Now, It's Very Close: Twins 3, Tigers 2

by Ian Casselberry on Sep 29, 2009 4:45 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Only one game now separates first place from second in the AL Central, as the Minnesota Twins took the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader from the Detroit Tigers, 3-2. You wanted a close race, baseball fans? The Tigers just accommodated you.

Do they have to be so accommodating? Maybe it's a Midwestern thing.

This one took on a familiar feeling of dread, as the Tigers just couldn't break through with some offense against Nick Blackburn. The squandering began from the very first inning, as no one could drive in Curtis Granderson after he hit a leadoff double. Detroit scored a run in the second, but really should've gotten more with two runners on and one out.

And on it went. In the third, the Tigers led off with runners on first and third, but couldn't drive either one in. In the fourth, they had a runner on second with one out, but couldn't put the ball in play. Those last two outs were part of 14 straight batters the Twins retired.

Minnesota finally broke through in the 10th inning against Brandon Lyon. Denard Span hit a leadoff single, and unfortunately for the Tigers, Lyon helped him around the bases with two wild pitches. With a runner on third and no outs, the Twins made sure they didn't blow the opportunity. Orlando Cabrera drove in Span with a single. Minnesota then manufactured its way to a second run with two walks (one intentional) and two sacrifices.

If only the Tigers could do that. It works so much better than ending an inning with a groundout.

With that, Detroit wasted a fantastic, playoff-worthy pitching performance from Rick Porcello. Kid Rick pitched into the seventh inning, giving up only one run and seven hits. He also only walked one batter. If anyone was wondering how the rookie would respond to some playoff-type of pressure, he answered affirmatively.

Unfortunately, the Tigers' lineup couldn't do the same. And how many times have we sang that tune this season?

Whimper:

Placido Polanco has had a fantastic September (.375/.422/.500 coming into today), so maybe his 0-for-5 this afternoon seems even more disappointing because of that. Polanco also left four men on base.

But really, you could close your eyes, point at anyone in Detroit's batting order, and probably find a player who didn't perform. Aubrey Huff, 0-for-3 (and three left on base). Carlos Guillen, 0-for-3. The opportunities were there to score runs, and Tigers batters didn't not seize them.

Purr:

The two guys who brought their bats to the park today were Curtis Granderson and Brandon Inge, who hit a combined 4-for-9. Grandy also cut the Tigers' deficit to one in the ninth inning with a homer off Joe Nathan. His hot streak continues. Inge, meanwhile, broke an 0-for-13 slump with his performance today.

Comment of the Day:

are we sure Saturday even happened?

by MackAveKurt

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Polanco now 3/18 lifetime vs. Blackburn

Not entirely certain why he started the game (was 3/13) other than we only have three real guys that can play 2B/SS.

2100 Woodward and Twitter

by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

Polanco 1/5 vs. Duensing

So yeah, pretty much a positional logjam is all.

2100 Woodward and Twitter

by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

you're joking

I hope

Detroit4lyfe

by Detroit4lyfe on Sep 29, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

With Polly's numbers?

Nosir. My concern in this afternoon’s lineup was the lack of offense between Huff and Inge. Don’t get me wrong, Polanco’s offense is amazing (how many times have I screamed ARE YOU LISTENING DOMBROWSKI?! in a thread when someone says to keep him) not to mention he’s the only Tigers jersey I own… but still. Wish we could have found some more run production vs. Blackburn.

2100 Woodward and Twitter

by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I believe the numbers are real

But you’re not certain why Polanco started the game because of a measly 3/13 sample size? Easy to say not to start him after he goes 0-5 and had a suspect game defensively, too. But he’s Polanco, our starting 2B, who just happened to be en fuego lately as if he needed more backing. C’mon, I know you’re one of the smarter baseball fans here, but you’re reading WAY too much into things here.

Detroit4lyfe

by Detroit4lyfe on Sep 29, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

some notes because I'm bored

Twins lineup for game two: Span RF, Cabrera SS, Mauer C, Kubel DH, Cuddyer 1B, Young LF, Gomez CF, Tolbert 3B, Punto 2B.

of note: Morales, who DH’d in game one, has only seen JV a few times but he is 2 for 3. he is the only twin swapped out of this lineup. instead of him we have Gomez, who is only 1 for 8 against JV. so maybe we see morales in a PH role? other than that everything is pretty typical.

for reference

also for reference, our stats against Duensing.. not much to speak of. obsess away!

