The Tigers lost a heartbreaking game on ESPN to the New York Yankees. I just found a few things about the game interesting..

Austin Jackson 0-4  (3 k's)

Magglio Ordonez 0-4 (3 LOB)

Brennan Boesch 0-4

Ryan Raburn 0-4

Jhonny Peralta 0-4

Brandon Inge 0-3

As many people in the game thread pointed out, Austin Jackson looked like a deer in the headlights tonight, and has looked awful during the Tigers slump. Magglio's ankle may still be hurt, but I dont think that's the case. He isnt the same hitter as he was in 2007 and I dont think its fair for us to expect the same thing of him. Brennan Boesch has obviously struggled since V-Mart went on the DL. Pitchers arent giving Miggy their best stuff because they don't think BB can make them pay. Raburn and Peralta have both hovered around .250 the entire season so their futility at the plate is no surprise. I know Inge isn't in the lineup for his bat, but he is a careear .237 hitter, there is no reason he should be flirting with the mendoza line..

However, there were some bright spots in this game..

Ramon Santiago 3-4 (1 run)

Miguel Cabrera 3-4 (1 rbi)

Alex Avila 2-4 (2 hr, 2 rbi, 2 run)

Santiago was in the lineup for his terrific track record against Colon, and he delivered for Jim Leyland and made him look like a great manager. Cabrera was his usual terrific self, being very clutch in the 3rd inning, batting in a run to give JV some confidence. Alex Avila has hit very well lately and its getting harder and harder to keep him so far down in the lineup..This young catcher kept Justin Verlander under control, and did his best with the bullpen. He put is average above .300 and he now has 5 home runs on the year.

I know Scott Sizemore has been called up, but something has to be done about Valverde. He didn't look like himself tonight, especially after it appeared he injured his shoulder and Leyland kept him in the game. So my question to you Tiger's fans, is what should Leyland do with the lineup with V-Mart and Sizemore back? Will Leyland keep Santiago's hot bat in the lineup? Will an outfielder be called up? and, should they swap brad thomas for a young pitcher?

Also, you gotta give credit to the Yankee's lineup. All but one hitter had a hit today, and Colon shut us down except for 3 hitters through 7 innings. Mariano Rivera was dominant, and the Yanks played a good game, as much as it hurts me to say it.