May 19, 2008

The Non Sequiturs: Triple-Digit Heat Edition

Like Nuke LaLoosh, summer is announcing its presence with authority.
Triple digits returned to the desert on Sunday — a mere 104. Today the temps approached 110.
Big whoop. If you can’t handle the heat, don’t dish out The Non Sequiturs.
Or something like that.

Charley Steiner spoke with national baseball writer Phil Rogers of the Chicago [...]

May 18, 2008

Game 43: Winning Ugly Can Be Beauteous

The Gist: Armando Galarraga threw a gem, Matt Joyce went deep and the Tigers eeked out a one-run victory, 3-2 over flame-throwing D’backs rookie Max Scherzer. It wasn’t a lot of offense, but the Tigers got enough and were able to overcome some untimely walks issued from the bullpen. The play of the game, at [...]

May 7, 2008

Game 34: Knuckled Under

The Gist: The Tigers couldn’t hit Tim Wakefield, though it wasn’t for a lack of trying. The lack of plate discipline arrived just in time to send the Tigers to a 5-0 loss to the Red Sox. That’s five in a row, if you’re counting. And my man, Tigers starter Nate Robertson? Oof.
The Quote: “I [...]

May 1, 2008

A Look Back at April

Tigers April Record: 13-15
Individual Batting Leaders (minimum 20 games, my totally subjective criteria)

Average: Carlos Guillen, .321
Home Runs: Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez, 5
RBI: Cabrera/Ordonez, 19
OBP: Guillen, .414
OPS: Guillen, .938
SLG: Guillen, .524
SB: Guillen, Pudge Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, 3

Individual Pitching Leaders

Wins: Five pitchers tied with two each - Jeremy Bonderman, Armando Galarraga, Aquilino Lopez, Clay Rapada, Kenny Rogers
ERA

Starter: [...]

April 26, 2008

Game 25: Hmm, Maybe This Was the Best Game of the Year

ESPN highlights available here.

The Gist: Armando Galarraga continues to wow and the Tigers’ Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco and Magglio Ordoñez each knocked two hits in a 6-4 win over the Angels. Galarraga took a no-hitter into the sixth but ended up without a decision. He allowed three runs (one earned), three hits and two walks [...]

April 21, 2008

Game 20: Armando Does It Again

ESPN highlights available here.

The Gist: While he wasn’t as sharp as his Tigers debut in Cleveland last week, Armando Galarraga gave the Tigers another solid outing in the finale at SkyDome — or whatever — 5-1, to earn a split against the Blue Jays. The bullpen was superb though Todd Jones allowed a ninth-inning home [...]

April 16, 2008

Game 15: A Giant Clicking Sound Emerges from Tigers Offense

ESPN highlights available here.

The Gist: The Tigers won their third game in a row — and in a route — over the Indians, 13-2. Where to start? How about with the pitching of Armando Galarraga? Two runs and only one hit over 6.2 innings.
And then there’s Miguel Cabrera who, as recently as Sunday, couldn’t [...]

April 16, 2008

Game 14: Tigers Borrow Rally Monkey Again

ESPN highlights available here.
The Gist: Powered by four home runs — solo shots from Gary Sheffield, Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez and a two-run dinger from Miguel Cabrera — the Tigers defeated the Twins 6-5 and swept the mini-series. Nate Robertson appears to be working his way back into form with 6.1 innings pitched, four [...]