Milwaukee, WI (Sat., Sept. 27, 1975) - Darrell Porter led off the 10th inning with a triple, and one out later scored on a sacrifice fly as the Milwaukee Brewers handed the Tigers their fifth straight loss in the second-to-last game of the season, 3-2, at County Stadium.
Mike Hegan's fly ball to right field was more than deep enough to score Porter, who arrived at home plate without a throw by Leon Roberts.
The Tigers (60-98) and Brewers finish the season Sunday. The Tigers long ago clinched their second straight last place finish after not finishing in the basement since 1952.
George Scott hit two solo homers for the Brewers, in the sixth and seventh innings.
The Tigers trailed 2-1 in the eighth, but tied the game on back-to-back doubles by Bill Freehan and Tom Veryzer.
First baseman Dan Meyer had to leave the game in the fourth inning when he collided with Hegan in a race to the bag, that Meyer won. TV replays seemed to indicate that Hegan's left knee caught Meyer in the jaw. Freehan moved from catcher to first base, and Terry Humphrey entered the game as the new backstop.
Porter started the 10th inning by driving Fernando Arroyo's first pitch up the alley in right-center, legging out a three-bagger ahead of Jerry Manuel's relay to Chuck Scrivener. Arroyo got Bobby Darwin to pop up, but Hegan ended the night with his fly ball.
Vern Ruhle started for Detroit and went eight innings. Arroyo took the loss, while Ed Rodriguez got the win in relief of young lefty Jerry Augustine, who also went eight innings.
The Major Said: "Someone asked me if I was relieved that we can't lose 100 games. I had to laugh, because if that's the standard we set this year, that shows you what kind of year we had. And, no I'm not relieved. I'm angry, to tell you the truth."
Tigers 000 010 010 0 2-9-1
Milw. 000 001 100 1 3-11-0
HR: Scott (MIL, [2])
WP: Rodriguez
LP: Arroyo
Tigers record: 60-98 (actual 57-101)
Home: 31-49
Away: 29-49
Last 10: 3-7
Showing posts with label Vern Ruhle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vern Ruhle. Show all posts
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Game 155: Tigers Blow It in 9th, 2-1
Detroit (Sun., Sept. 21, 1975) - Vern Ruhle had the Boston Red Sox shutout through eight innings on four hits, but his lead was only 1-0. It would prove to not be enough.
Ruhle (8-15) struggled in the ninth, and the Red Sox scored twice to beat the Tigers, 2-1 at Tiger Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the home finale for the Bengals.
The Red Sox came back to win the final two games of the series after dropping Friday's opener.
With one out in the ninth and the bases empty, Fred Lynn singled for Boston. Jim Rice reached on Gary Sutherland's error, and Carlton Fisk followed with a single, scoring Lynn from second with the tying run.
That ended Ruhle's day, but rookie reliever Ed Glynn, a lefty, walked left-handed hitting Bernie Carbo to load the bases with one out. Rico Petrocelli was up next and he lined a single to left to score Rice with the go-ahead run.
Rick Burleson then hit into a 4-6-3 double play, but the damage was done.
Jim Willoughby survived a lead-off single in the ninth by Dan Meyer, thanks largely to Tom Veryzer's errant bunt, which was caught in the air by Fisk, who rifled a throw to Carl Yastrzemski at first base to double off Meyer.
Pinch-hitter Gates Brown, in perhaps his last at-bat at Tiger Stadium in his career, flied out to left for the final out. Brown has hinted strongly at retirement after this season, and the Tigers (60-95) finished their home schedule with a 31-49 record.
Detroit scored its run in the sixth when second baseman Denny Doyle bobbled Aurelio Rodriguez's potential double-play ground ball, scoring Willie Horton from third base.
The Major Said: "We've wasted a lot of good pitching this year, and today was an example. Felt horrible for Vern, but he was obviously losing gas out there. Had to get him out of there. Tommy's (Veryzer) bunt was unfortunate."
Boston 000 000 002 2-7-1
Tigers 000 001 000 1-6-1
WP: Willoughby
LP: Ruhle (8-15)
Tigers record: 60-95 (actual 57-98)
Home: 31-49
Away: 29-46
Last 10: 4-6
Ruhle (8-15) struggled in the ninth, and the Red Sox scored twice to beat the Tigers, 2-1 at Tiger Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the home finale for the Bengals.
The Red Sox came back to win the final two games of the series after dropping Friday's opener.
With one out in the ninth and the bases empty, Fred Lynn singled for Boston. Jim Rice reached on Gary Sutherland's error, and Carlton Fisk followed with a single, scoring Lynn from second with the tying run.
That ended Ruhle's day, but rookie reliever Ed Glynn, a lefty, walked left-handed hitting Bernie Carbo to load the bases with one out. Rico Petrocelli was up next and he lined a single to left to score Rice with the go-ahead run.
Rick Burleson then hit into a 4-6-3 double play, but the damage was done.
Jim Willoughby survived a lead-off single in the ninth by Dan Meyer, thanks largely to Tom Veryzer's errant bunt, which was caught in the air by Fisk, who rifled a throw to Carl Yastrzemski at first base to double off Meyer.
Pinch-hitter Gates Brown, in perhaps his last at-bat at Tiger Stadium in his career, flied out to left for the final out. Brown has hinted strongly at retirement after this season, and the Tigers (60-95) finished their home schedule with a 31-49 record.
Detroit scored its run in the sixth when second baseman Denny Doyle bobbled Aurelio Rodriguez's potential double-play ground ball, scoring Willie Horton from third base.
The Major Said: "We've wasted a lot of good pitching this year, and today was an example. Felt horrible for Vern, but he was obviously losing gas out there. Had to get him out of there. Tommy's (Veryzer) bunt was unfortunate."
Boston 000 000 002 2-7-1
Tigers 000 001 000 1-6-1
WP: Willoughby
LP: Ruhle (8-15)
Tigers record: 60-95 (actual 57-98)
Home: 31-49
Away: 29-46
Last 10: 4-6
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Game 150: Tigers Debut Some Kids, Hang On 10-9
Detroit (Tue., Sept. 16, 1975) - The Tigers stormed out to a 10-3 lead then watched in horror as it almost was frittered away in holding off the Cleveland Indians, 10-9 at Tiger Stadium.
The Tigers debuted three rookie pitchers from Toledo, whose minor league season ended later than others because the Mud Hens made it to the International League's championship series.
Lefties Tom Makowski and Ed Glynn and right-hander Steve Grilli all pitched in their first big league games. Makowski and Grilli combined to give up six runs in the eighth and ninth innings, turning a rout into a nailbiter.
Glynn picked up his first save with the tying run at first base, coaxing a ground out from Duane Kuiper.
From Toledo, the Tigers also called up infielders Chuck Scrivener and Jerry Manuel, and outfielder Bob Molinaro, but none of them played Tuesday night.
Ben Oglivie had four hits and three RBI and another rookie, 2B John Knox, had three hits.
Detroit (58-92) scored six times in the fourth inning, and added three in the fifth for a 10-3 lead. The Tigers roughed up Cleveland starter Dennis Eckersley and reliever Fred Beene for all 10 runs.
The Tigers racked up 18 hits, overcoming three errors---two by SS Tom Veryzer.
Fernando Arroyo got the start for Detroit because scheduled starter Vern Ruhle had shoulder soreness when he arrived at the ballpark. Arroyo (4-2) pitched six innings, allowing two earned runs, earning the victory. He had pitched two innings in Sunday's loss to Baltimore.
Willie Horton picked up another RBI, giving him 96, edging him closer to being the first Tiger to drive in 100 runs since Horton himself did it in 1966.
The Tigers are 29-46 at home and 29-46 on the road.
The Major Said: "We don't have a lot of time to see the rookie pitchers but we do have some games left so may as well put them in there. They had a good season in Toledo as a team. But realistically we won't find out much about any of them until spring training."
Cleveland 000 210 042 9-13-2
Tigers 001 630 000 10-18-3
HR: LeFlore (DET, 7); Bell (CLE)
WP: Arroyo (4-2)
SV: Glynn (1)
LP: Eckersley
Tigers record: 58-92 (actual 55-95)
Home: 29-46
Away: 29-46
Last 10: 4-6
The Tigers debuted three rookie pitchers from Toledo, whose minor league season ended later than others because the Mud Hens made it to the International League's championship series.
Lefties Tom Makowski and Ed Glynn and right-hander Steve Grilli all pitched in their first big league games. Makowski and Grilli combined to give up six runs in the eighth and ninth innings, turning a rout into a nailbiter.
