What, you thought it was all roses?
posted in 2007 season, New York Yankees |Indians 3, Tigers 1 (10 inn)
There was some folks who bandied the thought about that it was all rosy when Joel Zumaya came back. Wakeup call answered. Zumaya helped Nate Robertson complete a scoreless nine inning game, but fell apart in the 10th with a hit, an intentional walk and a walk to load the bases. All three runs eventually scored. The Detroit offense barely mustered a whimper, but made it out of the game without being shut out.
I’ll let the lil guy, Mitch Albom, explain succinctly how this isn’t Zumaya’s fault.
Consider how the following innings ended if you were scoring at home:
The third: two men on, Ordonez grounds out.
Sixth: two men on, Thames grounds out.
Eighth: two men on, Guillen grounds out.
Ninth: two men on, Granderson strikes out.
The 10th: two men on — tying run at second — Rodriguez flies out.
Game over.
That’s pretty much it. Robertson deserved to get the win. For all the games he’s pitched poorly lately, he had a great game and nothing to show for it.
Jim Leyland made maybe a managerial decision or two I didn’t like. Mainly, it was leaving Curtis Granderson in to face a left hander given his struggling against left-handed pitching. Why not pinch hit Ryan Raburn? I wouldn’t have tossed Cameron Maybin into the position to fail either, so I’m fine with no going that direction.
Otherwise, this is just an example of the bats failing to get the job done, and the Tigers’ weakness while lacking Gary Sheffield as the third batter. OK, blame Leyland for this one. I don’t like Casey batting third. Leyland may not like to shake up the rest of his order, but he’s got to have just about anyone but Casey (or Inge, or Pudge, I guess) batting there. (Or Santiago). OK. This is making sense now. Anyway, no no no. But I do like Santiago playing SS and Guillen playing first. I just don’t like Sean Casey DHing when Maggs would probably be served well with a day off from the field.
Anyway, disappointing loss. Again. This just keeps making my point that I doubt it’s a playoff contender. The Yankees come to town now. It could be all but over by Sunday unless Detroit solves some problems quick.
Sphere It
Unfortunately, I agree, the Tigers very well may be toast. The opposition does note have to worry about anybody but Ordonez and Guillen in the lineup right now, and I also agree, Raburn should have hit for Granderson.
Last year was a blast, and its fun being in contention, but I think we are at theend of the road barring a remarkable turnaround from the last forthy games or so.
The problem is none of the cylinders fire on the same night. Pitching good, batting subpar. Then the offense does its job and the pitching lets it down. And obviously not taking advantage of the big opportunities. Tigs need to get at least three wins against the Yankees, or I’m afraid the race is over.
BTW, it’s funny that Kurt calls anybody “a little guy”
Everyone calls Mitch the lil guy, but you have no room to talk, either, Petey!
If Casey’s not getting the day off, why not DH Guillen? You still get Santiago at SS and Guillen gets to rest his knees for the most part.
I agree — and said the same thing on Billfer’s site — that Casey shouldn’t be hitting 3rd. With Sheffield out, and the 9 guys in the lineup yesterday, I would prefer this to be the order:
Granderson
Polanco
Guillen
Magglio
Thames
Casey
Rabelo
Inge
Santiago.