¡Ay Dios Mio!

Papa Grande's more of a Big Potato lately.

Like most of his fellow Tigers, the Big Potato has struggled mightily since the All-star break. The numbers say it all:

Pre-All-star -- 0.92 ERA

Post-All-star -- 7.80 ERA

Eesh. Now, it hasn't been all bad. The Big Potato did sprinkle in a few fine games in between his flare-ups. One thing remains consistent, though - The Big Potato does not fare well outside of the 9th inning. If you've followed the Tigers at all this season, you know that. I'd imagine Jim Leyland, who hopefully follows the Tigers as much as I do, would recognize this. But yesterday he once again called on Valverde in the 8th inning. The Tigers had 2-run lead. Perry started the 8th, notching 2 outs while allowing a single. The man on first immediately stole second once Valverde took the mound. Then he gave up a double. 3-2. Then another double. 3-3. Then a wild pitch. So, the winning run was now on 3rd. Valverde dug deep and got that final out to end the threat.

But the damage was done. The Tigers could not score another run. Brennen Boesch had a chance to be a hero with two outs, man-on-second in the 10th. Pop-up. Then Laird was up with 1 out, man-on-second in the 11th. Double play. Eesh. The Royals won it on a home run in the 12th.

So the Era of Good Feelings (i.e. the last five games) is now finished. The Tigers head back on the road where they've had as much success as Biff with Lorraine at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance. For a few fleeting moments, it appeared the Tigers might crawl above .500, but, alas, they're back to one game under.

The Tigers are nine games behind the Twins. While they're not mathematically out of if, they are at least mentally out it. After losing to the Twins in such glorious fashion last year (and, it seems, every year), the Tigers would need to believe they can make a run. I doubt there's a single player on that team who truly believes they have a shot. So, I just hope the Tigers play respectable ball the rest of the way. I hope Austin Jackson remains a solid lead-off guy. I hope Boesch rediscovers his swing and nails that game-winner at some point. I hope Cabrera continues his tear. And I hope Porcello settles into a groove. Those young players could provide a solid foundation for 2011, where the Tigers have significant money to spend.