Glynn picked up his first save with the tying run at first base, coaxing a ground out from Duane Kuiper.
From Toledo, the Tigers also called up infielders Chuck Scrivener and Jerry Manuel, and outfielder Bob Molinaro, but none of them played Tuesday night.
Ben Oglivie had four hits and three RBI and another rookie, 2B John Knox, had three hits.
Detroit (58-92) scored six times in the fourth inning, and added three in the fifth for a 10-3 lead. The Tigers roughed up Cleveland starter Dennis Eckersley and reliever Fred Beene for all 10 runs.
The Tigers racked up 18 hits, overcoming three errors---two by SS Tom Veryzer.
Fernando Arroyo got the start for Detroit because scheduled starter Vern Ruhle had shoulder soreness when he arrived at the ballpark. Arroyo (4-2) pitched six innings, allowing two earned runs, earning the victory. He had pitched two innings in Sunday's loss to Baltimore.
Willie Horton picked up another RBI, giving him 96, edging him closer to being the first Tiger to drive in 100 runs since Horton himself did it in 1966.
The Tigers are 29-46 at home and 29-46 on the road.
The Major Said: "We don't have a lot of time to see the rookie pitchers but we do have some games left so may as well put them in there. They had a good season in Toledo as a team. But realistically we won't find out much about any of them until spring training."
Cleveland 000 210 042 9-13-2
Tigers 001 630 000 10-18-3
HR: LeFlore (DET, 7); Bell (CLE)
WP: Arroyo (4-2)
SV: Glynn (1)
LP: Eckersley
Tigers record: 58-92 (actual 55-95)
Home: 29-46
Away: 29-46
Last 10: 4-6
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Games 144 & 145: Tigers Come From Ahead Twice and Lose DH to Bosox
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
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
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Game 138: Rookie Waits Dominates, Tribe Win 4-1
Cleveland, OH (Fri., Sept. 5, 1975) - Boog Powell had a home run and two RBI, and rookie lefty Rick Waits pitched a complete game as the Cleveland Indians beat the Tigers, 4-1, at Municipal Stadium.
Waits, 23, limited the Tigers to six hits, and struck out a season and career-high 12 batters, walking only one.
The left-hander consistently got Tigers hitters to swing and miss at his slider, which he used as his out pitch all game long.
The only run Waits allowed happened in the seventh, and that made the score 2-1, but the Tigers couldn't come close to tying the game after that.
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle (8-14) pitched well (7+ IP, 3 R, 7 H), but he was no match for Waits' dominance.
The Tigers (54-84) saw their modest two-game winning streak end.
Rico Carty went 4-for-4 (all singles) for Cleveland. Bill Freehan had three hits for Detroit (2B, two 1B) and scored the Tigers' only run.
Powell launched a solo homer in the fourth for a 2-0 lead, and added an RBI single in the eighth for a 3-1 margin.
The Major Said: "What can you say about that kid, Waits? He had us all tied up in knots. I was very impressed. And he did that in a tight game, which showed his composure."
Tigers 000 000 100 1-6-0
Clev. 010 100 02x 4-11-2
HR: Powell (CLE)
WP: Waits
LP: Ruhle (8-14)
Tigers record: 54-84 (actual 54-84)
Home: 27-44
Away: 27-40
Last 10: 3-7
Waits, 23, limited the Tigers to six hits, and struck out a season and career-high 12 batters, walking only one.
The left-hander consistently got Tigers hitters to swing and miss at his slider, which he used as his out pitch all game long.
The only run Waits allowed happened in the seventh, and that made the score 2-1, but the Tigers couldn't come close to tying the game after that.
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle (8-14) pitched well (7+ IP, 3 R, 7 H), but he was no match for Waits' dominance.
The Tigers (54-84) saw their modest two-game winning streak end.
Rico Carty went 4-for-4 (all singles) for Cleveland. Bill Freehan had three hits for Detroit (2B, two 1B) and scored the Tigers' only run.
Powell launched a solo homer in the fourth for a 2-0 lead, and added an RBI single in the eighth for a 3-1 margin.
The Major Said: "What can you say about that kid, Waits? He had us all tied up in knots. I was very impressed. And he did that in a tight game, which showed his composure."
Tigers 000 000 100 1-6-0
Clev. 010 100 02x 4-11-2
HR: Powell (CLE)
WP: Waits
LP: Ruhle (8-14)
Tigers record: 54-84 (actual 54-84)
Home: 27-44
Away: 27-40
Last 10: 3-7
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Game 134: Brewers Out Slug Reeling Tigers, 11-8
Detroit (Mon., Sept. 1, 1975) - Darrell Porter hit a grand slam and drove in five runs, leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a wild 11-8 win over the Tigers Monday night at Tiger Stadium.
The Brewers led, 8-5, after two innings.
Milwaukee scored five times in the first frame, punctuated by Porter's bases-loaded homer into the right field upper deck.
But the Tigers (52-82), losers of 18 of their past 23 games, struck back with four runs in the first inning.
Detroit used four singles, two walks and a sacrifice fly to score the four runs, making the score 5-4 before many fans were even in their seats.
The key was the middle relief job done by Milwaukee right-hander Tom Hausman, who pitched five scoreless innings after taking over for lefty starter Bill Travers in the third inning. Leon Roberts led off the third with his 11th home run of the season, prompting Milwaukee manager Del Crandall to lift Travers with the score 8-6, Brewers.
The Tigers didn't score again until the ninth, with Milwaukee leading 11-6. Dan Meyer, who had three hits, slugged a two-run homer off Eduardo Rodriguez. Crandall then summoned Tom Murphy to get the final three outs, 1-2-3.
Meyer is hitting .351 (13-for-37) since August 20.
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle (8-13) was rocked for nine runs (seven earned) in 3.1 innings. Hausman was credited for the win for Milwaukee.
The Tigers committed three errors---two by shortstop Tom Veryzer---in the first two innings. Ron LeFlore misplayed Bob Sheldon's lead-off single in the first inning for the other error.
It was the second straight game the Tigers gave up 11 runs.
The Major Said: "That's how it goes when you're losing. You get good pitching, you can't hit. The bats get going, the pitching falters."
Milw. 530 100 011 11-14-0
Tigers 411 000 002 8-11-3
HR: Porter (MIL); Roberts (DET, 11); Meyer (DET, 10)
WP: Hausman
SV: Murphy
LP: Ruhle (8-13)
Tigers record: 52-82 (actual 53-81)
Home: 25-43
Away: 27-39
Last 10: 4-6
The Brewers led, 8-5, after two innings.
Milwaukee scored five times in the first frame, punctuated by Porter's bases-loaded homer into the right field upper deck.
But the Tigers (52-82), losers of 18 of their past 23 games, struck back with four runs in the first inning.
Detroit used four singles, two walks and a sacrifice fly to score the four runs, making the score 5-4 before many fans were even in their seats.
The key was the middle relief job done by Milwaukee right-hander Tom Hausman, who pitched five scoreless innings after taking over for lefty starter Bill Travers in the third inning. Leon Roberts led off the third with his 11th home run of the season, prompting Milwaukee manager Del Crandall to lift Travers with the score 8-6, Brewers.
The Tigers didn't score again until the ninth, with Milwaukee leading 11-6. Dan Meyer, who had three hits, slugged a two-run homer off Eduardo Rodriguez. Crandall then summoned Tom Murphy to get the final three outs, 1-2-3.
Meyer is hitting .351 (13-for-37) since August 20.
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle (8-13) was rocked for nine runs (seven earned) in 3.1 innings. Hausman was credited for the win for Milwaukee.
The Tigers committed three errors---two by shortstop Tom Veryzer---in the first two innings. Ron LeFlore misplayed Bob Sheldon's lead-off single in the first inning for the other error.
It was the second straight game the Tigers gave up 11 runs.
The Major Said: "That's how it goes when you're losing. You get good pitching, you can't hit. The bats get going, the pitching falters."
Milw. 530 100 011 11-14-0
Tigers 411 000 002 8-11-3
HR: Porter (MIL); Roberts (DET, 11); Meyer (DET, 10)
WP: Hausman
SV: Murphy
LP: Ruhle (8-13)
Tigers record: 52-82 (actual 53-81)
Home: 25-43
Away: 27-39
Last 10: 4-6
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Game 126: Tigers Rout Twins, End Losing Skid
Bloomington, MN (Fri., Aug. 22, 1975) - Dan Meyer hit a grand slam as part of a five-run fourth inning, and the Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins, 8-3, on Friday night to snap their 10-game losing streak.
