Boston, MA (Wed., Sept. 10, 1975) - The Tigers blew leads in both ends of a twi-night doubleheader and were swept by the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park Wednesday evening.
In Game 1, the Tigers scored five runs in the first inning but were shutout the rest of the way in losing, 6-5. In the nightcap, the Tigers held a 2-0 lead midway through the game but ended up on the short end of a 5-3 score.
In the opener, the Tigers pounced on Red Sox starter Roger Moret for five runs in the first inning, courtesy a three-run homer by hot-hitting Willie Horton and a two-run shot by Aurelio Rodriguez.
But Moret got stingy and went seven innings, giving up no more runs after the first frame. Meanwhile, the Red Sox chipped away against Tigers starter Vern Ruhle, tying the game in the eighth inning and winning it in the bottom of the ninth on a two-out single by Carl Yastrzemski, scoring Rick Burleson.
In Game 2, the Red Sox scored three runs in the seventh inning to erase a 2-1 deficit and they held on from there.
Horton hit another homer in the second game, no. 25 on the season to go with 92 RBI. In his past 41 at-bats, Horton has seven home runs and 19 RBI.
Tom Walker got a spot start for the Tigers (56-89) in the nightcap. He pitched six innings and only allowed one run. Rookie Ike Brookens (0-2) was tagged with the loss, surrendering the three runs in the seventh in just 1/3 inning.
Detroit has one more game left in Boston, where the Tigers are 1-6 this season.
Yastrzemski had three hits in each game, going 6-for-10 with three RBI.
The Major Said: "No lead is safe in this ballpark, and especially when you score five runs in the first and nothing afterward. That's a recipe for disaster against this team in this place. And they didn't hit the ball out of the ballpark in either game."
Game 1
Tigers 500 000 000 5-8-0
Boston 010 003 011 6-11-1
HR: Horton (DET, 24); Rodriguez (DET, 6)
WP: Drago
LP: Arroyo (3-2)
Game 2
Tigers 010 100 001 3-9-1
Boston 000 010 31x 5-12-0
HR: Horton (DET, 25)
WP: Pole
SV: Willoughby
LP: Brookens (0-2)
Tigers record: 56-89 (actual 55-90)
Home: 27-44
Away: 29-45
Last 10: 4-6
Showing posts with label Tom Walker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tom Walker. Show all posts
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Game 143: Tigers Bats Come Alive, 10-5
Queens, NY (Tue., Sept. 9, 1975) - Ben Oglivie slammed two home runs and had four RBI, and rookie Billy Baldwin had two doubles and scored three runs as the Tigers broke free from a 4-4 tie to beat the New York Yankees, 10-5, at Shea Stadium.
Gary Sutherland also had four RBI for the Tigers, who finished their season series with the Yanks with an 11-7 record, including 6-3 in New York.
The Tigers rocked Yankees starter Doc Medich for seven runs and 10 hits in 5+ innings of work.
Tigers starter Ray Bare (6-9) was shaky (6 IP, 5 R, 8 H) but managed to get the victory.
In the sixth inning, with the game tied 4-4, the Tigers erupted for four runs. Oglivie led off with a home run, and the next three batters reached base, sending Medich to the showers. Sutherland, who had four hits on the night, added a two-run triple in the inning, off reliever Dick Tidrow.
Detroit, leading 8-5, then added two insurance runs in the eighth inning.
The Tigers (56-87) rapped out 13 hits, one night after getting shutout on six hits.
Tom Walker pitched three innings for his first save of the year.
The Major Said: "That's baseball. You score nothing one night, ten the next. You knew (the Yankees) would keep coming, so there's no such thing as feeling comfortable against them, even when we went up, 8-5."
Tigers 103 004 020 10-13-2
New York 100 211 000 5-9-0
HR: Oglivie (DET, [2] 11); Herrmann (NY); Bonds (NY)
WP: Bare (6-9)
SV: Walker (1)
LP: Medich
Tigers record: 56-87 (actual 54-89)
Home: 27-44
Away: 29-43
Last 10: 4-6
Gary Sutherland also had four RBI for the Tigers, who finished their season series with the Yanks with an 11-7 record, including 6-3 in New York.
The Tigers rocked Yankees starter Doc Medich for seven runs and 10 hits in 5+ innings of work.
Tigers starter Ray Bare (6-9) was shaky (6 IP, 5 R, 8 H) but managed to get the victory.
In the sixth inning, with the game tied 4-4, the Tigers erupted for four runs. Oglivie led off with a home run, and the next three batters reached base, sending Medich to the showers. Sutherland, who had four hits on the night, added a two-run triple in the inning, off reliever Dick Tidrow.
Detroit, leading 8-5, then added two insurance runs in the eighth inning.
The Tigers (56-87) rapped out 13 hits, one night after getting shutout on six hits.
Tom Walker pitched three innings for his first save of the year.
The Major Said: "That's baseball. You score nothing one night, ten the next. You knew (the Yankees) would keep coming, so there's no such thing as feeling comfortable against them, even when we went up, 8-5."
Tigers 103 004 020 10-13-2
New York 100 211 000 5-9-0
HR: Oglivie (DET, [2] 11); Herrmann (NY); Bonds (NY)
WP: Bare (6-9)
SV: Walker (1)
LP: Medich
Tigers record: 56-87 (actual 54-89)
Home: 27-44
Away: 29-43
Last 10: 4-6
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Game 131: Jenkins Stymies Reeling Tigers, 7-0
Arlington, TEX (Wed., Aug. 27, 1975) - If it wasn't for the Minnesota Twins, the Tigers would be in even more dire shape than they are now.
Fergie Jenkins spun a complete-game, five-hit shutout as the Texas Rangers beat Detroit, 7-0 on Wednesday night.
The loss made the Tigers (51-80) 4-16 in their past 20 games, and all four wins came at the expense of the Twins. Detroit hasn't beaten a team that's not the Twins since August 6.
Detroit finished its road trip 3-9, and every series was a three-game sweep: at the hands of California, Oakland and Texas; and a sweep of the Twins.
The Rangers broke Wednesday's game open with a six-run fourth inning.
Texas got six hits , two walks and a wild pitch in chasing starter Lerrin LaGrow (7-16) before he retired a batter in the fourth. The first six Rangers hitters reached base before manager Ralph Houk brought out the hook.
Mike Cubbage had three RBI for the Rangers, who swept the Tigers in three games in Detroit two weeks ago.
Jenkins scattered five hits, including two, two-out doubles.
Tom Walker pitched four scoreless innings of relief, keeping the score somewhat respectable.
The Tigers return home to face the California Angels this weekend.
The Major Said: "Jenkins, like (Gaylord) Perry last night, got into a groove and when veteran guys like that get rolling, look out. We didn't hit too many balls very hard. I was very impressed."
