Bless You Boys - Game 9: Blue Jays at TigersA detailed list of nope about the Detroit Tigershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47585/default.png2013-04-11T16:48:57-04:00http://www.blessyouboys.com/rss/stream/39763452013-04-11T16:48:57-04:002013-04-11T16:48:57-04:00Quick thoughts: Much ado about nothing
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<figcaption>Leon Halip</figcaption>
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<p>Unlike their fans, the Tigers shrugged off Wednesday's tough loss like they shrugged off today's cold and rain in a 11-1 victory over the Blue Jays.</p> <p>I have to give the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> a ton of credit. They performed marvelously in rotten weather conditions. Even better, they bounced back from a very tough loss on Wednesday to blow out the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a> 11-1 this afternoon.</p>
<p>Which one again proves one game does not a season make. The Tigers are also far, far, far more resilient than we ever give them credit for being. We too often treat a marathon-like baseball season like a much shorter football season. In the NFL, one loss can be HUGE. In MLB, one loss is just, well, one loss of what will be many.</p>
<p>We fans massively overreact to every bad loss. Wednesday was no exception. Even I'm guilty of reading far too much into late inning blowups.</p>
<p>Yesterday's dramatics really was much ado about nothing in the big scheme of a long season. Especially when the drama comes in game eight of 162.</p>
<p>We all need to keep that in mind.</p>
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<b>Read More</b>: <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/11/4213434/tigers-11-blue-jays-1-doug-fister-dominates" target="new">Doug Fister dominates</a> <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/11/4212312/game-9-blue-jays-at-tigers-1-08-p-m" target="new">Game thread</a>
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<p><b>BULLETS:</b></p>
<p>First pitch temp was 35 freaking degrees.</p>
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<p>Per STATS, this is the coldest <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Tigers">#Tigers</a> home game since 1996.</p>
— Noah Trister (@noahtrister) <a href="https://twitter.com/noahtrister/status/322403597591666688">April 11, 2013</a>
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<p>It was absolutely ridiculous they attempted to play something resembling baseball at Comerica Park this afternoon. To be honest, that's what I thought at 1:08 PM. By the time 4 PM rolled around, I was thrilled they got the game in.</p>
<p>Theme of the day: Manufacturing!</p>
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<p>Man, manufacturing seems to be making a comeback in Detroit. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Tigers">#Tigers</a></p>
— Phil Coke's Brain (@PhilCokesBrain) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilCokesBrain/status/322404661250371584">April 11, 2013</a>
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<p>This is the first time in <span>Miguel Cabrera's</span> career he has both tripled and stolen a base in the same game.</p>
<p>Small sample size theater:</p>
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<p>Last night on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/11/4211774/bless-you-boys-podcast-72-its-all-brayan-villarreals-fault">BYB Podcast 72 </a>-</p>
<p>Me: "John Lowe of the Freep says the AL Central is improved."<br>Kurt: "Small sample size!"</p>
<p>Today over IM:</p>
<p>Kurt: " Is it me or are the 2013 Jays the 2008 Tigers? Lots of hype, lots of potential, awful defense."<br>Me: "Small sample size!"<br>Kurt: "Kurt-ing me back at me!"</p>
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<p>Rod Allen quote of the day: On Austin Jackson -<i> "He's straight gettin' off these days." <br></i></p>
<p><i> </i></p>
<p>More on Rod Allen, who was on fire despite the bitter cold:</p>
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<p>Rod Allen is very excited that @<a href="https://twitter.com/ryanfieldfsd">ryanfieldfsd</a> is back. Very excited.</p>
— Melissa Heyboer (@MelissaHeyboer) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelissaHeyboer/status/322409222841200641">April 11, 2013</a>
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<p><i>Too</i> excited, actually.</p>
<p>Josh Johnson has had a rude introduction to the powerful American League, allowing ten runs in 11 1/3 innings, posting an 11.05 ERA.</p>
<p>Not a good day at the plate for <span>Andy Dirks</span>. He made the final out in three different innings, leaving six on base in the process, including the bases loaded in the 4th. He would be the only starter to not have a base hit.</p>
<p>After Dirks failed to knock in a run in the 4th, the Tigers were hitting. 083 (1-12) with the bases loaded. Jackson also came up snake eyes in the 5th, the average dropping to .075. The only Tigers to come through in a bases loaded situation to that point of the season was <span>Jhonny Peralta</span>. Hat tip to <b>jbeshay</b> in the game thread for unearthing this stat nugget.</p>
<p>The Tigers' BA with the bases loaded finally rose to .142 (2-14) in the 5th when <span>Torii Hunter</span> drove in a pair of runs with a single.</p>
<p><span>Omar Infante's</span> fluky 5th inning bunt single extended his hitting streak to eight games.</p>
