Detroit Tigers 4, Oakland Athletics 3

The Detroit Tigers clinched a series win in Oakland on Thursday, coming from behind in the 9th inning for the win.  The Tigers entered the ninth inning down by 2 runs in a game that had been scoreless since the first inning.  Back-to-back RBI singles from Chris Shelton and Carlos Guillen tied the game 3-3 before Justin Duchscherer, in for injured A’s closer Huston Street, would eventually walk home the winning run.

Brandon Inge kept the threat alive in the 9th taking a walk after a marathon 15-pitch at-bat; a truly impressive feat which, though bizarre, I would call the play of the game.

The offense finally came through for Detroit in the ninth inning, but not without failing to score on multiple opportunities in the middle innings.  For example, Detroit had the middle of the lineup at the plate with 2 runners on base and no outs in the sixth, but came away empty-handed.  So far, clutch/situational hitting has not been a strong point for the Tigers.

Jeremy Bonderman gave up three runs in the first inning but recovered to turn in a quality start.  Over 7 innings, Bonderman allowed 3 earned runs on 5 hits and 2 walks.  Though Bonderman was able to hold the A’s to three runs, he still struggled at times with control.  In his last two starts, Bonderman has not shown the command and dominance he displayed throughout the first half of last season.  Fortunately, his outing on Thursday was good enough.

Fernando Rodney entered the game in the bottom of the eighth and pitched a perfect inning prior to the Tigers’ 9th inning rally.  He returned to the mound in the bottom of the 9th, gave up 1 hit and 2 walks on his way to load the bases.  The last 2 outs of the game came with the bases loaded; a force out at home followed by a game-ending strikeout.  Rodney, who has been filling in at the closer role during Todd Jones’ stint on the disabled list, was brought into the 8th inning with the Tigers’ trailing.  I have to question this coaching decision as it is obvious that this was done with no plan, other than leaving Rodney in the game, in the event that the Tigers were able to tie or take the lead.

OTHER NOTES

Pudge Rodriguez Flexible
Pudge will DH tonight and Vance Wilson will start behind the plate.  Pudge is also interested in helping out at first base.

Ramon Santiago pinch-ran for Chris Shelton in the 9th inning of Thursday’s game, and later moved to shortstop.  Carlos Guillen, who played first base for Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic, moved over to play first base in the bottom of the ninth.  Two good moves by manager Jim Leyland as Shelton is not too quick on the basepaths, nor the most experienced at first base; a potentially dangerous liability during a tight game in Oakland, which has no shortage of foul territory behind first base.

SERIES WRAP

4/18: Detroit Tigers 3, Oakland Athletics 4
4/19: Detroit Tigers 11, Oakland Athletics 4
4/20: Detroit Tigers 4, Oakland Athletics 3

COMING UP

Mike Maroth (2-0, 0.73 ERA) will attempt to lead Detroit to a third straight victory as the Tigers open a three game series with the Seattle Mariners.  Jarrod Washburn (1-2, 5.00 ERA) will pitch for the Seattle Mariners, who are currently last place in the AL West.  The game will be televised on FSN Detroit and is scheduled to start at 10:05 PM EDT.