Tigers 000 000 000 0-5-1
Texas 001 600 00x 7-10-1
WP: Jenkins
LP: LaGrow (7-16)
Tigers record: 51-80 (actual 51-80)
Home: 24-41
Away: 27-39
Last 10: 3-7
Fergie Jenkins spun a complete-game, five-hit shutout as the Texas Rangers beat Detroit, 7-0 on Wednesday night.
The loss made the Tigers (51-80) 4-16 in their past 20 games, and all four wins came at the expense of the Twins. Detroit hasn't beaten a team that's not the Twins since August 6.
Detroit finished its road trip 3-9, and every series was a three-game sweep: at the hands of California, Oakland and Texas; and a sweep of the Twins.
The Rangers broke Wednesday's game open with a six-run fourth inning.
Texas got six hits , two walks and a wild pitch in chasing starter Lerrin LaGrow (7-16) before he retired a batter in the fourth. The first six Rangers hitters reached base before manager Ralph Houk brought out the hook.
Mike Cubbage had three RBI for the Rangers, who swept the Tigers in three games in Detroit two weeks ago.
Jenkins scattered five hits, including two, two-out doubles.
Tom Walker pitched four scoreless innings of relief, keeping the score somewhat respectable.
The Tigers return home to face the California Angels this weekend.
The Major Said: "Jenkins, like (Gaylord) Perry last night, got into a groove and when veteran guys like that get rolling, look out. We didn't hit too many balls very hard. I was very impressed."
Tigers 000 000 000 0-5-1
Texas 001 600 00x 7-10-1
WP: Jenkins
LP: LaGrow (7-16)
Tigers record: 51-80 (actual 51-80)
Home: 24-41
Away: 27-39
Last 10: 3-7
Monday, August 6, 2012
Game 108: Tigers Score Late, Avoid 5-Game Sweep, 4-3
Boston (Sun., Aug. 3, 1975) - John Wockenfuss blooped a single into short right field, scoring Aurelio Rodriguez in the ninth inning to break a 3-3 tie, and the Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox, 4-3, at Fenway Park Sunday afternoon.
With the win, the Tigers (44-64) avoided a rare five-game sweep at the hands of Boston.
The Red Sox led, 3-2, after seven innings but the Tigers rallied to tie the game in the eighth. Again it was Wockenfuss with the big hit---a run-scoring double.
Boston scored twice in the first inning on a home run by Carl Yastrzemski that scored Bernie Carbo in front of him. That blast erased an early 1-0 Tigers lead, which was forged by Ron LeFlore's leadoff home run.
Tom Walker (2-2) earned the victory with three scoreless innings of relief. Fernando Arroyo pitched a perfect ninth for his third save.
Jack Pierce singled in the fifth to snap a hitless streak of 32 at-bats.
Reliever Dick Drago took the loss for Boston. He took over after Leon Roberts led off the eighth with a double off starter Reggie Cleveland. Drago then promptly surrendered Wockenfuss's double to tie the game, then was again victimized by the Tigers catcher in the ninth after giving up a double to Rodriguez and intentionally walking pinch-hitter Gates Brown.
The Major Said: "No one wants to be swept five games. This was a gutsy win. Very proud of the fellas."
Tigers 100 010 011 4-7-0
Boston 200 010 000 3-8-0
HR: LeFlore (DET, 6); Yastrzemski (BOS)
WP: Walker (2-2)
SV: Arroyo (3)
LP: Drago
Tigers record: 44-64 (actual 46-62)
Home: 22-34
Away: 22-30
Last 10: 4-6
With the win, the Tigers (44-64) avoided a rare five-game sweep at the hands of Boston.
The Red Sox led, 3-2, after seven innings but the Tigers rallied to tie the game in the eighth. Again it was Wockenfuss with the big hit---a run-scoring double.
Boston scored twice in the first inning on a home run by Carl Yastrzemski that scored Bernie Carbo in front of him. That blast erased an early 1-0 Tigers lead, which was forged by Ron LeFlore's leadoff home run.
Tom Walker (2-2) earned the victory with three scoreless innings of relief. Fernando Arroyo pitched a perfect ninth for his third save.
Jack Pierce singled in the fifth to snap a hitless streak of 32 at-bats.
Reliever Dick Drago took the loss for Boston. He took over after Leon Roberts led off the eighth with a double off starter Reggie Cleveland. Drago then promptly surrendered Wockenfuss's double to tie the game, then was again victimized by the Tigers catcher in the ninth after giving up a double to Rodriguez and intentionally walking pinch-hitter Gates Brown.
The Major Said: "No one wants to be swept five games. This was a gutsy win. Very proud of the fellas."
Tigers 100 010 011 4-7-0
Boston 200 010 000 3-8-0
HR: LeFlore (DET, 6); Yastrzemski (BOS)
WP: Walker (2-2)
SV: Arroyo (3)
LP: Drago
Tigers record: 44-64 (actual 46-62)
Home: 22-34
Away: 22-30
Last 10: 4-6
Monday, July 30, 2012
Games 99 & 100: Tigers, Tribe Swap Blowout Wins in DH
Detroit (Sun., July 27, 1975) - The Cleveland Indians whalloped the Tigers, 9-3, then were the recipients of a 6-2 loss as the teams split a Sunday doubleheader in Detroit.
The Tribe used a seven-run fifth inning to take command of Game 1.
In the nightcap, the Tigers (41-59) built a 4-0 lead by the fourth inning, watched the Indians pull to within 4-2, then finished Cleveland off with single runs in the fifth and seventh innings.
Willie Horton (16) broke a home run drought with a four-bagger in Game 1, his first homer in nearly two weeks. Tom Veryzer hit his first home run of the season in the eighth inning of the first game.
Tigers starter Tom Walker was blitzed in Game 1, giving up seven runs in 4.1 innings. In Game 2, Lerrin LaGrow pitched 7.2 strong innings. John Hiller got his 17th save, though he reported tightness in his pitching elbow after the game.
Tigers brass said Hiller would have the elbow examined on Monday in New York, where the team opens a three-game series.
The Tigers lost outfielder/first baseman Mickey Stanley Saturday to a broken hand. It's unclear whether Stanley will miss the rest of the season.
The Tigers finished their 11-game home stand with a 7-4 record.
The Major Said: "Clearly we don't want to lose John (Hiller) for any length of time. It would be a big blow. He's had tightness before, but he said this felt a little worse. We'll just have to keep our fingers crossed. He said it bothered him during the last batter of the game, (Rick) Manning."
Game 1
Cleveland 000 070 002 9-14-0
Tigers 001 100 010 3-10-0
HR: Manning (CLE); Sutherland (DET, 4); Horton (DET, 16); Veryzer (DET, 1)
WP: Raich
LP: Walker (2-3)
Game 2
Cleveland 000 020 000 2-8-0
Tigers 100 310 10x 6-8-0
HR: Gamble (CLE); Roberts (DET, 10)
WP: LaGrow (4-11)
SV: Hiller (17)
LP: Peterson
Tigers record: 41-59 (actual 45-55)
Home: 22-34
Away: 19-25
Last 10: 6-4
The Tribe used a seven-run fifth inning to take command of Game 1.