Meyer connected off Twins starter Dave Goltz, who was roughed up for seven runs and nine hits in four innings.
Vern Ruhle picked up the win for Detroit with six-plus innings of solid work.
The win was the Tigers' first since beating Minnesota 1-0 on August 9 in Detroit.
Trailing 3-2 heading into the fourth, the Tigers loaded the bases with nobody out. After a force out at the plate, Ron LeFlore delivered a run-scoring single to tie the game. Gary Sutherland grounded into another force out at home, bringing Meyer to the plate. On a 1-1 pitch, Meyer drilled a Goltz fastball over the right field wall.
The Tigers (49-77) pounded out 15 hits off four Twins pitchers.
Rod Carew had an RBI double and a run-scoring single in the first two innings as the Twins built a 3-2 lead. The Tigers had gone ahead 2-1 in the top of the second on a Bill Freehan triple, a Ben Oglivie double and an Aurelio Rodriguez sacrifice fly.
The Major Said: "Plop, plop, fizz, fizz. Isn't that the commercial? We were due, that's for sure. That was a pretty good pitcher (Goltz) we got to, too."
Tigers 020 500 100 8-15-1
Minn. 120 000 000 3-9-1
HR: Meyer (DET, 8)
WP: Ruhle (8-11)
LP: Goltz
Tigers record: 49-77 (actual 50-76)
Home: 24-41
Away: 25-36
Last 10: 1-9
Meyer connected off Twins starter Dave Goltz, who was roughed up for seven runs and nine hits in four innings.
Vern Ruhle picked up the win for Detroit with six-plus innings of solid work.
The win was the Tigers' first since beating Minnesota 1-0 on August 9 in Detroit.
Trailing 3-2 heading into the fourth, the Tigers loaded the bases with nobody out. After a force out at the plate, Ron LeFlore delivered a run-scoring single to tie the game. Gary Sutherland grounded into another force out at home, bringing Meyer to the plate. On a 1-1 pitch, Meyer drilled a Goltz fastball over the right field wall.
The Tigers (49-77) pounded out 15 hits off four Twins pitchers.
Rod Carew had an RBI double and a run-scoring single in the first two innings as the Twins built a 3-2 lead. The Tigers had gone ahead 2-1 in the top of the second on a Bill Freehan triple, a Ben Oglivie double and an Aurelio Rodriguez sacrifice fly.
The Major Said: "Plop, plop, fizz, fizz. Isn't that the commercial? We were due, that's for sure. That was a pretty good pitcher (Goltz) we got to, too."
Tigers 020 500 100 8-15-1
Minn. 120 000 000 3-9-1
HR: Meyer (DET, 8)
WP: Ruhle (8-11)
LP: Goltz
Tigers record: 49-77 (actual 50-76)
Home: 24-41
Away: 25-36
Last 10: 1-9
Monday, August 20, 2012
Game 122: Tigers Get Swept By Angels, Lose 7th Straight
Anaheim, CA (Sun., Aug. 17, 1975) - The California Angels struck for four runs in the first inning and went on to beat the Tigers, 5-3 Sunday to extend Detroit's losing streak to seven games and complete a three-game sweep.
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle struggled early, as five straight Angels hitters reached base at one point in the opening inning.
Down 5-0, the Tigers tried to come back, scoring single runs in the fourth, sixth and eighth innings. But fireman Don Kirkwood, who saved all three Angels victories, came on and retired the final five Tigers hitters in order.
Even three Angels errors couldn't help the Tigers' cause.
Bill Freehan had two hits, including his 13th home run, and two RBI to lead the Tigers' attack. Freehan's homer was the only four-bagger by either team in the entire series.
After the first inning, Ruhle settled down and pitched the whole game for Detroit, shutting out the Angels from the third inning on.
But the damage was done, and the Tigers have now lost 10 of their past 11 games.
The Major Said: "We've had a lot of slow starts lately. The pattern is that we fall behind and spend the rest of the game trying to catch up. It's not working, obviously."
Tigers 000 101 010 3-7-1
Calif. 410 000 00x 5-8-3
HR: Freehan (DET, 13)
WP: Figueroa
SV: Kirkwood
LP: Ruhle
Tigers record: 48-74 (actual 48-74)
Home: 24-41
Away: 24-33
Last 10: 1-9
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle struggled early, as five straight Angels hitters reached base at one point in the opening inning.
Down 5-0, the Tigers tried to come back, scoring single runs in the fourth, sixth and eighth innings. But fireman Don Kirkwood, who saved all three Angels victories, came on and retired the final five Tigers hitters in order.
Even three Angels errors couldn't help the Tigers' cause.
Bill Freehan had two hits, including his 13th home run, and two RBI to lead the Tigers' attack. Freehan's homer was the only four-bagger by either team in the entire series.
After the first inning, Ruhle settled down and pitched the whole game for Detroit, shutting out the Angels from the third inning on.
But the damage was done, and the Tigers have now lost 10 of their past 11 games.
The Major Said: "We've had a lot of slow starts lately. The pattern is that we fall behind and spend the rest of the game trying to catch up. It's not working, obviously."
Tigers 000 101 010 3-7-1
Calif. 410 000 00x 5-8-3
HR: Freehan (DET, 13)
WP: Figueroa
SV: Kirkwood
LP: Ruhle
Tigers record: 48-74 (actual 48-74)
Home: 24-41
Away: 24-33
Last 10: 1-9
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Game 118: Tigers Bats Awaken Too Late, 4-2
Detroit (Tue., Aug. 12, 1975) - The Texas Rangers rode an early 3-0 lead and held off a couple late Tigers rallies as they beat Detroit, 4-2, at Tiger Stadium Tuesday night.
Jeff Burroughs, who slammed two home runs Monday, hit another in the first inning, a two-run shot, to stake Texas to an early 2-0 lead.
The Rangers added a run in the second inning and tacked on another one in the seventh on a homer by Roy Howell.
Meanwhile, Texas starter Stan Perzanowski handcuffed the Tigers on no runs and six hits thru seven innings.
The Tigers (48-70) finally broke through in the eighth, thanks partially to two errors by second baseman Lenny Randle. That made the score 4-1, and in the ninth off Perzanowski and reliever Mike Kekich, Detroit cobbled together another run and had runners on first and second before fireman Steve Foucault came on to strike out pinch hitter John Wockenfuss to end the threat and the game.
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle (7-10) went seven innings in a losing effort.
It was the Tigers' third straight loss and sixth in their past seven games.
The Major Said: "A hitting slump is like a common cold. There really is no cure other than waiting it out and letting it ride its course. And we've had plenty of colds this year, that's for sure."
Texas 210 000 100 4-11-2
Tigers 000 000 011 2-8-0
HR: Burroughs (TEX); Howell (TEX)
WP: Perzanowski
SV: Foucault
LP: Ruhle (7-10)
Tigers record: 48-70 (actual 46-72)
Home: 24-40
Away: 24-30
Last 10: 4-6
Jeff Burroughs, who slammed two home runs Monday, hit another in the first inning, a two-run shot, to stake Texas to an early 2-0 lead.
The Rangers added a run in the second inning and tacked on another one in the seventh on a homer by Roy Howell.
Meanwhile, Texas starter Stan Perzanowski handcuffed the Tigers on no runs and six hits thru seven innings.
The Tigers (48-70) finally broke through in the eighth, thanks partially to two errors by second baseman Lenny Randle. That made the score 4-1, and in the ninth off Perzanowski and reliever Mike Kekich, Detroit cobbled together another run and had runners on first and second before fireman Steve Foucault came on to strike out pinch hitter John Wockenfuss to end the threat and the game.
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle (7-10) went seven innings in a losing effort.
It was the Tigers' third straight loss and sixth in their past seven games.
The Major Said: "A hitting slump is like a common cold. There really is no cure other than waiting it out and letting it ride its course. And we've had plenty of colds this year, that's for sure."
Texas 210 000 100 4-11-2
Tigers 000 000 011 2-8-0
HR: Burroughs (TEX); Howell (TEX)
WP: Perzanowski
SV: Foucault
LP: Ruhle (7-10)
Tigers record: 48-70 (actual 46-72)
Home: 24-40
Away: 24-30
Last 10: 4-6
Friday, August 10, 2012
Game 113: Baylor, Cuellar Too Much For Tigers, 11-0
Detroit (Thu., Aug. 7, 1975) - Don Baylor slugged two home runs and had six RBI, and the Baltimore Orioles used an eight-run second inning to more than back up the pitching of Mike Cuellar, beating the Tigers 11-0 at Tiger Stadium Thursday night.
