Bless You Boys - Game 11: Tigers 7, Athletics 3A detailed list of nope about the Detroit Tigershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47585/default.png2013-04-13T20:42:34-04:00http://www.blessyouboys.com/rss/stream/39844172013-04-13T20:42:34-04:002013-04-13T20:42:34-04:00Fielder scary good, bullpen just plain scary
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KRh-OqAtuz1zshOw-y9Tcs7e0JI=/0x20:4000x2687/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11486323/20130413_tjg_se9_561.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>This season Prince Fielder has scary good, while the Tigers' bullpen has been just scary. Nothing changed during a 7-3 win over the A's.</p> <p>There was a fair amount of "<span>Prince Fielder</span> for MVP" talk in the media this past offseason. He's making those writers look awfully smart after his smoking-hot start to the 2013 season.</p>
<p>Cecil's son is in midst of an eight-game hitting streak, has driven in runs in eight of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a>' 11 games, and has moved into second overall in all of baseball with 18 RBI.</p>
<p>Fielder has been crazy good in the first two games with the A's: six hits in eight at-bats, two home runs, a double, four RBI, two runs scored and just plain menacing every pitcher he's faced, be they right- or left-handed. He's been an equal opportunity basher.</p>
<p>Fielder is showing he can put the Tigers' offense on his brawny shoulders and run (literally and figuratively) with it.</p>
<p>One the flip side, the bullpen has done little to inspire any confidence, even on a day where they held the A's at bay. <span>Al Alburquerque</span>, <span>Phil Coke</span> and <span>Joaquin Benoit</span> combined to allow four hits, three walks, two runs, and a bases-loaded situation over three innings. Talk about a white-knuckle, E-ticket ride.</p>
<p>To their credit (and also due to their lack of command) seven strikeouts helped the trio get out the jams they created. Yes, they held on for the win, but made the late innings far more stressful than you would expect when given a six-run lead.</p>
<p>Overall, even taking small sample size into it, there are some scary numbers in the Tigers' bullpen.</p>
<p>Brayan Villarreal's ERA is an almost unfathomable 48.60. Coke is at 8.10 (after entering the game at 10.13). <span>Octavio Dotel</span> and Alburquerque sit at a mediocre 4.50. The lowest ERA in the bullpen is Darin Downs at 2.35. Despite his excellent spring, I doubt anyone expected the left-handed Downs to be one of the most dependable arms available out of the pen.</p>
<p>Something needs to change in the pen, but any improvement is going to have to come from within. No one is seriously expecting a cavalry of <span>Bruce Rondon</span> and <span>Jose Valverde</span> to ride to the rescue.</p>
<p>Bullpens are mercurial. Bullpens blow hot and cold. Bullpens by committee can be even more so. This particular committee is going to give me an ulcer by June if Jim Leyland and Dave Dombrowski can't get it sorted out.</p>
<p><b>BULLETS:</b></p>
<p>A's fans scream at top volume on medium-depth fly balls, routine ground balls, umpires calling for time. They scream/bang cow bells/bang drums/scream at top volume whenever anything happens on the field, deserving of such a response or (usually) not. It's an exhausting experience watching Tigers games televised from the O.co.</p>
<p>A's fans are called out on Twitter by Baroque.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/bigalbyb">bigalbyb</a> so Oakland fans are basically the same as dogs that bark at leaves moving in the wind. Hee hee.</p>
— Cath (@Baroque97) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baroque97/status/323172278231785472">April 13, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Yep, they are almost as obnoxious as the guy who keeps yelling "Redonkulous!" at The Masters.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2537/4154408638_ca177a9635_z.jpg?zz=1">Captain Caveman</a> or <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/6/4191278/joe-buck-beard-fox-sports">Joe Buck</a>? You make the call!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Joshreddick_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2468549/joshreddick_medium.jpg"></p>
<p><span>Torii Hunter's</span> hitting streak reached eight games on the third-inning home run which landed somewhere on the other side of Silicon Valley. Career home run 298 was his first in a Tigers uniform.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/statuses/323188928989523968">ESPN Stats and Info</a> calculated Hunter's monster home run traveled 463 feet, the longest in MLB this season.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hrtrack_zpsec629d0e_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1552571/hrtrack_zpsec629d0e_medium.jpg"></p>
<p>Rogo tweeted what we're all thinking in regard to Hunter:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I'm so used to cursing after Torii Hunter homers. Strange to cheer them now. But oddly pleasant.</p>