<p>Torii Hunter had another amazing game (2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI). He has been completely embraced by the Tigers fan base, including our own Brian Sakowski.</p>
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<p>I love you Torii</p>
— Brian Sakowski(@B_Sakowski) <a href="https://twitter.com/B_Sakowski/status/322423331649368064">April 11, 2013</a>
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<p>Once the Tigers hit double digit runs, BYB contibutor and noted internet humorist Matt Sussman tweeted what we ALL were thinking:</p>
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<p>It's sufficient to say the lead is Villarrealproofed.</p>
— Matt Sussman (@suss2hyphens) <a href="https://twitter.com/suss2hyphens/status/322427458785800192">April 11, 2013</a>
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<p>From the "Baseball is a funny game" department: The Jays turned a uber-rare 6-4-5-4 double play in the 6th.</p>
<p>The only way the Jays could contain Hunter was to plunk him, hit by a <span>Steve Delabar</span> pitch in the 7th. Hunter was replaced by Donnie Baseball, not so much because he was hurt, but due to the fact the Tigers were up ten runs. There was possibly another reason. Because <span>Don Kelly</span>.</p>
<p>Jim Leyland emptied the bench late, <span>Matt Tuiasosopo</span> and <span>Ramon Santiago</span> making cameo infield appearances in the 9th. The only position player to not play was backup catcher <span>Brayan Pena</span>.</p>
<p><b>THREE ROARS:</b></p>
<p><span>Doug Fister</span>: Best start by a rotation member this season - 8 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 107 pitches.</p>
<p>AusTorii JacksHunter: Stop him? Hell, no. The Jays could only hope to contain him - 5-9, 5 R, 4 RBI, reached base six times.</p>
<p><span>Prince Fielder</span>: Four RBI give the Tigers' cleanup man 14 on the season. Fielder is also hitting a mere .355. He's become more than a power hitter. Fielder has blossomed into a great hitter.</p>
<p><b>TWO HISSES:</b></p>
<p>Mother Nature: The game was played in weather more fit for football.</p>
<p>Andy Dirks: A hitless afternoon drops The Neck's average to .136. To his credit, Dirks did have the defensive play of the game.</p>
<p><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/10/4210924/quick-thoughts-brayan-villarreal-and-the-bullpen-by-committee">GAME EIGHT</a> PLAYER OF THE GAME:</b></p>
<p>In a game we would all rather forget, five inning <span>Rick Porcello</span> took the honors with 45% of the vote.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/11/4214102/quick-thoughts-much-ado-fister-cabrera-hunter-jackson-detroit-tigers-blue-jays-mlb-2013Al Beaton2013-04-11T16:20:08-04:002013-04-11T16:20:08-04:00Tigers 11, Blue Jays 1: Doug Fister dominates
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<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Backed by 16 hits and some excellent defense, Doug Fister earned the victory by pitching eight strong innings in awful weather conditions. </p> <p>On a bitterly cold afternoon in Detroit, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> took the rubber game of their three game series with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a>, 11-1. The Tigers would put the game out of reach by scoring ten unanswered runs after the Jays knotted the game in the 2nd.</p>
<p>Winning pitcher <span>Doug Fister</span> (2-0) pitched eight innings, allowing only one run and eight hits. The Tigers' offense punished Jays starter and loser Josh Johnson (0-1) for six runs, lasting a mere four outs before being pulled.</p>
<p>The Tigers ultimately pounded out 16 hits against four Blue Jays pitchers, Austin Jackson and <span>Jhonny Peralta</span> leading the hit parade with three hits apiece. <span>Prince Fielder</span> had a four RBI afternoon, <span>Torii Hunter</span> adding three RBI as well.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>Read More</b>: <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/11/4214102/quick-thoughts-much-ado-fister-cabrera-hunter-jackson-detroit-tigers-blue-jays-mlb-2013" target="new">Quick thoughts: Much ado about nothing</a> <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/11/4212312/game-9-blue-jays-at-tigers-1-08-p-m" target="new">Game thread</a>
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<p>The sneaky on the base paths <span>Miguel Cabrera</span> manufactured a run to give the Tigers another early lead. Why "Sneaky?" Read on...</p>
<p>Cabrera walked with two out. Fielder followed another walk, With Victor Martinez at the plate, the Blue Jays were shifted toward the right side of the infield and no one was paying attention to the not exactly fleet of foot Cabrera. While NL ex-pat Josh Johnson was looking toward the plate, Cabrera took off for 3rd.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Miggy_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2458689/miggy_medium.jpg"></p>
<p>By the time Johnson realized what was happening, Cabrera was 3/4 of the way to 3rd, stealing the base without a throw.</p>
<p>Martinez made the Jays pay for their embarrassing nonchalance with an RBI single to left (<a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=26194759&topic_id=&c_id=det&tcid=vpp_copy_26194759&v=3">Click for video</a>). Tigers up 1-0, thanks to Miguel Cabrera, manufacturer of runs.</p>
