FIVE HUNDRED!
By Blake VandeBunte • Jun 28th, 2008 • Category: 2008 season, Jason Grilli, Justin Verlander, Magglio Ordonez, Ryan Raburn, Todd JonesHeading into the bottom of the ninth tonight, it seemed like .500 just wasn’t meant to be for the Tigers this season. The Tigers got to within a game of .500 after their sweep of the Yankees earlier this year and then went in the tank. Tonight the Tigers had a chance to get to .500. They took a 5-2 lead into the ninth inning for Todd Jones to save. Jones, heading into this appearance, had not blown a save all season. He did tonight in classic Todd Jones fashion. He blew it big time. Just vintage Jones. It was almost nice to see, nice to have the universe in order. Jones coughed up the 5-2 lead and the Rockies were up 6-5 heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Luckily the Tigers are looking more and more like they are just supposed to win every game they play. They act like they expect to win every single game, even when they are down. The Rockies brought on their closer Brian Fuentes to try and wrap up the win. Polanco led off the inning with a single to left field. Carlos Guillen followed him with lazy fly out to center. Ryan Raburn followed with a four pitch walk that set up Miguel Cabrera to play hero, again. Cabrera took the first pitch from Fuentes and crushed to the right-center gap to win the game in a walk off.
The big blow early in the game came on a Ryan Raburn grand slam. However, before I get to that, I feel that I should explain why he was even playing. In the third inning, Magglio Ordonez appeared to be in some pain or experiencing discomfort. He came out mid inning and was replaced by Raburn. Raburn’s grand slam with two outs in the fourth inning gave the Tigers a 5-0 lead.
Six Tigers had at least two hits, with Edgar Renteria leading the way with three hits out of the lead off spot. Raburn led the way with his four RBI while he and Polanco led the club with two runs scored.
The Tigers were able to knock the Rockies starting pitcher, Jeff Francis out after six innings and got see their old friend, Jason Grilli take the mound against them. He was greeted with a well deserved chorus of boos. I never liked that guy. Grilli gave up a single and nothing else.
Justin Verlander started for the Tigers and would have been in line for win if not for the Jones disaster. The downside of his performance was that he needed way too many pitches to get his outs, he had the same problem in his last start. He lasted 5.2 innings, but need 118 pitches to do so. He gave up only two runs but need all of those pitches to rack up four walks and six strike outs. Zach Miner and Fernando went 2.1 combined innings and didn’t give up any runs. Rodney looked very sharp for the second consecutive time. Freddy Dolsi came on after Jones and got that tricky third out in the ninth inning to pick up the win.
Just for kicks, here is Jones’ line from the game:
- .2 innings, 5 hits, 4 ER, 1 BB, 28 pitches.
Just a complete disaster of a night for Jones. He was booed by pretty much everyone in attendance. I can see the frustration, but the guy had been perfect on save chances up until tonight. I’m not the biggest Jones fan in the world but I’m not sure he should have been booed that severely. Oh well, luckily he was bailed out by the offense.
The Tigers have locked up their sixth straight series win and will look to complete the sweep tomorrow afternoon. Kenny Rogers is set to go for the Tigers. The Gambler was unstoppable over the past month or so with the exception of his last start. He’ll look to get back on track on Sunday. Game time is 1:05 and I will be there, hopefully it will not rain all over me.
Also, the Tigers are 16-4 over their last 20 games.
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