— Scott Rogowski (@DNR_Rogo) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNR_Rogo/status/323176024051421184">April 13, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>How big is foul territory at the O.co? BYB commenters make a few guesses:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>That foul area is so huge...</p>
<ul>
<li>They could have middle school soccer games in that area for the fans to watch when the baseball game gets boring.</li>
<li>It has its own zip code.</li>
<li>It’s almost big enough for "yo momma" to sun herself.</li>
<li>It sweats butter.</li>
<li>Rhode Island is jealous.</li>
<li>It could even contain a Dotel warmup pitch!… wait.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p><span>Justin Verlander</span> and <span>Brayan Pena</span> were not at all in sync during Eric Sogard's fourth inning at bat with a runner in scoring position. Twice during the at bat, Verlander and Pena met at the mound to discuss how to pitch to the A's second baseman. Whatever they decided, it worked. Verlander struck Sogard out, ultimately getting out of the inning unscathed.</p>
<p>In the race for Most Valuable Brayan, Rogo has made the call.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Pena for MVB. Most Valuable Brayan.</p>
— Scott Rogowski (@DNR_Rogo) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNR_Rogo/status/323192574519156736">April 13, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Fans weren't at all happy with Al Alburquerque (or the bullpen in general) after his adventurous seventh.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Alburquerque's been living dangerously for most of the season and he finally paid for it. Another mechanical issue? <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23takeanumber">#takeanumber</a></p>
— Erin Saelzler (@SabreRoseTiger) <a href="https://twitter.com/SabreRoseTiger/status/323201931331895296">April 13, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Yeah Alburquerque is so much better than Villarreal</p>
— Fake Jim Leyland (@FakeLeyland) <a href="https://twitter.com/FakeLeyland/status/323201757490593793">April 13, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>AlAl can't even find the plate. Pena looks like me playing catch with my 3 year old cousin. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Tigers">#Tigers</a></p>
— Katie G. (@katieg1975) <a href="https://twitter.com/katieg1975/status/323201373984415745">April 13, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>While Alburquerque was struggling mightily, <span>Rick Porcello</span> was warming up in the pen. Yes, the same Porcello. With an odd amount of off days early in the season, Porcello is working out of the pen on a temporary basis.</p>
<p>A's frustration boiled over in the eighth, when Brandon Moss argued with home plate ump Andy Fletcher after being punched out on a borderline pitch. Rushing out of the dugout to protect his player, A's manager Bob Melvin was summarily tossed.</p>
<p><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2013-04-13&team=Athletics&dh=0&season=2013">WIN PROBABILITY GRAPH:</a></b></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2013-04-13&team=Athletics&dh=0" style="border:1px solid black;" frameborder="0" height="450" scrolling="no" width="450"></iframe><br><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2013-04-13&team=Athletics&dh=0&season=2013">FanGraphs</a></span></p>
<h3><b><span style="font-size:9pt;"></span></b></h3>
<p>You can thank Jhonny Peralta for sending the graph deep into the Tigers' side and giving the bullpen a cushion.</p>
<p><b>FOUR ROARS:</b></p>
<p><b>Prince Fielder: </b>Homered, reached base four times, pushing his OBP over .500.</p>
<p><b>Torii Hunter:</b> Just 1-5, but was robbed of a hit in the first on a great catch by <span>Andy Parrino</span>. His home run was epically long, a shot you would normally expect to see from Fielder or Cabrera.</p>
<p><b><span>Jhonny Peralta</span></b>: His home run gave the Tigers breathing room that the bullpen looked like they would need.</p>
<p><b>Justin Verlander:</b> One long inning kept Verlander from going past the sixth, but a quality start is a quality start.</p>
<p><b>BONUS ROAR: </b></p>
<p><b>Brayan Pena:</b> 2-3 with a double, RBI and run scored.</p>
<p><b>TWO HISSES:</b></p>
<p><b>Al Alburquerque: </b>Has not pitched nearly as well as the 0.00 ERA he carried into the game. <br>Both his ERA (4.50) and WHIP (2.25) rose considerably in a 2/3 of an inning, two runs allowed appearance.</p>
<p><b>The bullpen as a whole:</b> That was one of the more stressful 7-1 leads I've ever sat through.</p>
<p><b>BYB ROLL CALL: </b></p>
<table>
<thead><tr>
<th colspan="2">Roll Call Info</th>
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<tbody>
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<td width="150">Total comments</td>
<td>729</td>
</tr>
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<td>Total commenters</td>
<td>55</td>
</tr>
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<td>Commenter list</td>