<p>The Jays tied the game 1-1 in the 2nd, much in thanks to Comerica's brutal, swirling winds.</p>
<p>With one down, Fister hit <span>Rajai Davis</span> with a pitch, then stealing 2nd (replays showed he was out). <span>Colby Rasmus</span> followed by serving up a fly ball to left. On a normal day, <span>Andy Dirks</span> makes the easy catch. Today, not so much. Dirks broke back on the ball, then took a circular route forward as the ball died in the wind, dropping in front of him for a single.</p>
<p>Runners now on the corners thanks to the whims of Mother Nature, Mark DeRosa's sacrifice fly to deep right easily score Davis to knot the game at 1-all.</p>
<p>On a cold, rainy, windy. day where you wouldn't expect much offense, the Tigers were actually able to generate plenty, retaking the lead for good in bottom half of the inning.</p>
<p>Leading off, Peralta singled. <span>Alex Avila</span> worked the hit and run, singling to right, Peralta taking 3rd easily. Omar Infante's sacrifice fly to the warning track left gave the Tigers a 2-1 advantage, Peralta scoring, Avila aggressively taking 2nd on a ball hit in front of him.</p>
<p>Hot with the bat Austin Jackson followed with an RBI single to right center, advancing to 2nd on a futile throw home. The even hotter Hunter bounced a high chopper over 2nd to drive home Jackson, the Tigers now up 4-1.</p>
<p>Hottest of all is Cabrera. He absolutely crushed a Johnson fastball to Death Valley, the ball hitting the base of the scoreboard in right center. By the time Davis got the his throw in, Cabrera was standing on 3rd with his first triple since 2010, Hunter had scored, Johnson was on the ropes, and the Tigers were up 5-1.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=26194955&width=400&height=224&property=mlb" frameborder="0" height="224" width="400">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></p>
<p>Fielder sent Johnson packing to a warm clubhouse after 1 1/3 innings with an RBI single. Right-hander Édgar González would end the inning without allowing another run. But the Tigers had put up a five-spot on the Jays to take a 6-1 lead -- just like (GULP) yesterday. The worry was unfounded.</p>
<p>Having sat for quite some time, Fister had command issues in the 3rd, immediately pitching himself into trouble. Amazingly, the Tigers' defense immediately bailed him out.</p>
<p><span>Jose Reyes</span> walked, taking 2nd on Melky Cabrera's single. Two on, no one out, Jose Bautista sent a ground ball into the hole on the left side. Peralta got to it and had only one play, at 3rd base. The throw was on target, Cabrera slapping on the tag on Reyes for the first out.</p>
<p>But the Jays wouldn't go down without a play at the plate. <span>Edwin Encarnacion</span> bounced a single to left, Cabrera took off for home. But Dirks made a perfect throw to Avila, the sweep tag nailing Melky at the plate for the 2nd out of the inning (<a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=26195069&topic_id=&c_id=det&tcid=vpp_copy_26195069&v=3">Click for video</a>). Fister would get out of the inning without another bang-bang play.</p>
<p>The Tigers would load the bases against González in the 5th, but fail to extend their lead. Radiating heat off his bat, Jackson led off and singled. He would move around the diamond on a Cabrera ground ball and walks to Fielder and Martinez. But Dirks would end the the threat, grounding out 4-3.</p>
<p>The game became official once Fister stranded Reyes on 2nd after a lead off single to end the 5th inning, the Tigers still clinging to their 6-1 lead.</p>
<p>The Tigers would finally capitalize on a bases loaded situation in their half of the 5th.</p>
<p>After Peralta walked and Avila singled, Infante was asked to lay down a sacrifice bunt. He did even better.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Bunt_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2458889/bunt_medium.jpg"></p>
<p>Infante's bunt hugged the 1st base line, and all <span>Esmil Rogers</span> could do was watch the ball roll to a stop in fair territory for a single.</p>
<p>All Infante could do was smile.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Infante_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2458945/infante_medium.jpg"></p>
<p>After Jackson forced Peralta on a 5-2 fielder's choice, the bases remained juiced. The scorching hot Hunter drove in a pair of runs when he slashed a single to right, the Tigers now up 8-1. Fielder drove in two more with a double to the gap in right (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=det&content_id=26195849&partnerId=as_mlb_20130411_7082734">Click for video</a>), the Tigers running away from the Jays with a 10-1 lead.</p>
<p>Fielder tacked on another run, his fourth RBI on the day, driving in Jackson with a sacrifice fly in the 7th. The game was officially a laffer at 11-1.</p>
<p>Fister was cruising by now, needing only 17 pitches combined to get through the 6th and 7th innings. His pitch count entering the 8th was 85. Fister's marvelous day ended after a 1-2-3 8th inning, given the "Handshake of doom" by Jim Leyland after 107 pitches</p>
<p><span>Al Alburquerque</span> pitched the 9th, allowing a pair of base runners before striking out <span>Emilio Bonifacio</span> to send the Tigers off on a high note to face the A's late Friday night.</p>
<p>Game, and home stand, over.</p>
