Bless You Boys - Game 56: Rays at TigersA detailed list of nope about the Detroit Tigershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47585/default.png2013-06-04T22:55:24-04:00http://www.blessyouboys.com/rss/stream/41593092013-06-04T22:55:24-04:002013-06-04T22:55:24-04:00Tigers 10, Rays 1: Home cookin'
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<figcaption>Duane Burleson</figcaption>
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<p>There's nothing the Tigers like more than home cooking, raising their record to 18-9 at Comerica Park in a 10-1 spanking of the Tampa Bay Rays.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> bounced back from a lost weekend in Baltimore to pound no-longer-undefeated <span>Matt Moore</span> for six runs in a 10-1 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a>.</p>
<p>Making his first start at Comerica Park since losing a no-hitter in the ninth inning, <span>Anibal Sanchez</span> was nearly as good in his return home. Sanchez dominated the Rays, allowing just one run and four hits over seven innings, striking out nine while walking just one.</p>
<p>Moore (8-1) came into tonight's game with an 8-0 record and 2.18 ERA. He left the game bound for his first loss with an ERA of 2.95 after two-plus innings, the shortest start (that wasn't due to weather) of his career. The six runs the Tigers scored off Moore were the most he's allowed in a game this season.</p>
<p>The lone Rays run came off the bat of <span>Desmond Jennings</span>, a sacrifice fly in the second. The Rays never had another runner reach second after Matt Joyce's third-inning double.</p>
<p>The Tigers pounded five Rays pitchers for 15 hits, seven more reaching via walks. <span>Prince Fielder</span> led the hit parade with three hits, a home run, and four RBIs. <span>Omar Infante</span> also homered, while <span>Jhonny Peralta</span> chipped in three hits, raising his average to a robust .338.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>Read More</b>: <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4394588/2013-game-56-preview-tampa-bay-rays-at-detroit-tigers" target="new">Game 56 Preview: Rays at Tigers</a> <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4396896/mlb-prepared-to-suspend-players-linked-to-biogenesis-documents-per" target="new">MLB prepping to hand out Biogenesis suspensions</a>
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<p><span>Miguel Cabrera</span> and Fielder made Moore work in the first, leading to a 30-pitch inning for the Rays starter. After getting two quick outs, Cabrera and Fielder both had long at-bats which resulted in singles. But all those pitches went for naught. <span>Victor Martinez</span> couldn't come through with a two-out base hit, flying out to strand the runners.</p>
<p><span>Evan Longoria</span> led off the second with a long drive to Death Valley in right center. <span>Torii Hunter</span> went for the all-or-nothing circus catch, and got nothing. Longoria's drive would land against the scoreboard, good for a stand-up triple. Jennings' one-out sacrifice fly to center gave the Rays a 1-0 advantage.</p>
<p>And that would be that for the Rays' scoring on the night.</p>
<p>The Tigers made Moore work even harder in the bottom half of the second, and would actually have some runs to show for it.</p>
<p>Just as news was breaking in regard to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4396896/mlb-prepared-to-suspend-players-linked-to-biogenesis-documents-per">possible suspensions</a> over the Biogenesis PED scandal (which Jhonny Peralta is tangentially involved, his name was found in Biogenesis documents - Get well soon, <span>Danny Worth</span>!) Peralta led off with a looping single to left center.</p>
<p>All <span>Matt Tuiasosopo</span> does when he plays (which isn't enough) is hit the damn ball. He hit the damn ball again, quickly tying the game with a long RBI double to right center (<a target="_blank" href="http://t.co/KanjMOTboT">MLB.com video</a>). <span>Brayan Pena</span> followed with the proverbial productive out with a ground ball to the right side which moved Tuiasosopo to third. The Tigers still working over Moore on pitch count, <span>Avisail Garcia</span> walked.</p>
<p>Tuiasosopo would cross the plate on Infante's sacrifice fly to right, the Tigers now up 2-1. We also got to see Garcia's impressive speed as he tagged up on Infante's fly ball, advancing to second.</p>
<p>Moore dug the hole he was already in that much deeper by walking Hunter, then unintentionally intentionally walking Cabrera to lead the bases.</p>
<p>All Fielder does after a Cabrera free pass is hit the damn ball. He hit the damn ball again, coming through with a huge two-out RBI hit. His single to center drove in a pair of runs to give the Tigers a 4-1 lead.</p>
<p>Moore would finally get out of trouble when Martinez, the ninth Tiger to bat, bounced out. But the Tigers had batted around, collecting four runs on three hits and two walks.</p>
