The hits keep on coming!
posted in 2007 season, Texas Rangers |Tigers 11, Rangers 4
It could have been more. Detroit could really have tacked the runs on against the Rangers. With already 11 on the board, the bases were loaded with one out for Carlos Guillen. But he hit into a double play for about the only time the Tigers didn’t capitalize on the day. Just about everyone else in the lineup had a great day in the hot Texas heat.
Gary Sheffield rapped another home run — this one almost to center, so we’ll say he hit all three fields in two games — Curtis Granderson had two(!) triples, and almost everyone else followed suit. Even Mike Rabelo, giving Pudge Rodriguez a day off, had a pair of hits. Man, I have nothing against Vance Wilson, but I hate to see Rabelo go back down. The kid has really come around well after an awful start to his career. He’s almost hitting .300 now. Getting back to Granderson, props to Bilfer for this stat: His 12 triples this year are the most since the 13 in 1982 hit by Larry Herndon. And it’s June! He’s four ahead of Jose Reyes of the Mets, the second-most in baseball.
Anyway, I could go on longer, but what I really want to bring up is the bullpen continues to be strong. It gave up two runs in 16 innings of work in Texas. Aqualino Lopez didn’t look real great or anything at first, but he pitched two scoreless innings. Yorman Bazardo — who came to the organization as a steal in a trade with the Mariners — did excellent, despite giving up a home run. He struck out three in six outs and blew away Sammy Sosa. He really did look good. Maybe I’m getting too excited over one good outing, but I think this kid has some potential to stick around awhile. He definitely threw strikes (19 of 26 pitches). I still want to see more outings, though. But if he can keep this up? Oh, man, that’s some good bullpen help.
In all, Detroit went 5-5 on the 10 game road trip. Shoulda won 6 or 7, by my estimation, but 5-5 will do.
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