Game 26: Thud

The Gist: The anticipation of seeing the Tigers’ complete lineup for the first time all year was squashed and the Detroit Momentum Train was derailed by a stellar pitching performance. This time by the Angels’ Jered Weaver: two runs, four hits and four walks and struck out five over 6.1 innings. The result? A 6-2 thumping of the Tigers in front of another national TV audience. As for the Tigers’ Justin Verlander, well…another dud: six runs, seven hits and four walks in 5.2 innings. Edgar Renteria and Pudge Rodriguez drove in the Tigers’ two runs.

The Quote: “[Fans ask], ‘Why bat him three? Why don’t you bat him eighth?’ If you don’t think a guy’s going to hit, why even bat him at all?” — Jim Leyland on the skidding Gary Sheffield.

The Stat: 3. The number of RBI by Torii Hunter who, despite a new uniform, continues to drub Detroit pitching.

My Two Cents: The Tigers played admirably in the first two games of the series but ran into a buzz saw on Sunday night. That’s too bad because after the tightly played Friday and Saturday games, one might have expected that a weary, homeward-bound team might be whooped after trips to Boston and Detroit. But let’s be real. Mike Scioscia doesn’t allow that to happen.

The Angels return to Detroit for a three-gamer Sept. 2-4. It will be fun to watch what happens between now and then. Come September, we’ll either be watching two teams destined for a post-season matchup, or we won’t.

Up Next: Tuesday – Tigers @ Yankees

Kenny Rogers (1-3, 7.66) vs. Phil Hughes (0-3, 7.85)