Really big things
posted in 2007 season, Minnesota Twins, bunt singles |Tigers 3, Twins 2
Hard not to think of a Detroit Tiger who came up big today.
- Magglio Ordonez drove in all three runs — all three of Johan Santana, at that — with a double and a home run to center field.
- Rookie Andrew Miller may not have been the best lefty pitcher on the field, but he was the one who came out of the game with the victory.
- Ryan Raburn got the start against Santana, doubled and scored.
- Two words: Marcus. Thames.
- Five more: Did you see that catch?
- Most parts of the bullpen. Jason Grilli… eh, I don’t know. Bobby Seay. Chad Durbin really came up huge. But Macay McBride got a big out. Todd Jones picked up another save.
I’m sure there’s more. But here’s a few notes that popped up along the way. Andrew Miller forced 9 ground ball outs and 1 fly ball out. He threw strikes about 2/3 of the time. Minnesota did a good job of forming a gravity that drew baseballs into their arms. Half their runs came on an HBP.
I wonder sometimes if this is a big series. Last year, just about every series was described as a big series. I didn’t really buy it. This year kinda proves why. It was big because the Tigers being a powerhouse team was so new, they had to prove it anew every game. Now it’s like, yeah, this is good series. Both are strong teams. Tigers have to keep them from closing the gap. But it just doesn’t feel like a big series yet.
In any case, Minnesota is pesky and annoying to play and Detroit has won two one-run games in a row. So, it’s a pretty decent series!
Bunt Singles:
- Sheffield was fined for criticizing umpires.
- President Bush picks the Tigers. (Hat tip Ian)
- Zumaya + “Samela” = Zumala?
- Getting Joel Zumaya back is important (duh) EPSN.com writes. How important? #2 addition.
- The Tigers make the playoffs 89% of the time according to Baseball Prospectus’ computer simulation.
- Finally, Detroit leads the MLB by 1 game for the best record.
I think anytime that you play Minnesota this year after what happened at the end of last year it is going to be a big series. Even if it wasn’t a big series going in, it has turned into a very, very important series. It seems to me that winning two games by only one run (in the Metrodome) has got to give the bullpen a huge confidence boost. A little confidence never hurt anyone, and I am hoping that it will help the Tigers’ relievers as the season goes on.
Marcus Thames catch was awesome, that was a huge play for the team.
I can’t comment on anything that happened before the bottom of the 6th, as I was out boozing it up on the softball field, but I really enjoyed watching the last 3 innings.
When is the last time the Tigers lost to Santana? It seems to me they have had pretty good success against him (from a w-l perspective) this year and the end of last year. I could be wrong though.
Never mind the comment about w-l vs. Santana. I just read Bilfer’s post that they are 1-1 against him this year with a no decision thrown in.
I had been looking it up after you asked. They are 3-1 in games Santana has started this year. Wins April 29, May 11, last night. Loss June 29.
Thanks, the reason that stuck out to me was because every time Santana pitches against them I figure there is a good chance of a loss. Then when they manage to pull out a win, like last night, I am very pleasantly surprised.
The Tigers record in games really shows how good this team is, being able to bear down against a Cy Young caliber pitcher and pull out three victories.