Verlander vs Kazmir.

That is one heck of a pitching matchup, although Kazmir has struggled in his last 3 starts.

Verlander faces off against Kazmir, Rays
Tampa Bay (26-37) at Detroit (40-23), 7:05 p.m. ET

Justin Verlander has already had pitching duels with the likes of Felix Hernandez, Johan Santana, Kevin Millwood and Jose Contreras. Next up: Scott Kazmir, and a battle of two seven-win pitchers under 24 years old.

"We've got our hands full tomorrow," manager Jim Leyland said. "We're going to see a heckuva pitcher, no question about that."

So, for that matter, are the Devil Rays.

Verlander's five-game winning streak ended last Wednesday with a 4-3 loss at the White Sox, yet he has long since established himself as a pitcher to fear. His 3.35 ERA ranks sixth among all American League pitchers, not just rookies, and only three AL hurlers had more wins entering Sunday.

Kazmir is winless in his last three starts, but had a 7-2 record going before the skid. His 3.59 ERA still ranks 10th among AL starters. He'll test Detroit's 12-4 record this season against left-handed starters.

Pitching matchup

TB: LHP Scott Kazmir (7-4, 3.59 ERA)
The Angels roughed up Kazmir in his last outing on Tuesday, tagging the lefty for the loss after seven runs on nine hits over 6 1/3 innings. He is winless in his last three starts after winning five straight, and since his last win, May 21 at Florida, has seen his ERA rise steadily from 2.39. He is 1-3 with a 6.86 ERA in his career against the Tigers.

DET: RHP Justin Verlander (7-4, 3.35 ERA)
The Tigers are starting to use Verlander, their gifted rookie, carefully after his three-start stretch of dominant outings over the second half of May put him on pace for a 200-inning season. He had a quality start going Wednesday at Chicago before putting the eventual go-ahead run on base against the only batter he faced in the seventh.

Player to watch
Ivan Rodriguez is 0-for-8 against Kazmir with a walk and two strikeouts.

Up next
• Tuesday: Tigers (LHP Kenny Rogers, 8-3, 3.46) vs. Devil Rays (RHP Seth McClung, 2-8, 6.25), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman, 6-4, 4.29) vs. Devil Rays (LHP Mark Hendrickson, 3-7, 4.11), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Tigers (RHP Zach Miner, 1-1, 4.50) vs. Devil Rays (LHP Casey Fossum, 2-2, 5.08), 1:05 p.m. ET
http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060611&content_id=1500145&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det

Also, Monroe is supposed to be in the lineup today at DH. Guillen will be getting a day off and Infante will be starting at SS.

Fuck Shelton.

He is useless at the plate right now.

Yep. He strikes out like crazy. They really need to sit him down for like 3 games, send him home, let him clear his head. He's still been playing much improved defense, at least. I was leary of him being there full time but he's been solid.

This guy's got a HUGE strike zone, for both teams. Wonder if he's got dinner reservations or something??

Wow.

That was pathetic.

3rd strikeout for Shelton. [smilie=banghead.gi: [smilie=banghead.gi: [smilie=banghead.gi:

Guillen!!!!

Inge!!!

Granderson!!!

TIE GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH! Still No Outs!

Oooooooooooooooo eeeeeeee ooooooooooooo! MMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAGGGGLIIIIIO! Get some.

Damn, I thought that was a hit for sure.

FUCK!!!

Extra Innings.

I sure hope they bring in 'Rollercoaster' Jones.

Infante, Shelton & Guillen due up in the bottom of the 10th

Into the 11th......

Rodney still pitching. Grilli, Seay and Jones left in the bullpen for the Tigers.

As much as I don't want to, I think I love the "rally gum".

Come on boys, let's end this one right here, right now.

We need to score a run this inning if we want to win. I don't trust Jones to get 3 more outs without giving up a run or two.

As much as I don't want to, I think I love the "rally gum".

It seems like everybody has gum in their mouths now.


Edit: Onto the 13th inning.

holy crap, they're still playing!

i tuned in after work to see the final score and they're heading into the bottom of the 13th.