<p>The Tigers are playing hide and seek with .500, the victory moving them back over the break even mark at 5-4. The Blue Jays continue to under-perform to their sky high expectations, leaving town residing at the bottom of the AL East standings at 3-6.</p>
<p>The Tigers win their second series of the season, wrapping up the home stand 4-2. They start a nine game, eleven day west coast road trip tomorrow night in Oakland.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/11/4213434/tigers-11-blue-jays-1-doug-fister-dominatesAl Beaton2013-04-11T08:00:20-04:002013-04-11T08:00:20-04:00Game 9 Preview: Blue Jays at Tigers
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Doug Fister makes his second start of the season today against Josh Johnson and the Toronto Blue Jays</p> <h4>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> (3-5) at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> (4-4)</h4>
<p><b>Time/Place:</b> 1:08 p.m., Comerica Park</p>
<p><b>SB Nation blog:</b> <a href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" target="_blank">Bluebird Banter</a></p>
<p><b>Media:</b> Fox Sports Detroit, <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&affiliateId=mlbMENU#date=4/11/2013" target="_blank">MLB.TV</a>, <a href="http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/schedule/radioaffiliates.jsp" target="_blank">Tigers Radio Network</a></p>
<p><b>Pitching Matchup:</b> RHP Josh Johnson (0-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. RHP <span>Doug Fister</span> (1-0, 5.40 ERA)</p>
<p>Johnson wasn't particularly effective against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> last Friday, but still earned a quality start for his efforts. He allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits, but also flashed his potential with six strikeouts in six innings. The good news for the Blue Jays is that he was able to command all of his pitches, throwing both his fastball and breaking balls for strikes at least 60% of the time. Johnson's recent struggles have been partially due to an elevated walk rate; from 2008 to 2010 he only walked 2.5 batters per nine innings, but walked 3.1 batters per nine innings in 2012, when he went 8-14 with a 3.81 ERA.</p>
<p>Johnson's four-seam fastball averaged nearly 94 miles per hour on the radar gun in his last start, touching a maximum of 95.6 mph. PitchFX says that he throws a two-seam fastball about 5% of the time, but I'm wondering if this is just his four-seamer running in on the hands of right-handed hitters a little more than usual, especially given that their respective average velocities are nearly identical -- two-seamers typically run two to four miles per hour slower than four-seamers. He also throws a slider and curveball. The curveball is a newer development for Johnson, who relied primarily on a fastball-slider combo in his early years with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a>. He will also throw the occasional changeup to left-handed hitters to keep them honest, which has kept his career right-lefty splits at a near-even level.</p>
<p>The normally efficient Fister had trouble commanding his fastball in his previous start against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a>, which resulted in him throwing 96 pitches in just five innings of work. He allowed three runs, <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=26019673&c_id=mlb&topic_id=vtp_opening_week" target="_blank">one on a wild pitch</a> that showed how much he was struggling with his command. He only threw 52% of his two-seam fastballs for strikes, down from the near-70% strike rate he had with that particular pitch last season. He also struggled to locate his curveball, but missed below the zone in most cases on Friday.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1548029/4507292013040120130409AAAAAlocation.png"><img alt="4507292013040120130409aaaaalocation_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1548029/4507292013040120130409AAAAAlocation_medium.png"></a></p>
<p><i> via <a href="http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/charts/gen/4507292013040120130409AAAAAlocation.png">pitchfx.texasleaguers.com</a></i></p>
<p>I wouldn't be concerned about Fister's location yet, but it will be something to keep an eye on today, especially if the weather isn't cooperative.</p>
<p><b>Fister fun fact</b></p>
<p>This is the first season that Fister started 1-0 since 2009. If he wins his next decision, he will be 2-0 for the first time in his career.</p>
<p><b>Outlook</b></p>
<p>Johnson is the type of pitcher with the potential to either shut down the opposing lineup entirely or give up eight runs in 3 2/3 innings. He looked like the former more often than the latter in his first start of the season and should benefit from the deep Comerica outfield. However, he has struggled away from home throughout his career, though this could be due to the fact that Miami has been home to barren pitcher's parks for their entire existence. Fister, meanwhile, will probably welcome the fact that he doesn't have all of the Opening Day hoopla surrounding this start, though the prospect of rain can't be much more comforting.</p>
<p><b>Prediction</b></p>
<p>The Tigers take the series behind a strong outing from Fister.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/11/4211446/2013-game-9-preview-toronto-blue-jays-at-detroit-tigersRob Rogacki