Bless You Boys - Game 36: Astros at TigersA detailed list of nope about the Detroit Tigershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47585/default.png2013-05-13T23:40:17-04:00http://www.blessyouboys.com/rss/stream/40915672013-05-13T23:40:17-04:002013-05-13T23:40:17-04:00GIF: Martinez homers, fan celebrates
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<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A fan in the right field bleachers caught Victor Martinez's home run ball and celebrated like you would expect someone to after catching a homer on the fly.</p> <p><span>Victor Martinez</span> apparently likes hitting against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a>. He only has two home runs on the season, but both have come against the 'Stros. His second of the year came tonight off starting pitcher <span>Bud Norris</span>. It was a big play at the time, giving the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1605039/martinez_homer_5-13-13.gif"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1605039/martinez_homer_5-13-13.gif" class="photo" alt="Martinez_homer_5-13-13_medium"></a></p>
<p>After the homer, the fan (understandably) gets mobbed by his friends, who may or may not have ducked out of the way.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2619679/Martinez_homer_celebration.gif"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2619679/Martinez_homer_celebration.gif" class="photo" alt="Martinez_homer_celebration_medium"></a><br id="1368502281376"></p>
<p>Nice play, boss. The Astros could probably use you in right field.</p>
<p>Bonus: I missed this earlier, but another fan tried her luck at snaring a ball off the bat of Martinez in the eighth inning, but didn't have the same luck as our hero above.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2619711/Martinez_fan_fail.gif"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2619711/Martinez_fan_fail.gif" class="photo" alt="Martinez_fan_fail_medium"></a><br id="1368502634519"></p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/5/13/4328970/gif-victor-martinez-home-run-fan-celebration-foul-ballRob Rogacki2013-05-13T22:16:10-04:002013-05-13T22:16:10-04:00Tigers 7, Astros 2: Dirks slams Detroit to victory
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<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>What's the he best prescription for a losing streak? A series against the woeful Houston Astros. The Tigers used a six run fourth inning, highlighted by Andy Dirks' grand slam, to beat the AL's worst team.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> continue their recent mastery over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> with a 7-2 victory, beating them for a fifth consecutive time this season, snapping a two game losing streak in the process. The Tigers used a six run, two home run fourth inning to win in runaway fashion.</p>
<p>The Astros' <span>Jose Altuve</span> and Bud Norris both left the game early due to injuries.</p>
<p>Winning pitcher Anibal Sanchez (4-3) went seven strong innings for the Tigers, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out eight.</p>
<p>Astros starter Norris (4-4) was forced to leave the game after five innings suffering from lower back spasms. Norris was tagged for nine hits and seven runs in taking the loss.</p>
<p>The hitting star of the night was the Tigers' newly minted lead off man, <span>Andy Dirks</span>. Ending the night a triple short of the cycle, Dirks had three hits, including his first career grand slam in the fourth, scored twice along with his four RBI. Victor Martinez homered for the Tigers, a two run shot.</p>
<p>Taking up from where they left off in Houston, the Tigers came out swinging in the bottom of the first against Norris to take a very quick, as in two batters into the game, lead.</p>
<p>Dirks drilled a line drive over the head of <span>Robbie Grossman</span>, landing just short of the warning track at the 420 mark in dead center for a stand-up double. Torii Hunter followed by doing the exact same thing, sending a fly ball to dead center over Grossman's head, which landed at the base of the center field wall in for a long RBI double. (<a target="_blank" href="http://t.co/fxTwBheEvb">MLB.com video</a>)</p>
<p>Five pitches and nearly 840 feet worth of fly balls into the game, the Tigers had themselves a 1-0 lead.</p>
<p>After allowing a double in each of the first two innings, Anibal Sanchez was finally nicked for a run in the third.</p>
<p>Leading off, <span>Marwin Gonzalez</span> singled to center. Getting a huge jump, he stole second. Burgeoning Tiger Killer Grossman singled to right, Gonzalez scored easily. Grossman was able to advance to second on Hunter's second ill-advised throw in two days. Hunter attempted in vain to throw out Gonzalez, completely airmailing the cut off man.</p>
<p>Grossman would move to third on Paredes' single (who would proceed to steal second), and score the second run off the inning on Ronny Cedeno's (having entered the game for an injured Jose Altuve) ground out. <span>Don Kelly</span> staved off a third run when his throw home kept Paredes from tagging up on a fly to center.</p>
<p>The Astros parlayed three hits, two stolen bases, a ground ball and a bad outfield throw into a 2-1 lead.</p>
