Don't Wake The Sleeping Giant - Tigers Rally For 11-9 Win

Game in a Nutshell

I have to admit, I was about to call this blog a jinx and stop writing for a while. But then out of nowhere the Tigers that we expected to watch this year showed up and started smacking the ball around like they were playing pick up ball in the Dominican. Detroit fell behind 2-0 in the 2nd after Pudge Rodriguez dropped a foul pop up that started a two-out rally by the Twins against Jeremy Bonderman. In the 6th, it was another error, this time by Clete Thomas, that expanded the Twins lead to 5-0. That's when the game got exciting. In the bottom of the 6th, Gary Sheffield and Magglio Ordonez started a two-out rally against starter Nick Blackburn with singles followed by an RBI single by Miguel Cabrera. Carlos Guillen, who can barely walk, followed with a two-run double and the Tigers were back in business. Matt Guerrier came in to face Edgar Renteria, who singled to bring the game to 5-4, but was tagged out to end the inning. Bonderman remained to start the 7th, but was replaced by Bobby Seay after giving up two singles with one out. To no one's surprise, Seay spontaneously combusted giving up a walk and three singles as the Twins took a 9-4 lead and the game seemed over once again. To lead off the bottom of the 7th, Pudge hit a solo shot to close the score at 9-5 with the next three batters all shut down by Guerrier. Francis Beltran replaced Seay and pitched a scoreless 8th, giving up a lone double. Then we had fireworks in Detroit. Sheffield and Ordonez led off the inning with back-to-back doubles with Sheff scoring to make it 9-6. Cabrera hit a slow roller to short, but he reached first on Adam Everett's throwing error. Guillen then singled to cut the lead to two, followed by a fielder's choice by Renteria. Pudge then tripled to right center field, scoring two and we had a tied ball game with only one out. Jacque Jones hit a sharp line drive to left, Pudge tagged up and Detroit took a 10-9 lead. With the crowd going crazy, Clete Thomas hit another triple to keep the inning alive. Placido Polanco wrapped a single up the middle to give the Tigers a two-run lead before Sheff struck out to end the inning. Todd Jones came in for his second save chance of the season, giving up a hit and a walk. With Jonesy making things as nervous as possible like usual, Ryan Raburn made a tremendous catch as a defensive replacement in left to end the game in dramatic fashion. Whew. What. A. Game.




Bullpen Watch


Bobby Seay came in for Bonderman with one out in the 7th and was a complete disaster. Brought in to face the lefty tandem of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, he didn't get either of them. He managed to give up two runs awarded to Bondo and two runs of his own before getting just two outs. Francis Beltran pitched much better than his last outing, getting the win and pitching a scoreless 8th. Jonesy recorded his second save of the season in his typical nerve-wrecking style. But he got the job done and that's what he does.

Concern Level: 7 out of 10




Today's Key Play


With one out in the bottom of the 8th, the Tigers were rallying and cut the lead to two runs with one out. Pudge Rodriguez, who had made a costly error in the 2nd inning, made up for it big time with a two-run triple that tied the game at nine apiece. His fire and enthusiasm had Comerica Park rocking and the Tigers were on their way to an impressive comeback win.




Tiger of the Game: Carlos Guillen



Pudge's triple may have been the play of the game, but it was Carlos Guillen who had the biggest impact on this night. Playing with a hamstring pull that made it look like he could barely walk, Guillen went 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs and a run scored. Every hit was crucial and he even managed to play solid defense at first despite barely being able to move. A gutsy performance from our star who doesn't get the type of attention that Ordonez and Cabrera receives from the media. He deserves all the positive press he can get.