Scherzer struggles, Willis continues to shine as Tigers lose 12-4 to Braves

Max Scherzer may want to talk to Jeremy Bonderman. No. Wait. That might be a bad idea. Let me try again.

The right-handed Max Scherzer may want to talk to lefties Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson. The Tigers' newest starting rotation addition pulled his best Bonderman-impersonation on Monday, allowing five runs in the first inning and not even making it to the break in the frame before manager Jim Leyland had to retrieve him.

Five runs, four hits,  three walks, two ... turtle doves ... and one out.

Ouch.

Willis, meanwhile, extended his scoreless streak by another two innings. He gave up a walk but no hits, and he had two strikeouts. He hasn't given up a run yet in his two appearances. Today was similar to Sunday when Robertson pitched three scoreless innings in relief of Bonderman -- who gave up six runs in two-thirds of an inning. Lefty Phil Coke also pitched a scoreless inning.

At this point it is worth noting the defense behind the Tigers' pitchers today was not the same defense they'll see during the regular season, with the only regulars being Miguel Cabrera at first base, Scott Sizemore at second and infield utilityman Ramon Santiago playing shortstop. Of course, Scherzer still needed to throw more strikes than he did.

At the plate the Tigers were finally kept in the park and were held to just one extra-base hit, a double by Casper Wells.

Comment of the Night

Off-topic but that's because there weren't many comments that stood out to the BYB Cabal today. So, Murrajo takes it with this commentary on the game:

and the cat just threw up on the kitchen table

my day is now complete!