Wow.

1-2-3 inning for Jones.

woohoo! an error puts Inge on 2nd base!

GRANDERSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tigers win!!!

what a shot right up the middle!!

Granderson = Clutch.

Yeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh! Great win!


(I hate this, I'm on like a 30 second delay on my computer due to buffering, so you all beat me to it.)

Fuck yes, Curtis. Fuck yes.

that was pretty sweet......glad i happened to flip through and catch the ending :)

great end to a pretty good game. Good to see Todd Jones not implode.

who's pitching tomorrow?

edit: nvm....detroittigers.com says Rogers.

Nice win. Granderson was smokin the ball today.

Jones and Rodney looked awesome too.

I liked Rodney's tribute to Ben Wallace.

Granderson willed the Tigers to victory. That guy's turning into something special. About damn time we had a good leadoff hitter. Haven't had that around here since Chester Lemon.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/GlennDanzig/nate_gum.jpg

Think this will get as big as the Rally Monkey, only less annoying?

I am headed to the game tonight. Do any of you know if they ever sell out or will I be able to get seats at the gate?

I am headed to the game tonight. Do any of you know if they ever sell out or will I be able to get seats at the gate?

You shouldn't have a problem, since it's a weeknight.

I am headed to the game tonight. Do any of you know if they ever sell out or will I be able to get seats at the gate?

they sold under 17,000 last night, you'll get good seats.

What's the difference between Chris Shelton and Carlos Pena?

Shelton is playing terribly right now, he just needs some confidence though, and he needs to start going the other way like he used to. I'd rather have his .300+ average with hitting to all fields than his 25-30 home run power by far. Shelton's fundamentals are far better than Pena's, he just needs some confidence instilled and he needs to go back to what he used to be, not this pull-hitter bullshit.

I was at the game last night
just walked right up asked for front row seats out in left field
snagged a BP ball
got it signed by Rodney and his Lord Helmet Hair Cut
the Cantu HR ball bounced on the bullpen roof 5 feet in front of me

got to watch all 8 of Shelton and MAAARCUS THIAMMMES 8 K's
all 13 innings
and a great tigers win.....

only downfall was the drunk ass yelling Dirty Monkey Bastard at Crawford

Shelton is playing terribly right now, he just needs some confidence though, and he needs to start going the other way like he used to. I'd rather have his .300+ average with hitting to all fields than his 25-30 home run power by far. Shelton's fundamentals are far better than Pena's, he just needs some confidence instilled and he needs to go back to what he used to be, not this pull-hitter bullshit.

I completely agree. Shelton is trying to pull every fuckin pitch he sees. His shoulder flies out way too early and he ends up looking at the light towers instead of the ball when he swings. FWIW, I'd tell him to close his stance in an attempt to keep his front shoulder tucked in longer.

It's good to see that Kenny's on board with the BLC movement.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/GlennDanzig/thegambler_bigleaguechew.jpg



Yeah, the pink paintbrush leaves a lot to be desired, I know.

Nice paintjob. lol

It seems that Detroit still does not care about the Tigers. They had the lowest crowd turnout of any game last night and are currently 16th in attendance.

It seems that Detroit still does not care about the Tigers. They had the lowest crowd turnout of any game last night and are currently 16th in attendance.

It might be the Devil Rays, but 16-17 thousand is pathedic even on a Monday night. This team has the best record in baseball for fucks sake.

It seems that Detroit still does not care about the Tigers. They had the lowest crowd turnout of any game last night and are currently 16th in attendance.

It might be the Devil Rays, but 16-17 thousand is pathedic even on a Monday night. This team has the best record in baseball for fucks sake.


Agree, schools are getting out right about now as well... This should not be happening to the team with the best record in baseball.

you shouldnt be able to walk up and get tickets at 630 for anywhere you want in the entire park thats for sure[smilie=bullshit.gi:

Yesterday I couldnt get seats in the pepsi blechers.

Yesterday I couldnt get seats in the pepsi blechers.