<p>The Tigers bounced back to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth before a batter was out. <span>Prince Fielder</span> led off the inning with an opposite field double to left center. First pitch swinging, Martinez followed with his second home run of the season, a line drive which just cleared the right field fence. (<a target="_blank" href="http://t.co/49TepPIYXF">MLB.com video</a>)</p>
<p>Up 3-2 and the inning far from over, the Tigers looked to extend their lead. They would, all but ending the game in the process.</p>
<p>After <span>Alex Avila</span> bounced out, <span>Jhonny Peralta</span> and Don Kelly had consecutive singles. <span>Omar Infante</span> walked to load the bases.</p>
<p>Unlike yesterday, the Tigers didn't come up empty in a bases loaded with less than two out situation. Dirks made sure of it by smashing a no-doubt grand slam deep into the right field stands to give the Tigers a 7-2 lead.</p>
<p>Norris would retire the next three Tigers, but the kill shot had been delivered by Dirks.</p>
<p>GAME (essentially) OVER.</p>
<p>Having shaken off his early inning struggles and given a five run lead, Sanchez had retired 12 of the last 13 Astros he faced. He had only allowed only a fifth inning, two out walk to Paredes.</p>
<p>Sanchez struck out the side in the sixth, giving him four straight and seven on the night.</p>
<p>While warming up in the sixth inning, Norris somehow had injured himself and was removed from the game. Replays showed Norris grabbing at the lower lumbar while on the mound, the Astros calling it back spasms. Rookie right-hander <span>Paul Clemens</span> was called upon in relief and would throw hold the Tigers scoreless for the remainder of the game.</p>
<p>Sanchez received a well deserved "Handshake of doom" from Jim Leyland after seven innings, replaced by Jose Ortega. The impressive rookie tossed a scoreless eighth for the Tigers as the game rolled on toward it's inevitable conclusion.</p>
<p>Ortega allowed a meaningless ninth inning single before closing out the Astros, the game having been fait accompli since the Tigers' six run fourth inning.</p>
<p>GAME (officially) OVER.</p>
<p>The first place in the AL Central Tigers improve to 21-15 on the season, 1/2 game up on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a>. The scuffling Astros fall to 10-29, having lost five in a row. They reside alone in last place in the AL West, a mere 15 games out of first.</p>
<p>In the second of the three game series, the Astros send <span>Lucas Harrell</span> (3-3, 4.67 ERA) to the mound, who was battered for ten hits and eight runs in his last appearance against the Tigers on May 4. <span>Doug Fister</span> (4-1, 3.14 ERA) gets the ball for the Tigers. He last faced the Astros on May 3, allowing two runs in six innings.</p>
<p>First pitch is 7:08 PM.</p>
<p><b>WIN PROBABILITY GRAPH:</b></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2013-05-13&team=Tigers&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=2013-05-13&team=Tigers&dh=0&season=2013">FanGraphs</a></span></p>
<p><b>BULLETS:</b></p>
<p>Austin Jackson was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/5/13/4327264/austin-jackson-injury-2013">placed on the 15-Day DL</a> with an injured left hamstring earlier today. The Tigers go as Jackson goes, so their record without him in the lineup isn't exactly shining.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Tigers">#Tigers</a> went 8-13 when Austin Jackson was on the DL in 2012. They're 249-192 w/ him, 15-30 w/o him since his arrival. <a href="http://t.co/0ovJqFY59B" title="http://bit.ly/10JqFDT">bit.ly/10JqFDT</a></p>
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) <a href="https://twitter.com/matthewbmowery/status/334089859306229760">May 13, 2013</a>
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<p>There was a scary moment in the second inning, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was involved in a hard collision with right fielder Jimmy Paredes. Jhonny Peralta popped up to short right, both Altuve and Parede called for the ball, neither bothering to look for oncoming traffic. The 5' 5" Altuve took the brunt of resulting collision with the hard charging 6'3" Parede, the ball dropping for a single. Unable to shake off the cobwebs, Altuve was forced to leave the game, though it was under his own power.</p>
<p>The Astros announced Altuve suffered a subluxation (partial dislocation) of the jaw on the right side. That was one hard lick given by Paredes.</p>
<p>Someone needs to stop Torii Hunter from airmailing cutoff men.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>And that's three runs in a week on Torii's shoulders (or right arm, more accurately)</p>
— Detroit4lyfe (@Detroit4lyfeRob) <a href="https://twitter.com/Detroit4lyfeRob/status/334094502681788419">May 13, 2013</a>
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<p>To paraphrase Samuel L. Jackson, <i>"Fundamentals, do you know them?!"</i></p>
<p>Andy Dirks' grand slam was of a rare variety, and not just because of the Tigers' recent struggles with the bases loaded or that it was necked over the wall.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Dirks is the first Tigers player to hit a grand slam on an 0-2 pitch since <span>Randall Simon</span> did so off Blake Stein on 9/26/01 at KC. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23tigers">#tigers</a></p>
