Nate Robertson had his best start in over a month as he got his ERA down below six.  He improved to 7-8 and he gave up just one run on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.  Fernando Rodney got the final four outs, including getting out of the eighth with an inherited runner, and he picked up his third save of the season.

Curtis Granderson belted his 15th homer and he’s well on pace for his second straight season over 20.  Granderson’s slugging percentage is down about 60 points from his exceptional 2007 season but outside of that, he’s proven himself a bonafide star hitter from the leadoff spot.  You can’t argue with an .862 OPS and the only thing that should keep him from getting 100 runs (although he still has a chance) is that time he missed in April.

Magglio Ordonez drove in a pair on two hits and that brings his season total up to 70.  Like Granderson, the only thing that’s going to stop him from getting 100 RBIs is that time he missed just before the All Star Break.  If he does get to 100, he’ll be the first Tiger with three straight 100 RBI seasons since Cecil Fielder did it from 1990 through 1992 and then Fielder was the first guy to do it since Hank Greenberg.

Reason number 99 that the Tigers probably won’t make the playoffs is that, despite winning two of three, they made up no ground on first place (still 7 1/2 back), mostly because they have to contend with two teams.  In order to have a shot, they need to make up about a game a series on BOTH teams and that’s just too tough.

Next up is a four game set against the Blue Jays.  When I was a teenager, an August series against the Blue Jays usually meant something.  Not so much now.  Anyway, Sean Marcum goes up against Justin Verlander in the opener tomorrow.

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