Another Twist to '08: Tigers Beat White Sox 5-2 Behind Bullpen Effort

Game in a Nutshell

After what has been an odd start to the season to say the least, the Tigers game with the White Sox last night added a whole new level of strange. Dontrelle Willis took the mound to start for Detroit and in the first inning slipped off the mound on a pitch and hyperextended his knee. After attempting a few more pitches, one that flew to the backstop, Willis pulled himself. 9 innings of our bullpen: we're doomed right? Not tonight. Aquilino Lopez, Jason Grilli (seriously), Denny Bautista, and Todd Jones combined to give up only four hits and one run in a 5-2 win. After falling behind 2-0 early, Brandon Inge's single in the 3rd scored Edgar Renteria to get on the board. Later in the 3rd, Magglio Ordonez's two-run single gave the Tigers a 3-2 lead that they wouldn't lose. Clete Thomas' double in the seventh scored a run and Miguel Cabrera's single in the 8th scored another to finish off the scoring for Detroit. A fantastic performance by the bullpen is the main storyline here. It's 2008 Tigers fans, it looks like anything can happen this year. Justin Verlander takes the mound today as the Tigers look to win three out of their last four to try and turn this season around. Gavin Floyd will start for Chicago.




Bullpen Watch


The polar opposite of our first game with Chicago, Detroit's 'pen came in for the injured Willis and blew the White Sox away. Aquilino Lopez, who has probably been our best reliever so far, pitched four innings of three-hit ball giving up one run. Tigers fans sighed as Jason Grilli came in, but he pitched three no-hit innings while holding on to a one-run lead. Denny Bautista came in to get the hold with a scoreless 8th, giving up one hit and getting one strikeout. And in for the save came Todd Jones to work a hitless 9th and even K'd Brian Anderson and Juan Uribe to end the game. Lopez and Bautista are definitely showing some promise and Jonesy is still doing well in his limited opportunities so far this year. Our 2-8 record can't all fall on the bullpen.

Concern Level: 6 out of 10




Today's Key Play



In the top of the 3rd, the Tigers were trailing by one run with the our starter already in the dugout. After an intentional walk to Carlos Guillen, Magglio Ordonez came to the plate with the bases loaded and a chance to finish off Jose Contreras for the night. His two-run single on a line drive to center field scoring Brandon Inge and Placido Polanco gave Detroit a 3-2 lead. Contreras was pulled and the Tigers were on their way to their second win in three games.




Tiger of the Game: Jason Grilli



I can't believe I'm writing this, but since no Tigers hitter really stood out last night I have to give this one to Jason Grilli. Grilli's three scoreless innings without giving up a hit was impressive especially considering Detroit was holding a one-run lead for the majority of his outing. No matter how much we complain about Grilli, we might as well try to support him because Leyland is going to use him in key spots throughout this year. Let's hope we see a lot more of this Grilli than his past few trips to the mound.