Tigers Sweep Twins for Seventh Straight Win
Minnesota Twins 3, Detroit Tigers 5
Kenny Rogers pitched his seventh win this afternoon, making him the first pitcher in baseball with as many and capping a three game sweep of the Minnesota Twins. The Tigers’ win, coupled with Chicago’s loss this evening to Tampa Bay awards sole possession of both the best record in baseball and first place in the AL Central; Detroit now leads Chicago by 1 game.
The win wasn’t the prettiest thing. The Tigers commited errors on defense and on the basepaths. Closer Todd Jones allowed three straight two-out hits and a run before he was able to close out the game for his 12th save in 13 attempts. Jones has been unconvincing in the closer’s role. In 13.1 innings this season, Jones has allowed 18 hits, 6 earned runs and blown one save. In short, Todd Jones has come into close games and made them closer; much closer than they need to be. So far, despite his less-than-dominant pitching, Jones has been able to get the job done. I’d have to say, however, that he is one of the few weak spots this team has shown during their hot start.
As the season progresses, Tigers fans have to keep looking into the past. For example, today we have to look back to August 1993 to find the last time the Detroit Tigers won seven straight games. To find the last Tigers manager with three or more five-game win streaks in his tenure, let alone inside of the first 40 games, you’d have to look up Sparky Anderson. To find the last Tigers team to be in first place later than mid-April, you’d have to go all the way back to 1993 again. Ripe on the lips of many Tigers fans is another legendary year: 1984. I try to keep my mind away from that year as much as possible; it is, after all, only May. The baseball season is a long one, but one thing is certain: Looking to the past is much, much better than looking forward to next year, where before a season is very old, Tigers fans (the ones who have stuck around) have been looking for twelve years.
COMING UP
Rumors, speculation and all kinds of other links and goodies I’ve been saving.
Interleague play begins this weekend as the Cincinatti Reds, the this year’s answer to the Detroit Tigers for the National League, come to Detroit for a three game series. Jeremy Bonderman (4-2, 3.74 ERA) will take the hill for the Detroit Tigers. Brandon Claussen (2-4, 4.96 ERA) will pitch for the Reds. The game will be televised live in Detroit markets on TV 20. The game will also be late-casted following Detroit Pistons coverage on FSN Detroit. Gametime is 7:05 PM EDT.
Looking Forward
The 2006 season has started with a bang for the Detroit Tigers. As the team continues to play well, it brings up some interesting questions as the season unfolds; questions the likes of which Tigers fans have not had the luxury of pondering for a long time.
I want your comments/thoughts on the following questions:
- Jim Leyland said during spring training that the Tigers lacked swagger. Has the team gained that swagger now? If so, when/how have they shown it? If not, what’s missing?
- During spring training, it was said that if the team showed that they could be competitive, Tigers’ owner Mike Ilitch would be willing to spend some money and/or make some key acquisitions to put them over the top. Have the Tigers done enough for Mike Ilitch and Dave Dombrowski to be willing to pull the trigger? If not, what does the team need to do?
- If Mike Ilitch/Dave Dombrowski do make some moves/acquistions to put the team over the top (as described above), what position(s) will be addressed? Which players do you think will be moved or otherwise displaced by their decisions?
Provide me with your thoughts/comments and I’ll provide mine sometime this weekend.
IT’S FUN AGAIN! Good Start Builds Buzz in City & Nationally
Pudge says that this team has the talent to go to the World Series this year. Detroit is becoming cautiously geeked about their baseball team’s hot start.
Quick Notes (5/5)
It was my intention to write up this big monthly review. I was gonna talk about April and the state of the offense, bullpen, starting pitching, bench, coaching and whatever else. However, I can’t seem to get it done. I don’t know if it’s the pain killers or what, but I can’t do it. How lame is it that I’m writing a full paragraph about my writer’s block?
Whatever.
I’m going to move on and get this thing rolling again. So here goes, I’m gonna get caught up with the Quick Notes.