— Rick Thompson (@Thompson_Tigers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Thompson_Tigers/status/334104852907040769">May 14, 2013</a>
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<p>It was also the first grand slam of Dirks' career and of the season for the Tigers.</p>
<p>After throwing just 30 pitches to get through the first three innings, Bud Norris needed 31 pitches to survive the fourth inning. That was game, set , match.</p>
<p>Anibal Sanchez is good at pitching:</p>
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<p><span>Anibal Sanchez's</span> last five starts: 45 strikeouts, four walks. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Tigers">#Tigers</a></p>
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) <a href="https://twitter.com/matthewbmowery/status/334116862063431680">May 14, 2013</a>
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<p>Once again, Prince Fielder was wearing Sunglasses at Night.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2619347/sunglasses_at_night.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Sunglasses_at_night_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2619347/sunglasses_at_night_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1368495917603"></p>
<p>Corey Heart approves.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/X2LTL8KgKv8" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p>The Astros have done wonders for the Tigers' run differential.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Even if the <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Tigers">#Tigers</a> don't score again tonight, they'll still be averaging 8.8 runs per game against the Astros (they've scored 44)</p>
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) <a href="https://twitter.com/matthewbmowery/status/334108929153966080">May 14, 2013</a>
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<p>Rod Allen gets the final word on what was a perfunctory victory for Sanchez and the Tigers.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I'm really digging this Sanchez cat these days!! And so are you. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23thatsright">#thatsright</a></p>
— Rod Allen (@RodAllen12) <a href="https://twitter.com/RodAllen12/status/334125881775767554">May 14, 2013</a>
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<p><b>THREE ROARS:</b></p>
<p><b>Andy Dirks: </b>Going into the game, Dirks had hit .185 from the lead off spot in his career. Tonight, Dirks took to leading off like a duck to water, punishing Astros pitching with a single, double and a game changing grand slam for good measure.</p>
<p><b>Anibal Sanchez:</b> A quality start (7 IP, 2 R tonight) will get you a roar every time.</p>
<p><b>Jhonny Peralta: </b>The white hot Peralta reached base three times on a pair of singles and a base on balls, raising his average to .326.</p>
<p><b>THREE HISSES:</b></p>
<p><b><span>Miguel Cabrera</span>:</b> A rare off night for the best hitter in baseball, 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, his 11 game hitting streak coming to an end. Even rarer, Cabrera was the final out in three innings.</p>
<p><b><span>Torii Hunter's</span> throwing arm:</b> Can someone please inform Hunter the cut off man is stationed where he is on the field for a reason? Thank you. This airmailing of the cutoff man is getting beyond ridiculous and is costing the Tigers runs.</p>
<p><b>Alex Avila:</b> Another rough game at and behind the plate.</p>
<p><b>GAME THREAD ROLL CALL:</b></p>
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<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>680</td>
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<td>Total commenters</td>
<td>44</td>
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<td>Commenter list</td>
<td>
<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Allison%20Hagen">Allison Hagen</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/DJ%20Screw">DJ Screw</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Dale%20S">Dale S</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/House%20by%20the%20Side%20of%20the%20Road">House by the Side of the Road</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/Keith-Allen">Keith-Allen</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MSUDersh">MSUDersh</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Michigan%26TrumbullinLA">Michigan&TrumbullinLA</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NCDee">NCDee</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RationalSportsFan">RationalSportsFan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RedWingedLigerFan">RedWingedLigerFan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RewertsSpartan">RewertsSpartan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rob%20Rogacki">Rob Rogacki</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Ryndal">Ryndal</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/Scarsdale_Vibe">Scarsdale_Vibe</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Singledigit">Singledigit</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SpartanBoiler">SpartanBoiler</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SpartanHT">SpartanHT</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TN%20Ben">TN