Those things sell out almost every night. At 8 bucks a pop it's hard for them not to, and a lot of those are gone to season tickets. That's where I have my ticket package.

I'll be buying some tickets when the NL Central comes to town. Hopefully I'll be able to see Pujols or Clemens. *prays*

Section 149 Row A Seats 14 15 16

Polygamist!

Ok, back to the Devil Rays. Letting them come that close to victory is not good. Yes, it was Scott Kazmir starting, but it was also the Devil Rays. I don't want to hear anything but victory for the Tigers against teams that bad. Rogers going tonight. After avering 7 innings per start in April, he failed to get beyong 6.1 in any of his 5 May starts. Now he's back to 7 innings in each of his June starts. Given the fact that both Rodney and Jones went multiple innings last night, we need Rogers to be strong tonight. It would be nice if he goes 7 or more and then Zumaya can close it out. If Rogers doesn't go that much and gthe game is close, we probably go with Walker for an inning or so (he should be fine since he only threw 14 pitches yesterday) before turning it over to Zoom.

Maybe I can get a complete game out of Kenny for my fantasy team tonight, that's not asking too much, is it?

And Jeth, save your Peavy comments *grumble*.

Shelton getting the day off today. Guillen will start in his place at 1B.

CF Granderson
2B Polanco
C Rodriguez
RF Ordonez
1B Guillen
DH Thames
LF Gomez
3B Inge
SS Santiago

RBI Single for Gomez.

1-0 Tigers.

Bases loaded for Guillen.

Bases loaded for Guillen.

Bases loaded for Guillen.............again.

Edit: Double for Guillen. Pudge and Polanco score to make it 4-0 Tigers.

Runners on 2nd and 3rd and no outs for Thames.

Giddy up, 2 run double. Still no outs, second and third. 4-0 Tigres...

Consider this one busted open. 7-0 Tigers. Kenny's only thrown 69 pitches through 5. I'd think he can get through the seventh at least, and probably the 8th with this lead. Great news for the pen.

Absolutely fantastic game from The Gambler. [smilie=yourock.gif]

8IP 4H 1R 1ER 1BB 9SO

welp folks just got back from the game. I bought 2 seats for 12 dollars, great deal and then proceeded to move down to the tigers den. Great night for a game.

Sad thing was how me and my girl were hastled by homeless people wandering the streets. That is a shame.

I dont blame them, they go where the money is. Get what they can. Few cents here and there. My dad always gives them a smoke instead of change. It would be nice if they got a job, but whatever. Dosnt bother me. I hate change anyways.

Good to see the whole team stepping up to help out the pen that bailed them out last game.

Jethro, are you starting again on Thursday?
http://www.mlive.com/cgi-bin/prxy/photogalleries/nph-cache.cgi/cache=3000;/mlive/images/3130/20060604_miner2.jpg

^^LMFAO Wizzle. Awesome.

I dont blame them, they go where the money is. Get what they can. Few cents here and there. My dad always gives them a smoke instead of change. It would be nice if they got a job, but whatever. Dosnt bother me. I hate change anyways.


The thing is you give one something and they all want something. They do not leave you alone, but it might be different for me because I left in the top of the eighth when there were not many people leaving.

Isn't that illegal though, what they are doing?

Isn't that illegal though, what they are doing?

Probably. Only in America can homelessness be illegal.

:usa:

I dont blame them, they go where the money is. Get what they can. Few cents here and there. My dad always gives them a smoke instead of change. It would be nice if they got a job, but whatever. Dosnt bother me. I hate change anyways.


The thing is you give one something and they all want something. They do not leave you alone, but it might be different for me because I left in the top of the eighth when there were not many people leaving.

Isn't that illegal though, what they are doing?

I usually only see one or two. And never at the same time.

My thing is I really do not understand how safe it is down there. Have there been any stories around the ball park about people getting robbed or anything of that nature??

I have been to 12 games this season and I've had a 21 game season ticket package for going on 4 years. I've never had a problem w/ harrassment by the homeless (I'm approached every time but a simple sorry seems to work if I don't have any loose change) and I've never seen or heard of violence around the ballpark.

