I am going to try something a little different today; instead of recapping at the end of the game when I have forgotten much of what went on, I am going to keep a running diary as the game goes on. This could be disastrous or it could be interesting, but at any rate, maybe I will be able to capture something special with this new exercise.
Hey, Rod and Mario are calling the game instead of all the crappy announcers I have been subjected too all week. I guess when the Red wings are still playing FSN Detroit shows their games so I am stuck with the opponents feed and commentators. This sounds a little more like it…
Its game time…today’s pitching matchup is Justin Verlander (Lyla’s boyfriend) vs. Jarred Weaver and it should be a good one if we see Verlander of normal, not the shaky one I have seen most of this year.
1:05 – Erik Aybar leads off and flies to center…bad trend perhaps; Verlander is not missing bats much this season and was not doing it in the first at bat of the game…he really needs to do that and keep the pitch count down. It would be great and ideally enable him to stay in the game past the 5th inning.
1:09 – Abreu hits a deep fly to Jackson in center…3 pitch at-bat…better. Nice and economical
1:10 – Torii Hunter singles on the 3rd pitch. On the bright side it was not an 11-pitch at-bat…here comes Matsui, but not before Hunter is nearly picked off by JV…I still hold a level of disdain for Hunter from his days as a Twin.
1:12 – Matsui is 6-15 with a Homer against Verlander, but is quickly down 0-2 on a filthy change-up…lazy grounder to Santiago at short to end the inning. Nice neat, low pitch inning compared to what he has been doing so far this year. Let’s hope this continues. I honestly cannot believe how hungry I am right now. It is getting dire, and I really can’t wait for that Mango Jerk Chicken wrap.
I must admit the Bernstein family law firm’s commercials freak me out. They are a weird looking bunch and that one has an insane lazy eye. I wonder if he is actually blind because he is never looking anywhere close to the camera. Not that it matters, but I am kind of curious as to what the deal is.
I feel it is necessary to mention once again that it is so nice to hear Mario and Rod after a week of idiot Twins and Angels announcers…ok, only the Twins announcers are idiots.
1:15 – Austin Jackson leads off…hitting .356 and looking great on my fantasy team. Speaking of fantasy baseball, I am torn today; Verlander and Weaver (the opposing pitchers) are on my team. Do I want a low scoring game or a Tiger crushing? Maybe a 2-0 game where only Cabrera and Jackson get hits, runs, and RBI’s and ONLY score after Weaver leaves after 6 shutout innings…could be awesome. BTW- Jackson doubles to lead off the game after an 8-pitch at-bat. Love it!! The Tier fan seems to be trumping the fantasy competitor…
1:18 – Johnny D at the dish, looking awesome as usual. .344 avg on the year showing why he was such a great pick up. Wild pitch moves Jackson to 3rd. Too bad Damon went down looking. I have to stop praising guys so openly in respect of the curse.
1:20 – Magglio Ordonez stepping up and Scioscia keeps the infield back in respect of Mags’ power resurgence. Weaver is throwing some serious cheese right by him so far. Rod is at his Cleveland Brown best today…strike 3 on Ordonez after a big rip.
1:22 – Miguel Cabrera coming up to try and drive in the run. I am wondering if he will see anything to hit, my guess is no…well, I was wrong he challenged him and got him swinging to strike out the side…could be a great pitchers duel this afternoon. I’m giddy!
I am also not going to be describing each and every at bat. I am just setting the tone for this afternoon’s game through the first inning.
1:28- I am still not sure about Kendry Morales. Is he for real? He sort of frightens me, but sort of doesn’t. I still have so much to learn about this guy. Hey, a line drive to left field that was not totally botched by our outfielder. Brennan Borsch is looking great so far (insert your own Catalina Wine Mixer joke here), lets just hope Jim doesn’t just turn it back over to Guillen if and when he comes back. Keep Rayburn at DH (Off the field) give Boesch a shot and leave Guillen on the bench. He is made of glass and putting him back in last year killed the momentum the young guys had built up. Terrible managerial decision that I do not want to see repeated, nor do I want to talk about it anymore. I am still seething over last years collapse.
