Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise? Another losing series to the Twins reminded Tigers fans how little separates the 1st place Tigers from the 4th place Twins.
Do the Tigers deserve to be in 1st place? In the Central, they're as deserving as anybody else. Maybe they've sucked the least. When it comes to batting, the Tigers are the strongest in the Central. Yet, they're close to last in pitching and defense. And they're definitely last in baserunning and team speed. I've never seen a Tiger team thrown out so often at home plate. It happened again last night, and it makes me wonder how Gene Lamont remains 3rd base coach. He has one friggin' job, and he fails over-and-over again.
Yet, Lamont's failings are just the beginning. Last night's loss to the Twins was the perfect opportunity for arm-chair managing/second-guessing Leyland.
It started with the lineup. Prior to the game, Leyland announced that Don Kelly (.231) would get the nod at 3B over Wilson Betemit (.288). Despite Betemit's superior numbers, Leyland said he'd platoon the two. Betemit is no savior defensively, but he's at least Kelly's equal. Neither offers much power, but Betemit has already provided clutch hits in his short time as a Tiger. This one should be a no-brainer.
In the early innings, Brad Penny pitched very well. He allowed just 1 run through 6 innings - another Jim Thome homer. The Tigers didn't fare much better. While they had base runners almost every inning, they couldn't string together a rally. They took a 2-1 lead on a Jhonny Peralta home run, but Minnesota took the lead right back on Penny's last pitch -- a 2-run HR to recently-called up Rene Tosoni.
In the bottom of the 7th, the Tigers had an opportunity to do more damage. With Boesch on 1st and Santiago on 2nd (and two outs), Cabrera rocked a shot off the wall in right field. Santiago scored easily, but the ball was hit so hard that Cabrera didn't even have time for a double. That didn't stop Gene Lamont from sending Boesch home. Minnesota's SS, Nishioka, took the relay and even had time to pause before realizing the Tigers were actually trying to score. His throw home easily beat Boesch. Horrible, horrible base-running and coaching by Lamont. Especially considering Victor Martinez (3 hits on the night) was up next.
Then in the 8th, Duane Below gave up a double to Mauer before retiring the next two batters. So, with two outs and a runner on 2nd, up came Jim Thome. With first base open, Leyland decided to still pitch to the guy who already had 3 home runs this series. The only surprise is that his hit wasn't a home run. It was a single. But it still scored Mauer.
In the bottom of the 8th, the Tigers loaded the bases with no outs. Betemit pinch hit for Kelly and hit a sacrifice fly. That was the only run they managed that inning, but it at least tied the score. Then Leyland continued his run of awful decisions on the night by bringing in Jose Valverde in the non-save situation.
Now, you'd think a good pitcher is a good pitcher, regardless of situation. Yet, if you follow baseball, that's simply not true. I'm not sure why it is, but some guys thrive as relievers and suck as starters. Some only fare well against lefties. Some only work in the 8th inning but not the 9th. For Jose Valverde, he only works in save situations. It's mental. I can't explain it.
Still, Leyland opted for Valverde in the top of the 9th with the score tied. Thanks to two errors (one from Betemit and a very painful one from Valverde), the Twins loaded the bases with no outs. Valverde heroically struck out Plouffe and Joe Mauer. But the final out proved difficult. Justin Morneau hit a clutch single to score two. And that was the game.
Just another ugly loss by a team desperately clingling to 1st place in the worst division in baseball. Pennant races are supposed to be fun, but John's posting last night summed it up perfectly. We're all once bitten, twice shy. Why get excited by this team? They don't have the goods. They've got Verlander and Cabrera and handful of other fine players (VMart, Papa Grande, Boesch, Avila, and Peralta). Then it's a big drop-off. Their margin for error is extremely thin. So when the manager hurts the situation with a bone-headed hunch (Kelly, Valverde in the 9th), it drives us nuts.
This weekend, the Tigers welcome the Tribe to Detroit. A sweep by either team could spell disaster. Are you psyched? Got pennant fever?
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