<td>
<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/42jeff">42jeff</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Alex%20Baker">Alex Baker</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BadCompany22">BadCompany22</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BigAl">BigAl</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Cabbylander">Cabbylander</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ChrisDTX">ChrisDTX</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DeKaF">DeKaF</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DetroitSports">DetroitSports</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Fielder%27sChoice">Fielder'sChoice</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Grzesio">Grzesio</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/H2OPoloPunk">H2OPoloPunk</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/I%20see%20you%20rod">I see you rod</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/J_the_Man">J_the_Man</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jacob30">Jacob30</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JerseyTigerFan">JerseyTigerFan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/KGW">KGW</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Keith-Allen">Keith-Allen</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Kurt%20Mensching">Kurt Mensching</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Lukas%20M">Lukas M</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MSUDersh">MSUDersh</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Matthew%20Malek">Matthew Malek</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Michigan%26TrumbullinLA">Michigan&TrumbullinLA</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Parisian%20Tiger">Parisian Tiger</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Raised%20Eyebrows">Raised Eyebrows</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RealityIsOptionable">RealityIsOptionable</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rob%20Rogacki">Rob Rogacki</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SabreRoseTiger">SabreRoseTiger</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SanDiegoMick">SanDiegoMick</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Singledigit">Singledigit</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Sir%20Handel">Sir Handel</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TheLegacyofJordanTata">TheLegacyofJordanTata</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Tigerdog1">Tigerdog1</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Tigers_Solicitor">Tigers_Solicitor</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Trout%20Jefferson">Trout Jefferson</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Verlanderful">Verlanderful</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ahtrap">ahtrap</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/dereck.urbanowski">dereck.urbanowski</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/dishnet34">dishnet34</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/dominator039">dominator039</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/fiendishdr.wu">fiendishdr.wu</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/holly%20hobby">holly hobby</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/j16941">j16941</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jbeshay">jbeshay</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jhitts08">jhitts08</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/johnmoz">johnmoz</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kland83">kland83</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/lesmanalim">lesmanalim</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/mrsunshine">mrsunshine</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/redwingxviii">redwingxviii</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/smbarbac">smbarbac</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/stevenyc">stevenyc</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/swish330">swish330</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/tealy213">tealy213</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/tigerlover">tigerlover</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/tommyhaynes">tommyhaynes</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>TOP TEN COMMETERS:</b></p>
<table>
<thead><tr>
<th>#</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th># Comments</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SabreRoseTiger">SabreRoseTiger</a></td>
<td>74</td>
</tr>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SanDiegoMick">SanDiegoMick</a></td>
<td>65</td>
</tr>
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<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jacob30">Jacob30</a></td>
<td>43</td>
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<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/mrsunshine">mrsunshine</a></td>
<td>34</td>
