Well, it had to happen eventually.  Justin Verlander had one of his worst starts of the season and he lost his first game in June as the Twins crushed the Tigers 11-1.  Verlander gave up two quick runs in the first inning before calming down until he gave up a grand slam to Joe Mauer in the fifth.  He also walked five batters, which isn’t like Verlander either.

The only Tiger run came on a solo homerun by Placido Polance, who also had half of the Tigers six hits.  That also means that Carlos Guillen’s streak of having an RBI in every game came to an end at eleven.

Eulogio De La Cruz was roughed up when he was given some mopup time.  He gave up five runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks.  A two out error by Neifi Perez was the reason for all of those unearned runs.

The Indians won so the Tigers are now a half game back (tied in the loss column).  It’ll be a battle of rookies this afternoon as Andrew Miller takes on Twins rookie Kevin Slowey.  Slowey is 2-0 but he’s given up four runs or more in three of his five starts and he has a 1.54 WHIP so he’s definitely hittable.  Anything is better then what the Tigers had to contend with last night in Johan Santana.

Permalink | Posted in 2007 Tigers