The Big Potato gets mashed: Tigers lose 3-2 in 11 innings
by BigAl on Apr 8, 2010 1:18 AM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintIt was an cold, ugly, miserable night in Kansas City. You could say the same about the Tiger' bats and The Big Potato (who got mashed), Jose Valverde.
Both did more than their fair share in contributing to an 11 inning, 3-2 Tigers loss to the Royals.
After a Carlos Guillen single scored a pinch running Don Kelly to take a 2-1 lead, Valverde entered the game in the bottom of the 11th, supposedly to close out the game. That's why he's being paid $14 million over 2 years, right? Wrong.
Valverde didn't get a single out.
The Tigers' closer gave up a solo home run to Alberto Callaspo, which tied the game at 2. It was all downhill from there, as Billy Butler singled, and scored on a Rick Ankiel double.
Just like that, game over.
Valverde now has as many blown saves as Fernando Rodney did in 163 games. Just sayin'...
I will admit it wasn't all on the mashed potato. Butler scoring all the way from 1st was greatly facilitated by Scott Sizemore forgetting he was playing in the major leagues. The rookie 2nd baseman dropped a perfect relay throw, and made matters worse by not hustling after the ball. Butler was going to be held at third, and actually stopped while rounding the bag. But Sizemore was, as Joe Riggins would call his players in Bull Durham, a lollygagger. He made a rookie mistake, one I hope we won't see again.
As for the Tigers' so-called offense? The lack of it made for deja vu all over again. Nothing but weak at bats, squandering baserunners and pounding balls into the ground. The Tigers made Royals starting pitcher Luke Hochevar look like a hall of famer for 7.2 innings.
But the Tigers' BFF, the Royals bullpen, got to take over.
Royals manager Trey Hillman asked his closer, Jokim Soria, to enter the game with 2 outs in the 8th, hoping for a 4 out save. It looked as if he was going to get it, as he easily got 3 of the outs. Then Miguel Cabrera came to the plate.
He had the best at bat of this young season, and possibly his best as a Tiger. It was a 10 pitch battle, with Cabrera keeping the game alive by fouling off several of Soria's 2 strike offerings. On pitch number 10, Cabrera finally got a fastball, and lined it off the right field foul pole to tie the game at 1 all.
In order to get to that point, we have Max Scherzer to thank for keeping the Tigers in the game. The 2nd year starter had a marvelous performance in first AL appearance, no-hitting the Royals for 4.1 innings. The youngster ended his night going 6 strong innings, giving up only 1 hit and 2 walks, while getting absolutely no run support. Some things never change.
But the story of the night was the 11th inning blow up by Valverde and the Tigers' not-so-startling lack of offense. As much as I'm ticked over the blown save, the odds remain good Valverde will have a solid season.
The offense, on the other hand...
Comment of the Night:
Between the weather, and the fact the Royals play there, the stands at Kaufmann Stadium were a barren wasteland.
rcpratt had to call it as he sees it.
There are more BYB comments on this game than fans attending it.
And it wasn't even close.
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Ugh
I spend my night diligently studying for my exam and this is what I’m rewarded with? I’m going to bed.
Sizemore's oops
After watching several replays, he didn’t drop the relay. He caught it cleanly, turned, and was ready to gun Bloomquist down, but oops! he forgot the ball. His arm whipped forward, but the ball went flying behind him. Classic goof.
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So far I like what I've seen from Sizemore and Jackson.
Sizemore is getting on base and the Cleaner is off to a decent start. I hope they can continue.
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
He fumbled the exchange…ok, it happens. I would like to see him take his time and make the play, but rookie jitters, cold weather, whatever.
But I was really disappointed in his looking at the runner like he was gonna call “do-over” before jogging back to the ball. There is no place for nonchalance in the bigs.
He fumbled the exchange…ok, it happens.
If by “fumbled the exchange” you mean he caught it cleanly, had the ball in his hand, and reared back to throw, but it slipped out as he whipped his arm forward…then yeah.
I agree about the nonchalance, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen that happen to someone and they don’t freeze up in shock and embarrassment.
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That’s exactly what I meant. He caught it clean, but somewhere between his glove and his right hand, he either had a poor grip, or no grip. Considering the ball was rolling in the wet grass a few seconds before, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was wet and just slipped.
Valverde?!?!!?
How much did the Tigers pay for this chump? I’m following the game, see that we go up 2-1. I foolishly think that we have the game in hand…I mean, it is the Royals after all and BOOM!
Man, why can’t we have a GOOD closer?
It's one blown save
Sh*t happens. If this becomes a recurring theme, then I’ll probably move to your side.
by handsomerob1 on Apr 8, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I just saw that Edgar Renteria is 8 for 11 so far.
