No doubt, most of you have seen replays of Granderson's catch Friday night. I actually only caught the 9th inning of that game, but was fortunate to see the catch live. It was truly remarkable.
The Tigers only scratched one run off Cliff Lee, and Verlander pitched a shutout, allowing only 2 hits and a walk through eight. Leyland sent Verlander to finish it off in the 9th. He was throwing only heat. He got the first out then walked the next batter. Up came Tiger nemesis Grady Sizemore. Verlander threw fastball after fastball, and Sizemore kept fouling them off. Then Sizemore finally connected, sending a long flyball deep to centerfield. It had all the makings of a great Tiger backbreaker - a walk-off HR against the Tigers ace who threw one pitch too many.
That may have been the case last year, but this is 2009. Granderson leapt and speared the ball out of the air, and, in one fluid motion, heaved it back to first to try to double-off the runner. Verlander struck out the next dude to seal the win. Just an awesome game.
Great catch !! Verlander looks like he has turned it around. 3 great performances in a row. Go Tigers!
ReplyDeleteYeah, who is this new Verlander guy? Surely not the same guy who couldn't get past the 5th inning without hitting the 100pitch plateau?
ReplyDeleteHe's been phenomenal. It's great to see he's regained the form and is settling into the rotation as the true ace.