The Orioles sent 13 men to the plate in the second inning, plating eight runs on seven hits. Strangely, that was the only inning Baltimore scored or got a hit until the seventh.
But it was more than enough for Cuellar, the 38-year-old lefty. Cuellar limited the Tigers to six base hits, walking one and striking out four in the complete game shutout.
Baylor lofted a three-run homer into the left field upper deck in the second off Detroit starter Vern Ruhle, then added an RBI single later in the same inning. Baylor then registered his fifth and sixth RBI of the night with a two-rum homer in the seventh that went even further than the first four-bagger he hit.
Seven of the nine Orioles in the starting lineup scored at least one run.
The Tigers (47-66) have lost two straight on the heels of a four-game winning streak.
The Major Said: "In the course of 162 games, you're going to get your (butt) kicked from time to time. Tonight it was our turn, apparently. That's just the way it is."
Baltimore 080 000 210 11-12-1
Tigers 000 000 000 0-6-1
HR: Baylor ([2] BAL)
WP: Cuellar
LP: Ruhle (7-9)
Tigers record: 47-66 (actual 46-67)
Home: 23-36
Away: 24-30
Last 10: 4-6
Recent games
Game 112 (8-6-75, DH #2)
Baltimore 000 002 010 3-4-1
Tigers 001 000 100 2-8-0
HR: Hendricks (BAL); Wockenfuss ([2] DET, 3)
WP: Grimsley
SV: Miller
LP: Lemanczyk (0-3)
Game 111 (8-6-75; DH #1)
Baltimore 200 000 000 2-5-0
Tigers 201 000 02x 5-9-0
HR: May (BAL); Baldwin (DET, 1); Oglivie (DET, 4); Freehan (DET, 10)
WP: LaGrow (6-13)
SV: Arroyo (3)
LP: Torrez
Game 110 (8-5-75)
Tigers 102 010 001 5-10-0
Cleveland 000 000 010 1-10-0
HR: Sutherland (DET, 6)
WP: Bare (4-4)
LP: Raich
The Orioles sent 13 men to the plate in the second inning, plating eight runs on seven hits. Strangely, that was the only inning Baltimore scored or got a hit until the seventh.
But it was more than enough for Cuellar, the 38-year-old lefty. Cuellar limited the Tigers to six base hits, walking one and striking out four in the complete game shutout.
Baylor lofted a three-run homer into the left field upper deck in the second off Detroit starter Vern Ruhle, then added an RBI single later in the same inning. Baylor then registered his fifth and sixth RBI of the night with a two-rum homer in the seventh that went even further than the first four-bagger he hit.
Seven of the nine Orioles in the starting lineup scored at least one run.
The Tigers (47-66) have lost two straight on the heels of a four-game winning streak.
The Major Said: "In the course of 162 games, you're going to get your (butt) kicked from time to time. Tonight it was our turn, apparently. That's just the way it is."
Baltimore 080 000 210 11-12-1
Tigers 000 000 000 0-6-1
HR: Baylor ([2] BAL)
WP: Cuellar
LP: Ruhle (7-9)
Tigers record: 47-66 (actual 46-67)
Home: 23-36
Away: 24-30
Last 10: 4-6
Recent games
Game 112 (8-6-75, DH #2)
Baltimore 000 002 010 3-4-1
Tigers 001 000 100 2-8-0
HR: Hendricks (BAL); Wockenfuss ([2] DET, 3)
WP: Grimsley
SV: Miller
LP: Lemanczyk (0-3)
Game 111 (8-6-75; DH #1)
Baltimore 200 000 000 2-5-0
Tigers 201 000 02x 5-9-0
HR: May (BAL); Baldwin (DET, 1); Oglivie (DET, 4); Freehan (DET, 10)
WP: LaGrow (6-13)
SV: Arroyo (3)
LP: Torrez
Game 110 (8-5-75)
Tigers 102 010 001 5-10-0
Cleveland 000 000 010 1-10-0
HR: Sutherland (DET, 6)
WP: Bare (4-4)
LP: Raich
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Game 107: Bosox Break Away Late, 9-4
Boston (Sat., Aug. 2, 1975) - The Boston Red Sox broke open a 2-2 game with seven runs in the seventh and eighth innings and went on to beat the Tigers, 9-4, Saturday at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox have a chance at a rare five-game series sweep on Sunday.
Carl Yastrzemski clubbed a two-run homer into the right field corner to highlight a three-run seventh inning as the Red Sox broke the tie. Then they added four runs in the eighth, the big blow being another two-run homer, this one by Bernie Carbo.
Willie Horton had an RBI triple and a two-run home run for Detroit (43-64). Horton tried for an inside-the-park home run in the first inning, but was gunned down at the plate after his drive bounced around in right center field before Fred Lynn grabbed the baseball and hit cutoff man Rick Burleson, who threw a strike to catcher Tim Blackwell to nail the Tigers' DH.
Reliever Bob Reynolds bore the brunt of Boston's late-inning assault, giving up five runs (four earned) in 1.2 innings.
Burleson had three singles and a run scored for the first-place Red Sox.
Gene Michael had a solo homer for Detroit.
Rick Wise started and went 8.1 innings for the win for Boston. Vern Ruhle (7-8) took the loss.
The Major Said: "Again, that's what happens here (Fenway Park). Runs happen in a hurry. Unfortunately we have been on the receiving end instead of the other way around so far."
Tigers 100 001 002 4-5-2
Boston 010 100 34x 9-15-0
HR: Yastrzemski (BOS); Carbo (BOS); Michael (DET, 2); Horton (DET, 17)
WP: Wise
LP: Ruhle (7-8)
Tigers record: 43-64 (actual 46-61)
Home: 22-34
Away: 21-30
Last 10: 4-6
The Red Sox have a chance at a rare five-game series sweep on Sunday.
Carl Yastrzemski clubbed a two-run homer into the right field corner to highlight a three-run seventh inning as the Red Sox broke the tie. Then they added four runs in the eighth, the big blow being another two-run homer, this one by Bernie Carbo.
Willie Horton had an RBI triple and a two-run home run for Detroit (43-64). Horton tried for an inside-the-park home run in the first inning, but was gunned down at the plate after his drive bounced around in right center field before Fred Lynn grabbed the baseball and hit cutoff man Rick Burleson, who threw a strike to catcher Tim Blackwell to nail the Tigers' DH.
Reliever Bob Reynolds bore the brunt of Boston's late-inning assault, giving up five runs (four earned) in 1.2 innings.
Burleson had three singles and a run scored for the first-place Red Sox.
Gene Michael had a solo homer for Detroit.
Rick Wise started and went 8.1 innings for the win for Boston. Vern Ruhle (7-8) took the loss.
The Major Said: "Again, that's what happens here (Fenway Park). Runs happen in a hurry. Unfortunately we have been on the receiving end instead of the other way around so far."
Tigers 100 001 002 4-5-2
Boston 010 100 34x 9-15-0
HR: Yastrzemski (BOS); Carbo (BOS); Michael (DET, 2); Horton (DET, 17)
WP: Wise
LP: Ruhle (7-8)
Tigers record: 43-64 (actual 46-61)
Home: 22-34
Away: 21-30
Last 10: 4-6
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Game 101: Tigers Jump on Yanks, Outlast Them, 7-4
New York (Mon., July 28, 1975) - The Tigers scored five runs in the fifth inning then fended off a furious rally to beat the New York Yankees, 7-4, at Shea Stadium on Monday night.
Ben Oglivie's solo home run started the scoring, and the Tigers added four more runs off starter Larry Gura as they sent 10 men to the plate.
The Yankees closed to within 5-4 and threatened to tie or take the lead in the eighth. But with the bases loaded and one out, reliever Dave Lemanczyk got Lou Piniella to ground into an inning-ending double play.
The Tigers (42-59) added two insurance runs in the ninth inning to seal the win, their eighth victory in twelve games.
Thurman Munson had four hits and a walk for the Yankees.
After Oglivie's fourth home run of the year, the next five Tigers singled to score three times. One out later, Aurelio Rodriguez singled to plate the fifth run of the inning.
The Yankees got three runs across the plate in the eighth and the crowd was shrieking, but Piniella pounded a Lemanczyk slider into the ground to second baseman Gary Sutherland, who started a 4-6-3 double play to end the threat.
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle went 6.1 innings, allowing just one run.
Before the game, reliever John Hiller had his left (pitching) elbow examined at a Manhattan clinic. So far, Hiller has been advised to rest the elbow for 10 days to two weeks, to relieve the tightness he experienced after Sunday's appearance. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
The Major Said: "That was a tough spot for Dave (Lemanczyk), with the bases loaded and the crowd into it. He made the perfect pitch, really."