Just thought I’d share.
In a long distance relationship with the Tigers--and, yes, we're doing fine.
Valverde
He’s just Rodney with funny glasses. Hasn’t been able to consistently throw strikes. Not a good sign. There’s a reason he was still available.
The start of the season is very important with this team; they need to go minimum 6-3 out of this initial stretch of games, as they then head west for 10.
Maybe it's just me
but I was quite unhappy with Leyland’s late innings management last night. He was on a bad streak with the ridiculous double steal attempt in which Cabrera got out and an even more ludicrous idea to pinch run G$ for Avila. If you want to make a defensive substitution, that’s one thing in a close game. I really do get that. I just don’t get making the substitution when the guy is on base and you put a fat, slow guy out there to run for him. UGH! Also, definitely no reason to panic, but good lord, Valverde is a big pile of suck so far.
By the sounds of things, I think Cabrera went on his own accord
I don’t think Leyland told him to steal at that particular instance.
by SabreRoseTiger on Apr 8, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Not a freakin hope of that
First, the runner on first was running on the pitch, also. No way he’s running unless he KNOWS that the runner ahead of him is on the move.
Second, Cabrera is NOT stealing third, period.
Leyland put on a play and KC had him figured out. 100% certain.
And I'm 100% certain that it was because Cabrera broke too early
Getting the green light is one thing, but it’s Cabrera’s decision whether to go or not.
by SabreRoseTiger on Apr 8, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
That's a different matter, SRT
“Getting the green light” generally means the runner is free to go. But Miggy was sent on the play. His job is to run on the pitch. What you said above is that he ran on his own. He didn’t. You really think the runner on first was moving with a man on the base ahead of him, without KNOWING that he’s running too? Leyland put on a play. He sent the runners on the pitch and got busted. If they didn’t get Cabrera, they’d have gotten the runner on first, because he was in full flight as well.
Bleh, that's what I get for getting distracted while I type
I never meant it as Leyland not planning anything. I meant it as a matter of poor execution.
by SabreRoseTiger on Apr 8, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Rod Allen may have nailed it
what he said was that JL spotted something with Farnsworth (he’s easy to run on) so he put the sign on. Miggy’s out there getting fidgety, which he attributed to not exactly being Ricky Henderson on the basepaths, and KC picked up on it. Maybe they only thought they’d catch him leaning, but he got hung out to dry.
Leyland can only do so much with the cast of characters that he has to run the bases. He used Laird, a catcher!, to run for Avila instead of using up two of his four bench guys by putting in Kelly to run, then Laird to catch. That saved Kelly for later, which actually worked out as he was needed. Sizemore getting on base will help (instead of Polly), and AJax should at least be as good as Granderson on the bases. When Magglio, Everett, Inge, and Guillen move on over the next two seasons, we can hopefully add some more speed in the lineup, and JL won’t be asking Miggy to do everything! But for the time being, JL is gonna have to get real creative trying to bring in the runners.
I think we need to give Laird a break....
Hey all, I’m new here. Probably not best to introduce myself by disagreeing with people, but…. I think we all underestimate Laird as a baserunner. Check this link, from an article by Lee Panas, written last year. Laird, at that point, was actually Detroit’s best baserunner.
Yeah
This is about right- the only thing Laird really does contribute to the offense is baserunning acumen.
"[M]aybe he’s hoping we’re distracting each other while he elopes with pie. I’m on to you Kurt."- madpoopz
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Apr 8, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Laird's a smart player
Probably a future manager if he wants to be. It makes up for his lack of physical gifts.
by Kurt Mensching on Apr 8, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Laird IS a smart player, and a decent base runner
just not the best guy that was available to run at the time
both Kelly and Raburn are better runners, but if you use one of them to run for Al’s kid, then you burn up two bench guys in what was a 1- 0 game at the time.
Laird is the one player among Inge and Everett who actually makes up for his lack of stick with his defense, IMO. A catcher can do that, but there’s no amount of defense that can atone for what Everett and Inge did in 2009 vs RHP’s.
As it turned out, Kelly was used later, Raburn was available off the bench if needed, and both came in the game once the Tigers got the lead. Too bad one of them didn’t run for Miggy!
Ok everyone....
….yes we are all mad at Valverde but it was only one game…..It happens to everyone….Soria blew his save too…..You cant win every game…..Lets take the series today guys!!!
A horrible night for baseball
Words cannot express how physically awful it was at the ballpark last night. It started raining right about 7 pm with a constant 20 mph wind blowing from left field to right. My seat was in the lower deck on the first base side, right around the overhang. I didn’t sit there at all, and the top row was only marginally better with the wind tunnel effect. Luckily, the new gift shop had stocking caps, which I wore underneath my Tigers cap.
