Jim Thome makes history with home runs 599 & 600 as Twins knock off Tigers 9-6
by BigAl on Aug 15, 2011 10:47 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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KEY STAT
Rick Porcello's line: 6 IP, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 HR.
Porcello's WHIP and ERA are up to 1.42 and 4.98, respectively.
After his great July, Procello has been anything but in August, especially so in his last two starts. His season ERA has risen by nearly a full 1/2 run since dominating the Angels on July 29th. Who's kidnapped the good Porcello?
To quote Jim Leyland in the post game presser, "Rick just wasn't good tonight. He made too many bad pitches."
That's why Jim makes the big bucks.
KEY PLAY
Jim Thome hitting back-to-back home runs, a two run shot in the 6th, and a three run game clincher in the 7th. They not only won the game, they were home runs 599 and 600 for his long, Tiger killing, career.
KEY THOUGHTS
Kudos to Thome for hitting his historic 600th home run. He's always been a class act. But did the homers have to come in Detroit? As much as Thome has killed the Tigers over the years it's like twisting the knife after being stabbed. Thome only enhanced his reputation as a Tiger killer with a 3-4, 5 RBI, 2 HR night.
Kudos to Tigers fans for giving Thome a fine standing ovation for his historic achievement, despite it all but costing the Tigers a shot at the win. Classy.
For a pitcher who supposedly has so much potential, Daniel Schlereth (who gave up Thome's 600th, which felt like fait accompli when the big man came to the plate) sure doesn't show said potential...ever. Despite bouncing up and down between Detroit and Toledo, he still doesn't know where the ball is going when it leaves his hand. I don't care if Schlereth has a "live arm" and is left handed, his propensity for walks (two of which preceded Thome's dinger) kills the Tigers.
Delmon Young made an excellent first impression on Tigers fans. He went yard in his first at bat wearing the olde English D. Young also added a single, giving the Tigers pop out of the 3rd spot in the batting order for the first time...well, since anyone other than Magglio Ordonez was hitting 3rd.
In the NHL, a Gordie Howe hat trick is scoring a goal, recording an assist and getting in a fight, all in the same game. Tonight, Ryan Raburn committed an error, struck out, and hit a solo home run..otherwise known as the Ryan Raburn hat trick.
Raburn was hearing it from the fan base tonight, especially after his flying out after booting a double play ball in the previous half inning. The Tigers fans favorite scapegoat responded by...tipping his cap.
The less said about the Tigers' infield defense...the better. The Tigers' 3rd inning will be used as exhibit A when baseball historians describe to future generations how not to play defense.
Despite catching what seems like his 50th game in a row (actually 11), Alex Avila had three hits and was run over by Ben Revere while blocking the plate as he tried to stretch a triple into an inside the park home run. Avila got the out, then tripled to deep right center in the following inning. After his three hit game, Avila is hitting .415 with a .520 OBP for the month. It's official. Ironman Avila is a God amongst men.
And don't tell me your heart didn't jump into your mouth when you saw the collision. With Victor Martinez unable to catch while nursing a bad knee, and the Mud Hens' Omir Santos on the DL, the Tigers are a heartbeat away from Don Kelly or Max St. Pierre being the number one catcher.
The White Sox and Indians were idle tonight, so the Tigers only lost a 1/2 game of their division lead. They now lead the Tribe by two and the Sox by 3.5.
Having lost two in a row, it's up to Justin Verlander to be a stopper on Tuesday. So what else is new?
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Has anyone else...
reached a large HR milestone such as this with a multi-HR game?
by Bret Boone's Farm on Aug 15, 2011 10:49 PM EDT reply actions
The Bronx cheer for Raburn was priceless.
Maybe Leyland is right afte rall about resting guys and playing small sample size hunches in the middle of a pennant chase. Look at how much Avila is struggling lately.
Will Rhymes is being funny on Twitter.
willrhymes Will Rhymes
I knew I shouldn’t have joked about Skip’s hair…he said something about mine, I offered him all my gray ones…. #sensitive
I wish Will had gotten a chance.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
I really like Will
He’ll hopefully get his chance soon
"Goaltending is a normal job, sure. How would you like it in your job if every time you made a small mistake, a red light went on over your desk and 15,000 people stood up and yelled at you."
