The Tigers took on Veneuzuela this afternoon and it was a pair of Tigers that dominated for Venezuela.  Miguel Cabrera drove in a pair of runs while Carlos Guillen had a pair of hits and two runs to lead Team Venezuela.  Still, it was enough because Brent Clevlen singled, doubled, drove in three and scored a run in the Tigers 7-5 win.  Marcus Thames was the only other Tiger with two hits and he scored a run.

The pitching was pretty rough and at this point, the whole Miner/Willis/Robertson race could come down to who sucks the least.  Willis walked three and gave up two runs in his three innings while Robertson gave up three runs on five hits and two walks in his three innings.  Brandon Lyon, Bobby Seay and Freddy Dolsi all pitched a scoreless inning as they held Venezuela scoreless in the final three frames.

I’m watching the archive of the Team Canada/Blue Jays game and Mike Maroth got the start.  He walked his first two batters but got out of that jam but in the second, he was tagged for two runs.  Apparantly he has a knee problem that’s still limiting him but he struck out three in his two innings. Earlier today I was watching the Yankees versus Team USA.  I love MLB.TV.  I’m halfway tempted to get up early to watch the start of the WBC but 4:30 is a bit extreme.

Tomorrow, the Tigers take on Panama.  I won’t be around to check that out but there’s a couple of late games I’ll be able to watch while I do some taxes.

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If you’re a Padres fan and you want the definitive guide to the team, be sure to check out the Ducksnorts 2009 Baseball Annual.  Geoff has been blogging longer then I have (and longer then just about anyone) about his favorite team and it even includes a foreward by Paul DePodesta.

A Goofy Movie ipod

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Outside of some inflammation, it looks like Jeremy Bonderman’s shoulder is in decent shape Ken Park film .  The exam showed no structural damage, so now it’s just waiting game.  Bonderman will be begin throwing when the swelling goes down and the pain goes away.  It’ll be interesting to see how this affects his development because he’s basically a start or two short of where the other pitchers are at right now.  Guess we won’t know until we finally figure when he’ll be throwing in a game.

• Freddy vs. Jason dvd

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The Tigers play Florida Southern right now.  The game never makes the radio, it never counts, yet it’s become such a tradition that I’m always intriuged at how the Tigers do.  Anyway, I’ll follow along and give you mini updates through 2 pm, when I have to leave.  Al Kaline’s grandson, Colin, is getting the start at third base for Florida Southern.

Top of the First

Edwin Jackson gave up a double to Wade Kirkland (any relation to Kody) but got out of the inning unscathed.  He struck out the leadoff hitter, Trae Gore.

Bottom of the first

Tigers didn’t get anything.  Cale Iorg led off with a pop out to second, Marcus Thames flew out to centerfield and then Casper Wells flew out to right.

Top of the second

Listening to the Yankees game while I follow the Tigers.  Yanks scored a run already against the Astros (think Mike Hampton is throwing for Houston).  Anyway, Edwin Jackson gave up a lead off single to catcher Zach Maggard.  Andrew Grutka flew out to center and then Edwin Jackson struck out Will Cherry for his second k of the game.  Maggard moved to second on a wild pitch (Yankees lit up Hampton for three in the first inning) and then Jordan Guida flew out to center so for the second straight inning, Jackson got out of the inning with a runner in scoring position.

Bottom of the second

Mike Hessman (three true outcomes) struck out to lead off the second for the Tigers.  Jeff Larish drew a walk and then Wilkin Ramirez flew out to right.  Alexis Gomez singled with two outs and Larish moved to second base before Wil Rhymes singled to load the bases up.  Finally, Jeff Kunkel flew out to left to strand three ducks.

Top of the Third

I had to confirm but Colin Kaline (a Birmingham Groves graduate) was the Tigers 25th round pick in the 2007 draft.  He drew a walk to lead off the third and then Gore struck out for the second time tonight.  Kirkland doubled for the second time today and that put runners at second and third.  Robbie Shields struck out to make it two outs (three strikeouts for Jackson) and then Stanley grounded out to end the inning.   Rough inning by Jackson, but he pitched out of the jam.  I’ll be leaving soon, and he’s probably done for the day.

Bottom of the third

Cale Iorg sturck out to lead things off then and Marcus Thames drew a walk.  Casper Wells walked and then Mike Hessman singled to drive in the first run of the game.  Jeff Larish then opened things up with a three run blast.  Wilkin Ramirez singled and Alexis Gomez popped out.

With that, I have to leave.  Have a great afternoon for those of you who tagged along.

***UPDATE***

The Tigers ended up with a 7-1 win.  Joel Zumaya looked strong in his single inning while Will Rhymes added a two run homer for the Tigers in the Tigers big third inning.

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Five runs on seven hits in two innings of work.  That was the line on Zach Miner as he got hammered out of the game in the Tigers 6-4 loss to the Pirates earlier today.  Outside of that, the pitching wasn’t too bad.  Justin Verlander gave up a run in three innings while Ryan Perry shined with two strikeouts in his single inning of work. 

Curtis Granderson belted his first spring homerun as he gets ready to leave the team for the WBC.  With Grady Sizemore on the shelf, Granderson should get the start out in centerfield for the US team.  Brent Clevlen had a big hit with a two run triple and Mike Hessman singled home a run as they fight for a roster spot (both he and Mike Hessman are out of options so the Tigers have some tough decisions to make).

Freddy vs. Jason full

The Jeremy Bonderman thing is a little disappointing.  He was supposed to throw a simulated game on Saturday but even that got held back because of some shoulder soreness.   He’s going to be shut down for a few days so we’ll have to wait and see with regard to him.

The Tigers play Florida Southern tomorrow and Max Russell gets the start.  Rick Porcello and Joel Zumaya will both get some innings and they’ll be the two guys I’m most interested in seeing how they perform.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix divx

***UPDATE***

According to John Lowe, Bonderman has returned to Detroit to have his shoulder looked at.  Let’s just say, I have my fingers crossed.

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