1:31 – first K of the afternoon for Verlander, so far so good! Kendrick looked over matched (of course he does, he is my fantasy second basemen!)
1:33 – second K of the inning/game…Napoli looked foolish.
1:36 – Boesch leads off the inning, and Mario was just talking about his high school pitching career as he crushes a ball long, but foul…I really like this kid, but he grounds out to Weaver so maybe it is too early to pick him up to replace the garbage Nate “Waste of Space” McLouth. Give him another week.
An interesting discussion about how the best player always played Shortstop in high school and little league…probably why I was a shortstop J
1:39 - Base hit to left by Brandon Inge; too bad Lyla is not here to cheer him on as she loves him and Verlander. He seems to have stepped up his game since she started rooting for him. Lyla might have the opposite effect of the Darby curse…that chicken wrap better get here soon as I can feel myself fading, losing focus…
I forgot Tom Brookens was the first base coach, but can’t figure out why he is wearing number 61 instead of his old number 13…
2:03 – The chicken wrap was well worth the wait and Verlander put the Angels down in order in the top of 3 helped along by a beautiful play by Brandon Inge. Jackson is on 1st, 1 out with Johnny D at the plate. Weaver’s pitch count is at 62 already. Damon strikes out again, (I never should have said how awesome he looks so far…stupid curse!) Ordonez grounds out and we are finished with the 3rd. Have I mentioned how much I hate pitch counts.
Poor Lyla does not quite get why the olives she is convinced are grapes taste like, well, olives. She keeps asking for more, pointing at the Olives, picking it up , taking a bite and looking what I would describe as a mixture between disappointed and completely disgusted. I get it, I am always disappointed by how gross olives are. Desiree doesn’t like them either, but it does not stop her from crying at us to try and get more…so she can spit it on the floor. However, Miss Madness has no issue stealing olives off the floor. Weird friggin’ animals…
2:06 – a comebacker, a beautiful stab by Cabrera and a slow one hopper to Sizemore…and that sets the Angels down in the 4th. I am fairly sure if this was a Yankee or Red Sox game we would only be in the top of the 2nd at this point…
Am I bad person for finding all these self -esteem promoting commercials that FSN Detroit shows (about true beauty in somebody’s heart or saying good bye to a dying parent) to be a little much for a baseball broadcast? Can’t we stick with Mom and Pop law firms, burger joints and beer? I don’t need my emotions played with anymore than the game itself s capable of doing. Thanks. The commercial made the dog cry for Pete’s sake...oh wait she is crying because she is kind of a jerk, my mistake.
2:11 – Rod and Mario are quite amused by Boesch coming to the plate to Snoop Dogg...I think he should come to the plate to Boats n’ Hoes…I also think he should get a hit, but I can’t always get what I want.
2:13 – my blood just started to boil as they mentioned the Twins series coming up this week…I’m curious to see Target field, but could do without the Twins being there…6 K’s for Weaver through 4 innings as Inge goes down. Good thing Lyla was too busy looking for whatever food she dropped during lunch. Yes Bats, I am still hating on the Twins; whatcha’ going to do about it??
2:15 – Lyla is roaring like a good little Tigers fan. Holy smokes, there are actually trees in Detroit still! I wonder where those are? Maybe that was trick camera work because I am a bit skeptical about that one.
2:20 – Another nice neat inning by Verlander; fly out, ground out, strikeout. Mixing it up. 0-0 as we head to the bottom of the 5th.
2:23 – The bottom of the Tigers order needs to come live…and as I type that Avilla knocks a single to right to lead off, followed by Sizemore singling on an 0-2 pitch. First and third, nobody out. Maybe I have the exact opposite effect on the bottom of the order than I seem to have on my favourite players?. We can call it the Lyla effect. Speaking of which, she has made a slide out of boxes, which is brilliant and super cute. I brought home a stack of broken down boxes, so she took the top one and laid it on top of the pile, and has it running to the ground. She then climbs on top of the stack and slides down the box that she has positioned. My kid is a creative genius.
