Justin Verlander wins No. 22 as Tigers sweep Indians
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 7, 2011 3:51 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintKEY RESULTS
Win 22 for Justin Verlander. According to Dan Dickerson, that makes him the first Tigers pitcher with 22 wins since Joe Coleman in 1973.
Save 42 out of 42 for Jose Valverde, tying Todd Jones' single-season record.
Win 81 for the team, with 19 games remaining
Magic # of 13. The Indians are 9.5 games out of first. The White Sox play later today and trail by 8.5. A loss there drops the magic number to 12.
KEY STATS
5 baserunners, 4 runs. Verlander pitched seven innings and only allowed five baserunners. Yet Shelly Duncan hit a pair of two-run home runs. So that was the "bad" side of the ledger.
6 hits: On the good side of the ledger, Miguel Cabrera, VIctor Martinez and Alex Avila each had two hits. Victor Martinez had a double and a rather important HR. Don Kelly hit a triple(!). Will Rhymes had a ground-rule double.
KEY PLAY
Victor Martinez hit a grand slam in the seventh inning to vault the Tigers into the lead and put Justin Verlander in line for the win.
KEY THOUGHTS
Here's another key number, via Tony Paul of the Detroit News. The Tigers have won their last 10 games against either the Sox or Indians. Pounding second and third place teams into the ground is certainly the best and fastest way to win the division.
I don't even know what to say about this game, honestly. I mean, you expect Justin Verlander to win every game, yet the intellectual side of your brain says he'll probably fall short of a win eventually. It looked like that day might be today, as the Indians led 2-0, then 4-2. Even if the Tigers came back to win the game, it was hard to believe JV would be around to get the win. But he's a machine. He pitched into the seventh and his team did the rest.
The seventh was a bit interesting, and loading the bases on a couple of balls that didn't even leave the infield was certainly aided by the Indians. Miguel Cabrera singled in a run to keep the bases loaded, and Victor Martinez cleaned them off with a first-pitch grand slam into the left-field stands. All I can say is, watch Justin Verlander's reaction.I mean, watch it. Now. That was awesome. It was the kind of game where even Will Rhymes is hitting a double and Don Kelly is hitting a triple. Team of Destiny, as Ian suggested to me in chat? I don't know. But certainly a fun team right now.
The Tigers can do no wrong. They got hot at the right time of the year. This must be what it felt like to be a Twins fan in 2009. All season long, Detroit has been at or near first place, but they never really put a big winning streak together like they have the past three weeks. Right now, they're 8-2 in the past 10, and 16-4 in their last 20. Dating back to the 3-game losing streak that ended Aug. 10, the Tigers are 19-7 (.730).
KEY STANDINGS
Battle for ALDS home field advantage
| Record | GB | |
| Detroit | 81-62 | -- |
| Texas | 81-63 | 1/2 |
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Verlander Pitched six innings (not seven)
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart." - Paul Giamatti's father.
Oh, Wonderful Bliss!
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
by Tigerdog1 on Sep 7, 2011 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Rays 4, Rangers 4, going to extra innings
The Tigers are temporarily tied with Texas for the No. 2 playoff seed and home field advantage in the first round.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
And our favorite pitcher Kyle Farnsworth blew a save in the bottom of the 9th...
I have him and Price in fantasy baseball so that really hurt me now that it’s the playoffs.
He who laughs last didn't get it.
2nd PLACE!!
Fan of the Tigers ~ Red Wings ~ Lions - No Better Town to be a sports fan of!
Avid Gamer and Anime Junkie
How come nobody was at home to greet Victor?
"i think it will be mostly feast the rest of the year,"
only happens for a walkoff
never mid-game, and not on the road (‘cuz you can’t walk-off on the road)
Whatever happens in the next 7 weeks...this is historic
The past week reminds me a lot of 1984 and the 35 – 5 start. Enjoy the hell out of it gang cause it’s rare when a team has the kind of roll the Tigers are on. People who aren’t even baseball fans stopped by my cubicle to see how JV and his boys were doing today. For many there was realy never any doubt that the Tigers would win today. How many of us remember such a magical 6 games!
