27th
June
2008
Game 78: Can you throw a strike, Fernando? Yes you can!
posted in 2008 season, St. Louis Cardinals |Click if you dare! It’s mostly an answer to Ian posting the Bay City Rollers last week.
Tigers 3
Cardinals 2
Recap:
- OK, despite that Fernando tie-in, what’s most important first is the Tigers won on a walk-off, er, walk, in the 10th inning. Clete Thomas watched a pitch go by on a 3-2 count — a brave choice given the umpire had a pretty big strike zone in the game — for the walk that drove in the game-ending run.
- Strangely, it was the second run-walked-in by Thomas that game. Seriously. Check the box score pbp.
- In the 9th, Gary Sheffield hit a game-tying home run of his own.
- All the Tigers pitchers did amazing. Nate Robertson allowed one run in 6-1/3 innings.
- But Fernando! Two games after he melted down, he was definitely on top of his game. He threw 11 strikes in 15 pitches. In that time, he got 5 outs and stranded one of Robertson’s runners at third base after taking over with just one out in the inning.
- Todd Jones gave up a runner in the ninth and looked like he might get his first loss before Sheffield’s homer.
- Bobby Seay pitched an easy 10th.
- The Tigers won a fifth straight series and have taken 12 of 15 now.
Analysis:
- I’ve said it more than once but I’ll say it again: this winning this is SO much more fun than losing.
- Unfortunately the Twins are winning a LOT 9 straight. The White Sox have been doing some winning of their own, too. But it’s not yet the All-Star game. The Tigers are just two games under .500 and may (should) close that gap this weekend. So it’s not yet time to watch the standings, tempting as it is.
- Strong pitching performance all around against a pretty good team and, oh yeah, Albert Pujols went 4-for-4 for the Cardinals. Gotta be happy about that.
- But you REALLY have to be happy with Rodney’s performance. When he came back and struggled in his first two appearances, and struggled mightily, it was disconcerting, for the fans and certainly for Rodney. He, like Joel Zumaya, pretty much have to resemble 2006 form for the Tigers to have their best shot at winning the division and making the playoffs. It’s good to see he has it in him. He also had a 1-2-3 appearance on Tuesday. Definitely a good sign to see him repeat his showing.
- Gary Sheffield gets pretty close to direct credit for the past two wins. He really does seem to look like the Sheffield we saw pre-injury last season. It’s a little early to proclaim it for sure, and I won’t. But, you know, he’s playing pretty good, and that’s a good thing.
TOTALLY RANDOM QUESTION:
Why is Grilli referred to as the “Cheese man?” I love it but I don’t know why.
Grilli’d cheese!