2:27 – Santiago singles to being home Avilla and move Sizemore to 3rd. Tigers jump out to a 1-0 lead. Lyla is celebrating by flashing her belly. Lets hope she stops doing that when she gets older.
2:29 – A Ricky Vaughn-esque wild pitch by Weaver brings home Sizemore and moves Santiago to third. Can you hear that? It is the sound of the wheels falling off of Weaver’s afternoon…Jason Bulger is up in the pen as Weaver hits the 95 pitch mark…No relation to Marc Bulger or else things could go really bad for Anaheim.
2:30 – “If Jackson could move Santiago to 3rd with only 1 out that would be really nice” I love Rod Allen’s insight. Lyla is screaming at me right now…”DAD! DAD! DAD!”
2:32 – a tough day at the plate for Damon continues as he fails to bring Santiago in from 3rd…2 out.
2:35 – Magglio walks, first and third for Cabrera. Weaver is well over 100 pitches and looks to be labouring a little bit. I have decided that fantasy baseball will still be there tomorrow as Cabrera brings in Santiago to make it 3-0 and chases Weaver. I have never seen this Bulger guy so I have no idea what to expect.
I do want to take second to comment on the fact I am a bit concerned as I am openly speaking well of today’s game...lets hope Lyla has helped reverse the curse… I think the fact the PA guy is playing “Hot in Here” by Nelly tells me things are looking up…great song!
2:40 – Bulger promptly gives up a double to Boesch to drive in Ordonez on the first pitch he throws…Brennan Boesch is looking like a solid fantasy pick up, until Leyland benches him for some old broken down stiff.
It actually amazes me that I have never made this connection, but Jim Leyland coaches a lot like Mr. Horruzey ran the Malvern Baseball team; veterans first despite the fact the guys on the bench were better and would routinely decimate the starters in intra squad games. You have to respect the veterans even if it means dragging your team down to their mediocre level. Nothing against Carlos Guillen, but the team has performed better with any of Rayburn, Kelly, Boesch, or Clete Thomas in the lineup over the last two years. They inject that awesome youthful energy that the Tigers are often missing. I’m not a pro Manager but this just seems obvious. On top of that you are able to help the young guys mature which can perpetuate a culture of winning.
2:43 – In the midst of my rant, Brandon Inge strikes out to end the rally…4-0 as we go the 6th. Tigers are outhitting the Angels 8-1.
2:47 – Lyla is hiding behind her hands and yelling boo at me, while she blows kisses and picks her nose. Multi tasking at its best!
Wow, Mickey Hatcher’s jet-black dyed hair looks ridiculous. Wasn’t he totally grey in 1988 when the Dodgers won the World Series? Yes he was I just looked up a picture from the 88 playoffs. Here is a tip, when you are so visibly documented as having grey hair, just stick with it. Its ok. Dying your hair jet-black kind of makes you look sad because we all know you are grey. Stick with what works Mickey. BTW, Orel Hershiser was insanely great during those playoffs. I hope Hatcher and Scioscia send Orel cards for every occasion throughout the year to thank him for that World Series ring.
2:49 – Verlander strikes out Aybar to end the 6th…16 in a row retired by JV including 4 K’s
2:53 – Avila hits a liner to right and turns it into a double with some great hustle. “Playing the game the right way” to quote Rod Allen.
2:54 - Sizemore moves him over with a sacrifice bunt…”Doing the little things” says Rod. It’s amazing that our Sizemore is outperforming the Indian’s Sizemore. Brutal fantasy baseball trade on my part. I should have kept Adam Jones!
2:57 – Oh No, it’s the Ninky-Nonk! If you have kids you will absolutely understand what I am talking about, if not, you can always google it. Austin Jackson with his 3rd hit of the afternoon to drive in Avilla. I am guessing Lyla is done with baseball for the day as she just dropped a football on my laptop. I will give her credit, she secures it really well. Adrian Peterson could learn from her.