This is one you’ll tell the Grandkids about….
“I remember that week in 11 that started with Verlander beating the White Sox and ended with him pitching a come from behind win that killed off the Indians…”
Another Great Win
Now tied with the Rangers.
Also now only one game behind Brewers in race for first to clinch a division title.
They are white hot.
However, the temperature in Los Angeles today is still hotter. LOL
Double sweep
Freaking sweet
"Aside from the stuff I haven’t been diagnosed for yet, I don’t have a problem."- Phil Coke
Contributor, Bless You Boys
What's or record since the trading deadline...24-11?
DD deserves some serious props along with everybody else. Fister has made the rotation extremely more formidable, and DY in the #3 hole seems to have ignited this onslaught the past few weeeks.
"i think it will be mostly feast the rest of the year,"
Somehow I kept my composure in the staff meeting
when VMart blasted that one, while checking game updates on my phone. Also, did Rod refer to him as V-Money? We don’t need to invoke memories of our buddy Gerald.
Tigers are making statement after statement, that they belong, and moreover, are a team to fear.
Wait til October...
the Rangers loss is huge
if we can finish in front of them and get home field advantage… watch out. I really think we can match-up well with anyone. Looking like it’ll end up being Boston and I like our odds there.
JV at home in a Game 5… forget about it. god I’m pumped just thinking about it.
No longer the Founder, President and CEO of the Ryan Raburn Fan Club
Had to gif the victory slap. Good stuff.
by AriTwice on Sep 7, 2011 5:24 PM EDT reply actions 6 recs
these guys sure are havin' some fun, aren't they?
playin’ loose and just rolling now
No longer the Founder, President and CEO of the Ryan Raburn Fan Club
Where does he get those cool toys???
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
Not sure if this is regular for them.
But me, I counter with a right cross after those two slaps. Who likes getting slapped in the face?
Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.
I am enjoying ever moment of this
… and I just cannot get enough. OH mighty Zeus, please allow this to continue until the end of October!
Save 42 out of 42 for Jose Valverde
My name is 42jeff and I approve of this message
Don't Panic!
by 42jeff on Sep 7, 2011 5:51 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
So does Douglas Adams.
God ain't got no use for a 180 lb bag of sugar.
Do we really want to beat out Texas?
If we do, then don’t we play Boston? I think we match up better against the Yankees.
Thoughts?
i think it's pick your poison with those two squads
home field is the trump card
the way the rotation after JV is pitching
and the way the line-up is hitting, do Boston and New York want to play the TIgers?
"I'm a simple man. I like pretty, dark-haired women and breakfast food" - Ron Swanson
twitter
exactly my point above
I don’t care who we play if we have home field with JV on the mound in Game 5. That is, if we even need it.
I bet teams are starting to think maybe they don’t want to play us. We can play big boy baseball too.
No longer the Founder, President and CEO of the Ryan Raburn Fan Club
Boston is the #1 seed if they win the East
Detroit would be #2, Texas #3 and New York #4.
So you’d end up with Detroit hosting the Yankees with Boston hosting Texas.
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 7, 2011 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
and if New York wins the East, I'd rather Detroit host Boston than the other way around!
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 7, 2011 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Boston is headed south now
the rotation is in trouble, especially if Beckett is out for any length of time.
Rob made an excellent point about Max starting in Co Pa., and the two ground ball pitchers, Rick and Fister, starting in NY or Boston. If they get home field, Max could start game 2 without juggling the rotation at all. It won’t be easy, but I like where this is going.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
as long as they can get home field
I like their chances. Don’t want to play the Yankees in their billion-dollar bandbox.
The can’t control who they play, only where they start to some extent. Just keep winning and let the matchups work themselves out.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"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)
GO TIGERS
I can’t remember when I’ve seen them on such a roll like this.
WARNING: Due to depression caused by the NFL Lockout, any posts, comments, fanshots, fanposts, email conversations, web site articles or any other related communication may be offensive or slightly disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.
