27th
May
2008
Game 52: Tigers blow it for Bondo
posted in 2008 season, LA Angels |Angels 3
Tigers 2
Recap:
- Jeremy Bonderman allowed two runs while pitching into the eighth. Both runs came in because Francisco Cruceta couldn’t get the third out.
- He struck out the first batter, than allowed a single and two walks and tossed a wild pitch.
- Bonderman’s night ended at 83 pitches.
- Aqulino Lopez had two outs in the ninth before waling the next two batters and allowing the walkoff single.
- The Tigers led 2-0 from the second inning until the eighth after a two-run homer by Miguel Cabrera that drove in Magglio Ordonez.
- Ervin Santana did pitch well for the Angels.
Analysis:
- Story of the season. Tigers could have won yesterday. Could have won today. Didn’t even split. Just went 0-2.
- Credit Santana a bit, sure, he is a great pitcher.
- But this is not like it’s a pitcher shutting down a hot offense. The Tigers offense can be inept against good pitchers and bad pitchers alike.
- I know people are going to disagree with me, but I don’t think pulling Bonderman was necessarily a bad thing. The Angels were starting to get to him and he was going to face the lineup a fourth time through. I know you want to let him finish it, but it wasn’t an awful decision to find a reliever.
- However, Cruceta really hasn’t proven to me any reason he should be pitching in the eighth inning. Which brings up the question, “Well, who should be pitching in the eighth inning?” And that’s the problem Leyland faces. None of the guys in the bullpen are guys I trust in a close and late game.
- So who do you play? The starting pitcher who had a good game, or the relief pitcher who is either going to be good or suck? I’d say either way, Leyland’s decision could have bit him in the butt and backseat drivers would have something to complain about. So I’m not backseat driving this one.
- This team is a disaster.
Who gets traded first? Renteria?
At least Miller lost today….
Probably. Hopefully they’ll find a team for Inge, too.
Is it time to perform a weird slump busting ritual involving Jim Walewander? Scott Lusader maybe?
I’m tired of losing the sleep to stay up and watch these games. I think a slump busting ritual is definitely in order.
The worst part is that you just know the team is going to lose these games.
Although I agree somewhat that it wasn’t the worst managerial move I’ve seen Leyland execute, I’ll disagree with you on pulling Bonderman for the following reasons:
1. The runners reached on weak contact. The first batter really should have been out with better defense.
2. Bonderman was dealing. He was throwing strikes and had plenty in the tank.
3. The bullpen was taxed.
4. Bonderman needed the W to build on this (and subsequent) preformances. At the very least, he deserved a shot at pitching out of the jam.
Last night’s game did it. The Tigers are finished for the season. Sure, they will play another 110+ games, but they clearly have shown over the last 52 games, that this team does not know how to, and can not, win. It is a hard thing to say as a die hard Tiger fan, but the Tigers will not be going to the playoffs this season. Or, until they make some substantial changes, any time soon.
I tend to agree with you, but we’ll never know what Bondo could have done. Maybe Leland is trying to rush Zoom and Rodney back. We sure do need ‘em.