Tigers avoid sweep (for the thousandth time this season)

by Kurt Mensching on Jul 17, 2011 8:54 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Final - 7.17.2011	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chicago White Sox	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	9	0
Detroit Tigers	0	0	0	1	0	3	0	0	X	4	8	1
WP: Brad Penny (7 - 6) SV: Jose Valverde (25) LP: Philip Humber (8 - 6)

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BOX

KEY STAT

0: The number of runs Brad Penny allowed after the three-run second inning. It looked like Penny was going to get chased early but he stuck around long enough to earn a quality start.

KEY PLAY

Victor Martinez's two-run single to tie the game in the sixth. Even though Brennan Boesch finally broke up the White Sox run of 17 innings without allowing a run, Martinez actually drove runners in scoring position home.

KEY THOUGHTS

The sky took a temporary break from falling. So that's good. Much needed, really. Of course when Penny couldn't stop giving up hard hits in the second inning, things looked a bit bleaker. He settled in, fortunately. And the Tigers bats finally remembered how to drive in runs.

One of the key differences this game was the play of Martinez. He hit into a double play on Friday and also left runners in scoring position. On Saturday, he ground into two double plays. But Sunday, runners on second and third, he delivered.

Carlos Guillen, too, has made himself useful since returning. If healthy -- always key words -- he'll really help solidify things. He drove in the go-ahead (and eventual gamewinning) run with two outs in the sixth. He also made a few plays in the field you couldn't picture Ryan Raburn making. Not that's he a gold glove candidate or anything like that. But it's refreshing to have him back.

Brandon Inge went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. He's 0-for-20 now, I believe. Sadly, this is just not going to end well for Brandon.

OTHER NEWS

The Tigers will continue figuring out who will start for them on Wednesday. Charlie Furbush, the favorite for the job, pitched in relief for the Mud Hens today. Andy Oliver started. Toledo Blade reporter John Wagner speculates this is the equivalent of a side session for Furbush, who threw 19 pitches in one inning of work, as a Wednesday start would be on an extra day's rest. But it could also signal the debut of Britton native Duane Below. I guess either reason makes sense to me at this point.

Detroit is in first place again, tied with the Indians.

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Comments

Brad Penny takes adequacy to a whole new level

You know I'm right about this.

by HighOPS on Jul 17, 2011 9:56 PM EDT reply actions

Back in the saddle again

Very very hot at the ballpark today. We had to move from our seats in the sun and go stand in the shade- right behind home plate. People were vacating sunny seats all over the stadium and were standing five and six deep on the concourse behind the second tier of seats.
One key play- Leyland sent the runners with Miggy up and he hit a grounder on a hit n run that would have been a DP ball, but the runners moved up, and scored on Victor’s single. Saved the day right there.
We need some good pitching performances from our starters. Penny managed to get the ball to the pen in the seventh inning. What JL is doing after that seems to be a platoon thing in the seventh, and I wish he’d pick either Coke or Al Al and leave them alone, but it is what it is. Benoit and El Papa Grande slammed the door again to boost the bullpen’s league leading save percentage.
I have less doubt than ever that Chicago is the main competition with that rotation.

I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!

by Tigerdog1 on Jul 17, 2011 9:57 PM EDT reply actions

My thoughts from todays game:

1. It was hotter than goat poop out. The biggest cheer was for a tiny cloud that went over head. When I first sat down on that green seat I thought my butt was on fire.

2. What I like about Carlos playing 2nd is that he is an actual infielder.

3. How does Brad handle the heat with that beard?

4. Brad Penny was a perfect signing for us and his doing his job.

5. Valverde is soooo slow. Maybe it just seems that way when you have heat exhaustion.

sarcastic jinxing ass

by The Eric on Jul 17, 2011 10:10 PM EDT reply actions

Oh, and good to see at least a couple of you yesterday at hockeytown.

sarcastic jinxing ass

by The Eric on Jul 17, 2011 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions

With Carlos...

…I have know that a ball he can get to he will make a play on. I feel like many of his errors at SS were throwing and obviously the throw from 2B will be shorter.

by doctorj on Jul 17, 2011 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

"Hotter than goat poop."

I’m not quite sure how to calibrate that. Do we assume that the described goat did not eat at Taco Bell? Was the goat fried on a green seat (or only the poop)?

I do admire someone following the Dan Rather school of journalism though. It has a certain flare.

4. is very valid. Penny is getting it done.

Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.

by murrajo on Jul 18, 2011 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Welp

The normal body temperature of a goat is 101.5 F to 103.5 F, so that’s pretty darn hot.

by Big Z in Orlando on Jul 18, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

How do you know that?

"Aside from the stuff I haven’t been diagnosed for yet, I don’t have a problem."- Phil Coke

Contributor, Bless You Boys

by David Tokarz on Jul 18, 2011 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Dude

Google it

Detroit4Lyfe

by Rob Rogacki on Jul 18, 2011 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Who googles that?

