Pounding the Pavement

I can thank the Tigers for being the source of a unique experience for me tonight. It marked the first time I was so angry after a game that I had to run it off.

I'm no fitness freak. Far, far from it, as those who know me will attest. I likes to eat. However, there were a truckload of toxins coursing through my system after the Metrodome meltdown, and I was just enough in my right mind to know that I didn't want to start abusing my family members or punting my 11-week old kitten across the living room like a football.

So, I pulled on the sports bra and some shorts and took off. I only wish I had left right after Lyon surrendered the three run shot to Cuddyer, because at that moment my adrenaline would have propelled me for at least 10 miles. I am a "loyal" fan however (translation "stubborn and stupid"), so I stuck around for the rest of the debacle. Glad Verlander and Polanco showed up for the game, since noone else seemed to feel the need.

I'm really not one to make excuses, so I'm not going to mention that the Metrodome is evil incarnate and must be destroyed. I'm not one to lay blame in a team sport, so I'm not going to fault Jim Leyland for putting Don Kelly in left field at the aforementioned Dome. I'm also not a liar, so I'll tell you that I was ranting like a madwoman when Kelly lost that fly ball against the accursed Metrodome ceiling.

I've already been a wreck for these past two games, and now Nate Robertson is starting tomorrow. Not quite sure I'll be making it through the game without a ventilator or intravenous tranquilizers.

Four in One

Sorry to say it, but the gaudy stuff does grab the headlines.  Clete Thomas broke a 5-5 tie, and put the game out of reach this afternoon with one mighty swat.  It was the first grand slam of his career, and he sure picked a dramatic spot.  After getting swept by the Red Sox, we most definitely didn't want to lose the series to the Halos.

This game was tense throughout, we were down early, came back to lead 4-3, walked in the tying run, etc.   Pretty Little Ricky did a nice job steadying himself after giving up three in the first.  Not a great performance, but I like grit, and he sure gave us that through five. 

So, when we tied the game (nice bluff home to induce the errant throw, Raburn!) and then loaded the bases with two outs (we can send the Angels pitching staff a fruit basket for issuing four walks in that inning), I found myself wound a wee bit tight, worrying that we'd strand the bases juiced, and I would leap off the edge of sanity into some pitiful state of lunacy.

Clete Thomas decided that shred of sanity was worth saving (and for that, I thank him).   He wouldn't even come out for a curtain call, when the fans were imploring him with chants.  Aw.  His humility seems quite genuine, so it's pretty durn adorable.

Now, I'm beginning to wonder about our Skipper a little.  I guess maybe he has to do it (but I don't think he really does), but why, why I ask, does he keep putting Rodney in the game for the now fabled "non-save situations?"   It would be laughable if it weren't so maddening.  Even FSN had the hideous splits plastered all over for the viewing masses to see.  Actually, in this game, Perry, Seay, and  Zumaya had already pitched, so maybe it was better than watching Brandon Lyon trot out of the pen.  But still, it's a valid question for Skip, no?

A Greinke, A Greinke, A Fun and a Wonderful Toy

So we got Greinke-d for the second time this year.  At least we can’t say it hasn’t happened to a lot of other teams.  And really, we had our opportunities with some early baserunners, but they got erased by timely (untimely) double plays.

 

Um, did Edwin Jackson skip out on PFP this spring?  Errant throws by pitchers that remind us of the 2006 World Series are not permitted.

 

It’s a good thing the “Who’s Your Tiger” campaign has come to an end, because no one would have Brandon Lyon as their Tiger, and this would give him quite a complex.  I’m sorry, but when you come into a game and immediately surrender the long ball, it’s just not endearing.

 

It was nice to see Nate Robertson have a clean outing, even if it was only a third of an inning.  Straight zeros across his line.  Very neat and tidy.

 

That’s all I got for last night’s game folks.  Let’s just move on--quickly.

Bad Dreams

Too bad it wasn't just a bad dream, although it sure seemed like one.  I dozed off a couple times (sorry) during last night's west coast game.  I did awaken at the most inopportune times, however.  First, to see Brandon Lyon give up the go-ahead run on Gary Matthew's double.  (Lyon is not yet endearing himself to the Tiger faithful.)  Then, I get to see our flameout in the ninth.

Actually, I'm not going to bellyache too much about it.  Carlos Guillen did his job to get on base as leadoff.  He of the sore Achilles was promptly replaced with pinch runner Josh Anderson.   Adam Everett !! comes in as a pinch hitter, and can't execute the bunt.  (We find out after the game that Thames was unavailable due to an rib-cage-muscle injury that puts him on the DL, and recalls Ryan Raburn from Toledo.)  Anderson gets picked off.  Everett then proceeds to strike out.  These things will happen from time to time.  We've done pretty well on risky plays so far this year (two successful squeezes).  So, I'm not going to go off the deep end over last night's failed steal and sac bunt.

Let's just say that I'll be hoping for better "dreams" tonight.

Will Lyon Become a Tiger?

According to ESPN.com's MLB Rumors, Brandon Lyon will shortly be meeting with the Tigers, either today or tomorrow, with apparent "mutual interest."

Face it now Tiger faithful, we're not going to sign a top tier, lights out type closer.  Lyon lost the closer's job with the Diamondbacks last year, enduring a terrible second half of the season, to the tune of a post all-star break ERA of 8.46!

We're going to have to hope for come back of the year type performances either by Lyon, Rodney or some other guy, or a break out rookie performance by someone like Casey Fien, or a blossoming performance by Rule 5 pick Kyle Bloom.

Just about our whole stinking pitching staff is a riddled with  "what ifs" and "hopefullys," along with a gamble or two thrown in for good measure.

Here's looking at 2009, Tigers Fans!