John Donovan: MLB Power Rankings (SI.com)
Detroit stays hot…and #6.
Young Set for Rehab Stint
Apparently, there was some question as to whether Dmitri was going to take kindly to rehab assignment in Toledo or Erie. Drama avoided.
Tigers Send Gomez Packing as Young Returns
Gomez has been designated for assignment and could be picked up by another team off waivers, should they choose to claim him during the next 72 business hours. Though Gomez came up with a few clutch hits during his stint in Detroit, he was batting .222 and was simply unconvincing at the plate. Dmitri Young will join the Tigers tonight in Minnesota.
SERIES WRAPS
@ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
4/24: Detroit Tigers 0, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 3
4/25: Detroit Tigers 5, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 2
4/26: Detroit Tigers 0, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 4
Minnesota Twins
4/28: Minnesota Twins 0, Detroit Tigers 9
4/29: Minnesota Twins 1, Detroit Tigers 18
4/30: Minnesota Twins 0, Detroit Tigers 6
Kansas City Twins
5/1: Kansas City Royals 2, Detroit Tigers 3
5/2: Kansas City Royals 1, Detroit Tigers 4
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
5/3: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1, Detroit Tigers 2
5/4: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 7, Detroit Tigers 2
COMING UP
The Tigers head to Minnesota to start a nine game road trip. They’ll visit the Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians. Kenny Rogers (4-2, 2.59 ERA) will pitch for the Tigers, who are looking to break open a new win streak against the struggling Minnesota Twins. Kyle Lohse (1-2, 8.77 ERA) will pitch for Minnesota. The game will not be televised in the Detroit/Michigan markets.
My Traitorous Appendix
My traitorous appendix was removed from my bowels last Wednesday. This is my weak excuse for my lack of updates – I’ve just been more focused on selfish things, like breathing and walking.
COMING UP
Some updates…maybe. Maybe today.
Quick Notes (4/25)
John Donovan: MLB Power Rankings (SI.com)
Sports Illustrated writer John Donovan has Detroit ranked #6, ChiSox #1.
Rule 5 Comes Out of the Shadows
Shelton isn’t the first to excel after being dropped by his team; other players have too, much to the dismay of the abandoning clubs.
DH changes Leyland’s Strategy with Pitchers
Leyland on differences in managing in the AL and strategy he may use in the future.
Tigers’ Win Streak Stalls with Offense
Detroit Tigers 0, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 3
Great pitching carried the Tigers through at least a few of the games on their now-defunct winning streak, but it was not enough to roll Detroit to a sixth-straight win. Kenny Rogers pitched 7 strong innings, giving up 2 earned runs on 4 hits. Jordan Tata turned in another solid inning of work, allowing no earned runs.
Angels pitcher Ervin Santana was simply dominant, pitching 6 scoreless innings and recording 10 strikeouts. Further, the bullpen of the so-called Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim maintained its well-respected reputation by completing the shut-out Santana had started.
Tim Salmon led the way for the so-called Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with a solo homerun and an RBI single; the only runs allowed by Tigers’ starter Kenny Rogers.
Though the Tigers have won four of their last five, the offense has struggled to produce runs; averaging just 2.8 runs per game and stranding 78 runners (Team LOB of 37) over the same span. In order to maintain the pace that Detroit has set in this young season, they must find a way to get more of those runners across the plate. For starters, I think a shake-up in the line-up and a day off for slumping first-baseman Chris Shelton are in order.
OTHER NOTES
Craig Monroe went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts on Monday night; his average has now sunk to .205.
The Detroit Free Press contacted me this week about MLBlogs. By this time next week, I could be famous.
If you haven’t checked out MLB.com’s Gameday feature, it is a great way to experience the game when you’re unable to watch or listen to it; in fact, I will often keep Gameday on my screen when I’m watching or listening to the game. Featuring pitch-location, hit-location and an in-game box score, Gameday brings you all of the action live: play by play and pitch by pitch. I know this sounds like a commercial, but seriously, it’s probably better than any other site that you might be using and it’s offered free by MLB.com.
