THE TIGERS WIN!
posted in 2007 season, KC Royals |Detroit 6, Royals 1
Jeremy Bonderman survived the first inning. I was around for that part. At that point, I decided the Tigers won. Of course, there was a lot to be played, oh, eight more innings or so I guess. But with Bonderman, you just have to figure if he makes it through inning 1, he’ll make it through innings 2 through 7 as well. And that’s just what he did.
Having gone winless since mid-July, Bondo struck out three and pitched to six batters (27) more than the minimum 21 possible for seven innings of work. He walked none. Bonderman credits his wife for noticing he was nibbling at the strike zone and said he attacked it better. 63 strikes in 87 pitches. That sounds like a pretty accurate explanation, as far as the box score is concerned.
Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya teamed up for 1-2-3 eighth and ninth innings, respectively.
Curtis Granderson is one step closer to his quadruple-20 season, as he hit home run No. 18. So he needs 2 homers and three steals in the final month. I think he’ll get it. I hope Leyland gives him the chance to steal more. He’s been caught just once. A lot of that is smart planning on when to send him. But there’s a lot of hit and runs, too, so it’s possible he could have had more steals. With such a rare milestone nearing, Leyland has to give him a shot to get it and frankly, the sooner he gets it out of the way, the better. So, Jim, let him steal in Oakland!! I don’t think it would hurt the team to let him run a bit more. And while the home runs aren’t guaranteed, I’m pretty certain he can get two of them.
Magglio Ordonez also had three hits to help maintian his batting average lead. Oh, and he homered.
So, while this season’s final month isn’t all peaches and cream to think about, those two players are chasing marks that make every game worth watching.
Cleveland beat Seattle. Tigers remain 4.5 behind the AL entral leaders, but are 3 games behind the Yankees in the wild card and two behind Seattle.
Sphere It
