19th
June
2008
Game 71: Super Galarraga!
posted in Random |Tigers 7
Giants 2
Recap:
- Marcus Thames’ streak of 5 games with a home run ended, but the Tigers have now won 8 out of their last nine games, so i don’t think anyone is complaining, although 9 of their last 9 might have been cooler.
- Armando Galarraga, however, kept his winning streak alive with wins in the last four games he started. He gave up two runs in six innings.
- Another Tigers’ quality start!
- Freddy Dolsi had another nice appearance, tossing two scoreless innings.
- Barry Zito, on the other hand, only lasted two innings for the Giants.
- “Polly” Polanco was the star at the plate for Detroit. He went 4-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.
Analysis:
- Like Bilfer said, a little weird to see Jim Leyland pull Marcus Thames when he has a home run streak on the line.
- But we can’t argue with the results. The Tigers have been nearly on fire since the start of the homestand a little more than two weeks ago. Even before that, they lost 5 of 6 to the Angels and A’s but were playing better.
- I don’t want to get all predict-ery on you, but I think the Tigers will climb back to .500 by the All Star Break.
- Also, this has been said before, it’s time to start talking about Galarraga in every Rookie of the Year conversation. Maybe he’s not the “sexy” pick and he doesnt’ play for say, Boston, and the guy who does play for Boston is pretty good, admittedly. But Galarraga is putting together a heck of a season and definitely deserves to be discussed. If he keeps it up the rest of the year, he’ll deserve quite a few votes, too.
- Detroit is alone in third place! It may not mean much ultimately, but it’s another step toward respectibility, and, of course, first. But they can’t be in first until they’re in second. (And getting to .500 would be nice).
Other news:
- Brent Clevlen is headed back to the minors, as Clete Thomas returned to the Tigers.