(click thumbnail on left for more detail)
COMING UP
Jeremy Bonderman (1-2, 5.55 ERA) will attempt to bounce back from a rough start as the Tigers take on the so-called Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the second game of this three game series. Bonderman is poised to bounce back with a good outing and with the rest of the rotation around him performing as well as they are, I think his chances are pretty good. Hector Carrasco (0-0, 4.38 ERA) will pitch for the Angels. This game will not be televised; gametime is 10:05 PM EDT.
Detroit Wins Fifth Straight
For the second time this month, Detroit is on a five game win-streak, including a three game sweep of the Seattle Mariners, which was completed with Sunday’s win. The Tigers managed to win five straight just twice all of last season. Further, five straight wins was the most consecutive wins they put together in the 2005 season; they topped out at six straight wins (once) during the 2004 season.
If only they would do that at home; the Tigers are 12-7: 10-2 on the road and 2-5 at home.
SERIES WRAP
4/21: Detroit Tigers 2, Seattle Mariners 1
4/22: Detroit Tigers 2, Seattle Mariners 0
4/23: Detroit TIgers 6, Seattle Mariners 4
OTHER NOTES
Bonds: Passing Aaron Not Likely
COMING UP
Detroit heads to Anaheim for a three game set with the so-called Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Quick Notes (4/23)
4/21: Detroit Tigers 2, Seattle Mariners 1
Mike Maroth rolls Detroit to their 3rd straight victory, taking the series opener against Seattle.
4/22: Detroit Tigers 2, Seattle Mariners 0
Detroit wins their 4th straight game, thanks to a strong outing from lefty Nate Robertson. Despite a shut-out, the game isn’t without blemishes as Tigers’ batters strand 20 baserunners (LOB 20, Team LOB 10).
COMING UP
Justin Verlander (1-2, 5.40 ERA) takes the mound as Detroit aims to sweep the Seattle Mariners in the third and final game in this series. Felix Hernandez (0-2, 6.14 ERA) will pitch for the Mariners. Gametime is 4:05 PM EDT; the contest will be televised both on FSN Detroit and TV 20.
Beck’s Blog: Different Lineup Sunday
Jason Beck reports that lineup changes in today’s game include: Guillen batting fifth at DH, and Omar Infante batting third and playing third base.
Quick Notes (4/21)
Spurling Sent to Toledo
Leyland on Spurling, Rodney and the bullpen. Changes for tonight’s lineup include: Vance Wilson behind the plate, Pudge at DH, Monore in center and Thames in left (Granderson has the night off).
TIGERS CORNER: Rodney will be relieved
During Todd Jones’ 2 1/2 week stint on the DL, the bullpen has not blown a save or lost a game…Leyland on Spurling, Rodney, the bullpen, and Pudge playing first base.
TODD JONES: Leyland’s meeting: Healthy, necessary
Todd Jones (in his column for the Detroit Free Press) on new Tigers manager Jim Leyland.
Spurling to AAA Toledo
Chris Spurling was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday to make room for closer Todd Jones, who is returning from a pulled left hamstring. Jones will be active in Friday night’s series opener with the Seattle Mariners.
This move came as a surprise to me, as Spurling was so strong last season and was (not unlike Fernando Rodney or Jamie Walker) pretty much guaranteed a bullpen spot entering spring training. Still, Spurling has struggled early this season, giving up 4 earned runs, including 2 homeruns in his 7 innings (6 appearances); Spurling had also recorded 2 strikeouts and 2 walks. I was thinking that either Jordan Tata, who was called up when Jones went onto the DL, or Jason Grilli would have been sent down. Both are young pitchers who can be used in long relief situations and are prospective starters.
Chris Spurling was to have been used in the middle-relief/set-up role. Joel Zumaya, who has been dominant in his appearnces thus far, seems poised to step into Spurling’s role. If the 2006 Todd Jones turns out to be anything like the 2005 Todd Jones, then I like the sounds of a Zumaya-Rodney-Jones, 7-8-9 combo.
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