In The Win Column: Tigers Beat Sox 7-2

Game in a Nutshell

What a relief! The bats finally came alive for the Tigers tonight as they put seven runs on the board behind a big night from Edgar Renteria and one big swing from Marcus Thames. Jeremy Bonderman pitched a very solid five innings giving up five hits and two runs with only one run earned. The bullpen had its best night of the young season holding Boston scoreless for the final four innings. Renteria got Detroit on the board with a two-run double in the 4th that tied the game at two apiece. With Edgar still on second base, Marcus Thames came to the plate and blasted one over the green monster to give the Tigers their first lead in what seemed like decades. In the 8th with two on, Clete Thomas pinch hit for Thames and laid down a beautiful bunt to move the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Clete's bunt led the way for Brandon Inge's two-run single that blew the game open for the Tigers. Carlos Guillen added a solo shot in the 9th to give Detroit a 7-2 lead. Bonderman was resilient, the bullpen was fantastic, and the ice melted off our cedar. It feels good to get a W, doesn't it?




Bullpen Watch


Bobby Seay replaced Bonderman with no outs in the 6th after a single by Manny Ramirez. Seay was tough as nails getting all three batters he faced in the inning and also got Jacoby Ellsbury to fly out to start the 7th. Francis Beltran replaced Seay and gave up a double to Julio Lugo, but managed to get a ground out and a line-drive out to end the inning unscathed. Denny Bautista came in as our set up man and forced David Ortiz to ground out. Ramirez then singled, but Bautista got Sean Casey to ground into a double play to end the 8th. Todd Jones came in for the 9th in a non-save situation and made things interesting as usual. Jonesy gave up two hits and a walk, but still was cagey enough to finish the game without giving up a run. A great overall performance by our 'pen tonight. It was real encouraging. Enough to even drop my concern level a point.

Concern Level: 7 out of 10




Today's Key Play



Renteria's double to tie the game at 2-2 was a huge hit for Detroit, but it was Thames two-run shot that really dropped the proverbial piano off our back tonight. Bonderman had a little bit of wiggle room and everyone seemed to loosen up just a bit after Marcus' big swing. Hopefully we can look back at this homer as the jack that broke the ice and got us on a winning track.




Tiger of the Game: Edgar Renteria



Edgar Renteria finished the night going 3-4 with a walk, two RBIs on his crucial double, and two runs scored. Not only was he gigantic at the plate, he was very busy in the field as well. Guillen may have saved him a few times with some nice snags at first, but Edgar still made the plays. This is the kind of play from Renteria that will make our lineup a force to be reckoned with once the weather warms up East of the Mississippi.