Tigers 000 050 002 7-16-1
NY 000 000 130 4-13-0
HR: Oglivie (DET, 4)
WP: Ruhle (7-7)
SV: Lemanczyk (1)
LP: Gura
Tigers record: 42-59 (actual 46-55)
Home: 22-34
Away: 20-25
Last 10: 6-4
Ben Oglivie's solo home run started the scoring, and the Tigers added four more runs off starter Larry Gura as they sent 10 men to the plate.
The Yankees closed to within 5-4 and threatened to tie or take the lead in the eighth. But with the bases loaded and one out, reliever Dave Lemanczyk got Lou Piniella to ground into an inning-ending double play.
The Tigers (42-59) added two insurance runs in the ninth inning to seal the win, their eighth victory in twelve games.
Thurman Munson had four hits and a walk for the Yankees.
After Oglivie's fourth home run of the year, the next five Tigers singled to score three times. One out later, Aurelio Rodriguez singled to plate the fifth run of the inning.
The Yankees got three runs across the plate in the eighth and the crowd was shrieking, but Piniella pounded a Lemanczyk slider into the ground to second baseman Gary Sutherland, who started a 4-6-3 double play to end the threat.
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle went 6.1 innings, allowing just one run.
Before the game, reliever John Hiller had his left (pitching) elbow examined at a Manhattan clinic. So far, Hiller has been advised to rest the elbow for 10 days to two weeks, to relieve the tightness he experienced after Sunday's appearance. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
The Major Said: "That was a tough spot for Dave (Lemanczyk), with the bases loaded and the crowd into it. He made the perfect pitch, really."
Tigers 000 050 002 7-16-1
NY 000 000 130 4-13-0
HR: Oglivie (DET, 4)
WP: Ruhle (7-7)
SV: Lemanczyk (1)
LP: Gura
Tigers record: 42-59 (actual 46-55)
Home: 22-34
Away: 20-25
Last 10: 6-4
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Game 95: Benji!! A's, Fingers Stunned in 9th, 6-5
Detroit (Wed., July 23, 1975) - Ben Oglivie hit a two-run homer into the right field upper deck in the bottom of the ninth, and the Tigers came all the way back from an early 5-1 deficit to beat the Oakland A's, 6-5, at Tiger Stadium Wednesday night.
It was Detroit's third straight win, all over division-leading Oakland, against whom the Tigers are 6-2 this season.
Oglivie's home run came off Rollie Fingers, who the night before surrendered an 8th-inning, three-run blast to Bill Freehan, enabling the Tigers to win that game.
The Tigers scored twice in the sixth to pull to within 5-3, then added a single run in the seventh, made possible by an error by left fielder Claudell Washington.
In the ninth, John Wockenfuss led off with a double. After Tom Veryzer struck out, Oglivie stepped up and clubbed his second homer of the year.
The A's opened ths scoring with three unearned runs off starter Vern Ruhle in the fourth inning. Veryzer's muff of a ground ball should have been the second out of the inning, loading the bases. The next batter struck out, but thanks to the fourth out, the A's s got a walk and a double to push across three runs.
Willie Horton singled twice and scored twice for the Tigers (39-56), who have won five of six on this home stand.
The Major Said: "This was a great win, exciting for the fans. Hell, exciting for me, too. You never get tired of winning games in the ninth inning. It's a wonderful feeling. Fingers has had two tough nights here, but he's still one of the best in the business."
Oakland 000 320 000 5-9-1
Tigers 010 002 102 6-11-1
HR: Rudi (OAK); Oglivie (DET, 2)
WP: Arroyo (1-0)
LP: Fingers
Tigers record: 39-56 (actual 42-53)
Home: 20-31
Away: 19-25
Last 10: 6-4
It was Detroit's third straight win, all over division-leading Oakland, against whom the Tigers are 6-2 this season.
Oglivie's home run came off Rollie Fingers, who the night before surrendered an 8th-inning, three-run blast to Bill Freehan, enabling the Tigers to win that game.
The Tigers scored twice in the sixth to pull to within 5-3, then added a single run in the seventh, made possible by an error by left fielder Claudell Washington.
In the ninth, John Wockenfuss led off with a double. After Tom Veryzer struck out, Oglivie stepped up and clubbed his second homer of the year.
The A's opened ths scoring with three unearned runs off starter Vern Ruhle in the fourth inning. Veryzer's muff of a ground ball should have been the second out of the inning, loading the bases. The next batter struck out, but thanks to the fourth out, the A's s got a walk and a double to push across three runs.
Willie Horton singled twice and scored twice for the Tigers (39-56), who have won five of six on this home stand.
The Major Said: "This was a great win, exciting for the fans. Hell, exciting for me, too. You never get tired of winning games in the ninth inning. It's a wonderful feeling. Fingers has had two tough nights here, but he's still one of the best in the business."
Oakland 000 320 000 5-9-1
Tigers 010 002 102 6-11-1
HR: Rudi (OAK); Oglivie (DET, 2)
WP: Arroyo (1-0)
LP: Fingers
Tigers record: 39-56 (actual 42-53)
Home: 20-31
Away: 19-25
Last 10: 6-4
Friday, July 13, 2012
Game 83: Bats Cold; Tigers Fall in 10, 2-1
Kansas City (July 10) - The Tigers managed just three hits, and Kansas City starter Steve Busby pitched a 10-inning complete game as the Royals beat Detroit, 2-1, at Royals Stadium Thursday night.
Tony Solaita's single with two outs scored John Mayberry from second base with the winning run.
The Tigers scored their lone run in the first inning, when they collected two of their three hits, all singles. The third hit didn't come until the eighth inning as Busby cruised. He finished the game by retiring 22 of the last 24 Tigers hitters.
The Royals scored in the first inning as well, ona pair of doubles from George Brett and Mayberry.
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle went eight innings. Newly recalled Gene Pentz took the loss in relief.
In the 10th, Jim Wohlford led off with a walk. Brett popped out trying to bunt, but Mayberry singled, sending Wohlford to third base. Hal McRae grounded to third baseman Aurelio Rodriguez, who gunned Wohlford down at the plate for the second out.
That brought up Solaita, who delivered a line drive over the head of second baseman Gary Sutherland.
The Tigers (32-51) have lost 9 of 11.
The Major Said: "Another wasted pitching performance, but this time you have to hand it to Busby. He just had great command. He made great pitches at all the right times, it seemed."
Tigers 100 000 000 0 1-3-0
KC 100 000 000 1 2-8-1
WP: Busby
LP: Pentz (0-1)
Tigers record: 32-51 (actual 37-46)
Home: 15-30
Away: 17-21
Last 10: 2-8
Tony Solaita's single with two outs scored John Mayberry from second base with the winning run.
The Tigers scored their lone run in the first inning, when they collected two of their three hits, all singles. The third hit didn't come until the eighth inning as Busby cruised. He finished the game by retiring 22 of the last 24 Tigers hitters.
The Royals scored in the first inning as well, ona pair of doubles from George Brett and Mayberry.
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle went eight innings. Newly recalled Gene Pentz took the loss in relief.
In the 10th, Jim Wohlford led off with a walk. Brett popped out trying to bunt, but Mayberry singled, sending Wohlford to third base. Hal McRae grounded to third baseman Aurelio Rodriguez, who gunned Wohlford down at the plate for the second out.
That brought up Solaita, who delivered a line drive over the head of second baseman Gary Sutherland.
The Tigers (32-51) have lost 9 of 11.
The Major Said: "Another wasted pitching performance, but this time you have to hand it to Busby. He just had great command. He made great pitches at all the right times, it seemed."
Tigers 100 000 000 0 1-3-0
KC 100 000 000 1 2-8-1
WP: Busby
LP: Pentz (0-1)
Tigers record: 32-51 (actual 37-46)
Home: 15-30
Away: 17-21
Last 10: 2-8
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Game 77: Colborn Outduels Ruhle, 1-0
Detroit (July 5) - Darrell Porter slammed a solo home run into the right field upper deck in the eighth inning, and Jim Colborn pitched a complete-game shutout as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tigers, 1-0, Saturday afternoon at Tiger Stadium.
Colborn outdueled Tigers starter Vern Ruhle (6-7) by hurling a four-hitter and walking only one batter.
Ruhle went 7.1 innings, giving up just three hits. He carried a one-hitter into the eighth before Porter led off with his home run.