In the nightcap, the Tigers (41-59) built a 4-0 lead by the fourth inning, watched the Indians pull to within 4-2, then finished Cleveland off with single runs in the fifth and seventh innings.
Willie Horton (16) broke a home run drought with a four-bagger in Game 1, his first homer in nearly two weeks. Tom Veryzer hit his first home run of the season in the eighth inning of the first game.
Tigers starter Tom Walker was blitzed in Game 1, giving up seven runs in 4.1 innings. In Game 2, Lerrin LaGrow pitched 7.2 strong innings. John Hiller got his 17th save, though he reported tightness in his pitching elbow after the game.
Tigers brass said Hiller would have the elbow examined on Monday in New York, where the team opens a three-game series.
The Tigers lost outfielder/first baseman Mickey Stanley Saturday to a broken hand. It's unclear whether Stanley will miss the rest of the season.
The Tigers finished their 11-game home stand with a 7-4 record.
The Major Said: "Clearly we don't want to lose John (Hiller) for any length of time. It would be a big blow. He's had tightness before, but he said this felt a little worse. We'll just have to keep our fingers crossed. He said it bothered him during the last batter of the game, (Rick) Manning."
Game 1
Cleveland 000 070 002 9-14-0
Tigers 001 100 010 3-10-0
HR: Manning (CLE); Sutherland (DET, 4); Horton (DET, 16); Veryzer (DET, 1)
WP: Raich
LP: Walker (2-3)
Game 2
Cleveland 000 020 000 2-8-0
Tigers 100 310 10x 6-8-0
HR: Gamble (CLE); Roberts (DET, 10)
WP: LaGrow (4-11)
SV: Hiller (17)
LP: Peterson
Tigers record: 41-59 (actual 45-55)
Home: 22-34
Away: 19-25
Last 10: 6-4
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Games 93 & 94: Tigers Sweep Twinbill; Both 3-1
Detroit (Tue., July 22, 1975) - Bill Freehan's three-run homer broke a scoreless tie in the eighth inning, enabling the Tigers to sweep a doubleheader with the Oakland A's Tuesday at Tiger Stadium.
The Tigers won both games by the score of 3-1.
With two outs and runners on first and third in the bottom of the eighth inning in the nightcap, Freehan connected into left center field off reliever Rollie Fingers, and the Tigers held off an Oakland rally in the ninth.
The A's loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth, but John Hiller allowed just one run before coaxing Billy Williams into a game-ending ground out.
In Game 1, the Tigers also scored all three of their runs in one inning---the sixth. The big blow was a two-run homer by Jack Pierce into the left field upper deck. The A's scored their only run in the first inning.
Tigers starters Lerrin LaGrow (complete game) and Tom Walker combined for 17 innings pitched and two earned runs allowed on nine hits. LaGrow pitched the first game.
The Tigers (38-56) have won four of five and are 5-2 against AL West-leading Oakland this season.
The Major Said: "We're winning some games because we're pitching and rewarding that pitching. It's very simple. For the most part, I like how we've pitched. The bats just haven't always been there."
Game 1
Oakland 100 000 000 1-4-0
Tigers 000 003 00x 3-8-1
HR: Pierce (DET, 3)
WP: LaGrow
LP: Bahnsen
Game 2
Oakland 000 000 001 1-6-2
Tigers 000 000 03x 3-5-0
HR: Freehan (DET, 7)
WP: Walker
SV: Hiller (15)
LP: Abbott
Tigers record: 38-56 (actual 42-52)
Home: 19-31
Away: 19-25
Last 10: 5-5
The Tigers won both games by the score of 3-1.
With two outs and runners on first and third in the bottom of the eighth inning in the nightcap, Freehan connected into left center field off reliever Rollie Fingers, and the Tigers held off an Oakland rally in the ninth.
The A's loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth, but John Hiller allowed just one run before coaxing Billy Williams into a game-ending ground out.
In Game 1, the Tigers also scored all three of their runs in one inning---the sixth. The big blow was a two-run homer by Jack Pierce into the left field upper deck. The A's scored their only run in the first inning.
Tigers starters Lerrin LaGrow (complete game) and Tom Walker combined for 17 innings pitched and two earned runs allowed on nine hits. LaGrow pitched the first game.
The Tigers (38-56) have won four of five and are 5-2 against AL West-leading Oakland this season.
The Major Said: "We're winning some games because we're pitching and rewarding that pitching. It's very simple. For the most part, I like how we've pitched. The bats just haven't always been there."
Game 1
Oakland 100 000 000 1-4-0
Tigers 000 003 00x 3-8-1
HR: Pierce (DET, 3)
WP: LaGrow
LP: Bahnsen
Game 2
Oakland 000 000 001 1-6-2
Tigers 000 000 03x 3-5-0
HR: Freehan (DET, 7)
WP: Walker
SV: Hiller (15)
LP: Abbott
Tigers record: 38-56 (actual 42-52)
Home: 19-31
Away: 19-25
Last 10: 5-5
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Game 68: O's Nip Tigers in 9th, 4-3
Baltimore (June 27) -- It took the Baltimore Orioles until the 18th inning of this series with the Tigers to score their first run. They liked it so much they kept scoring.
The O's scored all four of their runs from the sixth inning on, including the game-winner in the bottom of the ninth, and they beat the Tigers, 4-3, at Memorial Stadium tonight.
Ken Singleton, who led the Orioles' late charge with two doubles, ended the game with a sacrifice fly to left field that easily scored Dave Duncan, the third RBI of the night for the Orioles right fielder.
The Tigers (28-40), for the second straight night, went scoreless thru the game's first seven innings. By that time, they trailed 1-0.
But they erupted for three runs in the eighth inning, and the crowd seemed to sense a second consecutive disappointing defeat.
Not tonight.
The Orioles tied the game in the eighth with two runs, the second on a two-out single by Lee May which scored Singleton.
In the ninth for Baltimore, Duncan led off with a single. Paul Blair sacrificed Duncan to second, and Tigers manager Ralph Houk ordered an intentional walk to Brooks Robinson. This would, on most nights, be a sound decision because the next batter was light-hitting shortstop Mark Belanger.
Not tonight.
Belanger, already with two hits on the night, delivered a third---a sharp single to center to load the bases with one out. That's when Singleton drove reliever John Hiller's fastball down the left field line and plenty deep enough to plate Duncan, setting off a wild celebration at home plate.
Last night it was Mickey Lolich dueling Mike Cuellar, a high-profile matchup.
Tonight it was Tom Walker battling Ross Grimsley---not nearly the same star power but for the first 5-1/2 innings, it was a repeat of last night: all zeroes on the scoreboard.
Singleton was Doubleton tonight, with two two-baggers
The Orioles finally broke through in the sixth, scoring their first run of the series when Singleton doubled home, you guessed it, Belanger.