<p>To allow a run after his offense has given him a lead is a Cardinal Sin for a pitcher. Sanchez remained in the good graces of the Baseball Gods by tossing a scoreless top of the third. The ex-Tiger, Joyce, did have a two-out double, but <span>Ben Zobrist</span> hit a come-backer to Sanchez to end the threat.</p>
<p>The Tigers would knock Moore out of the game in the bottom of the third. Actually, Moore would do plenty on his own to earn the hook. He would fight with, and ultimately lose to, his command.</p>
<p>The smoking-hot Peralta led off for the second straight inning, and reached for the second straight inning by doubling to left. Tuiasosopo didn't get a hit, but did the next best thing by drawing a walk. Pena followed with a walk of his own, loading the bases.</p>
<p>Garcia made it a 5-1 game with an RBI single to shallow center, the bases remaining loaded. Moore would then walk the fifth Tiger in nine batters (and sixth overall), Infante driving in a run with a free pass.</p>
<p>The bases juiced, no one out and the score 6-1 Tigers, Joe Maddon had no choice other than to pull Moore. Lefty Alex Torres got the call to try an extinguish the rally. Torres would do just that. Hunter bounced into a 5-2 force at the plate, Cabrera and Fielder striking out. But the bottom of the order had come through, the Tigers riding two hits and three walks to a five-run lead.</p>
<p>As for Sanchez? He was, as the kids like to say, dealing. Sanchez had allowed just one run and three hits, striking out seven through five full innings.</p>
<p>Another ex-Tiger made an appearance in the bottom half of the fifth. A not so fondly remembered ex-Tiger, actually. <span>Kyle Farnsworth</span> took over for Torres, who had retired all six Tigers he faced.</p>
<p>Farnsworth made it eight outs in a row, the first two Tigers going down. But Infante greeted his fellow 2005 Tigers roster alumnus by sending his fastball on a line into the bullpen. The solo home run, Infante's fourth of the season, pushed the Tigers lead to 7-1.</p>
<p>Cabrera sent an annoyed-looking Farnsworth to the showers with a lead-off single in the bottom of the sixth. Then followed one of the more bizarre sights you'll ever see -- Cabrera racing from first to third on a wild pitch. That's not a typo, Cabrera went first to third on a wild pitch. The Rays should be ashamed.</p>
<p><span>Cesar Ramos</span> facing Fielder, the lefty reliever uncorked a wild pitch which bounced high over the head of catcher Jose Molina. Molina will never be known as fleet of foot, he's slug slow. But he was even slower tracking down the wild pitch at the backstop, taking his good old time finding the runaway baseball. Meanwhile, Cabrera just never stopped running, easily beating Molina's belated throw to third.</p>
<p>Fielder made the Rays pay for their nonchalance, sending a sacrifice fly to center to increase the Tigers' lead to 8-1.</p>
<p>Sanchez cruised through the seventh with a 1-2-3 inning, his pitch count at a very manageable 102. Which meant he was going to be pulled, replaced by <span>Luke Putkonen</span> to start the eighth. At least it wasn't <span>Drew Smyly</span> on the mound.</p>
<p>The game already well in hand in eighth, Fielder made it a 9-1 blowout with his third home run in as many games. Fielder's solo shot in was big fly number 12 of the season.</p>
<p>After Fielder went yard, consecutive singles off the bats of Martinez, Peralta and <span>Don Kelly</span> made it a 10-1 spanking. The Tigers were just plain helping their run differential at this point.</p>
<p><span>Phil Coke</span> took over in the ninth. No drama and three quick outs later, the Tigers had put their awful road trip behind them with a much-needed win.</p>
<p>A relatively relaxing GAME OVER!</p>
<p>The final score is Tigers 10, Rays 1. I could use a few more game like this after the drama (or should I say trauma?) of the past week.</p>
<p>Despite a 4-6 record in their past ten games, the Tigers remain in first place in the Central. Their win tonight raises their record to 31-25, and pushes their lead to a full two games over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a>.</p>
<p>Wednesday night lefty <span>Alex Cobb</span> (6-2, 2.66 ERA) makes his first start since May 26 for the Rays. Cobb was scratched from his last start due to a cut on the finger of his pitching hand. Coming off seven shutout innings against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a>, the Tall Man, <span>Doug Fister</span> (5-2, 3.28 ERA), gets the starting nod for the Tigers. 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=2013-06-04&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=2013-06-04&team=Tigers&dh=0&season=2013">FanGraphs</a></span></p>
<p><b>BULLETS:</b></p>
<p>Pitching around Miguel Cabrera in order to pitch to Prince Fielder makes Fielder mad. Pitchers wouldn't like it when Fielder's mad.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Prince Fielder with 2-out, 2-run single. He's now 8 of 9 following BB to Cabrera. It's now 4-1 <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Tigers">#Tigers</a>, and that was pitch No. 60 for Moore</p>
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) <a href="https://twitter.com/matthewbmowery/status/342067221251637250">June 4, 2013</a>