-Jacques Plante
by DetroitSports on Aug 15, 2011 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions
haha that was great to read
see ya in a couple weeks Will!
Also a fan of the Rays and Lightning.
There is no offseason.
My icon was drawn by Samara Pearlstein, talented artist/blogger at Roar of the Tigers.
by Tigers&WingsFan on Aug 15, 2011 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I liked this one too...
No really everybody they did me a favor. I left my cell phone charger in Toledo, had to come back anyway.
by Bret Boone's Farm on Aug 15, 2011 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions
wait Alex has caught 11 in a row?
I thought it was 10 counting tonight….but maybe I’m wrong…
Also a fan of the Rays and Lightning.
There is no offseason.
My icon was drawn by Samara Pearlstein, talented artist/blogger at Roar of the Tigers.
by Tigers&WingsFan on Aug 15, 2011 11:20 PM EDT reply actions
At this point, who's counting?
I'm owner/editor of The Wayne Fontes Experience a deputy editor at Bless You Boys, host the Bless You Boys Podcast and co-host The Knee Jerks podcast.
Raburn's not going anywhere
"I'm a simple man. I like pretty, dark-haired women and breakfast food" - Ron Swanson
We get you hate R-A-B-U-R-N.
You can spell the name right now.
"What's a dazzling urbanite like you doing in a rustic setting like this?" the Waco Kid
by 77bestrookieclassever on Aug 16, 2011 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Honestly I don't even notice half the time
the ‘m’ just looks like a scrunched together ‘r-n’
by Rob Rogacki on Aug 16, 2011 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I know.
It’s just that most every time he posts he does this, and it’s REAL OLD, especially when he (Raburn) is hitting. It’s not his fault JL puts him in at 2B. He’s adequate in LF, and now I am off topic. That discussion is for one of several other recent threads. Sorry.
"What's a dazzling urbanite like you doing in a rustic setting like this?" the Waco Kid
by 77bestrookieclassever on Aug 16, 2011 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Adequate in LF.....I guess so.
If Manny Ramirez and Jose Canseco are the measuring sticks we are using, then I guess could deem him adequate.
I thought it was
So used to seeing the misplaced Y that most other spelling errors pass unnoticed.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
Honest, I'm completely harmless. I make up in ALL CAPS and creative threats what I lack in actual violence.
"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)
Raybum?
I swear to God. That has got to be the most creative thing I have ever read! I have read many a novel written by some of histories great authors, but this my friend trumps all they have ever written!
A true laureate you be. I bow before thee, oh commander of creativity LarryLive.
Was at the game
You could just tell when Thome came up to the plate that he was going to hit it. And of course, that meant my camera had to die literally 1 pitch before his 600th home run. But congrats to him. Also I hate the wave. With a passion. But lets getnanwin tomorrow.
by fordfan5000 on Aug 15, 2011 11:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I have a brand new idea.
No more Schlereth in crunch time situations.
Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.
I Knew It Was Going to be One of Those Nights
When we didn’t capitalize on Revere’s error in the bottom of the 2nd, and then gave them three runs in the next half-inning.
And yes, Detroit fans showed a ton of class (again) in giving Thome the ovation his accomplishment deserved.
Class guy, class fans.
Let’s crush them tonight.
Crush them tonight, and tomorrow.
Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Fight!
by Brand New Hero on Aug 16, 2011 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Fun nicknames
I know there was talk of finding a nickname for the Lions defensive line. What about a nickname for the Tigers infield defense? The Betemit/Raburn carnival yesterday was a sight to see.
As bad as it was, I see Tigers winning 4 of the next 5.
Sorry to beat a dead horse
but we saw the best and worst of the Delmon Young move last night. If he plays even close to his potential he is a nice bat in the lineup, but at the same time he hamstrings the lineup and forces Raburn to be the everyday second baseman. At this point, I don’t know if adding him is going to be a net positive. hopefully he goes on a tear and Raburn plays adequately making me look like a whiny nay-sayer, hopefully.
some blame has to go on the pitcher who gave up 2 home runs
a triple and three doubles, no?