</tr>
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<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/H2OPoloPunk">H2OPoloPunk</a></td>
<td>31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Verlanderful">Verlanderful</a></td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BadCompany22">BadCompany22</a></td>
<td>29</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rob%20Rogacki">Rob Rogacki</a></td>
<td>28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/J_the_Man">J_the_Man</a></td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/redwingxviii">redwingxviii</a></td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>RECS:</b></p>
<table>
<thead><tr>
<th># Recs</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th>Comment Link</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SabreRoseTiger">SabreRoseTiger</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156112427">He's not batting fifth, but it's time to dust this off</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BadCompany22">BadCompany22</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156100717">Well they are nesting in Josh Reddick's beard</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/J_the_Man">J_the_Man</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156136081">x</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/lesmanalim">lesmanalim</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156119899">the GIFing tree.</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Alex%20Baker">Alex Baker</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156139961">LETS FINNISH THEM</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/42jeff">42jeff</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156135869">his evil twin</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/stevenyc">stevenyc</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156122851">CLEANER!</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Cabbylander">Cabbylander</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156136729">never a doubt, had it all the way</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/mrsunshine">mrsunshine</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156140735">VICTORY</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/mrsunshine">mrsunshine</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156139981">you do realize that booing people, even while getting into the game</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Verlanderful">Verlanderful</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156136115">I miss Valverde</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rob%20Rogacki">Rob Rogacki</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156112973">On its way</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/I%20see%20you%20rod">I see you rod</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156103397">Not sure how many middle schoolers Verlander could K...</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/H2OPoloPunk">H2OPoloPunk</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156101541">"threaten do not score"</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/johnmoz">johnmoz</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156099413">Avila caught a 12-inning game last night that ended at 2 am by his body clock</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/H2OPoloPunk">H2OPoloPunk</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156107065">x</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jacob30">Jacob30</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156108543">Thanks guy I like as a player and only as a player</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rob%20Rogacki">Rob Rogacki</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156098383">[no title]</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Parisian%20Tiger">Parisian Tiger</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156112107">Ok. Then I am NOT guessing Griffey!</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rob%20Rogacki">Rob Rogacki</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156111327">Look out</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kland83">kland83</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4220388/game-11-tigers-at-as-4-05p-m#156116837">Well the left side is</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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<p> </p>
<p><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4219600/tigers-athletics-friday-recap-final-score">GAME TEN</a> PLAYER OF THE GAME:</b></p>
<p><span>Max Scherzer's</span> six innings of one-run ball was narrowly deemed more worthy than Prince Fielder accounting for all Tigers' with four hits and a three-run bomb, 51% to 45%.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4221920/quick-thoughts-prince-fielder-is-scary-good-the-bullpen-is-just-scaryAl Beaton2013-04-13T19:38:27-04:002013-04-13T19:38:27-04:00Tigers 7, A's 3: Three home runs power victory
