Dueling

Gavin Floyd vs. Justin Verlander. A matchup that you would think would be very one-sided. The Tigers offense didn't feel it should be that way.

Floyd went 7.1 innings allowing only one hit (an Edgar Renteria single in the 8th). Gavin only allowed 5 baserunners total and had the Tigers reaching all day. Verlander on the other hand, allowed only an Orlando Cabrera home run in the 3rd inning until the 8th inning. But in the 8th inning he loaded the bases up, hit Paul Konerko on the elbow to bring one run in (on a questionable call), and allowed AJ Pierzynski to hit a 2-run single to stretch the deficit from 1-0 to 4-0.

So Jim Leyland came out one hitter too late (he should have brought lefty Bobby Seay in to face Pierzynski in the first place), and called on journeyman Francis Beltran. Beltran allowed two inherited runners to score, and one of his own on a Juan Uribe single to further the damage to 7-0.


On the offensive side of the ball, the Tigers offense is really starting to take shape. It's just too bad that it's an ugly shape. No Carlos Guillen in the lineup because of a sore leg, and with each passing day, one has to wonder whether Miguel Cabrera's leg problems aren't more serious than he's letting on. Gary Sheffield continues to hit third when he should probably be on the disabled list, and not hitting like a more patient Juan Pierre. Brandon Inge continued to be a bright spot in the young season going 1-2 and taking another walk (furthering that trade value). And a fun fact, the Tigers grounded into three more double plays, making the season total a league leading 19.

As ugly and as sloppy as the last two days have been for the Tigers, there is still an opportunity for a series win tomorrow as Kenny Rogers takes the hill against Mark Buehrle.