Bunt Singles: In other news
posted in 2007 season, LA Angels, bunt singles |Angels 13, Tigers 4
While the Tigers are losing horribly — so much so I don’t think anyone will want to read a recap any more than I’d want to write it — I’ll just do an update about all the other events of the weekend for my weekday readers.
Granderson hits 17
Not content to let his home runs surpass his triples, Curtis Granderson knocked a 17th three-bagger. He’s on pace for an AL record-setting 27.
Kenny Rogers to the DL; Tata up
Rogers went on the 15-day disabled list with pain in his elbow. (Danny Knobler) Lest you wonder if Jordan Tata is being “showcased” for a deal, Knobler reported the move to the DL came too late to pull Virgil Vasquez from his scheduled start Sunday. So Tata filled the need.
Lee at Tiger Tales suspects Rogers will be back again this year, but does not expect any real contribution from him.
Matt at Take 75 North has a report on Jordan Tata.
Monroe benched?
Craig Monroe started on the bench, as Jim Leyland picked Ryan Raburn to get the start. Reading Leyland’s quotes about his decision, I wonder if this is more permanent.
“I’m trying to win a ballgame,” Leyland said, “and tonight, I think that’s the lineup that gives us the best chance.”
“You keep waiting, but you can’t wait forever,” said Leyland.
I like Raburn. I like this defense. So far, I like his bat. I’ve said it before, start him as many games as possible. Right now, he gives the team a better chance to win than anyone else (read: Monroe) in the outfield.
Fernando Rodney pitches well
Leyland had said earlier that Fernando Rodney must pitch good two showings in a row in Toledo before he could think about coming back to Detroit. I kind of wondered if he meant in back-to-back days, as Rodney will undoubtedly need to do that. But then he didn’t get the chance Saturday, due to a complete game by the Toledo starter. Friday and Sunday, he seemed to put up decent performances. (Eric has more at D-Town). Jason Beck says Rodney is scheduled to pitch again Tuesday.
Andrew Miller tired?
Miller’s velocity was down Saturday. This fact was not lost on Leyland. Nor as it lost on Ian at Bless You Boys, who was all over the story.
Leyland told reporters:
“I was disappointed in Miller’s velocity. It wasn’t good. He pitched pretty well, but for the most part he didn’t throw the ball — just OK. We couldn’t figure it out.
“Maybe he was gun shy about turning it loose because he was wild in Chicago. I’ll find out. When you throw the ball 95-96 miles an hour, you have to throw it 95-96 more than once or twice a game.
Ian wrote:
Miller’s stamina has been a concern throughout the season, as he logs more innings and pitches more frequently than he ever has before. Maybe the Tigers can skip his turn in the rotation occasionally, as they did with Justin Verlander last season, but they’re in a position now where keeping him in the rotation isn’t just a luxury, but a necessity.
Professor Farnsworth?
(Hat tip Cut-off Man) The Tigers continue to scout Kyle Farnsworth of the Yankees. They may be the front runner to take the struggling late-relief artist off New York’s hands for little more than paying his salary.
Farnsworth, who has a 4.57 earned run average, may not be around much longer. The nonwaiver trading deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday, and the Detroit Tigers have had a scout following the Yankees in two of their last three series.
A quick review of pitching
Injured: Kenny Rogers
Not on the DL, but who knows: Andrew Miller, Nate Robertson
Not on the DL but having a bad day or two: Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman
Not very good: Much of the bullpen
A quick review of your blogger
I know that all teams go through slumps. I told myself I wouldn’t worry. But after the past three series and given the injury problems and the way the pitching staff has been throwing lately, I am at least moving in the direction of the panic button. I think this is a real crisis, not a made-up one.
About that game?
But maybe you want to know something about the game. Jeremy Bonderman got toasted for a career high in runs. And Jason Beck did some interesting research about just how bad a series this was for Tigers pitchers.
Myself, I kicked a stool in my backyard in the first inning and stopped listening.
I’ve learned: If you can’t say anything nice … let Ian say it in pictures.
Sphere It