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xt1As_ro_WkSD_01PptsyPnq6Ss=/0x16:4000x2683/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11483901/166513912.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Thearon W. Henderson</figcaption>
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<p>New game, same Tigers game script. All nine starters reached base as part of a three home run barrage, Justin Verlander allowed just one run in six innings, and the ever-so-shaky bullpen continued to scare the Hell out of everyone in the late innings.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> shook off Friday night's walk-off loss behind six innings of Justin Verlander and three home runs, beating the Oakland A's 7-3.</p>
<p>Verlander (2-1) allowed just one run while striking out six, earning the victory and ending the A's nine game winning streak. Brett Anderson (2-1) took the loss for the A's, giving up seven runs and eight hits, three of those home runs, in 5 2/3 innings.</p>
<p><span>Torii Hunter</span> (1), <span>Prince Fielder</span> (4), and <span>Jhonny Peralta</span> (1) went deep for the Tigers on a day where all nine starters reached base. <span>Josh Donaldson</span>, Chris Young and <span>Seth Smith</span> each had two hits for the A's.</p>
<p>Going into today's game, the Tigers' starting rotation had posted a 3.38 ERA compared to the bullpen's league-worst 5.91. The season-long trend continued today. Starter good, bullpen ... not so much.</p>
<p>The Tigers threatened against Anderson in the 1st, but couldn't convert.</p>
<p>After A's shortstop <span>Andy Parrino</span> out-and-out robbed Torii Hunter of a base hit, <span>Miguel Cabrera</span> worked a two-out walk. With Cabrera running on the pitch, a white hot Prince Fielder singled him to third. But <span>Victor Martinez</span> flew out to end the threat.</p>
<p>Verlander allowed only one hard-hit ball in the bottom half of the second inning, but it was enough to give the A's a 1-0 lead.</p>
<p>One down, Smith looped a single to center. Last night's hero, Donaldson, did the same, lifting a single to short center. With two down, Derek Norris ripped a line single off the glove of a diving Cabrera, Smith scoring from second base.</p>
<p><span>Matt Tuiasosopo</span> made a Little League mistake on the play, throwing to 3rd and not splitting the runners, allowing Norris to take second. Verlander was able to pitch past the mistake in fundamentals, Parrino out at first on a swinging bunt.</p>
<p>Hunter, a one-man gang and all-around force of nature, tied the game at 1-all in the third with a loooong home run. Brett Anderson hung a breaking ball, which Hunter deposited just short of the second deck at the O.co. (<a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=26249569&topic_id=&c_id=det&tcid=vpp_copy_26249569&v=3" target="_blank">MLB.com video</a>)</p>
<p>Fielder continued his assault on A's pitching in the fourth, hitting his second home run of the series (<a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=26250067&topic_id=&c_id=det&tcid=vpp_copy_26250067&v=3" target="_blank">MLB.com video</a>). The lead-off solo shot, a no-doubter to right center, set A's fans off on a booing spree and gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead.</p>
<p>The home run barrage continued, the Tigers tacking on three more runs in the inning after Fielder went yard. Martinez singled, Tuiasosopo worked a base on balls, setting the table for ... Jhonny Peralta? Yes, Jhonny Peralta.</p>
<p>One pitch after Anderson awkwardly slipped on the mound, Peralta drilled a fastball over the 362' mark in left center, the three-run bomb giving the Tigers a 5-1 lead (<a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=26250277&topic_id=&c_id=det&tcid=vpp_copy_26250277&v=3" target="_blank">MLB.com video</a>).</p>
<p>Given a four-run lead, Verlander immediately pitched himself into trouble with one out, walking Smith and Donaldson back-to-back. The ace would pitch out of the jam by striking out <span>Eric Sogard</span> and Norris (on a 96 MPH fastball), but elevated his pitch count to 79 in the process.</p>
<p>Back-to-back doubles off the bats of <span>Brayan Pena</span> and Austin Jackson pushed the Tigers' lead to 7-1 in the sixth. With <span>Omar Infante</span> on first base after forcing Tuiasosopo, Pena's fly ball found the gap in right-center, rolling to the wall for an RBI double, sending Anderson to the showers. Right-hander <span>Pat Neshek</span> was called out of the pen to face Jackson. First-pitch swinging, Jackson ripped a double off the left field wall, Pena jogging home to make it 7-1 Tigers.</p>
<p><span>Al Alburquerque</span> and <span>Phil Coke</span> were warming up as Verlander, his pitch count pushing 100, started the bottom of the sixth. They wouldn't be needed until the seventh. Verlander issued his third walk, but ended the frame at 111 pitches when Donaldson bounced into a 5-4 fielder's choice.</p>
