It was only game 2, but the Tigers were already in mid-season form with regard to breaking your heart.
A loss to the Royals is not normally a heartbreaker. In fact, neither a shutout loss nor an extra inning loss would normally qualify as a true heartbreaker. No, my friends, the loss last night was truly special. If it wasn't just game 2, I would call it epic. An epic fail.
Max Scherzer began his Tiger career throwing six shutout innings - a truly auspicious debut. This being April, the weather played a factor. Temps in Kansas City were quite cold, and neither offense mounted much of a threat. KC broke free against Fu Te Ni in the 7th with a run off a fielder's choice. The Tigers, despite outhitting KC, pushed zero men across the plate through eight innings.
KC brought in their closer, Joakim Soria, one of the best closers around. Soria struck out the final batter in the 8th inning (Austin Jackson). In the top of the 9th, Soria faced the top Tiger hitters with Damon, Maggs, and Cabrera. Both Damon and Maggs worked a full count but struck out. Down to their final out, Cabrera walked to the plate. Soria peppered him with two quick strikes. Then Cabrera fouled off three straight. They continued to battle until the 10th pitch in the at-bat when Cabrera laced a deep line drive to opposite field. The ball hit the foul pole for a home run. It was awesome.
Cabrera's homer was the Tigers first run of Soria since '07. Ouch.
Guillen followed the homer with another hit, but Inge's sharp liner was caught by Podsednik. Leyland called on Phil Coke to pitch the 9th. He let a runner reach but was helped by a double-play. Extra innings.
The Tigers threatened again in the 10th with Robinson Tejeda on the mound. Laird flied out, but Sizemore managed a walk. Santiago, exhibiting excellent patience at the plate, singled on the 9th pitch. Sizemore took third. With runners at the corners, it was a chance for new Tiger Austin Jackson to drive home the winning run with either a hit or a sacrifice.
It was not to be. Showing he fits right in with the Old English D, Jackson struck out, swinging at three pitches out of the strike zone. With two outs, Damon had a chance to be a hero, but his sharp liner to left was barely caught by Podsednik.
After Coke pitched an excellent 10th, the Tigers took the lead in the 11th. With wild thing Kyle Farnsworth on the mound, the Tigers took full advantage. Maggs took the first pitch and singled to right-center. Cabrera took the next pitch right up the middle for another single. With two men on, Guillen singled to left, and Don Kelly (pinch running for Maggs) easily beat home an incredibly weak throw from Podsednik. The Tigers were in business. No outs. Two men on. Farnsworth on the mound. Things looked good.
But, wow, the batting order really comes to a screeching halt after Guillen. Inge worked a 3-1 count and then popped up to the pitcher. Leyland then inexplicably told Cabrera to steal 3rd base. He was caught by Farnsworth by about ten steps. Still, Guillen advanced to 2nd, and Laird had a chance to drive in one more run with a single. Nope. Another pop up. End of threat.
With a 2-1 lead, Valverde took the mound for his first save opportunity as a Tiger. It didn't take long for him to blow it. The first batter he faced, nailed a line drive home run off the foul pole. Billy Butler then hit a sharp grounder to shortstop. Santiago had a chance to throw him out, but he double-clutched the ball. It was ruled a HIT. Rick Ankiel then doubled to deep right. The runner scored from first thanks to Scott Sizemore bobbling the relay. It was an ugly, ugly end to an otherwise exciting game.
The Royals then celebrated like they won the pennant. Ugh.
A loss to the Royals is not normally a heartbreaker. In fact, neither a shutout loss nor an extra inning loss would normally qualify as a true heartbreaker. No, my friends, the loss last night was truly special. If it wasn't just game 2, I would call it epic. An epic fail.
Max Scherzer began his Tiger career throwing six shutout innings - a truly auspicious debut. This being April, the weather played a factor. Temps in Kansas City were quite cold, and neither offense mounted much of a threat. KC broke free against Fu Te Ni in the 7th with a run off a fielder's choice. The Tigers, despite outhitting KC, pushed zero men across the plate through eight innings.
KC brought in their closer, Joakim Soria, one of the best closers around. Soria struck out the final batter in the 8th inning (Austin Jackson). In the top of the 9th, Soria faced the top Tiger hitters with Damon, Maggs, and Cabrera. Both Damon and Maggs worked a full count but struck out. Down to their final out, Cabrera walked to the plate. Soria peppered him with two quick strikes. Then Cabrera fouled off three straight. They continued to battle until the 10th pitch in the at-bat when Cabrera laced a deep line drive to opposite field. The ball hit the foul pole for a home run. It was awesome.
Cabrera's homer was the Tigers first run of Soria since '07. Ouch.
Guillen followed the homer with another hit, but Inge's sharp liner was caught by Podsednik. Leyland called on Phil Coke to pitch the 9th. He let a runner reach but was helped by a double-play. Extra innings.
The Tigers threatened again in the 10th with Robinson Tejeda on the mound. Laird flied out, but Sizemore managed a walk. Santiago, exhibiting excellent patience at the plate, singled on the 9th pitch. Sizemore took third. With runners at the corners, it was a chance for new Tiger Austin Jackson to drive home the winning run with either a hit or a sacrifice.
It was not to be. Showing he fits right in with the Old English D, Jackson struck out, swinging at three pitches out of the strike zone. With two outs, Damon had a chance to be a hero, but his sharp liner to left was barely caught by Podsednik.
After Coke pitched an excellent 10th, the Tigers took the lead in the 11th. With wild thing Kyle Farnsworth on the mound, the Tigers took full advantage. Maggs took the first pitch and singled to right-center. Cabrera took the next pitch right up the middle for another single. With two men on, Guillen singled to left, and Don Kelly (pinch running for Maggs) easily beat home an incredibly weak throw from Podsednik. The Tigers were in business. No outs. Two men on. Farnsworth on the mound. Things looked good.
But, wow, the batting order really comes to a screeching halt after Guillen. Inge worked a 3-1 count and then popped up to the pitcher. Leyland then inexplicably told Cabrera to steal 3rd base. He was caught by Farnsworth by about ten steps. Still, Guillen advanced to 2nd, and Laird had a chance to drive in one more run with a single. Nope. Another pop up. End of threat.
With a 2-1 lead, Valverde took the mound for his first save opportunity as a Tiger. It didn't take long for him to blow it. The first batter he faced, nailed a line drive home run off the foul pole. Billy Butler then hit a sharp grounder to shortstop. Santiago had a chance to throw him out, but he double-clutched the ball. It was ruled a HIT. Rick Ankiel then doubled to deep right. The runner scored from first thanks to Scott Sizemore bobbling the relay. It was an ugly, ugly end to an otherwise exciting game.
The Royals then celebrated like they won the pennant. Ugh.
The Tiger loss spoiled an otherwise awesome day for Detroit sports. Both the Pistons and Red Wings rallied from late deficits to win. Yes, I know the Piston win hurts their lottery chances. Yet, the game was somewhat of a breakout for Bynum and Ben Gordon. The Pistons need those guys to turn it around every bit as much as a another ball in the lottery.
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