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 16, 2011 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
How does he hamstring the lineup with a nice bat? I don't understand.
Second half of this season, Delmon’s batting .294/.363/.461/.824. That puts him behind Peralta and ahead of VMart in OPS. If he keeps that up, I’ll take that bat in the lineup any day.
Yeah, he’s subpar defensively in the outfield. So was surgically-patched-together Magglio. Our other option is defensively and offensively-average Andy Dirks. I like Dirks, and I think he’s a good piece to have on the team, but his picture is in the dictionary under “fourth outfielder.”
I'm guessing rif's point
is that Raburn is playing 2B all the time with Young in the OF, but that’s not really true. It was Guillen’s 356th DL stint that forced this.
Who is everybody rooting for in this Chi-Clev series? I’m torn.
"i think it will be mostly feast the rest of the year,"
Wouldn't it be a "meteorite"?
Are you saying you are hoping for a large celestial body to come crashing down and extinguish both teams and all the fans in attendence in a fiery cauldron of destruction? Then I think it’s a “meteorite” as soon as it hits earth, if my fifth grade science class recollection is correct.
Nontheless, an excellent choice.
"i think it will be mostly feast the rest of the year,"
unless
It vaporizes on impact. There is no solid body in Meteor Crater, because it transformed into iron dust and scattered over the landscape.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
Honest, I'm completely harmless. I make up in ALL CAPS and creative threats what I lack in actual violence.
"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)
I call those
“Root for the volcano under the stadium” games
Most often found when one football team from a Florida educational institution plays another football team from a Florida educational institution. Or Notre Dame.
by johnmoz on Aug 16, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I'm Rooting for 3 Consecutive...
…extra-inning games in which both teams score more than 15 runs…
And fights
Lots of them…the kind that garner 5-6 game suspensions for your best players. Suspensions that get enforced when they play the Tigers.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
and both teams
Are afflicted with incurable Kipnis.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
Honest, I'm completely harmless. I make up in ALL CAPS and creative threats what I lack in actual violence.
"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)
I hope and assume the Tigers were planning on benching Maggs regardless of this deal. That would have meant Raburn and Boesch as the everyday corners forcing Leyland to play Santiago/Ryhmes at 2b on a regular basis. Adding Delmon Allows JL to keep Raburn at second on the justification that his bat is an improvement over said Santiago/Rhymes combo
I like adding Delmon
Especially for next year, he is a solid corner outfielder and we got him for next to nothing. What I don’t like is the lineup it allows JL to run out there.
Next year
Young will probably cost about 6-8M next season through arbitration #3. Not exactly next-to-nothing. It will be an interesting decision if the Tigers decide to keep him. I’m guessing they will if the next 6+ weeks go well and he doesn’t present himself to be the douche that he’s been rumored to be.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
If he hits .280 for the next six weeks
He’ll get a four year extension from Dombrowski.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
I think DD might have learned from those mistakes
You give the man no credit!
I think you’re joking here, but I honestly think this is a really good chance to play the compensation game correctly. For probably less than 8M next year, we’ve acquired a player that has the potential to be a monster offensive player next season. (And FWIW, I think Young is exactly the sort of guy to be extra motivated in a contract year. In fact, he strikes me as the sort of guy that will come into camp in the best shape of his life, concentrate on baseball more than he ever has, and put up huge numbers. Then, he’ll sign a 4yr/75M contract and play like shit for the entire contract.) If that’s the case, the Tigers lose a Type A and get a great draft pick for a guy that I don’t really want anyhow.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
I would hope so....
although, when he had a chance to make major changes last winter, DD stood pat at SS, at 3B, at 2B, in RF, and moved Coke from the pen to the rotation. All moves to avoid signing a free agent or having to make a trade. At least he signed his first position player in four years to a multi year contract, although he gave up a first round pick again.
I would offer arby to Young. He has value to someone and can go on a tear when he gets hot. I will believe that DD is playing the compensation game when I see it. He has a big shot to do that this winter with Valverde. I would not be comfortable with Benoit as a closer, but we don’t have to spend $ 9 million and forego two top draft picks to fill that role. My guess is that Valverde’s option will be picked up.