The Tigers (31-46) moved only one runner to second base all game, on Aurelio Rodriguez's double in the third inning.
The Major Said: "Vern made one mistake and it cost him. We've done this a lot this season---wasting good pitching performances. My heart breaks for the kid."
Milwaukee 000 000 010 1-4-1
Tigers 000 000 000 0-4-0
HR: Porter (MIL)
Tigers record: 31-46 (actual 31-46)
Home: 14-26
Away: 17-20
Last 10: 3-7
Colborn outdueled Tigers starter Vern Ruhle (6-7) by hurling a four-hitter and walking only one batter.
Ruhle went 7.1 innings, giving up just three hits. He carried a one-hitter into the eighth before Porter led off with his home run.
The Tigers (31-46) moved only one runner to second base all game, on Aurelio Rodriguez's double in the third inning.
The Major Said: "Vern made one mistake and it cost him. We've done this a lot this season---wasting good pitching performances. My heart breaks for the kid."
Milwaukee 000 000 010 1-4-1
Tigers 000 000 000 0-4-0
HR: Porter (MIL)
Tigers record: 31-46 (actual 31-46)
Home: 14-26
Away: 17-20
Last 10: 3-7
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Games 71 & 72: How SWEEP It Is! Tigers Broom Tribe in DH
Cleveland (June 30) - If only the Tigers could get this kind of pitching every night; they'd win a lot more ballgames.
It got them two wins tonight in Cleveland.
In a twi-night doubleheader, the Tigers beat the Indians twice, 1-0 and 6-2. They didn't need a relief pitcher in either game.
In Game 1, Vern Ruhle made a single run in the first inning hold up for the entire game, firing a six-hitter. Three Indians runners made it to second base but no further.
In Game 2, Lerrin LaGrow took the mound and, like Ruhle, never left it until the game's final out was recorded. The Tigers built a 6-0 lead and cruised. LaGrow limited the Tribe to eight scattered hits.
"Pitching, pitching, pitching," manager Ralph Houk said in opening his post-game statement after Game 2. "Tonight we got a ton of it."
Doubtless Houk was surprised to get through a twinbill without having to call on a reliever.
In the opener, Houk didn't dare, as Ruhle was in total control. In the nightcap, Houk resisted because, as he said, the Tigers' lead was comfortable enough to allow for some error.
Willie Horton (three-run shot, 13th) and Leon Roberts (two-run blast, 6th) hit homers in Game 2, supporting LaGrow.
In the opener, the Tigers used Ron LeFlore's speed to etch out a run.
The speedster led off the game with a base hit, stole second, and went to third on Gary Sutherland's fly ball. From there, LeFlore was plated by Dan Meyer's sacrifice fly.
Ruhle wiggled out of trouble all game long in spinning a shutout in Game 1
"You can't hit home runs all the time," Houk said. "We got a run there directly because of Ronnie's speed. And it held up."
Ruhle made sure of that. He put some runners on the base paths, but they were scattered and the Indians couldn't get the hit to break through. Ruhle walked five batters.
In the fourth, George Hendrick led off with a double but didn't get any further.
In the seventh, Oscar Gamble led off with a double. Rico Carty walked and the runners advanced to second and third after a ground out. Frank Duffy tried a squeeze bunt but it was hit too hard to Ruhle, who threw Gamble out at the plate. Ruhle got Buddy Bell to ground out to third to end the frame.
In fact, Ruhle's shutout was unusual in that in six of the nine innings, the Indians put the lead off man on yet couldn't score.
In the nightcap, the Tigers built a 6-0 lead by the fifth inning. Horton's moon shot into deep left center knocked Cleveland starter Dave Raich out of the game.
Notes: John Knox got a rare start at 2B in the night cap and had three singles...John Ellis caught both games for the Indians...In the second game, the Indians wore red jerseys with red pants...Cleveland relievers retired the last 14 Tigers hitters in a row in the second game, but the damage had been done...With the DH sweep, the Tigers escaped the AL East basement; they are now 1/2 game ahead of Cleveland.
**************************************************
Tigers record: 30-42 (actual 27-45)
Home: 13-23
Away: 17-19
Last 10: 4-6
It got them two wins tonight in Cleveland.
In a twi-night doubleheader, the Tigers beat the Indians twice, 1-0 and 6-2. They didn't need a relief pitcher in either game.
In Game 1, Vern Ruhle made a single run in the first inning hold up for the entire game, firing a six-hitter. Three Indians runners made it to second base but no further.
In Game 2, Lerrin LaGrow took the mound and, like Ruhle, never left it until the game's final out was recorded. The Tigers built a 6-0 lead and cruised. LaGrow limited the Tribe to eight scattered hits.
"Pitching, pitching, pitching," manager Ralph Houk said in opening his post-game statement after Game 2. "Tonight we got a ton of it."
Doubtless Houk was surprised to get through a twinbill without having to call on a reliever.
In the opener, Houk didn't dare, as Ruhle was in total control. In the nightcap, Houk resisted because, as he said, the Tigers' lead was comfortable enough to allow for some error.
Willie Horton (three-run shot, 13th) and Leon Roberts (two-run blast, 6th) hit homers in Game 2, supporting LaGrow.
In the opener, the Tigers used Ron LeFlore's speed to etch out a run.
The speedster led off the game with a base hit, stole second, and went to third on Gary Sutherland's fly ball. From there, LeFlore was plated by Dan Meyer's sacrifice fly.
Ruhle wiggled out of trouble all game long in spinning a shutout in Game 1
"You can't hit home runs all the time," Houk said. "We got a run there directly because of Ronnie's speed. And it held up."
Ruhle made sure of that. He put some runners on the base paths, but they were scattered and the Indians couldn't get the hit to break through. Ruhle walked five batters.
In the fourth, George Hendrick led off with a double but didn't get any further.
In the seventh, Oscar Gamble led off with a double. Rico Carty walked and the runners advanced to second and third after a ground out. Frank Duffy tried a squeeze bunt but it was hit too hard to Ruhle, who threw Gamble out at the plate. Ruhle got Buddy Bell to ground out to third to end the frame.
In fact, Ruhle's shutout was unusual in that in six of the nine innings, the Indians put the lead off man on yet couldn't score.
In the nightcap, the Tigers built a 6-0 lead by the fifth inning. Horton's moon shot into deep left center knocked Cleveland starter Dave Raich out of the game.
Notes: John Knox got a rare start at 2B in the night cap and had three singles...John Ellis caught both games for the Indians...In the second game, the Indians wore red jerseys with red pants...Cleveland relievers retired the last 14 Tigers hitters in a row in the second game, but the damage had been done...With the DH sweep, the Tigers escaped the AL East basement; they are now 1/2 game ahead of Cleveland.
**************************************************
Tigers record: 30-42 (actual 27-45)
Home: 13-23
Away: 17-19
Last 10: 4-6
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Game 66: Happiness Then Heartbreak As Tigers Lose in 9th, 5-4
Milwaukee (June 25) - For a few moments, Aurelio Rodriguez looked to have saved the day for the Tigers---or at least had given them a chance to win a game in extra innings.
But the Tigers had to get through the bottom of the ninth, first. They couldn't.
Rodriguez drove an opposite field, two-run home run to right field in the top of the ninth inning, tying the game 4-4. But the Milwaukee Brewers cobbled together a run in the bottom of the frame as Dan Meyer misplayed a base hit, and the Tigers lost, 5-4 at County Stadium tonight.
The Tigers (27-39) lost three of four to Milwaukee after winning three of four from the Yankees in Detroit.
On the game-winning play, Don Money lined a ball toward the line in left field and Meyer, trying to prevent Sixto Lezcano from scoring from second base, overran the baseball.
Lezcano led off the Brewers' ninth with a walk off reliever John Hiller (1-4).Lezcano advanced to second base on a ground out, and after Hiller struck out Pedro Garcia, Money came to the plate.
"I hurried too much," a dejected Meyer said afterward. "And I took my eye off the ball, trying to look at the base runner at the same time."
Money's single scored the winning run---after Dan Meyer misplayed the ball in left field
The Tigers opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the second inning. A wild pitch and a Ron LeFlore single plated the runs.
The Brewers broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh with two runs on a Garcia single and a sacrifice fly from 19 year-old shortstop Robin Yount.
With one out and Bill Freehan on second base in the ninth, Rodriguez took Ed Rodriguez's (no relation) fastball to right field, about three rows into the seats to tie the game, 4-4. It was Aurelio's third homer of the season.
But the Tigers couldn't take the game into extras.