<p>Verlander received the "Handshake of Doom" from the skipper at the end of the sixth, so Alburquerque (<a href="http://twitter.com/Chris_Iott/statuses/323198873961111552" target="_blank">with the odd combination of a 0.00 ERA and 1.80 WHIP</a>) was given the ball to start the seventh. Living dangerously, as he has all season, Alburquerque walked the first batter he faced, Sogard. Norris doubled into the left field corner, danger level increasing exponentially.</p>
<p>Alburquerque looked like he might pitch out of the jam of his own doing, striking out Parrino and <span>John Jaso</span>. But he left a pitch up to Chris Young, who yanked it into the left field corner for a two-RBI double, pulling the A's to within four runs at 7-3.</p>
<p>Jim Leyland pulled Alburquerque in order to get the lefty-lefty matchup (and the fact he had just allowed two runs) with <strike>Captain Caveman</strike> <strike>Joe Buck</strike> <strike><span>Johnny Damon</span></strike> <strike>Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer</strike> <span>Josh Reddick</span>, calling on Coke to pitch. Coke did his job, Reddick grounding out on a 3-2 pitch to keep the Tigers' lead at four.</p>
<p>Coke struck out Brandon Moss to start the eighth. But once Smith reached for the fourth time on a bloop single, Leyland went back to the pen. Despite wanting him to be his 9th inning guy, Leyland called on Joaquin Benoit to get the last two outs of the eighth.</p>
<p>Donaldson greeted Benoit with a single. After Sogard flew out to deep center for the second out, Benoit walked Norris on four pitches, loading the bases for pinch hitter <span>Jed Lowrie</span>.</p>
<p>Lowrie worked the count to 2-2, but Benoit caught him looking with an inside breaking ball to end a stress-filled eighth, the Tigers still leading 7-3.</p>
<p>Facing righty <span>Evan Scribner</span>, the Tigers went down in order in the ninth.</p>
<p>With <span>Rick Porcello</span> warming up in the pen, Benoit remained on the mound to start the ninth. He walked the lead-off man, Jaso, on four pitches. Bearing down, Benoit struck out Young.</p>
<p>Jaso took second on defensive indifference while Benoit struck out the <strike>Billy Gibbons</strike> <strike>Dusty Hill</strike> Reddick for the second out.</p>
<p>Benoit nailed down the victory, striking out Moss with high heat.</p>
<p>One word. WHEW.</p>
<p>Once again, the Tigers prove their resilience, bouncing back from a walk-off loss in the wee hours of Saturday morning. The Tigers move back over the .500 mark at 6-5. The A's winning streak finally comes to an end, their record dropping to 9-3.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4221000/tigers-7-athletics-3-fielder-hunter-peralta-homer-verlander-bullpen-saturday-game-11-recapAl Beaton2013-04-13T17:38:18-04:002013-04-13T17:38:18-04:00GIF of the Day: Brett Anderson sadface
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Brett Anderson gave up three home runs in his start against the Tigers today, and gave us three amazing #sadfaces in the process.</p> <p>When pitchers give up a home run, their emotions run the gamut from angry to frustrated to disappointed. Few pitchers are able to master the sad puppy dog look quite like Brett Anderson of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a>. He gave up three home runs today, and each dinger gave us a sadface even more epic than the one before.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2468715/Brett_Anderson_sadface.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Brett_anderson_sadface_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2468715/Brett_Anderson_sadface.gif"></a></p>
<p>The more you watch it, the more you almost feel bad. Almost. Maybe when we leave Oakland. We're cool with the A's right now.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4221574/gif-of-the-day-the-brett-anderson-sadface-compilationRob Rogacki2013-04-13T10:20:24-04:002013-04-13T10:20:24-04:00Game 11 Preview: Tigers at Athletics
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers and A's will play an afternoon matinee (for you west coasters, at least) after last night's 12 inning affair. Justin Verlander and Brett Anderson are the starting pitchers.</p> <h4>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> (5-5) at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> (9-2)</h4>
<p><b>Time/Place:</b> 4:05 p.m., O.co Coliseum</p>
<p><b>SB Nation blog:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics Nation</a></p>
<p><b>Media:</b> Fox Sports Detroit, <a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&affiliateId=mlbMENU#date=4/13/2013">MLB.TV</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/schedule/radioaffiliates.jsp">Tigers Radio Network</a></p>
<p><b>Pitching Matchup:</b> RHP <span>Justin Verlander</span> (1-1, 2.19 ERA) vs. LHP <span>Brett Anderson</span> (1-1, 1.38 ERA)</p>
