Humble Beginnings

Tuesday had the makings of a good day.

Brian Bannister was on the hill for the Royals. A man who was projected to have a large comedown this season after a breakout rookie campaign. A man who doesn't blow opponents away, but rather out-thinks and hits his spots. A man who throws strikes, so hitters know that they're going to have things to hit through the course of the game.

Kenny Rogers was making his first start of the year. With this being possibly his last season, and with the urgency to not start the season with 2 losses, he had to come up with a solid start.

And he did.

The neighborhood was safe until Mark Grudzielanek, Jose Guillen, and Billy Butler doubled in succession in the 6th inning to break a scoreless tie and put the Royals up 2-0.

Unfortunately for Kenny (and everyone else in Detroit), Mr. Bannister proved everyone wrong and was more than up to the task. Consistently throwing first pitch strikes, and having the Tigers guessing all day long.

There was some hope when Zach Miner came into the game and cruised through one inning. But his second was problematic. With men on first and third with no outs, he got two straight Ks. Just as it seemed like trouble was averted, he allowed both runners to score, and put the game out of reach 4-0.

Being that the Royals bullpen is much improved, the rest was a formality. Leo Nunez came in, and even though he's a vastly different pitcher than Bannister, it was more of the same. Joakim Soria then entered, and struck out the bottom of the order with ease.

Of course it wasn't ALL negative. Edgar Renteria eased the feather further into David Dombrowski's cap by providing ALL of the Tigers offense for the day, with a whole 3 singles. Aside from an 8th inning Carlos Guillen walk, there was NOTHING else for the Tigers offensively.


So the series rides on the flu-ridden Jeremy Bonderman, and Zack Greinke will be eyeing a start of the season sweep for the boys from KC.


Forecast in Detroit, Rainbows and sunshine.