10th
July
2008
Game 91: What was I saying last night?
posted in 2008 season, Minnesota Twins |Twins 7
Tigers 6
Recap:
- BOO
- YAY
- BOO
- BOO
- BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
- OH GOD NO
- BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
- meh.
Actual recap:
- Tigers scored five runs in the third inning to take a commanding lead.
- Kenny Rogers itched a good game and left with a 6-3 lead.
- Fernando Rodney gave up one, then Todd Jones tried to blow up and destroy the game in regulation. Instead he just let the Twins tie it.
- The Tigers had a chance to win in regulation when the leadoff batter walked and stole second. His name would be Carlos Guillen. And he’s a good baseball player. He ended up on third after a wild pitch with one out. And two strikeouts later, the Tigers blew their best shot at winning the game.
- In Freddy Dolsi’s third inning on the mound, he gave up a home run to Justin Morneau that turned out to be the game winner.
Analysis:
- OK. show of hands. Who didn’t see the Tigers losing after they blew a four-run lead and didn’t score after the third? Anyone? anyone? Yeah. That ninth inning almost turned out OK after Todd Jones stunk again. But it didn’t.
- and after they didn’t score in the ninth, you — well I — knew there was no shot the Tigers could win.
- Jones is really doing his best to make sure the Tigers fail during a crucial stretch in their season. Not literally. It only feels like it. You had to figure he would have a tough stretch at some point. it’s just unfortunate it’s now. It really hurts the Tigers’ chances.
- And as far as that goes, they pretty much have to win the next three games. A split is hardly acceptable. It’s not like it’s MUST win. But it’s not exactly a good time to be splitting series with division rivals who own you in their own stadium.
Please give me one logical reason to pinch run for Cabrera when he is on first and Guillen is on second in the bottom of the ninth in a 6-6 game. You would only pinch run after they found some way to get Guillen out. Was he trying to stay out of that really common third to second double play. That was absolutely idiotic. That’s the kind of thing that really makes me wonder about Leyland. I would have liked to see Cabrera with an at bat in the 11th.
Man I had to even suffer through all that on the road too. Pre-plane 6-2 Tigers / post-plane 6-6 and while exiting el aeroporto 7-6. Bad karma those planes. I’m relying on the power of the Westin hotel chain (and their stock of hotel bar booze) to bring me back.
Kurt is totally right — they have to take the next three.
And before anybody asks –
No, we don’t want Richie Sexson.
More troubling than pinch running for Miggy was the standard BS defensive replacement for Marcus Thames.
Kurt, a little disappointed you completely forgot to mention Matt Joyce’s role in the blown save. Todd gave up two singles to lead off the inning. All things considered, that’s not necessarily catastrophic when you are up two runs. Tigers easily could have gotten out of that jam. Matt Joyce’s 2 base error allowed the first run of the inning to score and put the tying run at third base with no one out.
Bottom line is, I really have a hard time pinning this loss on any one player or person. It was a group effort. Batters failed throughout the game to add to the lead despite numerous chances, there was a critical defensive lapse late in the game, the pitchers couldn’t hold the lead and the manager made some questionable decisions.
If nothing else, they are now winning as a team and losing as a team.
Joe, I’ll help you pin the blame… it was that slack-jawed yokel we inexplicably keep trotting out for the 9th inning of close games. How much more must he suck before being Borowski’d!
I’ve had it!!
What in the heck was Thames doing attempting to steal 3rd? If he stayed, he walks in a run. Then he laughs as he walks into the dugout.
Paul: Jones’s save percentage is better than Papelbon’s, Jenks’s, K-Rod’s, etc. Check the numbers. If we Borowski him, who do you plan on putting in at closer? Suffice it to say that just about any option (Zumaya, Rodney, Dolsi) is probably giving up runs and walks from time to time. You’re just going to bitch about those guys too. The way people completely ignore A TWO BASE ERROR is completely absurd. Did anyone watch the game? Good lord.
Michandtroumble: it was obviously a hit and run. Is this the first year many of you started watching baseball?
I don’t know why people always want to throw that around, Joe. We’re not going to start ranking fans on this blog.
Maybe people are ignoring a two base error. (Mine was a sin of ommission, I assure you). But you’d be remiss if you didn’t admit his WHIP (1.58) and hits (9+ per 9IP) is not exactly what a team should be looking for in a closer. He can’t miss bats (3K/9) and allows a 370 OBP. “Saves” is hardly a better stat than wins. Unless I counted wrong, only two of his saves came in games he entered with a one-run lead. (Some more added up one-run games). While I don’t doubt you’re right that many people would complain no matter who blew the save, I find it hard to argue that Jones is actually a good closer.
Tigers actually played with a lot of heart. Joyce screwed up. Jones finished it. But, Joyce did hit that home run, did everyone forget? Tigers are still playing really well, and I am proud of them.
This game actually gave me more hope, if anything. I love the way they are pulling together.
Fair enough Kurt. I’m not trying to argue that I am a better fan than anyone–I just hate to see players get criticized unfairly because someone doesn’t understand some of the nuances of the game.
Yeah, the hit and run was pretty ill-advised in that situation, but that’s on the coaching staff. Marcus Thames is probably my favorite player on this team so I’m going to stick up for him, especially when the criticism is wrong. I feel pretty confident that Marcus Thames would never decide on his own to steal third base. There was enough wrong with yesterday’s game without having to complain about things not worth complaining about (kind of like the talk radio callers today questioning Pudge’s heart since he didn’t take the HBP when Nathan threw him inside during the ninth).
As far as the Jones stuff, I’m sure you weren’t intentionally withholding that error to make Jones look bad Kurt, but I do think the defensive lapse was a pretty big deal that is getting ignored by many(though it was the headline of the article breaking down the loss in the Detroit News). As far as his WHIP and ERA, I can’t argue with that at all, but the splits as far as his actual save opportunities compared to when he pitches in non-save situations is pretty different. I do think some credit is due for only blowing two saves as well, considering that “dominant” closers like Papelbon have blown five or more already. He’s putting guys on base but 95% of the time he’s gotten the job done, and he might have yesterday too, if not for the error. He’s not a great closer but he is what he is, and he’s the best man for the job this year.
Anyways, sorry to be that guy, everyone, but let’s try to be a little more informed in the future before we rip the latest scapegoat du jour.
Might also be the pretty awful karma of tearing down Tiger Stadium during a very important homestand…
Here’s an interesting study of how Jones compares to closers in several statistical categories, done by Blake of Spotstarters.
You’re right Joe. Jones is paid to get saves and he does that relatively well. I think it probably does take a certain mental ability to forget about the previous day and Jones has that. So I give him his credit for that. But I have a feeling if he pitched in many 1-run games, the results would end up with a lot more blown saves. He’s benefited from having nice cushions.