Walker went six-plus innings, surrendering just four hits and one run. Grimsley went 7.1, giving up three runs on seven hits.
Hiller (2-4) took the loss, while Wayne Garland picked up the win for Baltimore.
"Obviously we were hoping for the double play," Houk said of the bases loaded situation in the ninth. "Singleton hits into a lot of them. But he was able to get underneath one and lift it into the air."
Indeed he was, and the Tigers and O's are now tied 1-1 in this four-game series.
Notes: Ironically, the only Tiger to play in every game so far this season is DH Willie Horton, who has battled injuries for the three seasons prior to this one. Tonight, Horton had three hits...The Orioles made two errors, the Tigers none...Belanger had his first three-hit game in over a year.
********************************************
Tigers record: 28-40 (actual 27-41)
Home: 13-23
Away: 15-17
Last 10: 5-5
The O's scored all four of their runs from the sixth inning on, including the game-winner in the bottom of the ninth, and they beat the Tigers, 4-3, at Memorial Stadium tonight.
Ken Singleton, who led the Orioles' late charge with two doubles, ended the game with a sacrifice fly to left field that easily scored Dave Duncan, the third RBI of the night for the Orioles right fielder.
The Tigers (28-40), for the second straight night, went scoreless thru the game's first seven innings. By that time, they trailed 1-0.
But they erupted for three runs in the eighth inning, and the crowd seemed to sense a second consecutive disappointing defeat.
Not tonight.
The Orioles tied the game in the eighth with two runs, the second on a two-out single by Lee May which scored Singleton.
In the ninth for Baltimore, Duncan led off with a single. Paul Blair sacrificed Duncan to second, and Tigers manager Ralph Houk ordered an intentional walk to Brooks Robinson. This would, on most nights, be a sound decision because the next batter was light-hitting shortstop Mark Belanger.
Not tonight.
Belanger, already with two hits on the night, delivered a third---a sharp single to center to load the bases with one out. That's when Singleton drove reliever John Hiller's fastball down the left field line and plenty deep enough to plate Duncan, setting off a wild celebration at home plate.
Last night it was Mickey Lolich dueling Mike Cuellar, a high-profile matchup.
Tonight it was Tom Walker battling Ross Grimsley---not nearly the same star power but for the first 5-1/2 innings, it was a repeat of last night: all zeroes on the scoreboard.
Singleton was Doubleton tonight, with two two-baggers
The Orioles finally broke through in the sixth, scoring their first run of the series when Singleton doubled home, you guessed it, Belanger.
Walker went six-plus innings, surrendering just four hits and one run. Grimsley went 7.1, giving up three runs on seven hits.
Hiller (2-4) took the loss, while Wayne Garland picked up the win for Baltimore.
"Obviously we were hoping for the double play," Houk said of the bases loaded situation in the ninth. "Singleton hits into a lot of them. But he was able to get underneath one and lift it into the air."
Indeed he was, and the Tigers and O's are now tied 1-1 in this four-game series.
Notes: Ironically, the only Tiger to play in every game so far this season is DH Willie Horton, who has battled injuries for the three seasons prior to this one. Tonight, Horton had three hits...The Orioles made two errors, the Tigers none...Belanger had his first three-hit game in over a year.
********************************************
Tigers record: 28-40 (actual 27-41)
Home: 13-23
Away: 15-17
Last 10: 5-5
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Game 62: Tigers Stun Yanks With 8-Run 8th, 11-7
Detroit (June 22) - The New York Yankees looked to be on their way to splitting a four-game series with the Tigers today---until the eighth inning.
Trailing 7-3 going into the eighth, the Tigers broke out with an eight-run frame and beat the Yanks, 11-7 at Tiger Stadium.
It was the second time in the series that Tigers bats exploded. They won 16-11 on Thursday night.
Leon Roberts' three-run homer off reliever Dave Pagan drew the Tigers to within 7-6, then the next three batters got hits in tying the game, 7-7. Dan Meyer, who's batting 28-for-76 (.368) in recent weeks, smacked a two-run double, and so did Willie Horton. Just like that, the Tigers led 11-7.
The rally made a winner out of John Hiller (1-3), who pitched three innings in relief of Tom Walker.
It took three Yankees pitchers (starter Larry Gura, Pagan and Dick Tidrow) to quell the Tigers in the eighth inning.
The Tigers (26-36) looked dead earlier in the game, as they did in their 16-11 win.
The Yankees erased a 2-0 deficit by scoring seven unanswered runs from innings three thru seven.
Meyer (three hits) continues to be red hot
John Wockenfuss hit his first homer of the season in the seventh to make the score 7-3.
Then the Tigers stunned the Yankees one inning later.
The first six Tigers got on base in the eighth, and after that the game was tied, 7-7.
Roy White's three-run homer put the Yankees ahead, 4-2, in the fifth.
Walker pitched six innings in another spot start, surrendering four earned runs.
Pagan pitched to four Tigers hitters in the eighth and retired none of them.
"Good series for us, as it turned out," manager Ralph Houk said. "We had two kind of stunning wins, and won another with good pitching. So it was a good weekend."
Still, the Tigers are just 13-23 at home, where they wrapped up a 5-7 home stand.
But they're 13-13 on the road, and that's where they're headed---for an 11-game trip to Milwaukee (4), Baltimore (4) and Cleveland (3).
"Looking forward to it," Houk said of the trip. "Sometimes you gotta get away for awhile. And we need to make up some road games anyway."
The Tigers have played 36 of their first 62 games at home.
Notes: Bill Freehan returned from the 15-day disabled list (sore back) by starting at first base. He went 1-for-4 (double)...Meyer, on his hot streak: "Skip is batting me third and I'm finally rewarding him. Seeing the ball good right now"...Former Tiger Ed Brinkman continued to give the Tigers fits in this series, with a single, a hit by pitch and by scoring two runs. He also made some nifty plays defensively...Mickey Stanley started a second straight game in center field as Ron LeFlore sat out with soreness in his left side...The Tigers had a rarity in the second inning: two sacrifice flies in the same frame.
***************************************************************
Tigers record: 26-36 (actual 26-36)
Home: 13-23
Away: 13-13
Last 10: 5-5
Trailing 7-3 going into the eighth, the Tigers broke out with an eight-run frame and beat the Yanks, 11-7 at Tiger Stadium.
It was the second time in the series that Tigers bats exploded. They won 16-11 on Thursday night.
Leon Roberts' three-run homer off reliever Dave Pagan drew the Tigers to within 7-6, then the next three batters got hits in tying the game, 7-7. Dan Meyer, who's batting 28-for-76 (.368) in recent weeks, smacked a two-run double, and so did Willie Horton. Just like that, the Tigers led 11-7.
The rally made a winner out of John Hiller (1-3), who pitched three innings in relief of Tom Walker.
It took three Yankees pitchers (starter Larry Gura, Pagan and Dick Tidrow) to quell the Tigers in the eighth inning.