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<p>Some things never change, such as Kyle Farnsworth allowing a home run at Comerica Park.</p>
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<p>That looked familiar. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Farns">#Farns</a></p>
— Scott Rogowski (@DNR_Rogo) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNR_Rogo/status/342083577233698816">June 5, 2013</a>
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<p>Sabermetricians everywhere cringed during Cabrera's tour of the bases in the sixth. I'm sure Keith Law fainted.</p>
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<p>Single, take two bases on a wild pitch, score on a sac fly. And people say <span>Mike Trout</span> has a baserunning edge on Miguel Cabrera.</p>
— Dave Hogg (@Stareagle) <a href="https://twitter.com/Stareagle/status/342087932984832000">June 5, 2013</a>
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<p>Drew Smyly was warming up in the seventh, raising the genuine fear he would enter in another low-leverage, garbage time situation. Didn't we have this same discussion about Jim Leyand's misuse of Smyly over the weekend, or is it deja vu?</p>
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<p>Smyly warming up. Because burning the best pen arm in blowouts instead of saving him for closer games is something we should keep doing.</p>
— Scott Rogowski (@DNR_Rogo) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNR_Rogo/status/342092963876327426">June 5, 2013</a>
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<p>False alarm! Turned out it would be Luke Putkonen and Phil Coke pitching in garbage time.</p>
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<p>Half convinced Leyland had Smyly warm up just to troll everyone</p>
— Cthulhu Whitaker (@jason_d_price) <a href="https://twitter.com/jason_d_price/status/342100513057275904">June 5, 2013</a>
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<p><b>FOUR ROARS:</b></p>
<p><b>Anibal Sanchez:</b> Another quality start, but only 6-5 on the year. Having a season which proves wins and losses are not how you judge a pitcher.</p>
<p><b>Prince Fielder: </b>Three hits, including a home run, and four RBIs. Now on a nine-game hitting streak, and has gone yard in three straight games. The slump is over.</p>
<p><b>Jhonny Peralta: </b>Keyed a pair of rallies which helped put the game on ice. Peralta led off the second and third with base hits, scoring the first run in both innings. He ended the night with three hits in five at-bats.</p>
<p><b>Omar Infante: </b>Nice night for the second baseman with two hits, a big fly and three RBIs.</p>
<p><b>BONUS ROAR:</b></p>
<p><b>Matt Tuiasosopo:</b> Reached base three times via an RBI double and a pair of walks, scoring twice. All Big Squiggles does is hit to the tune of a .339 average.</p>
<p><b>THREE HISSES:</b></p>
<p><b>Brayan Pena: </b>Go 0-for-4, get a hiss.</p>
<p><b>Torii Hunter:</b> Go 0-for-4, you get a hiss too,.</p>
<p><b>Jim Leyland: </b>For having Drew Smyly warm up in the seventh, freaking everyone out. He trolled us all.</p>
<p><b>ROLL CALL:</b></p>
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<th colspan="2">Roll Call Info</th>
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<td width="150">Total comments</td>
<td>981</td>
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<td>Total commenters</td>
<td>38</td>
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<td>Commenter list</td>
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<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/Grzesio">Grzesio</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/HookSlide">HookSlide</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JWurm">JWurm</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/Joaquin%20on%20Sunshine">Joaquin on Sunshine</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/Rob%20Rogacki">Rob Rogacki</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SAchris">SAchris</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/Sneechin%27">Sneechin'</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/Tigerdog1">Tigerdog1</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Verlanderful">Verlanderful</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/aarone46">aarone46</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/aelix">aelix</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/dominator039">dominator039</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/frisbeepilot">frisbeepilot</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jbeshay">jbeshay</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jon.erkkila.9">jon.erkkila.9</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/mrsunshine">mrsunshine</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/stevenyc">stevenyc</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/texastigerfan">texastigerfan</a>
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<td>Story URLs</td>