"He (Meyer) just has to shake it off," manager Ralph Houk said of the left fielder's eighth miscue of the season, which leads all AL outfielders. "He was trying to make a play but he just attacked the ball too hard. What can you do?"
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle went 6.1 innings, surrendering just five hits and three runs, two earned. He didn't walk or strike out anyone.
The loss left the Tigers in last place in the AL East, one-half game behind Cleveland.
Now it's off to Baltimore for a four-game series with the Orioles over the weekend.
Notes: The Tigers committed three errors, giving them an unsightly 69 this season...Darrell Porter hit another home run, his third of the series...Hank Aaron indicated before the game that he would play in 1976. The question came up after Aaron was honored by the Brewers with an award by a Milwaukee community organization. "I feel pretty good," the 41 year-old Aaron said. "I think another season is possible."
*****************************************************
Tigers record: 27-39 (actual 26-40)
Home: 13-23
Away: 14-16
Last 10: 4-6
But the Tigers had to get through the bottom of the ninth, first. They couldn't.
Rodriguez drove an opposite field, two-run home run to right field in the top of the ninth inning, tying the game 4-4. But the Milwaukee Brewers cobbled together a run in the bottom of the frame as Dan Meyer misplayed a base hit, and the Tigers lost, 5-4 at County Stadium tonight.
The Tigers (27-39) lost three of four to Milwaukee after winning three of four from the Yankees in Detroit.
On the game-winning play, Don Money lined a ball toward the line in left field and Meyer, trying to prevent Sixto Lezcano from scoring from second base, overran the baseball.
Lezcano led off the Brewers' ninth with a walk off reliever John Hiller (1-4).Lezcano advanced to second base on a ground out, and after Hiller struck out Pedro Garcia, Money came to the plate.
"I hurried too much," a dejected Meyer said afterward. "And I took my eye off the ball, trying to look at the base runner at the same time."
Money's single scored the winning run---after Dan Meyer misplayed the ball in left field
The Tigers opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the second inning. A wild pitch and a Ron LeFlore single plated the runs.
The Brewers broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh with two runs on a Garcia single and a sacrifice fly from 19 year-old shortstop Robin Yount.
With one out and Bill Freehan on second base in the ninth, Rodriguez took Ed Rodriguez's (no relation) fastball to right field, about three rows into the seats to tie the game, 4-4. It was Aurelio's third homer of the season.
But the Tigers couldn't take the game into extras.
"He (Meyer) just has to shake it off," manager Ralph Houk said of the left fielder's eighth miscue of the season, which leads all AL outfielders. "He was trying to make a play but he just attacked the ball too hard. What can you do?"
Tigers starter Vern Ruhle went 6.1 innings, surrendering just five hits and three runs, two earned. He didn't walk or strike out anyone.
The loss left the Tigers in last place in the AL East, one-half game behind Cleveland.
Now it's off to Baltimore for a four-game series with the Orioles over the weekend.
Notes: The Tigers committed three errors, giving them an unsightly 69 this season...Darrell Porter hit another home run, his third of the series...Hank Aaron indicated before the game that he would play in 1976. The question came up after Aaron was honored by the Brewers with an award by a Milwaukee community organization. "I feel pretty good," the 41 year-old Aaron said. "I think another season is possible."
*****************************************************
Tigers record: 27-39 (actual 26-40)
Home: 13-23
Away: 14-16
Last 10: 4-6
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Game 60: One Game After Slugfest, Tigers Win 2-0
Detroit (June 20) - Ain't that how it usually works?
The day after the Tigers and Yankees combined for 27 runs, only two were scored tonight at Tiger Stadium.
Both those runs were Detroit's, and they took a second straight game from the Yanks, 2-0.
Vern Ruhle (5-6) pitched a complete game, five-hit shutout in his first start in 10 days.
Dan Meyer had both Detroit RBI: on a ground out in the third inning and a single in the seventh.
The Tigers (25-35) have won four of their last six games.
"These games are more my speed," manager Ralph Houk said, referring to tonight's pitcher's duel in comparison to last night's slugfest.
Yankees lefty Rudy May pitched well (seven innings, two runs) but Ruhle was better.
"Vern was amazing," Houk said. "Especially when you thought he might be rusty."
Ruhle missed his last start with a "dead arm" and hadn't started since June 10.
"I felt refreshed," Ruhle said after the game, enjoying a cold can of beer while his pitching arm was being wrapped in ice. "Had all three pitches working. It was fun tonight."
Even with the paltry run support?
"Can't score 16 every night," Ruhle said, prompting laughter.
Gary Sutherland continued his torrid ways. Last night Sutherland was 4-for-4, and tonight he was 3-for-3. The 7-for-7 series has lifted his average to .332.
The Yanks managed to get four runners to second base, but Ruhle was in command all night. As a result, he tossed the Tigers' first complete game this season by anyone not named Mickey Lolich.
"I only walked one, and that is huge," Ruhle said. "I got ahead of hitters and that was key, too."
Notes: Mickey Stanley started at first base...Houk said that catcher Bill Freehan's back continues to tighten up on him every morning, making his return to the lineup unknown...May pitched well, but hit two batters and committed a balk...Sutherland is going so good that he was intentionally walked in the seventh inning. But the next batter, Meyer, delivered a run-scoring single.
***********************************************************8
Tigers record: 25-35 (actual 26-34)
Home: 12-22
Away: 13-13
Last 10: 4-6
The day after the Tigers and Yankees combined for 27 runs, only two were scored tonight at Tiger Stadium.
Both those runs were Detroit's, and they took a second straight game from the Yanks, 2-0.
Vern Ruhle (5-6) pitched a complete game, five-hit shutout in his first start in 10 days.
Dan Meyer had both Detroit RBI: on a ground out in the third inning and a single in the seventh.
The Tigers (25-35) have won four of their last six games.
"These games are more my speed," manager Ralph Houk said, referring to tonight's pitcher's duel in comparison to last night's slugfest.
Yankees lefty Rudy May pitched well (seven innings, two runs) but Ruhle was better.
"Vern was amazing," Houk said. "Especially when you thought he might be rusty."
Ruhle missed his last start with a "dead arm" and hadn't started since June 10.
"I felt refreshed," Ruhle said after the game, enjoying a cold can of beer while his pitching arm was being wrapped in ice. "Had all three pitches working. It was fun tonight."
Even with the paltry run support?
"Can't score 16 every night," Ruhle said, prompting laughter.
Gary Sutherland continued his torrid ways. Last night Sutherland was 4-for-4, and tonight he was 3-for-3. The 7-for-7 series has lifted his average to .332.
The Yanks managed to get four runners to second base, but Ruhle was in command all night. As a result, he tossed the Tigers' first complete game this season by anyone not named Mickey Lolich.
"I only walked one, and that is huge," Ruhle said. "I got ahead of hitters and that was key, too."
Notes: Mickey Stanley started at first base...Houk said that catcher Bill Freehan's back continues to tighten up on him every morning, making his return to the lineup unknown...May pitched well, but hit two batters and committed a balk...Sutherland is going so good that he was intentionally walked in the seventh inning. But the next batter, Meyer, delivered a run-scoring single.
***********************************************************8
Tigers record: 25-35 (actual 26-34)
Home: 12-22
Away: 13-13
Last 10: 4-6
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Game 50: Tigers Overcome Royals, Finish 6-2 Trip
Kansas City, MO (June 10) - When the Tigers left Detroit, they were 15-27 and the wheels looked to be falling off, based on a 1-10 streak.
They return home having put their house back together again, at least for the time being.
The Tigers completed a 6-2 road trip with a 5-2 win over the Royals tonight.
Leon Roberts had two hits, including a solo homer, and drove in two runs. Ron LeFlore had three singles, and the Tigers banged out 11 hits in overcoming a 2-1 deficit midway through the game.
Starter Vern Ruhle (4-6) won his third straight start, posting a 2.14 ERA in that time.
Even light-hitting backup catcher Terry Humphrey got into the act with a couple hits, an RBI and a run scored.
"It'll be a much happier flight back home than the one leaving Detroit," manager Ralph Houk said.
Indeed.
The Tigers are 8-16 at home and left Detroit having lost 10 of 11 and looking completely out of sorts.
But they reeled off five wins to start the trip and won tonight, breaking a modest two-game losing streak.
"I think we played more relaxed on this trip," Roberts observed. "Maybe getting out of Detroit was good for us."
Roberts was 2-for-3 with two RBI
Now, Houk can only hope returning to Detroit brings the same "relaxed" play.
"We have twelve straight home games coming up," Houk said. "It's time to put up or shut up now."