Why it's about more than stuff

For all those who look at finesse pitchers like Kenny Rogers and Mike Maroth and scoff, games like Tuesday are a reminder why great pitching is about more than just what you throw, but how you use what you have. Like he has in a lot of outings, Seth McClung had an impressive stuff, including a mid-90s fastball and some good movement. What he didn't seem to have was a way to command or use it.

Rogers, on the other hand, was at his best. He might've hit into the 90s on a couple radar readings, but that was being generous. What he had was a very good changeup, his usual good command, and a 41-year-old mind to figure out how to make it all work. He never gave the Devil Rays a clean shot at a powerful hit, and he fell a strikeout short of his first game with double-digit K's since 1999.

Of course, Rogers would love to have McClung's stuff. But while McClung is 2-9, Rogers is 9-3.

Odd note #1 on Rogers: The last time he had nine strikeouts in a game was April 17, 2003, when he was pitching for the Minnesota Twins. His opponent? Yup, the Detroit Tigers, who managed no runs on seven hits in eight innings off of him. He struck out Carlos Pena three times, Bobby Higginson twice, and four others once, including current teammate Ramon Santiago. Omar Infante went 2-for-3 off of him with a double.

Odd note #2: I came home from the ballpark and flipped around the stations on TV trying to see what was on. I found that old Kevin Costner movie, "For Love of the Game," where he plays an aging pitcher for the Detroit Tigers who throws a perfect game in his last game. Billy Chapel, his character, was a 40-year-old with an aching arm when he hung it up. Rogers is 41.

Detroit:
CF Granderson
2B Polanco
C Rodriguez
RF Ordonez
SS Guillen
DH Monroe
LF Thames
1B Shelton
3B Inge

Tampa Bay:
SS Lugo
LF Crawford
CF Baldelli
2B Cantu
3B Huff
DH Gomes
RF Wigginton
C Hall
1B Lee

Jethro, are you starting again on Thursday?
http://www.mlive.com/cgi-bin/prxy/photogalleries/nph-cache.cgi/cache=3000;/mlive/images/3130/20060604_miner2.jpg

How the hell?

btw, nice to see you back Wizzle.

Seriously, did you photoshop that at all or is that him? I haven't seen him yet but if that's not altered he's my freaking twin. (maybe I should be one of those guys that steals an athletes identity and buys a bunch of cool stuff)

Early scoring opportunity for the Tigers.

2 On and No Outs for Pudge.

Bases loaded for Monroe.

Ok, first of all it's crap that we wasted that opportunity in the first. But aside from that, how is it that Hendrickson has shut us down since then? And to be losing to these guys again? Come on fellas! Aside from last night, we're making their pitching staff look much better than they really are. In fact, if you remove the 6-run inning last night, you're looking at 5 runs in 25 innings against this team. That's freaking horrible. Do you realize that only 3 other teams in all of baseball have allowed more runs than Tampa Bay? So why are they able to contain (except one inning) the winningest team in baseball? (I mean, at least we've beaten them in the first two games, but a bunch of runs would be nice too)

Because outside of Granderson and Guillen, none of our hitters have any patience. We continue at swing at everything and make it easy for Hendrickson.

500th career strikeout for Bonderman.

One hit??? That's all we've got is one godamned hit?

Time to pull out all the stops:



http://re2.mm-a1.yimg.com/image/108605256

http://www.jimbouton.com/i/chew_new.jpg

Alright.

Two on, one out for Monroe

TIE GAME!!!!!!

Vinny: Gotta edit that picture, man.

TIE GAME!!!!!!

Vinny: Gotta edit that picture, man.

LMAO, it looked fine on mine until I refreshed. Thanks.

Can't buy a hit all game and then they tie it in the ninth. Very exciting.

Fuck.

2 on with 1 out for Crawford. Could use a DP here.

That's a tall order the way Crawford runs.

FUCK!!! FUCK!!! FUCK!!!

Bases loaded for Cantu.

Edit: Thank God we play in Comerica. That looked like a Grand Slam off the bat.