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<a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4391022/game-56-rays-at-tigers-7-08-p-m">http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4391022/game-56-rays-at-tigers-7-08-p-m</a><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4397112/game-56-overflow-rays-at-tigers">http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4397112/game-56-overflow-rays-at-tigers</a>
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<p><b>TOP TEN COMMENTERS:</b></p>
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<th>#</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th># Comments</th>
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<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SanDiegoMick">SanDiegoMick</a></td>
<td>137</td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MSUDersh">MSUDersh</a></td>
<td>79</td>
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<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/texastigerfan">texastigerfan</a></td>
<td>76</td>
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<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Sneechin%27">Sneechin'</a></td>
<td>71</td>
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<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Joaquin%20on%20Sunshine">Joaquin on Sunshine</a></td>
<td>60</td>
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<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BadCompany22">BadCompany22</a></td>
<td>56</td>
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<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JWurm">JWurm</a></td>
<td>56</td>
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<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Dale%20S">Dale S</a></td>
<td>49</td>
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<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Tigerdog1">Tigerdog1</a></td>
<td>44</td>
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<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SabreRoseTiger">SabreRoseTiger</a></td>
<td>36</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
<p><b>TOP RECS:</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/2/4388978/orioles-4-tigers-2-baltimore-detroit-jim-leyland-takes-blame-porcello-davis-come-from-behind-mlb"> </a></p>
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<th># Recs</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th>Comment Link</th>
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<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MSUDersh">MSUDersh</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4391022/game-56-rays-at-tigers-7-08-p-m#166189041">hey I didn't make the map</a></td>
</tr>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rob%20Rogacki">Rob Rogacki</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4391022/game-56-rays-at-tigers-7-08-p-m#166177091">Where'd that kid go</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/2/4388978/orioles-4-tigers-2-baltimore-detroit-jim-leyland-takes-blame-porcello-davis-come-from-behind-mlb"> </a></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/2/4388978/orioles-4-tigers-2-baltimore-detroit-jim-leyland-takes-blame-porcello-davis-come-from-behind-mlb">GAME 55 PLAYER OF THE GAME:</a></b></p>
<p>There were calls for "No one" after another disappointing loss, but in the end Rick Porcello's quality start put him over the top in the PotG voting with 58%.</p>
<h4>More Roars:</h4>
<p>•<a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4396810/tigers-10-rays-1-Detroti-tampa-anibal-sanchez-pince-fielder-matt-moore-jhonny-peralta-biogenesis?utm_source=blessyouboys&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=moreroars">Tigers 10, Rays 1: Sanchez in beastmode</a></p>
<p>•<a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/detroit-tigers-minor-leagues/2013/6/4/4395194/2013-mlb-draft-time-tv-streaming-mock-tigers?utm_source=blessyouboys&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=moreroars">MLB Draft prep: Tigers mock drafts</a></p>
<p>•<a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4365032/justin-verlander-2012-2013-comparison?utm_source=blessyouboys&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=moreroars">FanPost: Justin Verlander 2012 vs. 2013</a></p>
<p>•<a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4396896/mlb-prepared-to-suspend-players-linked-to-biogenesis-documents-per?utm_source=blessyouboys&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=moreroars">MLB prepping Biogenesis suspensions. (Is Peralta one?)</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/blessyouboys"><img alt="Byb-twitter-insert" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2329827/byb-twitter-insert.png"></a></p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4396810/tigers-10-rays-1-Detroti-tampa-anibal-sanchez-pince-fielder-matt-moore-jhonny-peralta-biogenesisAl Beaton2013-06-04T21:01:46-04:002013-06-04T21:01:46-04:00Game 56 Overflow: Rays at Tigers