The Tigers (26-36) looked dead earlier in the game, as they did in their 16-11 win.
The Yankees erased a 2-0 deficit by scoring seven unanswered runs from innings three thru seven.
Meyer (three hits) continues to be red hot
John Wockenfuss hit his first homer of the season in the seventh to make the score 7-3.
Then the Tigers stunned the Yankees one inning later.
The first six Tigers got on base in the eighth, and after that the game was tied, 7-7.
Roy White's three-run homer put the Yankees ahead, 4-2, in the fifth.
Walker pitched six innings in another spot start, surrendering four earned runs.
Pagan pitched to four Tigers hitters in the eighth and retired none of them.
"Good series for us, as it turned out," manager Ralph Houk said. "We had two kind of stunning wins, and won another with good pitching. So it was a good weekend."
Still, the Tigers are just 13-23 at home, where they wrapped up a 5-7 home stand.
But they're 13-13 on the road, and that's where they're headed---for an 11-game trip to Milwaukee (4), Baltimore (4) and Cleveland (3).
"Looking forward to it," Houk said of the trip. "Sometimes you gotta get away for awhile. And we need to make up some road games anyway."
The Tigers have played 36 of their first 62 games at home.
Notes: Bill Freehan returned from the 15-day disabled list (sore back) by starting at first base. He went 1-for-4 (double)...Meyer, on his hot streak: "Skip is batting me third and I'm finally rewarding him. Seeing the ball good right now"...Former Tiger Ed Brinkman continued to give the Tigers fits in this series, with a single, a hit by pitch and by scoring two runs. He also made some nifty plays defensively...Mickey Stanley started a second straight game in center field as Ron LeFlore sat out with soreness in his left side...The Tigers had a rarity in the second inning: two sacrifice flies in the same frame.
***************************************************************
Tigers record: 26-36 (actual 26-36)
Home: 13-23
Away: 13-13
Last 10: 5-5
Friday, May 4, 2012
Game 55: Tigers Finally Break Through, Slap A's, 7-5
Detroit (June 14) - Call it a blind squirrel finding a nut. A broken clock being right twice a day.
The Tigers will call it a win. And, because it came at home, a very rare one, indeed.
The Tigers pulled away from a 3-3 tie and held off the Oakland A's, 7-5, today at Tiger Stadium.
It was just the ninth home win for the Bengals (22-33) in 29 games.
Willie Horton struck the biggest blow---a three-run homer, his ninth, in the seventh to put the Tigers up, 7-3.
The win gave the Tigers three victories over the A's in the five games they played this week against the three-time defending World Champs.
"We needed this badly," manager Ralph Houk understated.
What he needed wasn't only a win, but for the Tigers to score more than three runs, which has been so very difficult for them to do in recent weeks.
The team finally did that in the seventh, when they rallied against reliever Glenn Abbott, who took over from starter Sonny Siebert.
Horton's big day helped carry the Tigers, breaking a six-game home losing skid
John Wockenfuss walked and moved to second on a two-out walk issued to fellow rookie John Knox. Dan Meyer singled, scoring Wockenfuss and sending Knox to third. Horton then drove an Abbott fastball deep into the upper deck in left, making the score 7-3.
Naturally, the A's didn't go down easily.
They added two runs in the eighth on two doubles and a single, but fireman John Hiller relieved Bob Reynolds with two outs and induced a pop out from Phil Garner, then pitched a mostly uneventful ninth for the save.
Reynolds got the win in relief of starter Tom Walker, who turned in another impressive effort in a spot role (6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER).
Ron LeFlore had three singles and a stolen base (and one caught stealing).
Horton, who had four RBI on the afternoon, said that the feeling of relief has to be followed with determination.
"This is nice, but it doesn't mean anything if we don't score runs tomorrow," he said.
The whole blind nut/broken clock thing.
Notes: Soon everyone will know whether Nate Colbert will be an ex-Tiger. The interleague trading deadline is tomorrow, and reports have the struggling first baseman going to several teams: Montreal, Atlanta and Texas among them...The bad news is that Jack Pierce, who seemingly would be Colbert's replacement at first base, is hitting .111 (3-for-27)...Leon Roberts, who hit into three double plays last night, was 2-for-3 today.
***********************************************
Tigers record: 22-33 (actual 25-30)
Home: 9-20
Away: 13-13
Last 10: 4-6
The Tigers will call it a win. And, because it came at home, a very rare one, indeed.
The Tigers pulled away from a 3-3 tie and held off the Oakland A's, 7-5, today at Tiger Stadium.
It was just the ninth home win for the Bengals (22-33) in 29 games.
Willie Horton struck the biggest blow---a three-run homer, his ninth, in the seventh to put the Tigers up, 7-3.
The win gave the Tigers three victories over the A's in the five games they played this week against the three-time defending World Champs.
"We needed this badly," manager Ralph Houk understated.
What he needed wasn't only a win, but for the Tigers to score more than three runs, which has been so very difficult for them to do in recent weeks.
The team finally did that in the seventh, when they rallied against reliever Glenn Abbott, who took over from starter Sonny Siebert.
Horton's big day helped carry the Tigers, breaking a six-game home losing skid
John Wockenfuss walked and moved to second on a two-out walk issued to fellow rookie John Knox. Dan Meyer singled, scoring Wockenfuss and sending Knox to third. Horton then drove an Abbott fastball deep into the upper deck in left, making the score 7-3.
Naturally, the A's didn't go down easily.
They added two runs in the eighth on two doubles and a single, but fireman John Hiller relieved Bob Reynolds with two outs and induced a pop out from Phil Garner, then pitched a mostly uneventful ninth for the save.
Reynolds got the win in relief of starter Tom Walker, who turned in another impressive effort in a spot role (6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER).
Ron LeFlore had three singles and a stolen base (and one caught stealing).
Horton, who had four RBI on the afternoon, said that the feeling of relief has to be followed with determination.
"This is nice, but it doesn't mean anything if we don't score runs tomorrow," he said.
The whole blind nut/broken clock thing.
Notes: Soon everyone will know whether Nate Colbert will be an ex-Tiger. The interleague trading deadline is tomorrow, and reports have the struggling first baseman going to several teams: Montreal, Atlanta and Texas among them...The bad news is that Jack Pierce, who seemingly would be Colbert's replacement at first base, is hitting .111 (3-for-27)...Leon Roberts, who hit into three double plays last night, was 2-for-3 today.
***********************************************
Tigers record: 22-33 (actual 25-30)
Home: 9-20
Away: 13-13
Last 10: 4-6
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Game 49: Otis Zings Tigers In 12th, 3-2
Kansas City, MO (June 9) - Amos Otis delivered a single in the 12th inning, scoring Jim Wohlford, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Tigers, 3-2, at Royals Stadium tonight.
It was Otis' only hit in the game, and it couldn't have come at a better time for his team.
