Open Thread - Game 89: Tigers (53-35) at Mariners (50-37)

Kenny Rogers (3-0, 1.04) vs. Miguel Batista (8-7, 4.54), 10:05 p.m. EST

Apologies for the late game thread tonight (and the lack of a recap from last night).  I was visiting an old friend for a cookout, and had so much fun catching up on old times and playing with his kids that I ended up staying over for a long time.  I know I missed some stuff about Gary Sheffield's latest jibber-jabber and Pudge Rodriguez's suspension, and I'll try to catch up on that tomorrow.

In the meantime, while tonight's starting pitchers are still in the game as I write this, I'll just say that it was reassuring to see the Tigers flex their muscles again last night, following the frustration from Thursday's game (which made Jim Leyland re-evaluate his policy on talking about umpiring calls).

Kenny Rogers has been outstanding in his three starts since returning from the disabled list, though he did give up seven hits in 5 1/3 innings his last time out.  On the other side, Miguel Batista has won only one of his last five starts, though he gave up fewer than three runs in four of those games.

Placido Polanco is finally back in the lineup, after missing the first two games after the All-Star break.  It's nice to have him back, after Omar Infante went 0-for-8 filling in at second base.

Back in full force tomorrow, my babies.