Timo strikes back!
posted in 2007 season, Chicago White Sox |Tigers 2, Sox 1 (11 innings)
After all the doubting of Jim Leyland’s moves by myself, other blogs and message board posters everywhere, I will admit it has worked out (slightly) better than expected. Timo came up with a home-run saving catch (what the radio guys tell me) and a walkoff double in the 11thth. He was greeted by chants of “Ti-mo” as he walked back to the dugout afterwards. It’s a good moment for him, and the Tigers really needed the win.
But anyone who saw that lineup and thought there’d be more than 3 runs was kidding themselves. Not that Jim Leyland had much choice. Magglio Ordonez said his foot hurts and he’s trying to play through it (Same article, read about Bonderman’s elbow). Brandon Inge continued to slump, so Mike Hessman started in his place. And of course, there’s Timo. So it as going to be a nip-and-tuck affair from the start.
Fortunately, Kenny Rogers held up his end of the bargain in his first start back from the disabled list (no rehab starts even). He allowed just a solo home run and had more stirkeouts (6) than innings pitched (5).
This brings up an interesting thought. Rogers pitched great. Gary Sheffield comes off the disabled list for the Thursday game and claims to feel better. The bullpen is obviously fine, with Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney each going a scoreless inning. No matter how many times you write the team off, it comes back and surprises you. And no matter how many times it surprises you, each time, you get reason to write the team off anymore. I have tried hard to do neither, and yet, every chance I get, for some reason I believe them that this is the time they turn it around, or that that devestating loss means the season will not end with playoffs. No matter what, it’s important to note, I don’t have a freakin’ clue what’s going to happen, and eternal hope is the curse of the fan. But, I still try to stay in the middle and not get too high or low until the team definitely makes up its mind either way.
The big thing today, besides the win, was Curtis Granderson. He added two more stolen bases. So, to recap, hes’ at 19 SB, 19 HR, 36 doubles, 21 triples. Do you think he’s going to join Willie Mays in the quadruple 20 club? Almost for certain, I think. But I’d still like to get it over with soon, because you just don’t know til it happens! For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Tim Kurkijian noticed, too.
Also, Pudge hit his 500th double, a fine accomplishment over a long career.
Sphere It
I don’t think the tigers will make the play off’s