, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Satisfied, but left wanting more

Contradictory, I know, but that’s my perspective. I agree that there are many positive things to take away from this trip, especially gaining ground on both the White Sox and Twins, but yesterday’s game feels like one that got away. I can’t shake the feeling that the boys can play better than this, and that a 4-2 trip would look a lot better than a 3-3 trip. We’re at the point in the season where playoff-positioned teams need to play like playoff-caliber teams. Short series come down to luck, yes, but players also need to know that they can succeed when called upon.

(Granted, it doesn’t help when your manager calls for a double steal with no outs….nope, not bitter at ALL about that)

by VATigersFan on Aug 27, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions

haha.

We’re six Minnesotan outs away from being the only team in the division with a winning record.

by StringTheory on Aug 26, 2009 10:29 PM EDT reply actions

O's and Sox did their part.

No harm done today…….though obviously, a win would have meant 5.5 up…..

by Elfuego51 on Aug 26, 2009 11:00 PM EDT reply actions

Magic Number 32

by Marcmargolis on Aug 26, 2009 11:02 PM EDT reply actions

All in all, I am pleased

Especially since the Sux and the Twinkies lost today too.

And Inglourious Basterds is fantastic (just got back from seeing it).

by kendra.michelle on Aug 26, 2009 11:02 PM EDT reply actions

If the Tigers go .500 18-18 the rest of the way

The Twins and Sox need to go 22-13 .629 to catch us!
Sox have only 16 home games left and Twins have only 18 home games left.
The Tigers have 22 home games left!!!

by Marcmargolis on Aug 26, 2009 11:06 PM EDT reply actions