"Aside from the stuff I haven’t been diagnosed for yet, I don’t have a problem."- Phil Coke

Contributor, Bless You Boys

by David Tokarz on Jul 18, 2011 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Those with a thirst for knowledge

Detroit4Lyfe

by Rob Rogacki on Jul 18, 2011 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

That's one f*cked up way to quench that thirst

"Aside from the stuff I haven’t been diagnosed for yet, I don’t have a problem."- Phil Coke

Contributor, Bless You Boys

by David Tokarz on Jul 18, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Not if you're a vet

Detroit4Lyfe

by Rob Rogacki on Jul 18, 2011 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd like to say I'm a genious, but

handsomerob1 has it right. I Googled it.

by Big Z in Orlando on Jul 19, 2011 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Penny is doing his job as a No. 4 or 5 starter

But Max and Rick have not been consistent enough as No 2 and 3 starters. Therein lies the key to winning the AL Central, IMO.

Agree on all points above.

I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!

by Tigerdog1 on Jul 18, 2011 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Loved that DP turn with the glove flip

After watching mediocrity during the first half, I guess Guillen’s here to show that using your throwing hand is child’s play.

Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.

by Elfuego51 on Jul 17, 2011 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

I'll need to catch the replay

As I took a much-needed post-drive nap during the game. Which means my sleep schedule will be messed up for a few days, but whatever.

Meeting great friends was worth it. (Also worth losing my voice, haha, as my regular job doesn’t require a lot of talking so my voice doesn’t normally get such a conversational workout.)

Random Ramblings from a Somewhat Scattered Mind

"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)

by Baroque on Jul 17, 2011 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

Why Would The Tigers Need The 5th Starter Wednesday?

With tomorrow off, there is no reason to call up a starter until next Sunday. The starting staff will pitch on the same amount of days rest. So there is no need to bring anyone up until next Sunday.

by TigersFan1957 on Jul 17, 2011 10:22 PM EDT reply actions

After recalculating

It would have to be Saturday, not Sunday. Porcello would need an extra day because he would pitch Tuesday.

by TigersFan1957 on Jul 17, 2011 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Leyland wants Verlander to pitch against the Twins (instead of vs Oakland)

then vs White Sox again.

As Leyland put it:

"When you work it out, you look at scheduling," Leyland said. "He’s going to get Chicago twice, Minnesota, he’ll get Cleveland. We map this out. We don’t just sit around and pick our noses."

by Keith-Allen on Jul 17, 2011 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I just sit around and pick my nose, personally.

by rcpratt on Jul 17, 2011 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I like to pick on the run

Sometimes you get a little too far up there but it’s more efficient when you think about it.

Detroit4Lyfe

by Rob Rogacki on Jul 17, 2011 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

you're telling me, just look at my avatar.

sarcastic jinxing ass

by The Eric on Jul 18, 2011 7:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I like this approach (the JV part, not the nasal cleansing).

Assuming that we see the JV of pre-ASG fame this is best. If worst came to worst you could throw Coke out there for a spot start too (although I don’t want to waste his are, so maybe we should ignore me)

Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.

by murrajo on Jul 18, 2011 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions

my theory

Is that Jason Verlander took advantage of the long break to gnaw through the restraints and escape from his closet. I hope he has been captured and confined again for his own safety.

Random Ramblings from a Somewhat Scattered Mind

"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)

by Baroque on Jul 18, 2011 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

That's funny, right there.

Rec’d.

Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Fight!

by Brand New Hero on Jul 18, 2011 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, make it green!

I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!

by Tigerdog1 on Jul 18, 2011 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Looked at Below's numbers a couple weeks ago

was wondering if he’d be the next guy in line.

Back off man, I'm a scientist

SB Nation Detroit --SB Nation's regional hub for all your Detroit sporting needs
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by Ryan Weiss on Jul 17, 2011 10:42 PM EDT reply actions

Carlos Guillen

=VERY cautious optimism

Glad to see him playing well after missing so much time. Venezulians seem to love the Detroit uniform and the gang is getting back together…

Charlie Sheen Night at CoPa: everyone has their Tiger Blood and Coke is a free mixer.

by Siggzilla on Jul 18, 2011 1:13 AM EDT reply actions

I would love to be encouraged

but Carlos’s problems weren’t really that he couldn’t produce, they were that he’s made of freaking glass. Eh, I suppose it can’t hurt to dream.

by Trysdor on Jul 18, 2011 1:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Glass is too generous.

I was thinking something like balsa. At any rate, we just need a league average SP/3B and we’ll kick some ass.

by thepartybird on Jul 18, 2011 3:37 AM EDT up reply actions

If he's knee is 100% healed up, he should be good to go.

Perhaps having almost a year off will help him avoid the injury bug. With this much time off, he might be feeling better than he has in years. He doesn’t have all the bumps and bruises from the 1st 90 games and he didn’t have the grueling travel schedule either. He’s probably as fresh as a 35 year old can be. It’s probably like April to him.

by Keith-Allen on Jul 18, 2011 3:56 AM EDT up reply actions