(The ball Austin Jackson hit into right-center that the wind grabbed, kept pushing the ball away from Ankiel and turned into a triple? That was the same wind ripping all the way up the first-base stands.)
On the other hand, the awful conditions meant that nobody on the field really wanted to play, and the first 4 1/2 innings flew by in 1:05 (until Scherzer’s mini-meltdown in the bottom of the 5th got the time a little more on track).
If you just looked at the stats, you might think that Hochevar pitched as well or maybe even out-pitched Mad Max. But being on the scene, it sure felt like Max was much more in control of the game. The Tigers were getting better swings against Hochevar, and Max just seemed more comfortable through the first four innings. The Royals got a few whacks in, but the bullets were hit right at people. A good job by the coaches in outfield positioning.
As it was, I gave up at the end of the 7th after the Royals scratched out their first run and got home just in time to see Miggy clang the foul pole.
Hey! I was at the game too!
And all of that is absolutely correct. I never been to a worse game for weather. The wind was absolutely cutting.
I was sitting over in that general area as well, maybe I bumped into you? I was wearing a brown wool sweater and a Tigers cap. I was periodically typing on my netbook (on the gamethread, haha).
Anyways, yeah, Max looked fantastic. How many Royals walked away shaking their heads? And I think the fact that he was a little wild got into their heads.
I, however, stayed the whole night. It was fun when we Tiger fans outnumbered the Royal fans remaining late in the game and chanted the “Lets go Tigers” until we were hoarse. The end though…
:(
by SweetLouDoubleU on Apr 8, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I didn't see a netbook, but I was updating Facebook via my smartphone.
I heard the “Let’s Go Tigers” chant on TV. Outstanding. :)
There were a lot of Tigers fans last night. A LOT.
One thing I don’t like about the K now that the renovations are finished — they expanded the Stadium Club to the point where you can’t just walk around the home-plate concourse and continue to watch the game. The new Club completely blocks that off. The concourse wraps behind it, so if you want Gates or Strouds munchies NOM NOM NOM, you have to watch the TVs on your way.
On the other hand, the new Majestic shop is really nice, even though they had some problems with the closed circuit feed.
by HawkeyeEdward on Apr 8, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Observation:
In our last 3 games, we are 0-2 when Don Kelly scores the go-ahead run in extra innings.
haha. I realized that last night. it made me sad.
Director of the 2010 Free Casper Wells campaign
No Run Support
Valverde
I know it’s early, but I am going to have very little patience with Leyland if he keeps sending Valverde out there unless he gets his act together. He’s lucky he only blew last night’s save because it looked like he was trying pretty hard on Monday too. If Zumaya continues to pitch as well as he has in his first two outings he should be seriously considered for the role.
If you pay $7 million for a closer . . .
. . . you’re committed to sticking with him for a while.
“I know it’s early, but I am going to have very little patience with Leyland if he keeps sending Valverde out there unless he gets his act together.”
It was one game....
…..man oh man……yes he lost it but cmon man….One game
by BennieBladesFan on Apr 8, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I think some of the concern probably stems from the fact Game 1 was hardly any better
but I think he’ll settle in OK.
by Kurt Mensching on Apr 8, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Direct TV is giving me all the baseball games for free this week
So I got to stay up and watch the 1st blown save of the year… yeah…
"When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." ~ Dick Butkus
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Apr 8, 2010 10:29 AM EDT reply actions
Bunting
So, I thought for SURE Jim would have Inge bunt. Up 2-1, runners at first and second with no one out… it was a perfect bunting scenario. We really needed the insurance. Having Inge (who is a serious strikeout possibility) swing away in that scenario really surprised me. The double steal might have made more sense if we were down by 2 or 3, but up by 1 in the late innings? Let’s just make sure we push one more across, thank you very much.
A lifelong Tigers fan
Correct me if I'm wrong
but I don’t remember Inge as a particularly good bunter. I think that decision had more to do with Inge’s skills (or lack of) than Leyland making another mistake. Both are possible though.
by handsomerob1 on Apr 8, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
The broadcasters made the point of mentioning that Inge only had one sac bunt last year, so I think you are right. However, perhaps I am misremembering, but I thought he used to bunt more in his earlier years. A bit of quick research revealed that last year was an outlier for him, as he usually averages about 6 sac bunts per season… which still isn’t a lot, but you know that it’s there.
Granted, Laird coming up behind him was far from a sure thing to get the runner in from third, but Inge getting a base hit was an even more remote possibility.
A lifelong Tigers fan
I wouldn't say it was an "even more remote possibility"
probably about the same likelihood, so why not let both of them have a shot instead of one?
Can I trade the COTN for the win?