No Run Support

by allikazoo on Sep 29, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

Anyone who is too stressed out and just can't take the Tigers being in a pennant race

Take a trip. Send a post card

Detroit4lyfe

by Detroit4lyfe on Sep 29, 2009 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

HAHA

Kayak across the Pacific Ocean… I love it.

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

by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

OMA

That’s awesome. Why do you have to go so far north to kayak southerly? Silly Google.

by wepri31 on Sep 29, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL

that looks like optimistic kayaking speed

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Sep 29, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh Lawd yall!

I’m afeared. And I may have had mlb.tv on during classes today. But you can’t prove that.

by wepri31 on Sep 29, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions

I was using GameDay

I’m blacked out for MLB.tv else I’d have it.

2100 Woodward and Twitter

by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm eating pie

Anyone else up for pie?

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

by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 5:07 PM EDT reply actions

is it whiskey pie?

No Run Support

by allikazoo on Sep 29, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

got any peach?

by wepri31 on Sep 29, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

peach?

I could eat a peach for days.

by ThaWalrus9 on Sep 29, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

chocolate

I have a slice of key lime ready to go too.

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

by David Tokarz on Sep 29, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

could use some of that peanut butter pie..

That Big Boy used to make. Ahhh. No Big Boy in Chicago, unfortunately. Perhaps whiskey wii have to do.

by rook34 on Sep 29, 2009 5:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Oh god I love that stuff

Now I want Big Boy :(

2100 Woodward and Twitter

by john.kmiecik on Sep 29, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

If we lose this game tonight...

Tied and have Robertson and Bonine going the next two days…good lord…

by rcpratt on Sep 29, 2009 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

why's everyone so down on eddie?

um, he 2-hit the white sox and had a decent go the start before!

No Run Support

by allikazoo on Sep 29, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

just because he’s new doesn’t mean he’s chopped liver. he impressed us last time out and he’s going to do it again.
now Nate, on the other hand, I’m not too sure about

by murrajo on Sep 29, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

that knuckler eddie has going....

Could give the twins fits. It made the sox look silly. Eddie hung one change to beckham. Only mistake. I don’t think Peavy is throwing for the Twins, either.

by rook34 on Sep 29, 2009 5:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Not down...just not exactly up...

by rcpratt on Sep 29, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Okay, here's my try at optimism.

It is very, very difficult for a team to sweep a double-header, even the home team, so a split was a likely outcome as soon as the game was rained out yesterday. Maybe not everyone, but a lot of people were looking to a split in this series as a very good outcome because the separation would remain the same, but the Tigers’ magic number would drop by four.

Verlander has a tendency to deliver in big games, so that shouldn’t be a substantial concern. I can’t see Polly having a couple dreadful games in a row, either. As always, the wild card will be the Tigers’ digital (on or off, no dimmer switch) offense.

But assuming they get just enough …

If the Tigers split the double header, the Twins are right back where they were this morning, two will be shaved off the magic number, and the Tigers will be right on pace for a series split again with only two more game with the Twins left. Still very tense, but not catastrophic.

I have absolutely no freaking clue if this team WILL win the game and hang on for the division, but it isn’t as though they are INCAPABLE of it. They aren’t the Nationals, for crying out loud. They CAN do this thing.

(Maybe it’s a good idea I won’t be able to see the game. I’ve had the feeling of imminent dry heaves all day.)

And if all else fails, have whoever is on third steal home because that might be the only way they get a run, and slip a mickey in Span’s water before the game so he’s out of commission. :)

GO TIGERS!

"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill

by Baroque on Sep 29, 2009 5:42 PM EDT reply actions

well put. i will piggyback with this.

No way the Twins get so lucky this game. Their second run was the product of two wild pitches by our best reliever. I would say the baseball gods owe us a break or two.

by rook34 on Sep 29, 2009 5:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I'm trying to think of it as part of a playoff series

I wouldn’t assume that a best-of-five series was over when my team was down 1-0. I’m not going to assume that they have lost the division crown just because they lost one important game.

They have fought too hard all year to get to this point. The Twins may wind up taking the playoff spot at the end of the season, but it won’t be because the Tigers didn’t try to hang on to it.

"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else." -- Winston S. Churchill

by Baroque on Sep 29, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions