Damon was not rendered unconscious by the home plate beat down...
I could get used to this, though I'll have to invest in blood pressure medication. The Tigers had another heart-stopping, come from behind win against the Angels, thanks to a Johnny Damon walk off home run (his 1st of the season) in the bottom of the 9th off of Scot Shields.
I'm not sure what was more surprising, Damon going yard to end the game, or his throwing out Hediki Matsui at the plate in the 6th. I'd say it's the weak-armed Damon throwing anyone out (though Gerald Laird did most of the work by his imitation of a brick wall at the plate). The outfield assist turned out to be the second most important play of the game, as it kept the score at 2-2.
In fact, today was all Damon all the time. His 1st inning single moved Austin Jackson into scoring position, where he ultimately scored on an Brandon Inge sac fly. Damon also scored the Tigers 2nd run of the game on a Miguel Cabrera double in the 5th.
Is there anything Johnny Damon can't do?
Pitch, actually.
The mound was ably handled by starter Jeremy Bonderman, who scattered 10 hits and 2 runs over 6 innings. and the Tigers' amazing bullpen
Once again, the pen was unscored upon. Eddie Bonine, Fu-Te Ni and Ryan Perry (who vultured himself a win) combined for 3 innings of 1 hit shutout ball.
Bullets!
- Austin Jackson's streak of K-less games ended at 4. But he only struck out once in 5 at bats.
- Damon's 3 hit game upped his batting average to .344. Not bad for a player no one seemingly wanted in free agency.
- After leaving Friday's game with abdominal cramps, and tests showing there was nothing seriously wrong, Magglio Ordonez was semi-rested as the Tigers' DH this afternoon.
- Playing right field for Ordonez, Ryan Raburn attacked another fly ball as if it were radioactive in the 4th, racking up his 3rd error of the season. It's never boring whenever Raburn is in the field. It wasn't the Tigers best game in the field, as Miguel Cabrera committed errors on consecutive plays in the 4th inning as well, allowing a run.
- The Tigers flashed speed on the basepaths, as the speedy trio of Cabrera, Laird and Adam Everett all stole bases. Yes, I said Cabrera and Laird.
- Fernando Rodney entered the game in the bottom of the 8th, and had a typical Rodney performance. 21 pitches while leaving a pair of baserunners stranded, including Laird at 3rd base. Angels fans, welcome to what was once our world. The Tigers will have an opportunity for for their first series sweep since early April and end their homestand with a 5-1 record when they take on the Angels Sunday afternoon.
Comment of the Night:
I have to keep the CotN Damon-centric, so it goes to 13194013!
Johnny Damon's Rocket Pasta ArmJust like Leyland's managerial style!
Sloppy, weak but sometimes effective.