You have to feel for Jeremy Bonderman.  This is the sixth time he’s gone at least five innings and given up less then two runs in a no decision this season.  If the Tigers give him any kind of run support in any of those games, he’s got at least 15 wins.  Regardless, he threw a very good game last night and kept the Tigers in it.  He struck out eight and gave up only two runs on five hits in 7 2/3 innings.

The big run came on Craig Monroe’s apparant fly out in the top of the ninth.  With runners on first and third, Wily Mo Pena dropped the fly ball.  A baserunning error by Monroe cost the Tigers a potentially big inning because he got caught by Pena while rounding first base but the one run was good enough to walk away with a win.

Placido Polanco came up huge in the game, but in the process, he seperated his shoulder.  He made a huge diving catch that saved a run but came down wrong and had to leave the game.  Of all people, Ivan Rodriguez played the final two innings at second base, the first time he’s played there in his major league career.  Expect Omar Infante to get the bulk of the time there.  It’s really too bad because Polanco has had a pretty good year, both with the glove and the bat.  Whether you believe in clutch or not, he’s hit .374 this season with runners in scoring position.  His OPS isn’t anything to write home about (.684), but he seems to come up with the big hit when the Tigers need it.

Sean Casey had a good game.  He had three hits, including a single that set up the first and third in the ninth inning.  He also doubled in the seventh and drove in two runs to give the Tigers their first lead of the game.

Tonight is youth versus the old man.  I’ve always been a big fan of David Wells, so it’ll be cool to see him pitch possibly for the last time against the Tigers.  He’ll be going up against Justin Verlander.

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