The last week successfully ousted the last bit of cynicism out of me.
Past Tigers teams would have gone 1-5 in this stretch. Unbelievably clutch and I’m loving how NY and BOS both have problems in their rotation right now.
Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.
It's all puppies and ice cream now!
"Some guy told me I should walk with the Lord. I'd rather walk with the bases loaded" Ken Singleton
getting too cold for ice cream
I’m thinking hot apple pie. With ice cream all melting into the streusel topping.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"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)
It's like 95 degrees every day
Ice cream sounds goood!
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
that sounds fantastic
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"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)
fine
the guys can get the hookers and fire trucks. The gals can take the puppies and ice cream.
(But I’ll share the pie because I don’t want to cause discord.) :D
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"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)
Heh. :)
I was waiting for someone to bring that up.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"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)
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against either of those things
I just hadn’t heard it in a while. Apparently The Chief is busy.
Demanding job, duh. :)
I expect he will wander through the internet a bit more often once the hockey season starts up again.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"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'm such a dork
Waiting for the replay at 8:00 and getting impatient with the pregame. I mean, I already know the results so why am I so impatient? Duh.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"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)
Papa Grande is the weirdest dude in MLB
http://ology.com/sports/weirdest-dude-major-league-baseball
On twitter @BisonMessink
Even better than being "the most interesting man in the world"
I don’t remember that dude going 42 for 42 in save opportunities. If he had, they would have put it in a commercial.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"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)
Hahahaha, what is this?
Was the strikezone this bad?
"trout jefferson is using multiple numbers and no swears. I barely recognize you man." - Kurt Mensching
by Trout Jefferson on Sep 7, 2011 7:53 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
according to Grey it was
It looks like it was drawn by a gerrymandering crack addict.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"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)
what other kind of gerrymandering artist is there?
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 7, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Meth addicts?
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"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)
my implication being politicians are on crack.
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 7, 2011 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Not crack
Cocaine. They can afford the good stuff.
"Aside from the stuff I haven’t been diagnosed for yet, I don’t have a problem."- Phil Coke
Contributor, Bless You Boys
Indians fans booing VMart
Makes me happy, because it means he is doing well enough against them they they even boo someone they like.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"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 could never boo grandy
now I might use a swear or two as an adjective before his name, but as a term of respect
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 7, 2011 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions
same here
Respect and a touch of melancholy. I’ll always love Curtis. #stillmyTiger
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"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)
A genuinely good guy
Comes from a family of educators. Gotta like that. Still my #1 mancrush.
And I’ll always like this video. Freeze-frame fun: two artists on the iTunes list in that clip are Neko Case and the Rural Alberta Advantage. Swooooon! (Even if the list isn’t really his.)
still mine too
I can’t think of a Tiger on the team I like more. This team is great. It’s fun. It’s got some real successful players. But Grandy is one of a kind.
by Kurt Mensching on Sep 7, 2011 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I could never boo him either....
…but then I haven’t seen him bat in a playoff game against the Tigers. If he is 0-12 I’ll cheer the hell out of him. If he takes Verlander deep……well…not so sure if I could hold the boo in. Love him as a player but now he plays for the Evil Empire
Verlander's reaction to VMart's grand slam was beyond hilarious.
I love this team. <3
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"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)
4- 2 Twinkies
Top of the fifth, Pavano slogging along. 2 unearned runs this inning.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
I wasnt feeling right this afternoon,
So I went to see my doctor.
The diagnosis? Pennant fever (he said it’s going to start going around).
Man I've always liked Victor.
Even when he played for Cleveland, it was hard to dislike the guy. Besides how good of a player he is and how great of a teammate he is, he has little Victor too!
"It's 4th and inches and the Giants are going for it. You gotta love sports!"
5- 3 Twinkies, end of sixth.
Luke Hughes picked off first, takes off for second, Kojerko throws it into left field and Hughes comes around to score.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
Furbush starting on Wednesday night baseball
Good luck former Tigers.
by playoffbeard on Sep 7, 2011 10:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
they hate Tim Wakefield
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"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)
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