If the Tigers can right the ship at home, the 12-game home stand provides a great chance to get back into the division race---a thought not lost on LeFlore.
"Just think. If we start winning at home like good teams should do, we could be right in the thick of things before too long," the speedster said.
The Tigers are currently in a virtual tie for last with Baltimore, seven games behind Boston.
But, as LeFlore said and Houk hopes, things can turn around quickly with some wins at home.
Tonight, the Tigers trailed 2-1 in the fifth before scoring twice on three singles and an error.
They added to their lead with Roberts' solo homer in the sixth. A Humphrey single in the seventh brought home the fifth run.
Ruhle went eight innings of six-hit ball.
Notes: Newly-acquired RHP Bob Reynolds made his Tigers debut in the ninth, pitching a stress-free inning for the save. The Tigers traded RHP Fred Holdsworth to Baltimore on May 29 for Reynolds, a 28-year-old veteran now with his fifth big league team...Between Nate Colbert (.128) and rookie Jack Pierce (1-for-21), the Tigers have, by far, the worst production at first base in the majors...Houk said he inserted Reynolds in the ninth because he wanted to give normal fireman John Hiller the night off, despite it being a save situation.
********************************************************
Tigers record: 21-29 (actual 23-27)
Home: 8-16
Away: 13-13
Last 10: 6-4
They return home having put their house back together again, at least for the time being.
The Tigers completed a 6-2 road trip with a 5-2 win over the Royals tonight.
Leon Roberts had two hits, including a solo homer, and drove in two runs. Ron LeFlore had three singles, and the Tigers banged out 11 hits in overcoming a 2-1 deficit midway through the game.
Starter Vern Ruhle (4-6) won his third straight start, posting a 2.14 ERA in that time.
Even light-hitting backup catcher Terry Humphrey got into the act with a couple hits, an RBI and a run scored.
"It'll be a much happier flight back home than the one leaving Detroit," manager Ralph Houk said.
Indeed.
The Tigers are 8-16 at home and left Detroit having lost 10 of 11 and looking completely out of sorts.
But they reeled off five wins to start the trip and won tonight, breaking a modest two-game losing streak.
"I think we played more relaxed on this trip," Roberts observed. "Maybe getting out of Detroit was good for us."
Roberts was 2-for-3 with two RBI
Now, Houk can only hope returning to Detroit brings the same "relaxed" play.
"We have twelve straight home games coming up," Houk said. "It's time to put up or shut up now."
If the Tigers can right the ship at home, the 12-game home stand provides a great chance to get back into the division race---a thought not lost on LeFlore.
"Just think. If we start winning at home like good teams should do, we could be right in the thick of things before too long," the speedster said.
The Tigers are currently in a virtual tie for last with Baltimore, seven games behind Boston.
But, as LeFlore said and Houk hopes, things can turn around quickly with some wins at home.
Tonight, the Tigers trailed 2-1 in the fifth before scoring twice on three singles and an error.
They added to their lead with Roberts' solo homer in the sixth. A Humphrey single in the seventh brought home the fifth run.
Ruhle went eight innings of six-hit ball.
Notes: Newly-acquired RHP Bob Reynolds made his Tigers debut in the ninth, pitching a stress-free inning for the save. The Tigers traded RHP Fred Holdsworth to Baltimore on May 29 for Reynolds, a 28-year-old veteran now with his fifth big league team...Between Nate Colbert (.128) and rookie Jack Pierce (1-for-21), the Tigers have, by far, the worst production at first base in the majors...Houk said he inserted Reynolds in the ninth because he wanted to give normal fireman John Hiller the night off, despite it being a save situation.
********************************************************
Tigers record: 21-29 (actual 23-27)
Home: 8-16
Away: 13-13
Last 10: 6-4
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Game 40: Tigers Escape Jams, End Losing Skid
Detroit (May 31) - For once, it was the Tigers who scored first. For once, it was the Tigers who increased their lead. For once, it was the other team who failed to finish their rallies.
It all added up to a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox today at Tiger Stadium, ending Detroit's eight-game losing streak.
Starter Vern Ruhle, among several in the rotation who've struggled this season, pitched into the eighth inning, allowing just seven hits and three runs, walking only two.
But it was the man who relieved him who saved the day.
Tom Walker entered the eighth with runners on first and third (error, single) and nobody out. The Tigers were hanging on to a precarious 5-3 lead. Walker then set down Deron Johnson (strikeout), Bill Stein (shallow fly ball) and Tony Muser (fly ball), stranding the runners.
Then in the ninth, inconsistent John Hiller survived a second Gary Sutherland error and left the bases loaded to end the game, earning his seventh save.
"Plop, plop, fizz fizz," manager Ralph Houk said afterward, invoking the line from a popular antacid commercial. "Oh what a relief it is."
The Tigers' first win since May 19 didn't come easy. They usually don't when you've lost eight in a row.
Ruhle escaped jams in the third and fifth before Walker wiggled his way out of the White Sox eighth.
"The bullpen picked me up today," Ruhle (2-6) said. "I owe Tom (Walker) a beer."
Walker saved Ruhle's bacon in the eighth
The Tigers were leading 2-1 in the fifth when Sutherland doubled home catcher Terry Humphrey, and Leon Roberts added an RBI ground out for a 4-1 lead.
After the White Sox used three singles and a couple ground outs to get within 4-3 in the sixth,
Aurelio Rodriguez laced a Jim Kaat pitch into the left field lower deck for an insurance run in the Tigers' half of the inning.
"My thing has always been, you're not officially out of a losing streak until you win a couple in a row," Houk said. "It's nice to win, but we can't keep piling up the ones in the right hand column (losses)."
Thanks to Friday's rainout, the Tigers and White Sox will play a doubleheader Sunday afternoon.
Only then will we know if Houk's team is "officially" out of its losing streak.
Notes: Willie Horton's two RBI gives him 26, which is on pace for 104 for the season. Still, he's not satisfied. "I could have a lot more," Horton said, despite carrying a healthy .317 BA...Sutherland on his two errors, both botched grounders: "Mental. Gotta bear down more. That's unacceptable"....Ruhle won for the first time since May 8.
***************************************************************
Tigers record: 15-25 (actual 19-21)
Home: 8-14
Away: 7-11
Last 10: 2-8
It all added up to a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox today at Tiger Stadium, ending Detroit's eight-game losing streak.
Starter Vern Ruhle, among several in the rotation who've struggled this season, pitched into the eighth inning, allowing just seven hits and three runs, walking only two.
But it was the man who relieved him who saved the day.
Tom Walker entered the eighth with runners on first and third (error, single) and nobody out. The Tigers were hanging on to a precarious 5-3 lead. Walker then set down Deron Johnson (strikeout), Bill Stein (shallow fly ball) and Tony Muser (fly ball), stranding the runners.
Then in the ninth, inconsistent John Hiller survived a second Gary Sutherland error and left the bases loaded to end the game, earning his seventh save.
"Plop, plop, fizz fizz," manager Ralph Houk said afterward, invoking the line from a popular antacid commercial. "Oh what a relief it is."
The Tigers' first win since May 19 didn't come easy. They usually don't when you've lost eight in a row.
Ruhle escaped jams in the third and fifth before Walker wiggled his way out of the White Sox eighth.
"The bullpen picked me up today," Ruhle (2-6) said. "I owe Tom (Walker) a beer."
Walker saved Ruhle's bacon in the eighth
The Tigers were leading 2-1 in the fifth when Sutherland doubled home catcher Terry Humphrey, and Leon Roberts added an RBI ground out for a 4-1 lead.
After the White Sox used three singles and a couple ground outs to get within 4-3 in the sixth,
Aurelio Rodriguez laced a Jim Kaat pitch into the left field lower deck for an insurance run in the Tigers' half of the inning.
"My thing has always been, you're not officially out of a losing streak until you win a couple in a row," Houk said. "It's nice to win, but we can't keep piling up the ones in the right hand column (losses)."
Thanks to Friday's rainout, the Tigers and White Sox will play a doubleheader Sunday afternoon.
Only then will we know if Houk's team is "officially" out of its losing streak.
Notes: Willie Horton's two RBI gives him 26, which is on pace for 104 for the season. Still, he's not satisfied. "I could have a lot more," Horton said, despite carrying a healthy .317 BA...Sutherland on his two errors, both botched grounders: "Mental. Gotta bear down more. That's unacceptable"....Ruhle won for the first time since May 8.
***************************************************************
Tigers record: 15-25 (actual 19-21)
Home: 8-14
Away: 7-11
Last 10: 2-8
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