Ben</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TheLegacyofJordanTata">TheLegacyofJordanTata</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Verlanderful">Verlanderful</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/WestWing">WestWing</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/aelix">aelix</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/bobrob2004">bobrob2004</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/bowling255">bowling255</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/dishnet34">dishnet34</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/kirdo">kirdo</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/knucklescarbone">knucklescarbone</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/longview">longview</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/rbbaker">rbbaker</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/redwingxviii">redwingxviii</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/stevenyc">stevenyc</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/thanantos">thanantos</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/13194013">13194013</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Story URLs</td>
<td>
<a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/5/13/4327522/game-36-astros-at-tigers-7-08-p-m">http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/5/13/4327522/game-36-astros-at-tigers-7-08-p-m</a><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/5/13/4328588/game-36-overflow-astros-at-tigers/in/4091567">http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/5/13/4328588/game-36-overflow-astros-at-tigers/in/4091567</a>
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</tbody>
</table>
<p><b><br>TOP TEN COMMENTERS:</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/SpartanHT">SpartanHT</a></td>
<td>73</td>
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<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/H2OPoloPunk">H2OPoloPunk</a></td>
<td>66</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rob%20Rogacki">Rob Rogacki</a></td>
<td>54</td>
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<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Singledigit">Singledigit</a></td>
<td>44</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SabreRoseTiger">SabreRoseTiger</a></td>
<td>40</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/WestWing">WestWing</a></td>
<td>39</td>
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<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MSUDersh">MSUDersh</a></td>
<td>35</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TheLegacyofJordanTata">TheLegacyofJordanTata</a></td>
<td>32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Verlanderful">Verlanderful</a></td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/13194013">13194013</a></td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><b><br>TOP RECS</b>:</p>
<table>
<thead><tr>
<th># Recs</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th>Comment Link</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/13194013">13194013</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/5/13/4327522/game-36-astros-at-tigers-7-08-p-m#162626295">Transcript of what Norris is saying in the Astros dugout.</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rob%20Rogacki">Rob Rogacki</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/5/13/4328588/game-36-overflow-astros-at-tigers/in/4091567#162646013">That doesn't work well</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/stevenyc">stevenyc</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/5/13/4327522/game-36-astros-at-tigers-7-08-p-m#162602179">NO HOUBRIS</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/stevenyc">stevenyc</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/5/13/4327522/game-36-astros-at-tigers-7-08-p-m#162615635">That's the worst part of this</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/5/12/4324716/Indians-4-Tigers-3-detroit-cleveland-ltorii-huinter-bunt-jose-valverde-blown-save-mlb">GAME 35 PLAYER OF THE GAME:</a></b></p>
<p>Three hits, including a two run home run, gave backup catcher Brayan Pena PotG honors with 61% of the vote.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/5/13/4328240/tigers-7-astros-2-detroit-houston-andy-dirks-grand-slam-altuve-injured-collision-mlbAl Beaton2013-05-13T21:18:47-04:002013-05-13T21:18:47-04:00Game 36 Overflow: Astros at Tigers
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<p>Stuff that happened:</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;"><span>Andy Dirks</span> hit a grand slam. We're still trying to see if that's in the rules.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Mario and Rod had fun with the word "subluxation."</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Thread stuff that happened:</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Curiosity about Shannon Hogan's hair</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Wu Tang <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> ain't nuthin' to f*** with</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Suggestions for fixing baseball</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Heated debates over Oreos</span></li>