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<p>Stuff that happened:</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Offense! Lots of offense! The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> scored six runs off <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> starter <span>Matt Moore</span> in 2+ innings of work.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;"><span>Anibal Sanchez</span> allowed a run in the top of the second inning -- the Rays actually held a 1-0 lead in this game -- but hasn't allowed squat since.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;"><span>Kyle Farnsworth</span> is pitching because screw that guy.</span></li>
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<p>Thread stuff that happened:</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Antivirus programs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Photoshop madness</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Inappropriate jokes</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4396896/mlb-prepared-to-suspend-players-linked-to-biogenesis-documents-per" target="_blank">This mess</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4397112/game-56-overflow-rays-at-tigersRob Rogacki2013-06-04T10:49:18-04:002013-06-04T10:49:18-04:00Game 56 Preview: Rays at Tigers
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<figcaption>J. Meric</figcaption>
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<p>Anibal Sanchez looks to rebound after a rough ending to his outing in Pittsburgh as the Tigers return home to begin a three game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Matt Moore will take the mound for the Rays.</p> <h4>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> (31-25) at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> (30-25)</h4>
<p><b>Time/Place:</b> 7:08 p.m., Comerica Park</p>
<p><b>SB Nation Blog:</b> <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/" target="_blank">DRaysBay</a></p>
<p><b>Media:</b> Fox Sports Detroit, <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&affiliateId=mlbMENU#date=6/4/2013" 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> LHP Matt Moore (8-0, 2.18 ERA) vs. RHP Anibal Sanchez (5-5, 2.79 ERA)</p>
<p>Moore was dominant in his last start, combining with the Rays bullpen to one-hit the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a>. The caveat? A five hour rain delay knocked out Moore after one inning, forcing the <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2013/6/1/4386140/rays-vs-indians-game-1-bats-dry-off-bullpen-dominates" target="_blank">Rays' bullpen to do the heavy lifting</a> in their victory. This has been the exception in 2013, however. In Moore's other 10 starts, he is averaging over six innings per outing. He has allowed more than two runs only twice, and hasn't allowed more than three runs in ballparks that aren't named Coors Field.</p>
<p>However -- and I hate to be "that guy," because Moore has tons of potential -- his 2013 numbers are largely smoke and mirrors. His FIP and xFIP are 4.10 and 4.33, respectively, and he is largely getting by on a .201 BABIP. He is striking out a respectable 8.27 batters per nine innings, but his swinging strike percentage is down by almost 4% from last season and he is walking 4.06 batters per nine innings. His 91.1% strand rate is unsustainable, especially if he continues to throw less than 50% first-pitch strikes. Once hitters start to square him up a bit better -- he likely won't maintain a 16.8% line drive rate all season long -- his numbers will start to come back to earth.</p>
<p>Here's the part where I pretty much go back on everything I said in the last paragraph. Moore has excellent stuff and should be a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter. There's a reason he was the #2 prospect in all of baseball before the 2012 season. His fastball averages 93 miles per hour with excellent late movement. His changeup sits in the mid-80s and has been one of the best in baseball, ranking 4.9 runs above average in 2013. His curveball has been even better; at 5.0 runs above average, it has been the best hammer in the American League this season.</p>
<p>Through the first six innings of his last start, Sanchez was once again carving up another hapless offense. <span>Neil Walker</span> was the only Pirate to reach base until <span>Garrett Jones</span> singled with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning. Then, the wheels came off. A walk, a wild pitch, a stolen base, and four hits later, Sanchez's night was done and the Tigers saw a 3-1 lead turn into a 5-3 deficit that they would not overcome. Conspiracy theorists might say that Sanchez was fatigued from throwing 130 pitches in his previous outing, a one-hit shutout against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota Twins</a> (damn you <span>Joe Mauer</span>). However, Dan and Jim* didn't hint to this being the case, and after throwing just 93 pitches against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a> I wouldn't expect it to be a factor tonight.</p>
<p><i>*MLB At Bat works in Peru, just in case you were wondering.</i></p>
<p><b>These are not your older brother's Rays</b></p>
