Tigers score early, often: Detroit 8, Texas 4

Sometimes a picture sums it up best.

And while you have to give credit to reliever Eddie Bonine for throwing three scoreless inning, Joel Zumaya for striking out five of the seven batters he saw, and numerous Tigers who did well at the plate ... well, the photo tells a lot of the story.

The Rangers just looked like the Keystone Kops out there for a couple of innings.

Detroit scored two runs when a wild pitch bounced halfway to third base, and catcher Taylor Teagarden couldn't hold onto the throw from Michael Young. Earlier, Josh Hamilton stood waiting for impact after he lost a fly ball to left field. And later, a towering hit from Cabrera split a pair of Rangers outfielders who both dived into the wall as the ball promptly reversed directions.

Well, you get the point.

Detroit scored all eight runs in the third and fourth innings and held on for the win.

Rangers starter Scott Feldman didn't make it through the onrush. Then again Tigers "starter" Brad Thomas was hardly better.

Thomas was the sacrificial lamb when Dontrelle Willis fell ill and manager Jim Leyland decided to keep his long reliever Eddie Bonine in his typical role.  The paid off fine for Bonine, who also functions just fine as a starter, it should be noted. But not so much for Thomas who gave up eight hits and two walks in three innings. That he allowed just three runs still shocks me. Thank the Rangers for not taking advantage of the Tigers' I guess.

While it's tempting to say Detroit stole another win, the Tigers just accepted what they were given.

As for Thomas, all you can do is thank him for being a good soldier Saturday. His return to the major leagues has hardly gone any better than the last year he played there -- 2004. At least he made it past 2-2/3 innings this time. But the results are just as bad. 

It's hard to figure out just what the Tigers saw in him. As for what they see in him now, my guess is he's basically a $1 million placeholder until lefty Daniel Schlereth is ready to pitch in an MLB bullpen fulltime. He's good at eating garbage time, as they'd call it in other sports. But he's hardly exhibited any command and he hasn't exactly gotten left-handed batters out with any regularity.

Other stuff:

• Austin Jackson struck out twice. But he also had a nice bunt single and a terrific leaping catch to steal an extra-base hit. 
• Adam Everett left the game early. Ramon Santiago did fine in his stead.
• Brennan Boesch got his first career RBI.
• Miguel Cabrera had two doubles and continues to be awesome. Both seemed like they should be home runs -- one fooled Hamilton -- but stayed in the park.
• Alli made it on TV.Packey got the screen cap.
  

Comment of the Night

NC Dee gets it, but you really had to be there to appreciate how she arrived at that point. So I'm just going to bread crumb you through it. 

1. Start here.
2. Continue here.
3. Winner!