Verlander began the game giving up six hits to the first seven batters. The Orioles hammered home five runs in the first inning, but the Tigers fought back. On the road, the Tigers would pack their bags and go home after falling behind by five. But they're a different team at Comerica. They clawed their way back. In the fifth, courtesy of a Cabrera solo shot (3 RBIs on the day), the Tigers tied it. Verlander absolutely slammed the door after that bizarre first inning. In his seven subsequent innings, he gave up a meager three more hits (all singles), while striking out eight.
Then Rodney - in a non-save situation - pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, opening the door for Clete's heroics. Great win for the Tigers.
One interesting note -- Granderson was the first to bat in the bottom of the 9th. The pitcher, Baez, carved up the previous three batters. Granderson worked the count to 3-1. Rod Allen (for those not in Detroit, he's the FSD color analyst) said Curtis should take the next pitch. Baez threw a curve that flew out of the strike zone. Curtis swung and missed badly. Rod said (paraphrasing),
"He swung at ball 4. You gotta take that pitch. Even if it's a strike, you're still alive with another shot to get a walk. As a leadoff hitter, Curtis needs to understand that getting to first is the number one priority."Rod Allen, like most announcers, rarely criticizes the home team. This time, though, I think he perfectly summed up Curtis's problems at the plate. While Curtis has excellent power numbers, he's also the leadoff hitter who needs to think about on-base percentage. In the bottom of the 9th, in a tie game, he should be thinking "walk". Kudos to Rod Allen for calling Curtis out. I only hope Lloyd McLendon did the same thing.
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