<p>How brutal is the AL East this year? The Rays currently sit in fourth place, but would lead the AL Central by half a game if they were in the Tigers' division. They started off the year cold, winning just five of their first 15 games. Since that 5-10 stretch, the Rays have gone 26-15.</p>
<p>This is largely thanks to an offense that has scored 5.63 runs per game in that stretch and is fourth in the American League in runs scored overall. <span>Evan Longoria</span> has stayed healthy, hitting .305/.361/.527 with 10 home runs in 56 games. <span>Desmond Jennings</span> rebounded after a rough April to hit .282/.347/.437 with 14 RBI and 14 runs scored in May. <span>Matt Joyce</span> and <span>Kelly Johnson</span> have 10 home runs apiece from the corner outfield slots, allowing the Rays to keep <span>Wil Myers</span> in the minor leagues and further delay that precious arbitration clock.</p>
<p><span>James Loney</span>, the latest of Joe Maddon's reclamation projects, is hitting .326/.394/.525, which is partially buoyed by a .340 BABIP. His numbers get even better away from Tropicana Field -- .371/.426/.577 with four home runs and 18 RBI -- but that .395 BABIP has to regress at some point. He has also had limited success against left-handers this year, hitting .333/.388/.556 in 49 plate appearances. A career .256/.309/.366 hitter against lefties, I would not expect this new-found ability to hit southpaws to stick.</p>
<p><b>Outlook</b></p>
<p>It's not surprising that Moore has been so good in 2013, it's just surprising at how he has done it. While 8.27 strikeouts per nine innings is nothing to sneeze at, it's not unreasonable to expect that rate to get higher as he develops, given his ridiculous strikeout rates in the minor leagues. Tonight, I'm interested in his ability to miss bats. The Tigers have the second-lowest strikeout rate in the American League, just ahead of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Orioles</a> -- who had one of the highest K rates in the league in 2012, weird -- and the second-highest OPS against lefties in all of baseball. Moore may be able to dance his way around the lineup like he has with others this year, but given how bad the Tigers have made many a pitcher look at the CoPa, I'd bet on some BABIP regression.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Sanchez is striking out anyone and everyone in 2013. His elevated strikeout rate won't hang around forever, but until hitters stop whiffing at a 13% clip (thanks Atlanta) he's going to keep setting people down. The problem? That might start tonight. The Rays have the lowest whiff rate in all of baseball at a stingy 7.8%, largely due to the fact that they swing at just 25.3% of pitches outside the strike zone, also the lowest rate in baseball. Sanchez has gotten a healthy dose of his swinging strikes within the strike zone. Opposing hitters make contact with just 80.5% of his pitches within the strike zone, the second lowest rate in baseball among qualified pitchers (behind <span>Max Scherzer</span>).</p>
<p>The real battle between Sanchez and the Rays' offense will be whether the Rays can string together baserunners to score runs. Sanchez has been able to limit the home run ball thanks to a 31.6% fly ball rate and still has yet to allow a big fly at home this season. He can be prone to bad inning, as we saw in Pittsburgh last week, but he can make it a lot tougher on the Rays if he continues to pound the strike zone. He has only walked 2.0 batters per nine innings since joining the Tigers and has allowed a .445 OPS at home this season. If he limits the big inning, the Tigers should pick up a W.</p>
<p><b>Prediction</b></p>
<p>The offense gets back on track and hands Moore his first loss of the season.</p>
<h4>More Roars:</h4>
<p>•<a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/3/4391932/petriello-detroit-tigers-should-bench-victor-martinez?utm_source=blessyouboys&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=moreroars">FanPost: Don’t bench V-Mart</a></p>
<p>•<a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/3/4390448/gif-torii-hunter-umpire-dead-weight-prank?utm_source=blessyouboys&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=moreroars">Overanalysis: Phil Coke wasn’t that bad Sunday</a></p>
<p>•<a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/3/4393410/don-kelly-belongs-in-the-majors?utm_source=blessyouboys&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=moreroars">FanPost: Don Kelly belongs in the majors</a></p>
<p>•<a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/3/4390530/two-months-into-the-season-do-the-tigers-have-the-leagues-best-offense?utm_source=blessyouboys&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=moreroars">Patrick: Do the Tigers have the league’s best offense?</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.twitter.com/blessyouboys" target="_blank"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2329827/byb-twitter-insert.png" class="photo" alt="Byb-twitter-insert"></a></p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/4/4394588/2013-game-56-preview-tampa-bay-rays-at-detroit-tigersRob Rogacki