Cleveland Indians 10, Detroit Tigers 2

Nate Robertson‘s struggles continued on Monday as he gave up 6 earned runs before being lifted in the third inning.  Robertson (1-2) has given up 12 earned runs in 14.2 innings (14 runs if you count 2 unearned runs) and only looked sharp, ironically, in the 4/12 loss to Chicago (his only quality start).

I’m a fan of Nate’s, but he is giving up a lot of runs.  I have to wonder how long before Leyland/Dombrowski decide to give someone else a shot?  I imagine that he’ll get at least a few more starts before needing to worry, but his performances (or reaction to them) on this West Coast road trip may give us an idea.

Solo homeruns from both Chris Shelton and Carlos Guillen accounted for all of Detroit’s runs in Monday’s loss to the Indians.  Batting sixth and seventh, these guys are accounting for a bulk of the runs for the Tigers in this young season.  Further, I bet that both Shelton (who has been quoted to this effect) and Guillen would tell you that they’re not trying to hit homeruns.  Whether this is strictly true does not really matter to me, since they’re hitting them, but I wonder if Dmitri Young and Magglio Ordonez would say the same thing?  Lackluster production from the middle of the lineup so far this season could be a symptom of hitters swinging for the fences too often instead of the grass.

LEYLAND LESS THAN PLEASED

Following Monday’s loss, Jim Leyland was upset with his team (and his post-game locker room tirade was widely reported), and rightfully so.  In each of the losses on this homestand, the Tigers failed to execute at the plate when even a single would’ve meant runners scored.  The team showed the all-too-familiar lack of urgency which was so noticeable last season.

While the lack of concentration and production at the plate is clearly an issue, I begin to question some of the decisions to leave the pitchers in when they’re taking a beating.  Maybe it’s because it is early in the season, but if you ask me, Robertson should’ve been yanked out when the score was 4-1 instead of when it was 7-1 in the 3rd.

Leyland on drubbing: `We stunk. We weren’t ready’
Shelton hits No. 9, but Tigers fall

HOMESICK

Detroit finished their opening homestand 2-5 after splitting the four game series with the Cleveland Indians.  The Tigers, now 7-6, have a losing record only against the White Sox (0-3).  Though swept by Chicago, the games were reasonably close; the ugliest losses of this homestand were against the Indians.  In the losses to Cleveland, the offense was absent and impotent, scoring just 4 runs in the contests combined; a sum insufficient to win either of them.  Despite several opportunities with runners on base, the Tigers were unable to take advantage at the plate.

SERIES WRAP

4/14: Cleveland Indians 1, Detroit Tigers 5
4/15: Cleveland Indians 7, Detroit Tigers 2
4/16: Cleveland Indians 0, Detroit Tigers 1
4/17: Cleveland Indians 10, Detroit Tigers 2

OTHER NOTES

If you haven’t been hibernating up to this point, then you don’t need me to tell you that Chris Shelton is off to an amazing start.  He has hit 9 homeruns in 13 games this season; an AL record.

Joel Zumaya is off to a great start and looked especially good following staff finesse lefties Kenny Rogers and Mike Maroth.

Maroth’s Elbow Improving

COMING UP

The Tigers begin a three game series in Oakland with the A’s on Tuesday night.  Justin Verlander should get the start, looking to come back from his rough outing on Saturday.  After faltering at home, the Tigers need to continue their stellar play on the road (where they are currently 5-1).  It will be interesting to see how players react to their first noteable tongue-lashing from Leyland.