The Royals put runners on first and second with one out in the 12th off Ray Bare, the Tigers' fourth pitcher of the night.
Otis lofted a soft liner into left field, and Wohlford easily beat Danny Meyer's throw to the plate.
The Tigers (20-29) have lost two straight after a five-game winning streak.
"It was a slider that didn't do much," Bare said of the losing pitch.
The Tigers tied the game in the sixth on a two-run double by Willie Horton, who had three hits, lifting his team-leading BA to .322.
Otis scored the second of two Royals runs in the fourth after reaching on an error by SS Tom Veryzer. Fran Healy's single scored Otis after Hal McRae's single scored George Brett, who walked.
Otis was the Royal hero in the 12th inning
Tom Walker, so effective from the bullpen in recent games, started for the Tigers, as the team has run into the need for a fifth starter in the midst of having no days off recently and with a twi-night doubleheader coming up this week against California.
Walker pitched six innings, allowing five hits and two unearned runs. He struck out three and walked two.
"Very pleased with Walker," manager Ralph Houk said. "But as usual we didn't help our pitchers much with the bats."
Despite winning five of their past seven games, the Tigers have scored more than three runs in just one of those games.
Royals starter Al Fitzmorris pitched the first nine innings before giving way to Lindy McDaniel (two innings) and winning pitcher Nelson Briles (one inning).
Houk seemed at a loss to explain why runs have come so difficult for his team to muster. The Tigers have scored 172 times in 49 games for an average of just 3.5 per game.
"If I had an answer, I wouldn't be doing this. I'd be writing a book and letting everyone know the secret," Houk said.
The Tigers conclude their eight-game road trip tomorrow before heading back to Detroit for the DH with the Angels on Wednesday and a single game on Thursday.
Notes: Aurelio Rodriguez made his first start at 3B in six games, his left heel injury having healed. He went 1-for-5...Wohlford had three hits...Rookie 1B Jack Pierce got his first hit as a Tiger, a double in the second inning...The Tigers fell back to under .500 on the road (12-13).
*********************************************************
Tigers record: 20-29 (actual 23-26)
Home: 8-16
Away: 12-13
Last 10: 6-4
It was Otis' only hit in the game, and it couldn't have come at a better time for his team.
The Royals put runners on first and second with one out in the 12th off Ray Bare, the Tigers' fourth pitcher of the night.
Otis lofted a soft liner into left field, and Wohlford easily beat Danny Meyer's throw to the plate.
The Tigers (20-29) have lost two straight after a five-game winning streak.
"It was a slider that didn't do much," Bare said of the losing pitch.
The Tigers tied the game in the sixth on a two-run double by Willie Horton, who had three hits, lifting his team-leading BA to .322.
Otis scored the second of two Royals runs in the fourth after reaching on an error by SS Tom Veryzer. Fran Healy's single scored Otis after Hal McRae's single scored George Brett, who walked.
Otis was the Royal hero in the 12th inning
Tom Walker, so effective from the bullpen in recent games, started for the Tigers, as the team has run into the need for a fifth starter in the midst of having no days off recently and with a twi-night doubleheader coming up this week against California.
Walker pitched six innings, allowing five hits and two unearned runs. He struck out three and walked two.
"Very pleased with Walker," manager Ralph Houk said. "But as usual we didn't help our pitchers much with the bats."
Despite winning five of their past seven games, the Tigers have scored more than three runs in just one of those games.
Royals starter Al Fitzmorris pitched the first nine innings before giving way to Lindy McDaniel (two innings) and winning pitcher Nelson Briles (one inning).
Houk seemed at a loss to explain why runs have come so difficult for his team to muster. The Tigers have scored 172 times in 49 games for an average of just 3.5 per game.
"If I had an answer, I wouldn't be doing this. I'd be writing a book and letting everyone know the secret," Houk said.
The Tigers conclude their eight-game road trip tomorrow before heading back to Detroit for the DH with the Angels on Wednesday and a single game on Thursday.
Notes: Aurelio Rodriguez made his first start at 3B in six games, his left heel injury having healed. He went 1-for-5...Wohlford had three hits...Rookie 1B Jack Pierce got his first hit as a Tiger, a double in the second inning...The Tigers fell back to under .500 on the road (12-13).
*********************************************************
Tigers record: 20-29 (actual 23-26)
Home: 8-16
Away: 12-13
Last 10: 6-4
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Game 45: Benji!! Tigers, Led By Oglivie, Sweep Angels
Anaheim, CA (June 5) - Ben Oglivie delivered a two-run double---his fourth hit of the game---in the seventh inning that put the Tigers ahead to stay, and Detroit got its first three-game sweep of the season with a 3-2 win tonight at Anaheim Stadium.
Oglivie is now batting .488 (21-for-43) and is 5-for-5 in stolen bases, with another swipe tonight.
The Tigers (18-27) pulled off an unlikely sweep, given that they came into the series in a 1-10 funk.
"We battled this whole series," manager Ralph Houk said of his team, which won the three games by a combined total of five runs. "I'm proud of my guys."
Oglivie was the unquestioned star on this night.
He had singles in the first, third and fifth innings before coming to the plate in the seventh with runners on second and third and one out.
Angels manager Dick Williams, for whatever reason, elected to pitch to Oglivie with first base empty, rather than walk him to face Willie Horton with the bases loaded. Oglivie made Williams and the Angels pay by ripping a drive into the right field corner, plating Ron LeFlore and Terry Humphrey to erase a 2-1 deficit.
So why pitch to a guy who was 3-for-3 with first base open?
"Horton isn't chopped liver," Williams explained afterward of the Tigers DH, who is batting .317. "Frankly, I thought we could get Oglivie and then I'd have walked Horton."
Still, strange strategy, it would seem, and Oglivie's double underlined that.
Horton, ironically, then lined into a double play off reliever Dick Lange.
But the damage had been done.
Tom Walker, who has become the Tigers most dependable reliever recently, pitched two shutout innings (7th and 8th), and Fernando Arroyo pitched the ninth for his second save.
Normal fireman John Hiller was unavailable because of 3.1 innings pitched in the first two games of the series.
"The bullpen was great," Oglivie said. "I was happy to help," he then understated.
Oglivie is batting .488, albeit in 43 at-bats
Starter Vern Ruhle (3-6) pitched one batter into the seventh, scattering seven hits and allowing two unearned runs. He, too, lauded his relievers.
"Tommy's been on his game," Ruhle said of Walker. "And Fernie (Arroyo) picked us up with John (Hiller) being out."
The Tigers, though, committed three errors. They lead the majors with 47 miscues.
"We need to catch the ball better," Houk acknowledged.
But the Tigers have a three-game winning streak heading to Oakland.
Notes: Oglivie leads the Tigers with five steals. Shouldn't speedster Ron LeFlore (4) be doing that? "We'll look at that," Houk said. "Maybe we need to give Ronnie more leeway"...The Tigers will head to Kansas City for two games after the three games in Oakland...With GM Jim Campbell on the trip, there's a buzz about the future of 1B Nate Colbert. Rookie Jack Pierce started for the second straight night at first base. Pierce is 0-for-8. Houk wouldn't comment.
