Just one day after the Tigers snapped their five game losing streak, they go and suffer another shutout.  At least this time it was against a future Hall of Famer as Randy Johnson and the D-Backs pen held the Tigers to just seven hits.  Placido Polanco and Edgar Renteria both had a pair while Miguel Cabrera had a tough time with three strikeouts, although he did belt a double.

Magglio Ordonez’ 180 errorless game streak came to an end today.  He also went 0 for 4 and he grounded into a double play.  At .307, he’s the only Tiger regular who’s now above .280 so the Tigers team batting average has definitely been in a free fall the past couple of weeks.  Combine this with a league worst 4.94 ERA (this may be before today’s game) and it makes for an ugly combination.

Speaking of pitching, Nate Robertson held the Diamondbacks scoreless through the first four frames but then gave up a pair in both the fifht and sixth innings.   The end result is Robertson’s ERA is still over 6.00 where it’s been since his very first start.  Zach Miner threw two scoreless frames and he struck out two but all that did was keep the game close.

The Tigers get a day off and then Seattle rolles into town.  The Mariners are a half game ahead of the Tigers for the worst team in the American League so who ever loses the series will be in the cellar.  And the Tigers have to be concerned because the While Sox have rattled off five straight wins.  The days of saying, “Well, they’re bad but they’re only three out” are over.  The Tigers are now 6 1/2 games back of first and they’re 4 1/2 games back of the Twins in fourth place. 

Permalink | Posted in 2008 Tigers