</ul>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/5/13/4328588/game-36-overflow-astros-at-tigersRob Rogacki2013-05-13T10:52:38-04:002013-05-13T10:52:38-04:00Game 36 Preview: Astros at Tigers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/weWxEG3KzAe2jvwPwcMpo4pMB9U=/0x240:3027x2258/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13068275/168327940.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Scott Halleran</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Tigers will look to get back to their winning ways as the Houston Astros come to town for a three game series. Anibal Sanchez and Bud Norris are tonight's starting pitchers.</p> <h4>
<a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Astros</a> (10-28) at <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> (20-15)</h4>
<p><b>Time/Place:</b> 7:08 p.m., Comerica Park</p>
<p><b>SB Nation blog:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com">Crawfish Boxes</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=5/13/2013">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>Anibal Sanchez</span> (3-3, 1.97 ERA) vs. RHP <span>Bud Norris</span> (4-3, 3.40 ERA)</p>
<p>As expected, Norris gave the Tigers trouble when he pitched against them 10 days ago, allowing two runs in seven innings. He struck out seven batters and looked downright dominant at times. However, that was at home, where Norris is 7-2 with a 1.89 ERA and 1.086 WHIP since the start of the 2012 season. On the road, he is 4-14 with a 6.81 ERA and a 1.698 WHIP. The problem? His command. He walks 4.65 batters per nine innings on the road, which is a bad idea against this Tigers offense unless your name is Ubaldo Jimenez. This season, Norris' road stats are largely skewed by a bad start at Oakland where he didn't make it out of the first inning. Take that out, and he has only allowed five runs (three earned) in 13 innings.</p>
<p>Norris was largely successful in his first start against the Tigers because he kept the ball low in the strike zone.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1603835/location_php.gif"><img alt="Location_php_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1603835/location_php_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p><i> via <a href="http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/location.php?pitchSel=502032&game=gid_2013_05_03_detmlb_houmlb_1/&batterX=0&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=2">www.brooksbaseball.net</a></i></p>
<p>Even with a fastball that can get up to 94-95 miles per hour, he didn't dare attack the upper half of the strike zone against the big bats of the order. <span>Miguel Cabrera's</span> only hit against Norris, a double, was on a slider low and away. Price Fielder was 0-for-1 with two walks. Given how quickly they pick up on the nuances of opposing pitchers, we may see them be aggressive early in the count against Norris' fastball, especially if he starts leaving it up in the strike zone.</p>
<p>Sanchez was the only Tigers pitcher -- aside from <span>Phil Coke</span>, who was on the disabled list -- to not face the Astros in their series earlier this month. He is very familiar with the Astros franchise from his days with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a>, owning a 3-1 record and 2.08 career ERA against them. However, no hitter on their roster has more than 12 career plate appearances against Sanchez, and <span>Carlos Pena</span> is the only player with more than eight. Given what happened last time Sanchez <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/4/26/4272704/anibal-sanchez-detroit-tigers-franchise-record-17-strikeouts-atlanta-braves" target="_blank">faced a team leading its respective league in strikeout rate</a>, this could be an interesting night.</p>
<p><b>Trouble with the curve</b></p>
<p>Tonight's matchup is encouraging, if for no other reason than that there are no 20 year old phenoms to crush hanging curveballs that Sanchez leaves over the plate. The curve has not been effective for him at all this year. Opposing players are hitting .333 off of that pitch, and the curve is already a full run below league average according to Fangraphs. PitchFX isn't so harsh, with his curveball sitting at 0.2 runs above average. His fastball and changeup, by comparison, are 3.5 and 4.5 runs above average, respectively. It's good to see that the pitch failing Anibal is the one he throws least often -- and it clearly hasn't affected his success this year -- but it would be nice if he could sort that out.</p>
<p><b>Outlook</b></p>
<p>Even after losing two straight one-run games, the Tigers are still sitting in first place after what has been a pretty tough schedule to begin the year. After this week, they don't travel west of Kansas City for the rest of the season, and their toughest interleague road matchup is already out of the way, minus any possible matchups against <span>Matt Harvey</span> in August. That said, this team could use a win to get rid of the bad taste of yesterday's blown save. As long as the offense spots Sanchez a few runs, they should be able to scratch out a W tonight.</p>
<p><b>Prediction</b></p>
<p>The Tigers get back on track with a win.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/5/13/4325708/2013-game-36-preview-houston-astros-at-detroit-tigersRob Rogacki