****************************************************
Tigers record: 18-27 (actual 21-24)
Home: 8-16
Away: 10-11
Last 10: 4-6
Oglivie is now batting .488 (21-for-43) and is 5-for-5 in stolen bases, with another swipe tonight.
The Tigers (18-27) pulled off an unlikely sweep, given that they came into the series in a 1-10 funk.
"We battled this whole series," manager Ralph Houk said of his team, which won the three games by a combined total of five runs. "I'm proud of my guys."
Oglivie was the unquestioned star on this night.
He had singles in the first, third and fifth innings before coming to the plate in the seventh with runners on second and third and one out.
Angels manager Dick Williams, for whatever reason, elected to pitch to Oglivie with first base empty, rather than walk him to face Willie Horton with the bases loaded. Oglivie made Williams and the Angels pay by ripping a drive into the right field corner, plating Ron LeFlore and Terry Humphrey to erase a 2-1 deficit.
So why pitch to a guy who was 3-for-3 with first base open?
"Horton isn't chopped liver," Williams explained afterward of the Tigers DH, who is batting .317. "Frankly, I thought we could get Oglivie and then I'd have walked Horton."
Still, strange strategy, it would seem, and Oglivie's double underlined that.
Horton, ironically, then lined into a double play off reliever Dick Lange.
But the damage had been done.
Tom Walker, who has become the Tigers most dependable reliever recently, pitched two shutout innings (7th and 8th), and Fernando Arroyo pitched the ninth for his second save.
Normal fireman John Hiller was unavailable because of 3.1 innings pitched in the first two games of the series.
"The bullpen was great," Oglivie said. "I was happy to help," he then understated.
Oglivie is batting .488, albeit in 43 at-bats
Starter Vern Ruhle (3-6) pitched one batter into the seventh, scattering seven hits and allowing two unearned runs. He, too, lauded his relievers.
"Tommy's been on his game," Ruhle said of Walker. "And Fernie (Arroyo) picked us up with John (Hiller) being out."
The Tigers, though, committed three errors. They lead the majors with 47 miscues.
"We need to catch the ball better," Houk acknowledged.
But the Tigers have a three-game winning streak heading to Oakland.
Notes: Oglivie leads the Tigers with five steals. Shouldn't speedster Ron LeFlore (4) be doing that? "We'll look at that," Houk said. "Maybe we need to give Ronnie more leeway"...The Tigers will head to Kansas City for two games after the three games in Oakland...With GM Jim Campbell on the trip, there's a buzz about the future of 1B Nate Colbert. Rookie Jack Pierce started for the second straight night at first base. Pierce is 0-for-8. Houk wouldn't comment.
****************************************************
Tigers record: 18-27 (actual 21-24)
Home: 8-16
Away: 10-11
Last 10: 4-6
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Game 37: Twins Frolic, Thump Tigers 13-1
Detroit (May 26) -- For a game played on Memorial Day, this was one the Tigers would like to soon forget.
Mired in a six-game losing streak, the Tigers followed a familiar script as of late: falling behind early and sometimes often. Tonight it was definitely both.
The Minnesota Twins had a field day, racking up 17 hits in beating the Tigers, 13-1 in a boo-filled Tiger Stadium.
In fact, the Tigers fans booed early and often, as well.
The Twins led, 4-0, before some of the announced crowd of 15,000+ were in their seats.
The crowd was fully seated---and booing---when the Twins made it 7-0 in the fourth. In the sixth, when the Twins scored five times for a 12-0 lead, many of the fans were heading home, perhaps to attack leftovers from their holiday BBQs.
The Twins looked to be taking batting practice at times---blasting drives all over the gaps and hitting four home runs (Steve Braun, Tony Oliva [2], Larry Hisle) in handing the Tigers their worst loss of the season.
It was payback for the Tigers' 16-3 win over the Twins in Minnesota last Monday.
The Tigers (14-23) have been swinging the bats poorly since that win, which was their last. In the six-game losing streak, Detroit has scored 13 runs---three less than in their last win alone.
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle (1-6) lasted 3.1 innings, roughed up for seven runs (six earned) and eight hits. His next two successors, Fernando Arroyo and Tom Walker, weren't any better.
"Just a long day at the office," manager Ralph Houk said as he picked at some tuna salad. "Too bad the fans had to see this on a holiday."
The Tigers didn't score until the ninth. It's debatable whether there were 2,000 fans left to see it.
"Not going good now," said DH Willie Horton. "Not at all."
Oliva's first home run, a two-run shot, made it 3-0 Minnesota in the first inning. The Twins added a run four batters later.
Oliva's two homers were just part of the Twins' 13-run, 17-hit assault
In the fourth, Braun's two-run homer made it 6-0. Rod Carew reached on a Nate Colbert error, and that was it for Ruhle.
Arroyo entered and immediately gave up a run-scoring double to Bobby Darwin. 7-0 Twins. The boos cascaded from everywhere in the old ballpark.
Two innings later, the Twins punished Arroyo and Walker for a five spot. Oliva hit his second two-run homer and Walker gave up four straight hits and a sacrifice fly as the route was on.
Meanwhile, Twins starter Bill Campbell---normally a reliever---cruised, as so many starters have against the Tigers lately. Campbell pitched a complete game, seven-hitter. Only three Tigers reached second base before the ninth inning.
"It's a vicious circle," Houk said. "Everyone is trying too hard. That's what happens when you don't score runs."
So does booing.
Notes: Terry Humphrey started at catcher, just his second start of the season. "Bill (Freehan) was due for a day off," Houk said...Had the Tigers not scored in the ninth, the loss would have been their worst shutout defeat since a 10-0 loss to the Twins on May 4 of last year...The Twins' Danny Thompson had four hits, all singles...Oliva has now hit two homers in a game 10 times in his career.
********************************************************************
Tigers record: 14-23 (actual 18-19)
Home: 7-12
Away: 7-11
Last 10: 2-8
Mired in a six-game losing streak, the Tigers followed a familiar script as of late: falling behind early and sometimes often. Tonight it was definitely both.
The Minnesota Twins had a field day, racking up 17 hits in beating the Tigers, 13-1 in a boo-filled Tiger Stadium.
In fact, the Tigers fans booed early and often, as well.
The Twins led, 4-0, before some of the announced crowd of 15,000+ were in their seats.
The crowd was fully seated---and booing---when the Twins made it 7-0 in the fourth. In the sixth, when the Twins scored five times for a 12-0 lead, many of the fans were heading home, perhaps to attack leftovers from their holiday BBQs.
The Twins looked to be taking batting practice at times---blasting drives all over the gaps and hitting four home runs (Steve Braun, Tony Oliva [2], Larry Hisle) in handing the Tigers their worst loss of the season.
