Laird makes that familiar walkIt was the showdown between two of last season's top pitchers - Cy Young winner Zack Greinke and Tiger ace Justin Verlander. Neither pitcher was in top form, though Greinke was solid until the 6th. Verlander gave up two early runs before settling down and retiring 10 straight. With two outs in the 5th, Verlander lost control and loaded the bases. Billy Butler hit a clutch two-out single to give the Royals a 4-1 lead.
With Greinke on the mound, I figured the Tigers were dead-in-the-water. Yet, it was the first game of the season, and the Royals could not let Greinke go past 100 pitches. The Tiger hitters were more patient than usual (thank you, Johnny Damon and your BoSox/Yankee experience!). They forced Greinke into a ton of pitches in the 6th, and he was done for the day. With Greinke on the bench, I mentioned to Mrs. Nofrownmotown that the Tigers better make their move in the 7th or 8th, because Royal's closer Soria will mow them down in the 9th.
It went exactly according to plan. The Tigers beat up on the Royals pen, forcing them to make three pitching changes in the 7th. The first four men reached base. Jackson and Damon hit back-to-back doubles and suddenly the Tigers had a 5-4 lead. The Royals brought out Robinson Tejeda who absolutely owned Detroit last August (11 IP, 1 R). Tejeda challenged Cabrera with fastball after fastball. Despite first base open, the Royals seemed intent on striking out the big bat. Cabrera continued to foul off Tejeda's 99mph heat and eventually sent the sixth fastball right up the gut for a run-scoring single.
When the Royals finally got the third out, they were down 8-4. The Royals fans must've wanted to choke on their beer. Greinke leaves with a 4-2 lead, and then three outs later the team is down 4? Yikes. The Tigers pen, meanwhile, shut down the Royals, with an assist from the home-plate umpire. With the Royals threatening in the bottom of the 7th, they got a single up the middle with two men on. The Royals sent the lead runner home. Austin Jackson picked up the ball and rifled it to Laird for a close play at the plate. The umpire called the runner out, but replays showed it was likely safe. Perhaps Laird's reputation as a great defensive catcher gave him the benefit of the doubt?
The Royals threatened again in the bottom of the 9th. With new Tiger closer, Jose Valverde, on the mound, they got two men on thanks to a walk and an error. With one out, the Royals grounded a ball to Valverde for the seemingly game-ending double-play. Valverde trotted over to first and tossed the ball to Cabrera for one out. Oops.
Valverde tried to play it off like he didn't just blow the game. The Papa Grande intended to just get one out! Dios Mio! The next batter, speedy Scott Podsednik hit a sharp grounder to Cabrera and Valverde sprinted to cover first. He narrowly beat Podsednik for the final out. It was Rodney-esque.
Despite Valverde's gaffe, it was still a great win by the Tigers. The new arrivals delivered clutch hits, and the old guard performed according to expectations. Verlander did not have his strong stuff, but the bullpen stepped up to limit the damage - especially Zumaya. The new bulldog showed a rare glimpse of his '06 self as he mowed down three straight batters in the 6th. Perry also fared well in his setup role, with three straight outs in the 8th.
As a team, the Tigers only left 6 runners on base, while hitting 5/13 with RISP. Yes, it's just one game, but it's nice to see them actually deliver a clutch hit.
With Greinke on the mound, I figured the Tigers were dead-in-the-water. Yet, it was the first game of the season, and the Royals could not let Greinke go past 100 pitches. The Tiger hitters were more patient than usual (thank you, Johnny Damon and your BoSox/Yankee experience!). They forced Greinke into a ton of pitches in the 6th, and he was done for the day. With Greinke on the bench, I mentioned to Mrs. Nofrownmotown that the Tigers better make their move in the 7th or 8th, because Royal's closer Soria will mow them down in the 9th.
It went exactly according to plan. The Tigers beat up on the Royals pen, forcing them to make three pitching changes in the 7th. The first four men reached base. Jackson and Damon hit back-to-back doubles and suddenly the Tigers had a 5-4 lead. The Royals brought out Robinson Tejeda who absolutely owned Detroit last August (11 IP, 1 R). Tejeda challenged Cabrera with fastball after fastball. Despite first base open, the Royals seemed intent on striking out the big bat. Cabrera continued to foul off Tejeda's 99mph heat and eventually sent the sixth fastball right up the gut for a run-scoring single.
When the Royals finally got the third out, they were down 8-4. The Royals fans must've wanted to choke on their beer. Greinke leaves with a 4-2 lead, and then three outs later the team is down 4? Yikes. The Tigers pen, meanwhile, shut down the Royals, with an assist from the home-plate umpire. With the Royals threatening in the bottom of the 7th, they got a single up the middle with two men on. The Royals sent the lead runner home. Austin Jackson picked up the ball and rifled it to Laird for a close play at the plate. The umpire called the runner out, but replays showed it was likely safe. Perhaps Laird's reputation as a great defensive catcher gave him the benefit of the doubt?
The Royals threatened again in the bottom of the 9th. With new Tiger closer, Jose Valverde, on the mound, they got two men on thanks to a walk and an error. With one out, the Royals grounded a ball to Valverde for the seemingly game-ending double-play. Valverde trotted over to first and tossed the ball to Cabrera for one out. Oops.
Valverde tried to play it off like he didn't just blow the game. The Papa Grande intended to just get one out! Dios Mio! The next batter, speedy Scott Podsednik hit a sharp grounder to Cabrera and Valverde sprinted to cover first. He narrowly beat Podsednik for the final out. It was Rodney-esque.
Despite Valverde's gaffe, it was still a great win by the Tigers. The new arrivals delivered clutch hits, and the old guard performed according to expectations. Verlander did not have his strong stuff, but the bullpen stepped up to limit the damage - especially Zumaya. The new bulldog showed a rare glimpse of his '06 self as he mowed down three straight batters in the 6th. Perry also fared well in his setup role, with three straight outs in the 8th.
As a team, the Tigers only left 6 runners on base, while hitting 5/13 with RISP. Yes, it's just one game, but it's nice to see them actually deliver a clutch hit.
Not to be overlooked: zoom-zoom hit 103 mph, and threw 10 of 12 for strikes. Stay healthy!
ReplyDelete"Velocity is overrated"
ReplyDelete- Zumaya
For real. He said it. I heard with my own ears during a preseason game (in-game interview). I think that shows a bit of maturity in Zumaya that he knows he can't just overpower hitters. He's got to respect "the art." He may have always known this, but I think he relied on velocity too much in the past.