Inge-Granderson-Polanco due up for the Tigers.

Zumaya came in and fucking changed the complexion of the game as the crowd started to buzz. Got to love that from a relief pitcher. Wow, he's something else.

Win this damn game already.

Good AB by Maggs.

On to the 12th...

Fuxxy.

Todd Jones is a fucking moron.

Son of a fucking bitch.

FUCK!!!!

5-1 Tampa.

Todd Jones is horrible.

But this game should've never even went into the extra innings. Getting 1 hit through 9 innings against TB is pathetic.

Jethro, are you starting again on Thursday?
http://www.mlive.com/cgi-bin/prxy/photogalleries/nph-cache.cgi/cache=3000;/mlive/images/3130/20060604_miner2.jpg

How the hell?

btw, nice to see you back Wizzle.


Seriously, did you photoshop that at all or is that him? I haven't seen him yet but if that's not altered he's my freaking twin. (maybe I should be one of those guys that steals an athletes identity and buys a bunch of cool stuff)

LMAO! Hilarious and not photoshopped at all. That's what the kid looks like.

By the way......Todd Jones sucks......check out the official thread.

Holy crap, there's a baseball game going on. Didn't realize it was a day game. Minor's looking great again so far, though the D's not helping him out. 5-2 Tigers in the 6th.

Yeah, neither did I. I went on the website to see if I wanted to catch the game tonight and it was already the 5th inning. Guess I won't being going into the city tonight.

Good day for Shelton. 1-1 with a 2B, R, and 2 BB.

BTW Is this game on TV? It's not on FSND.

I doubt it, they don't do many day games. I have the Florida feed from my MLB.tv account.

Online schedule says no TV.

I knew there was a game on. HAR!

Good work by Minor so far.

Yeah, I know it's only the Devil Rays, but can we just bow down to Dave Dombrowski once again?? Zack Minor's looking like a definite keeper. He's probably done now, pitch count's up there.

But this game should've never even went into the extra innings. Getting 1 hit through 9 innings against TB is pathetic.

It wasn't like Hendrickson's a pushover. He had an ERA under 2 on the road going into last night's game. But regardless of that, one hit is pretty nuts.

^ how highly regarded was Minor in the Braves system? I know some folks were really high on Colon, so I suspect he was just a throw-in. Guess DD was high on him, huh?

Jethro, are you starting again on Thursday?
http://www.mlive.com/cgi-bin/prxy/photogalleries/nph-cache.cgi/cache=3000;/mlive/images/3130/20060604_miner2.jpg

This fucking guy's everywhere. Anyone catch the England soccer match this morning?:

http://www.soccernet.com/images/england/nightpics/crouch_sba_150x200.jpg

Ledezma is in.

Come on Ledezma. You're better than this.

God, when is Ledezma gonna get over this hump? He's been lights out in the minors and then he loses his control whenever he get's the call.

Who did we send down to bring Ledezma up?

EDIT nevermind, good job Wil after the walk

Who did we send down to bring Ledezma up?

Bobby Seay.

Good work by Ledezma to settle down.

Ledezma settled down nicely. If he can be effective, this could solve all our problems. With a second competent lefty, Walker would be free to pitch in more extensive situations.

What a catch! You guys will have to watch for this one on Sportscenter, Wilson went climbing over the railing to snag a foul ball for out number two.

God, Rodney's stuff is so good. His changeup is one of the 10 best pitches in baseball, I'm just gonna say it.

Game over. Good win today.

That was win # 43.

Hard to believe that we needed an entire season to reach that total just a couple years ago.

Three out of four sounds good.

On to that dump they call Wrigley Field.

Jethro, are you starting again on Thursday?
http://www.mlive.com/cgi-bin/prxy/photogalleries/nph-cache.cgi/cache=3000;/mlive/images/3130/20060604_miner2.jpg

This fucking guy's everywhere. Anyone catch the England soccer match this morning?:

http://www.soccernet.com/images/england/nightpics/crouch_sba_150x200.jpg

I'm awesome, what can I say?