It was payback for the Tigers' 16-3 win over the Twins in Minnesota last Monday.
The Tigers (14-23) have been swinging the bats poorly since that win, which was their last. In the six-game losing streak, Detroit has scored 13 runs---three less than in their last win alone.
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle (1-6) lasted 3.1 innings, roughed up for seven runs (six earned) and eight hits. His next two successors, Fernando Arroyo and Tom Walker, weren't any better.
"Just a long day at the office," manager Ralph Houk said as he picked at some tuna salad. "Too bad the fans had to see this on a holiday."
The Tigers didn't score until the ninth. It's debatable whether there were 2,000 fans left to see it.
"Not going good now," said DH Willie Horton. "Not at all."
Oliva's first home run, a two-run shot, made it 3-0 Minnesota in the first inning. The Twins added a run four batters later.
Oliva's two homers were just part of the Twins' 13-run, 17-hit assault
In the fourth, Braun's two-run homer made it 6-0. Rod Carew reached on a Nate Colbert error, and that was it for Ruhle.
Arroyo entered and immediately gave up a run-scoring double to Bobby Darwin. 7-0 Twins. The boos cascaded from everywhere in the old ballpark.
Two innings later, the Twins punished Arroyo and Walker for a five spot. Oliva hit his second two-run homer and Walker gave up four straight hits and a sacrifice fly as the route was on.
Meanwhile, Twins starter Bill Campbell---normally a reliever---cruised, as so many starters have against the Tigers lately. Campbell pitched a complete game, seven-hitter. Only three Tigers reached second base before the ninth inning.
"It's a vicious circle," Houk said. "Everyone is trying too hard. That's what happens when you don't score runs."
So does booing.
Notes: Terry Humphrey started at catcher, just his second start of the season. "Bill (Freehan) was due for a day off," Houk said...Had the Tigers not scored in the ninth, the loss would have been their worst shutout defeat since a 10-0 loss to the Twins on May 4 of last year...The Twins' Danny Thompson had four hits, all singles...Oliva has now hit two homers in a game 10 times in his career.
********************************************************************
Tigers record: 14-23 (actual 18-19)
Home: 7-12
Away: 7-11
Last 10: 2-8
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Game 34: White Sox Strike Early, Often---Trounce Tigers, 13-3
Chicago (May 23) - You had a feeling it wasn't going to be the Tigers' night when White Sox second baseman Jorge Orta slammed a rare home run, a two-run shot, in the second inning. You got that feeling even more when Orta added a second homer in the fifth.
When shortstop Bucky Dent hit an even rarer homer in the sixth, it was ollie ollie oxen free.
The White Sox started the game hitting and never really stopped, cruising to a 13-3 win over the Tigers at Comiskey Park tonight.
Chisox batters rapped out 22 hits, including four home runs. They got nine hits and four runs off reliever John Hiller in just 2.1 innings.
This was never a contest.
The White Sox led, 4-0, after two innings. They led 9-3 after six frames, then they poured on four more runs in the eighth.
The 22 hits were a season high for Chicago, and they hadn't had 20+ hits since 1972.
Orta was 4-for-5 for Chicago with two homers, four runs scored and three RBI
This game had one statistical oddity. Both no. 2 hitters---Gary Sutherland and Orta---played second base and both were 4-for-4 after their first four at-bats.
Lerrin LaGrow (1-6) turned in yet another poor start for Detroit, not getting out of the fifth inning after he surrendered back-to-back homers to Orta and Carlos May to lead off the inning.
LaGrow's ERA jumped to 5.93 after seven starts.
Tom Walker and Hiller were both ineffective in relief as the Tigers (14-20) lost for the fifth time in six games. They are 3-8 in their last 11 games.
"Just gotta keep your head down and plow forward," manager Ralph Houk said. "Baseball is a long season. You're going to get your brains beat in from time to time."
The White Sox sprayed hits all over Comiskey's diamond: bloops, line drives, ground balls, you name it. Of their 22 hits, 16 were singles, and they all seemed to be of the seeing eye variety.
"I stunk," LaGrow said. "I set the pace. I've been bad all season. It's gotta stop."
Chicago catcher Brian Downing, the no. 9 hitter, was the other White Sox batter who had four hits (all singles). May and Tony Muser had three hits each.
Notes: SS Tom Veryzer returned to the lineup after missing eight games with a sore ankle. He went 0-for-4...Deron Johnson was the only Chicago hitter who went hitless...Sutherland had been in a 3-for-30 slump before going 4-for-5 tonight...Dent's last home run came on September 21 of last year. Orta had never hit two home runs in a game prior to tonight.
*********************************************************
Tigers record: 14-20 (actual 16-18)
Home: 7-11
Away: 7-9
Last 10: 3-7
When shortstop Bucky Dent hit an even rarer homer in the sixth, it was ollie ollie oxen free.
The White Sox started the game hitting and never really stopped, cruising to a 13-3 win over the Tigers at Comiskey Park tonight.
Chisox batters rapped out 22 hits, including four home runs. They got nine hits and four runs off reliever John Hiller in just 2.1 innings.
This was never a contest.
The White Sox led, 4-0, after two innings. They led 9-3 after six frames, then they poured on four more runs in the eighth.
The 22 hits were a season high for Chicago, and they hadn't had 20+ hits since 1972.
Orta was 4-for-5 for Chicago with two homers, four runs scored and three RBI
This game had one statistical oddity. Both no. 2 hitters---Gary Sutherland and Orta---played second base and both were 4-for-4 after their first four at-bats.
Lerrin LaGrow (1-6) turned in yet another poor start for Detroit, not getting out of the fifth inning after he surrendered back-to-back homers to Orta and Carlos May to lead off the inning.
LaGrow's ERA jumped to 5.93 after seven starts.
Tom Walker and Hiller were both ineffective in relief as the Tigers (14-20) lost for the fifth time in six games. They are 3-8 in their last 11 games.
"Just gotta keep your head down and plow forward," manager Ralph Houk said. "Baseball is a long season. You're going to get your brains beat in from time to time."
The White Sox sprayed hits all over Comiskey's diamond: bloops, line drives, ground balls, you name it. Of their 22 hits, 16 were singles, and they all seemed to be of the seeing eye variety.
"I stunk," LaGrow said. "I set the pace. I've been bad all season. It's gotta stop."
Chicago catcher Brian Downing, the no. 9 hitter, was the other White Sox batter who had four hits (all singles). May and Tony Muser had three hits each.
Notes: SS Tom Veryzer returned to the lineup after missing eight games with a sore ankle. He went 0-for-4...Deron Johnson was the only Chicago hitter who went hitless...Sutherland had been in a 3-for-30 slump before going 4-for-5 tonight...Dent's last home run came on September 21 of last year. Orta had never hit two home runs in a game prior to tonight.
*********************************************************
Tigers record: 14-20 (actual 16-18)
Home: 7-11
Away: 7-9
Last 10: 3-7
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