<p>Anderson is flying under the radar right now outside of Oakland, but make no mistake: he is an excellent pitcher. He spent most of the 2012 season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but had no problems shaking off the rust when he came back. His regular season ended when he strained an oblique against the Tigers in mid-September, but he came back in the playoffs to deliver a stellar performance in Game 4 of the ALDS against these same Tigers. He has started off 2013 red hot, striking out 16 batters in just 13 innings. He has been uncharacteristically wild, however, walking six batters already (by comparison, he only walked seven guys in 2012). Both his strikeout and walk rates will regress, as will his 71% groundball rate.</p>
<p>Anderson generates a ton of groundballs thanks to a two-seam fastball averaging 91 miles per hour that he has thrown 35% of the time in 2013. He mixes in a four-seamer as well; at 91.4 miles per hour, it is a tick faster than the two-seamer. He also throws a slider nearly 30% of the time. The slider's velocity has dropped to averaging 81.5 miles per hour since his Tommy John surgery, but the slower velocity allows for a greater difference between that and his fastball. He also mixes in an occasional curveball, and will throw a changeup to right-handed hitters as well. If you're interested in how Anderson's pitching repertoire has evolved over time, check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/2013/4/9/4205150/evolution-of-a-pitcher-brett-anderson">this excellent analysis piece</a> from our friends at <i>Athletics Nation</i>.</p>
<p>Either PitchFX is broken, or Verlander is abusing the living daylights out of his changeup this season. According to PitchFX, he has thrown his changeup 52% of the time, averaging 87 miles per hour (which is the key here), while his fastball is sitting at a 22.8% usage rate and average of 92.8 miles per hour. Given how Verlander likes to ramp up his velocity as the game goes on, my guess is that PitchFX needs to get its [stuff] together and recognize that 90 on the gun in the first inning from Verlander is the heater, not the off-speed stuff. As for the concerns about his velocity, let's see what happens when he is able to pitch into the later innings of a game. Last year, he was throwing gas against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> because he had reached the eighth and ninth innings of his first two starts, respectively. This year, he hasn't worked as deep into games yet, which could be the reason he's not lighting up the radar gun as of yet.</p>
<p><b>Closest Taco Bell to O.co Coliseum:</b> 0.9 miles (walking), 1.5 miles (driving), approximately 0.3 miles if you dodge traffic and walk across the parking lot</p>
<p><iframe src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Oracle+Arena+%26+O.co+Coliseum,+7000+Coliseum+Way,+Oakland,+CA&daddr=37.7488239,-122.2030552+to:Taco+Bell,+630+Hegenberger+Road,+Oakland,+CA+94621&hl=en&geocode=FUgLQAIdxV23-CH3hVCT2zD70yn7kzRrw4WPgDH3hVCT2zD70w%3BFVcAQAIdUVS3-CkH5Nh0xIWPgDFAK_exTiSxMg%3BFfAAQAIdN3C3-Cm1u37t6oWPgDGsFpkwZngKlw&aq=0&oq=o.co&sll=37.745849,-122.203249&sspn=0.018426,0.042272&t=h&dirflg=w&mra=dvme&mrsp=1&sz=15&via=1&ie=UTF8&ll=37.745849,-122.203249&spn=0.018426,0.042272&output=embed" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" height="350" width="425"></iframe><br><small><a style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left" href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Oracle+Arena+%26+O.co+Coliseum,+7000+Coliseum+Way,+Oakland,+CA&daddr=37.7488239,-122.2030552+to:Taco+Bell,+630+Hegenberger+Road,+Oakland,+CA+94621&hl=en&geocode=FUgLQAIdxV23-CH3hVCT2zD70yn7kzRrw4WPgDH3hVCT2zD70w%3BFVcAQAIdUVS3-CkH5Nh0xIWPgDFAK_exTiSxMg%3BFfAAQAIdN3C3-Cm1u37t6oWPgDGsFpkwZngKlw&aq=0&oq=o.co&sll=37.745849,-122.203249&sspn=0.018426,0.042272&t=h&dirflg=w&mra=dvme&mrsp=1&sz=15&via=1&ie=UTF8&ll=37.745849,-122.203249&spn=0.018426,0.042272">View Larger Map</a></small></p>
<p><b>How serial are the A's about Anderson? Super serial.</b></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Myers for Shields wasn't only straight-up deal <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> tried. KC offered <span>Wil Myers</span> to Oakland for Brett Anderson and were turned down, too.</p>
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/278021687289729024">December 10, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
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<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><b>Outlook</b></p>
<p>I don't think I'm mincing my words when I say that this is a matchup between two legitimate Cy Young contenders. We all know what Verlander is capable of, and Anderson is probably the best pitcher you haven't heard of in the American League. Runs will be at a premium today, even with how well both of these offenses have been hitting. Normally, I would say that this one will come down to the bullpens, but I'm not entirely sure that either team will need theirs today. An early run or two could be the difference.</p>
<p><b>Prediction</b></p>
<p>Verlander and Anderson give us one of the best pitcher's duels of the 2013 season today.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/13/4219672/2013-game-11-preview-detroit-tigers-at-oakland-athleticsRob Rogacki