Blah. Anyways, I don’t think there’s much point in giving Sizemore too hard of a time for this. There still would have been runners at 2nd and 3rd with no out…I know it’s the Royals, but I have to imagine that even they could have scored in that situation.
There is absolutely no one
That thinks (or thought) that Johnny Damon was even going to be close to as good as Curtis this season (or any time in the future). It’s two games into the season, stop.
by ozymandius1024 on Apr 8, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
+1
everyone else freaking out about Valverde too….ITS 2 GAMES!!!!
by BennieBladesFan on Apr 8, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
+1000
If we expected Damon to outperform Grandy, he would have been included in the trade.
by handsomerob1 on Apr 8, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
other than that whole being a free agent thing.
by Kurt Mensching on Apr 8, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
OHh well
I know the tigers lost but I seen some positive and that’s Max he pitched a good game something I was hoping for I wish he had some Run support by the tigers….The Hitting I know it stinked last night but they did hit in extra inning and could of had the win if the closer just closed out the game……but I believe tigers will do better next game..
Valverde will work things out
I’m not worried about Mr. Potato Head. My biggest concern from last night’s game is Leyland’s unwillingness to be aggressive with base runners. Especially frustating was the 6th inning, when Jackson led off with a base hit and then didn’t attempt to run before Damon hit into a DP.
Not to mention
There was also the hit and run that actually worked as well. I don’t mind if Jim does that kinda stuff…….when there are capable baserunners on.
by ozymandius1024 on Apr 8, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Valverde
Here’s the deal. Quite a few people when he was signed thought he was some sort of superman. He’s not. He’s going to blow saves this year.
That said, for the length of the season he’ll be good enough and I wouldn’t really hold his Detroit debut against him.
I still don’t like the signing. But after a rough start, he’ll settle in and probably get through more than his fair share of saves in 1-2-3 method.
It’s way too early to care either way.
What was the alternative?
Kevin Gregg?
Pay Rodney or Lyon what the Angles or Stroh’s gave them?
Promote Zoomer or Perry coming off seasons where they put 1.5 to 2 runners on per inning?
DD budgeted for a closer when Granderson was dealt. They first made a run at Lyon and Rodney with reasonable offers. Then, Valverde fell through the cracks at a 30% discount. Excellent move.
Folks that are getting their knickers in a knot after one blown save aren’t worth responding to.
Well, but obviously
we haven’t overpaid for any saves so far . . .
by rea on Apr 8, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I shouldn't have said "never"
but I should say in limited situations.
1) His name is Mariano Rivera
2) You have invested wisely in the rest of your team, are poised to make a world series run and want an insurance policy for the late innings.
by Kurt Mensching on Apr 8, 2010 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
well, I wouldn’t say they’ve invested wisely, nor do I think this team even begins to resemble a world series contender. But beating the Royals twice as nice to start.
by Kurt Mensching on Apr 8, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
There's a vocal group of fans around here that believe in this method of operation.
We should make a club or something.
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
Actually Gregg would've been an excellent alternative
There peripherals are a lot closer than you’d think (other than Gregg’s outlier HR rate last season with Chicago), and Gregg cost the Jays less than 3 million.
If you’re going to get someone who’s “experienced” and pigeon-hole him into a role, you take the considerably cheaper one (especially if the peripherals are equal or close to it).
by ozymandius1024 on Apr 8, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
That's also ignoring the fact
That Jose also cost the Tigers a draft pick as well. Gregg wouldn’t have come with that cost.
by ozymandius1024 on Apr 8, 2010 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly.
He blew four last year, and seven each of the two years before that. He’s an above average reliever, and nothing more.
And I agree, he will find his bearings eventually. He is still an upgrade over Rodney, I feel. He gives up fewer hits per 9, and he has better command than Fernando. He’ll be fine. It’s Game 2 of 162. Move on to Game 3.
74 saves eh Jose?
Doesn’t help to reach an assanine amount of saves when you BLOW THEM.
VP of Membership, Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by JoelZumayaKegStand on Apr 8, 2010 12:22 PM EDT reply actions
Bright/Dark
Tied for second place. Tied for last place.
Neither team today is going for a sweep!
Gary M. Piekarek
Game should have been won in the 9th inning
And then again with a runner on 3rd and less than two outs in the 10th…First, Damon swinging and striking out in the 9th at a pitch high and outside for ball 4 cost us the win in 9 innings as Cabrera needs baserunners on when he hits to create runs…Tigers win 2-1 there?
Putting the ball in play would have also won it with less than two outs and Jacksons strike out in the 10th. Yes Valverde sucked, but it should never have lasted this long. Leylands weak management (BUNT! and non agressive) cost us the game. You cant give teams 3 chances to win the game like the Twins in #163 last year. Killer instinct is necessary with this team for once?
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