Tigers struggle to score runs vs Greinke

Zack Greinke has been pretty much unhitable this season. Today versus the Tigers was no different. Greinke pitched a complete game 3 hitter, only allowing 1 Unearned run. He also had 10 strikeouts. He has not given up an earned run yet this season. Greinke now 4-0 with an ERA that is decent, 0.00 .

Rick Porcello did not pitch great. He gave up an opposite field shot to Mark Teahen in the first, and ended up giving up 5 runs, 4 earned in 6 innings.

Tough night for the Tigers. Need a win tomorrow.

Royals 6 Tigers 1
(8-8 on the season)

Thames put on DL; Raburn called up

Marcus Thames is on the 15 day DL with a strained ribcage sustained during batting practice in Anaheim Tuesday. He is projected to be out at least 2-4 weeks, leaving the Tigers without one of their top power hitters. Raburn will add even more flexibility to the Tigers line-up as he can play multiple positions in the outfield and infield.

Man These Games End Late

The Tigers have split the first two games versus the Angels of Anaheim/Los Angeles/California/San Diego/Baltimore County. The games have both ended after 1 am EST. So, it has been tough to get our normal Tigers recaps up following the games.

In game 1, Armando Galarraga struggled for the first time this season. He lasted only 5 innings, giving up 3 runs, stranding many Angels runners. Curtis Granderson led off the 1st and 3rd innings off with Home Runs. Brandon Lyon would come in and blow the game as usual, Adam Everett and Josh Anderson would have miscues in the ninth and the Tigers would go on to lose 4-3.

In the second game the offense for both teams came alive. Justin Verlander got shelled again, and the Tigers pounced LHP Joe Saunders. Curtis once again went yard, as did Brandon Inge. The offense had 18 hits and scored 12 runs for the Tigers, the pen held on (barely), but Detroit went on to win 12-10 at 1:35 AM.

Tigers Week That Was.....

Tigers went 3-2 in rare 5 game week

The Tigers began the week versus the Chicago White Sox. Game 1 was Monday and the Tigers sent Zach Miner to the mound on a cold, cold day in Detroit. The White Sox offense however was not cold, they went on to score 10 runs (8 of them early vs Miner). The Tigers would score 6 runs, but that would not be enough. The Tuesday game vs the Sox would be cancelled due to rain. In the final game vs the Sox the Tigers would dominate. Scoring 9 runs and using a strong performance from Armando Galarraga.

The Tigers would have a day off on Thursday and head to Seattle. Game 1 would match Justin Verlander up against Felix Hernandez, Verlander would start out strong, but get shelled in the 5th. The Tigers scored 3 runs in the 2nd inning, but would not score again. 6-3 Mariners in the series opener. In the middle game of the 3 game set the Tigers would use a studly performance by Edwin Jackson, combined with a good showing from the pen to win 2-0. The rubber game of the series would come down to Sunday. Rookie pitcher Rick Porcello would go to the mound and pitch a very strong game. The offense was led by SS Ramon Santiago. Tigers would go on to win the series decider 8-2.

The Tigers would end the week 3-2 (2 days off). The bullpen was barely used, and the Starting pitching was great after the Monday game (other than Verlanders 5th inning). Miguel Cabrera stayed hot, Ramon Santiago played very well both in the field and especially at the plate. Brandon Inge slowed down a bit, but still was alright, and newly acquired Josh Anderson showed flashes of brilliance with his versatility.

Weekly Grades:
Hitting: B- (had chances to win the games in both losses, but hit well for most of the week)
Starting Pitching: B+ (Galarraga/Jackson A+)
Bullpen: A (Rodney has been great, Seay/Perry strong)

Overall: B+ (3-2 record, 1 loss was 30 degree day with Miner)

5 most important things from the week that was
1. Rodnay has been flawless as closer
2. Galarraga/Jackson look solid as 2/3 starters
3. SS Santiago should get some run
4. LF J Anderson should be able to get 70+ starts
5. Verlander struggles again, need better from him.

Porcello Picks Up His First of Many Career Wins

Rookie SP Rick Porcello pitched 7 Innings giving up only 1 ER

The Tigers rode another strong performance by one of their starting pitchers. Lately the bullpen has not been asked to do much, which is very nice. Rick Porcello pitched well for the 2nd straight time.

The Tigers offense remained hot, scoring 8 runs, 5 of which were driven in by NEW SHORTSTOP Ramon Santiago. Santiago has a good glove, and isn't this good with the bat. But he is definitely better than Adam Everett. Santiago and the bottom half of the order remain hot, and it helps mask the fact that Curtis Granderson and Carlos Guillen really aren't hitting. It is a team game though, and they are helping the team, that much is for sure.

Tigers 8 Mariners 2

Zumaya throws 2 scoreless innings in Toledo

Zumaya was clocked at or over 100 mph on 3 pitches in Toledo. He threw 2 innings, gave up a couple hits, and struck out 2 batters.

He will try pitching on back to back games for the first time Tuesday and Wednesday for the Mudhens. If these two games go well we could see Zumaya in a Tigers uniform in the next 10 days.

CRAAAAAAAAAAIIGGG!!!!!!!!! (monroe)

As many of the closest readers to this site know, Craig Monroe is my favorite Tiger of the past decade. He was for a couple seasons the most clutch hitting Tiger I have seen. If the pressure was on it seemed like he would always come to the plate, and he would get the job done.

Well, times have been tough the past few seasons for Mr. Monroe. So much so that he was a non-roster invitee on a minor-league contract to Pirates camp this spring. Well, he hit 8 HR in the spring to lead everyone in the NL.

They were basically forced to keep him on the roster.

Today was CRAIG's first start for the Pirates.

He hit two 3-Run Homeruns. Decent day at the park......

check out CRAIG"S 2nd of his two shots below

CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ed-WIN Jackson gets it done again

The Tigers rode a strong performance from Saturday's starting pitcher Edwin Jackson (7.2 IP 5 hits 6 Ks 0 ER). Jackson was acquired in the offseason for LF M Joyce. Joyce may end up being a strong player, but with what Jackson has shown so far I for one am pretty happy we made the deal. Jackson has an elite fastball/slider combination. We can only hope he continues to grow as a Tiger.

The game was a very slow game. The two teams only combined for 14 hits and 2 runs scored. The Tigers scored both their runs in the 6th when Brandon Inge hit a soft single to right, Ichiro fielded the ball and tried to gun out Cabrera at home. His throw sailed over the catcher's head and to the backstop and the Tigers added a run on the throwing error.

Jackson made it 2 outs into the 8th inning and was replaced by B Seay with 2 outs and a runner on 2nd. Ichiro was struck out on a backdoor breaking ball by Seay with a full count. Fernando Rodney would come in and get his 3rd save in as many chances.

Even better news for the Tigers is the bullpen has only been asked for 6 outs in the past two games, and had a day off before that. They should be fresh for the next few games.

Tigers 2 Mariners 0