Just enough

Major, major props to unheralded Brandon Lyon. The Tigers were leading 4-3 in the top of the 8th. Bobby Seay let the first two batters reach, after pitching a scoreless 7th. Leyland called for Lyon to clean up the mess.

With runners at the corners and no outs, Lyon got the first batter to ground out right back to the pitcher. Then he struck out the next batter, and the final out was a weak pop up to Cabrera. 1-2-3, the hard way. It saved the game and perhaps hope.

The Tigers bats were fairly active against the Royals' starter, DiNardo - another low-rent lefty. The Tigers notched 10 hits in the game, but only 2 were extra-base hits (both doubles), and they stranded 10 on base. Unlikely hero Adam Everett saved the day with two clutch hits (scoring two), and helped the team come back from an 0-3 deficit. Ol' reliable Polanco hit the game-winning RBI in the 6th.

The Royals roughed up starter Eddie Bonine a bit, but Bonine limited the damage to 3 runs over 5 innings. Thanks to Lyon and Rodney (who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth), the Tigers pulled out an emotional victory. Why emotional? Because Ernie Harwell made what is likely to be his last public appearance at Comerica Park. The svelte gentleman strolled out to the infield before the bottom of the 3rd inning and delivered a sincere, appreciative speech to the Tiger faithful. It wasn't a tear-jerker, just a matter-of-fact speech of thanks. Despite Ernie playing it cool, the folks in attendance and the players (even the Royals were videotaping it) had to be affected by the little legend who's become a synonymous with class, loyalty, and Tiger baseball.

This afternoon, the Tigers take on Greinke for the 5th and final time this season. It's Greinke vs Edwin Jackson. Slight edge to Greinke. I'm guessing Leyland will trot out Alex Avila and Carlos Guillen, which can only help.

It's Nate
Despite my prediction that Figaro would get the start on Sunday against the Twins, Leyland will try to start Nate after all. I say "try" because Leyland's not sure if Robertson is healthy enough to go five innings. He'll test Nate's arm today and then make his decision. With a gimpy Robertson pitching in the Metrodome? Things could get ugly.

Blackout
Perhaps my pleas have not fallen on deaf ears. 4,000 tickets remain for the Lions first home game this Sunday. That means blackout. I believe it will be the first home opener that's blacked-out in my lifetime. While the Lions will likely blame the meager ticket sales on the economy, that's definitely not the case. The Tigers had no trouble selling tickets. They're 12th in the Majors, despite the depressed Detroit economy. The Lions? Perhaps they should consider giving tickets away for $5. That's about all the product is worth.