Archive for May, 2004

May 5, 1984 Tigers 6, Indians 5 (21-4)

Even the good teams have bad overall games where one players rises above the rest and carries everyone on his back. And that’s exactly what Chet Lemon did in this one. He got the Tigers off to a good start with a two run single in the first inning. Then he’d score runs in the fourth and the sixth innings (the sixth inning run tied the game). Finally, in the eighth, he hit a solo homer to give the Tigers an insurance run that they’d end up needing. In all, he went four for four, scored three, and drove in three. He had four of the Tiger’s ten hits, and either scored or drove in five of the Tigers six total runs.

Sparky’s fourth starter by committee pulled together another win, as Glenn Abbott would pitch 5 1/3 decent innings to garner his second win of the season. Aurilio Lopez got the two inning save.

The Tigers West Coast run got off to a rough start last night. They started out strong, getting out to a 6-2 lead, but three runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings by Anaheim put this one out of reach. When it was all said and done, the final would be 11-9, and the two teams would combine for 29 hits.

Five different Tigers had multi-hit games. Five different Angels had multi-hit games. But once again, not only was the starting pitching ineffective, but the bullpen couldn’t get anything done. Al Levine, who were paying good money for, now has an ERA of 6.75. And that’s for a reliever and doesn’t factor in inherited runners.

Tonight we’ll have Nate Robertson vs. Jarrod Washburn. Hopefully the Tigers can avoid their first three game losing streak of the year.

Congratulations for another fine season by the Red Wings. I know at this stage, if the Wings don’t bring home a cup, it seems like a disappointment, but a President’s Trophy is impressive. Assuming there’s even a hockey season next year, I think we’ll see some changes on the team. so this will probably turn out to be the last hurrah of the old guard that won us three cups.

May 4, 1984 Tigers 9, Indians 2 (20-4)

The Detroit Tigers gave Dan Petry the support he needed in this one. The scoreboard doesn’t indicate it, but he really struggled. He only lasted five innings, and he gave up six hits and six walks. In the fourth, he walked three batters, but got out of the inning unscathed.

Willie Hernandez, on the other hand, was simply incredible as he slammed the door on any chance of an Indians comeback. He pitched four shutout innings, gave up only two hits, and struck out four, while earning his third save of the season.

Lou Whitaker was the hitting star in this one, as he went four for five, and scored two runs. Larry Herndon went three for five. Lance Parrish drove in two, one each on two sacrafice flies.

May 3, 1984 Red Sox 1, Tigers 0 (19-4)

A few firsts in this one. This was the first time the Tigers were shut out. It was also their first two game losing streak. And finally, it was Jack Morris’ first loss, despite throwing a heck of game.

His only real blemish was an eighth inning solo homer to Dwight Evans, but that would be all the Sox would need. For the second game in a row, the Tigers out hit the other team, but walked away with a loss.

The Tigers threatened in the ninth, so once again, they didn’t go down without a fight. Lance Parrish singled with one out and Larry Herndon walked. But Chet Lemon flew out, and Kirk Gibson struck out to end the game.

Everytime it looks like the Tigers are set to turn the corner, they take a step back. For the sixth time in this short season, the Detroit Tiger’s pitching staff gave up double digit runs (and then one game, they gave up nine).

If the Tigers escape May with an overall winning record, then they deserve a ton of credit. Their schedule the next few weeks contains two series against the red hot Rangers, two series against Oakland, one more series against Seattle, and then their next series against Anaheim. None of these are going to be easy. If the Tigers can win two of those series, I’ll be happy. If they can win three, I’ll be ecsatatic.

Nate Cornejo now has an ERA of 8.42. Even in his one victory, he gave up four earned runs, and it was the only time he pitched into the sixth inning. And his WHIP exceeds 2.000. This has to put him near the bottom end of starters this year. I think Tram will stick with him, but he has to show signs of improving.

Steve Colyer has also been a disappointment. In five of his ten appearances he’s been credited with ay least one earned run, and his WHIP also exceeds 2.000. Hopefully he can put this behind him and get some good outings here soon.

We all knew pitching was the Tigers weakness. Bonderman and Maroth have put together some good outings. Robertson was pitching well. But the rest of the team needs to step it up in order for this team to continue to win.

May 2, 1984 Red Sox 5, Tiger 4 (19-3)

Ten stranded baserunners cost the Tigers in this one, as they dropped a nail biter to the Red Sox. Boston got off to a quick start with Dwight Evans two run shot off of Juan Berenguer. In the third, Jim Rice would hit another two run shot, to put the Red Sox in the lead 4-0. The Tigers tried to make a last ditch effort in the ninth, when they cut the score to 5-4, but Kirk Gibson (who went 4 for 5) was stranded at third when Darrell Evans grounded out, and John Grubb struck out to end the game. No magic on this day.

In all, the Detroit Tigers outhit the Red Sox in this on 13-8. But in the end, the Tigers walked away with their third loss of the season.

May 1, 1984 Tigers 11, Red Sox 2 (19-2)

When it was all said and done, the Tigers had racked up eleven runs on sixteen hits. Rusty Kuntz, Barbero Garbey, and Chet Lemon all had three hits (Chet had two dingers), and Trammell extended his hitting streak to eighteen games with a double and single. Eight different Tigers scored runs, and probably the oddest line was that only three players had RBIs. Kuntz had three, and Lemon and Garbey both had four.

Milt Wilcox had a fine game as well, as he pitched eight, while giving up only seven hits and two runs (one earned) as he advanced to 3-0.

And with the win, the Tigers sat on a 19-2 record, giving them a .905 winning percentage. This would be the last time they’d be above the .900 mark, but it just shows how impressive this run was. At this point, they were 16-3 away from their fabulous 35-5 run. And while 16-3 is very impressive, the fact that they started 19-2 to get there makes it equally impressive.

And I’m going to do some checking, but if someone can answer this, I’d appreciate it. What is the record for the best 40 game stretch (not just to begin the season, but at anytime during the season)? Do the Tigers have it at 35-5, or has someone gone 36-4?

Jason Johnson did about all he could in this one, and had his best outing of the year, going 6 1/3, giving up only four hits, and striking out four. The only run against him was a leadoff homerun by Ichiro. But a lack of run support and a two run homer by Raul Ibanez in the 10th would send the Tigers away with another loss, their fourth in five games.

The Tigers only managed four hits, with the sole run coming on a Bobby Higginson sac fly.

And now, the Tigers sit one game above .500. It would be nice if they can keep their head above water, but since the 4-0 start, the Tigers haven’t been able to rise above that “four games above .500 mark.” They’ve matched it, but never topped that resistance level (sorry, the stock market analyst is coming out in me).

The listed starters for today are Bonderman vs. Franklin, but I know the Tigers have been doing some shuffling, so I’m not sure if this will still be the case. If so, hopefully Jeremy can bounce back from his two most recent sub-par outings.

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