I give DD full credit for making the playoffs in 2006 and the run at the World Series that year, using a well balanced approach to team building. I will give him credit again when he wins a division title, or even a wild card playoff berth. Until then, he takes the hit for failing.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
I meant
next to nothing for this year, poor wording on my part. I agree, next year will be interesting, I for one would defiantly offer him arb, we need are going to need another outfielder one way or another and there aren’t exactly a bunch of great options on the market. Delmon at 26 still has a decent chance of putting everything together and being a very good player.
Agreed
I think they should offer arby…see my post above for the rationale.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
Ultimately, the season boils down to pitching
Primarily starting pitching, and primarily Scherzer and Porcello. Verlander can’t do it all by him self, starting every fifth game. Defense does play a role, and it has hurt us the last three games in a row. It’s frustrating, giving up extra outs and watching the Tigers beat themselves. But Porcello has now had three consecutive bad starts after a very nice month where it looked like he was starting to put it together.
Last night, we saw again the devastation caused by the bullpen when the starting pitcher doesn’t get the ball to the back end of the pen. This time, it was Schlereth, who did what Schlereth does; walk the first batter and it’s all downhill from there. Porcello battled, but he left too many pitches right out over the plate that were driven into the gaps and down the line.
Delmon can be a nice addition if he gets hot like he has gotten down the stretch last year and previously. He is capable of going on a tear. But he doesn’t do anything to address the issues that the Tigers had in their lineup. Namely, lack of speed and baserunning ability, and lack of ability to get on base at the top of the order. He’s not a 2 hitter, nor a 3 hitter. He has a mediocre OBP over the long haul, and he is deficient in the outfield. As a replacement for Magglio, he may be no better than just moving Raburn out there. Infield defense is an issue that should be addressed, but it pales by comparison to the importance of getting consistent starting pitching.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
Outscore 'em
That’s clearly the philosophy. We can’t do anything about the defensse at this stage of the season, it sucks and we will have to deal with it. Hopefully, Fister will prove to be a valuable addition and Max and Porcello gain a ltille consistency, but it’s obvious this is a flawed ballclub.
I do think the freak AlAl injury hurts. He might have been in there yesterday and we very well might have had a better outcome.
"i think it will be mostly feast the rest of the year,"
The Ryan Raburn hat trick
I think that “bizarre fielding mishap” really captures it more than just “error”. There’s something almost majestic about a real Ryan Raburn error.
I don't want to hear any weak sh*t from Jason Grilli.
Image upload fail
Had to do it from my school website. Is it possible to link flickr images, or does anyone have a preferred photo site to link from?
I don't want to hear any weak sh*t from Jason Grilli.
by cherub_daemon on Aug 16, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 9 recs
It's too bad
that Raburn is a DH. He’s proved that he can’t catch the ball if you pine-tarred both his hands and hit the ball right at him.
Perish the thought, BYB!
//With Victor Martinez unable to catch while nursing a bad knee, and the Mud Hens’ Omir Santos on the DL, the Tigers are a heartbeat away from Don Kelly or Max St. Pierre being the number one catcher.//
This paragraph gave me a heart attack.
by ivantopumpyouup on Aug 16, 2011 12:08 PM EDT reply actions
Alas, Daniel Schlereth...
…if only your curveball were good enough to make up for the fact that you can’t throw your fastball for strikes…
Congrats to Thome
the guy is a class act and deserves all the attention he’s getting. One of the seemingly genuine nice guys of the game.
Just wish it didn’t happen against us. Dudes a Tiger killer…usually hits JV real hard too. Hope he doesn’t continue that today…
No longer the Founder, President and CEO of the Ryan Raburn Fan Club
I'm glad
Kid Rick can step it up since we’re in a tight division race! Especially against the strong hitting clubs like Minn, Cleveland, and KC.
Any help from the Schedule?
Noticed that Cleveland has to play 30 games in Sept. while the Tigs only play 26. Does this help Detroit or if Cleveland gets on a roll is it easier to keep momentum when you’re playing everyday, sometimes twice a day?
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