2:59 – Leyland still looks cranky; maybe that smoking in the clubhouse ban is really starting to get to him. Damon flies out to left to end the 6th. Tigers 5, Angels 0 as we move to the top of the 7th.
I wonder if I will be able to watch this replay the series show about the rivalry between Catholic Central and Trenton High. It sounds like compelling TV; a championship game that was halted when one of the players had their throat slashed by a blade during the game. They are going back 11 years later to finish the game…crazy!!! Check it out at replaytheseries.com.
3:03 – When asked, Rod Allen has just ranked Roy Halladay as “top 1” amongst active pitchers. “There are guys with better stuff but nobody knows how to pitch as well or works as hard as Halladay” Do you agree or disagree?
3:06 – I need things to talk about during the top of innings as Verlander is moving along at a Halladay like clip, setting down 19 in a row. Surgeon like precision through 7 innings as Matsui flies out to Dan Kelly in left…yet another successful catch of a routine fly ball by our left fielder. I know it sounds silly, but this team would have two more wins if left fielders were able to hang on to routine pop ups over the last week.
Another mean and judgmental observation; all the people giving testimonials on the Bernstein Law Firms newest commercial look like they are in the mafia. Coincidence? Talk amongst yourselves…
Rod and Mario are discussing how much money the toothless little guy they just showed collected from the tooth fairy. Its more interesting than talking about Brian Stokes (the new Angels pitcher) that’s for sure…
3:11 – Correction, Stokes strikes out Ordonez on a nasty hook, so he can’t be a total stiff. Cabrera skies one for out number 2 and Kelly pops up to the catcher for the 3rd out. We move to the 8th.
3:13 – Eastern Michigan has imposed a freeze on tuition, room and board. Are you listening Dalton McGuinty, you thieving bum?? By the way, I’m really enjoying the HST (that was supposed to start on July 1st , but actually partially started on May 1st. Thanks liar.
3:15 - Verlander K’s Morales on a ridiculous changeup. This is a thing of beauty to say the least. 24 batters faced, 20 first pitch strikes.
3:18- That is a ridiculous slider! 99 MPH fastball mows down Mike Napoli. 22 in a row set down by Verlander through 8. A weak single by Torii Hunter is the only blemish on an otherwise perfect day.
3:23 – Scot Shields on to pitch the 8th for Anaheim and gets Inge to fly out to Hunter in CF. Sorry I praised you earlier Brandon! I did not mean to throw off your rhythm. I’l leave the Brandon Inge support for Lyla as it seesm to have a positive effect as opposed to my 0-4 inducing impact
3:36 – Verlander K’s Wood to lead off the inning, and Izturis pinch hits for Willis with 1 out in the 9th. Base hit to right field…ending a run of 23 in a row by Verlander. Up steps Aybar.
3:38 – Aybar singles driving in Izturis who had stolen second base uncontested. That’s the end of the line for Verlander…8.1 innings, 3 hits, 0 walks, 7 K’s 1 ER. Here comes Valverde…I’m giving JV a standing ovation in my living room. Dare I say he is rounding into form? That’s two great starts in a row, which is reason to believe. I still want him to be a light in my child’s life.
3:41 – As I watch Jose Valverde warm up all I can think is that I hope the spirit of Fernando Rodney is not channeled through him, after all he is in the park today…
3:43 – Abreu singles, and Valverde gets Hunter. 2nd and 3rd, 2 outs….still nervous with good ole Gas Can in attendance, probably trying to vex them with his vacant stare…
3:45 – Hideki Matsui scares me no matter how old I think he is. Fortunately he grounds to Sizemore to end the game and complete the sweep of the Angels. A nice, neat 2:40 minute game, and a great win over an opponent who usually gives them fits. 5-2 versus Anaheim this year. I like where this could be heading!
In closing, you must check out this link and maybe one day Justin Verlander can be a light in your child's life. I know I want him to be one in mine...
http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/16770110/index.html
