Tyler Collins and Ted Williams now have something in common.

Monday night

Tigers 7, Athletics 3
Tigers record 9-9, 4 GB of Chi White Sox

It was like "Good Times" again, at last.

Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez hit back to back homers. Miggy was 4-4 with a solo HR in the first and a three-run shot in the fifth...just before Victor went yard making it 6-0.

Newcomer Jordan Zimmermann had his season opening streak of 24 and a third innings snapped in the sixth but got the win to improve to 4-0 on the young season.

Indians 7 Tigers 3
Tigers record 14-11, 2nd place ALC, 4GB Chi White Sox

I am posting late because I chose not to jinx the team on it's winning streak, so I eschewed comment until it lost.

It all came tumbling down in a hurry for Justin Verlander Monday night in Cleveland. There were already two men on and one out in the bottom of the first when JV faced Michael Brantley. He hit a rocket straight at CF Anthony Gose and it looked like Verlander might get out of the jam, because next he got Mike Napoli swinging and missing on two high, hard ones. With strike two, JV went high again but not high enough, nor hard enough and Napoli knocked in Jason Kipnis and francisco Lindor.

Verlander would get but two swinging strikes against the Tribe for the rest of the evening. Ice cold Yan Gomes was up next and he doubled in Napoli, making it 3-0 Tribe. Immediately after Ian Kinsler hit a 2 run shot to get Detroit within two at 4-2 in the top of the 5th, Verlander had Francisco Lindor up in the bottom of the frame and he drove a low slider with not much movement into the seats, ending all drama with the Indians now up 7-2.

Nice 5 game winning streak preceded this debacle. Victor Martinez, Miguel Cabrera, Nick Castellanos and even Justin Upton swung red hot bats leading Detroit in taking three games in four at home vs the A's and then sweeping three at Minnesota.

Wednesday, April 27 - Tigers 9, A's 4

Thursday, April 28 - Tigers 7, A's 3

Friday, April 29 - Tigers 9, Twins 2

Saturday, April 30 - Tigers 4, Twins 1 Jordan Zimmermann goes to 5-0, 0.5. Goes on to be named AL Pitcher of the Month for April.

Sunday, May 1 - Tigers 6, Twins 5

Crazy game, this baseball...The Indians sweep the Tigers. They go on to lose 5 of their next 6. The Tigers take 6 of their next 7.

Then they face Cleveland and get touched up again. Hope the hot streak was not a mirage. It is fact that the hot streak was at the expense of the A's and Twins, two of the poorer teams in the league.

Indians 9, Tigers 4
Tigers record 14-13, tie 2nd place with Royals and Indians, 4 GB Chi White Sox

Nick Castellanos hit a 3 run shot in the top of the 4th inning top pull Detroit within 4-3.

Too sick to my stomach to comment further except to say that Michael Fulmer looks too much like Joba Chamberlain to make me happy.

By the way, Joba Chamberlain finished the game for the Indians.

Saturday, May 7

Rangers 10, Tigers 5

Tigers' record 14-15, tie 3rd place ALC, 6 GB Chi White Sox

Mike Pelfrey. Gave up solo HRs to start the game by Rougned Odor and Nomar Mazara. Then he settled down for a while, long enough for Detroit to put up one in the second on a triple by Anthony Gose. Then the league's surprising leading hitter Nick Castellanos knocked in two with a single off A.J. Griffin in the third, making it 3-2 Detroit.

Ian Kinsler belted a two run shot to put the Tigers up 5-2 in the fourth and then Pelfrey couldn't handle the prosperity and promptly fell apart in the 6th, as Texas scored 5 to go up 7-5 and never looked back.

Want more details? Check a box score. 5 straight in the loss column for Detroit gift wrapped by the biggest free agent bust of the year.

Monday May 9

Nationals 5, Tigers 4

Tigers record 14-17, 4th pace ALC, 8GB of Chi White Sox

I watched this game from start to finish, and even though the Tigers led all night until the 7th, I never thought for a moment that they would win this game.

Nick Castellanos (who along with Jordan Zimmermann are the only pleasant surprises thus far in this loomingly ugly season) smacked a two run shot off Steven Strasburg in the first, making it 2-0 Detroit.

As Strasburg continued to pile up strikeouts and look really sharp, Daniel Murphy singled in Anthony Rendon to make it 2-1 off up and down Tiger veteran SP Anibal Sanchez. When J.D. Martinez connected for another two run shot in the 5th, making it 4-1, to many it looked like it may be their night.

But as usual, Sanchez came apart. This time, he allowed a two-run shot to Murphy, making it Detroit 4 Washington 3. Kyle Ryan attempted to out-do relievers Justin Wilson and Mark Lowe in ineptitude, and at least came close by allowing the game to be tied.

Mark Lowe came in and showed why parents should cover their kids' eyes when any relief pitcher is working in a close game, by giving up a pinch hit, walk off HR to the immortal Clint Robinson (might as well nave been Clint Eastwood...do you feel lucky, well...do you...punk?)...

They can fire Brad Ausmus and they should, but it isn't going to matter. This is a totally flawed team.

I already everything I had. Seven straight losses. The last two could not be any more distressing. I start to think about football season, then I remember that means the Lions around here. Oh...did it again!

Nationals 3 Tigers 2

Tigers record 15-18, 4th place ALC, 7 GB Chi White Sox

"Strikeouts are sexy" - Max Scherzer

I don't know about that but they were certainly plentiful. The "full of himself" one racked up 20 of them to tie a MLB record for a nine-inning game with Roger Clemens (twice, ten years apart), Randy Johnson and Kerry Wood (who also fashioned a one-hit shutout in the game). Remarkably, none of them walked a single batter.

The contest was one of the most exciting games I have watched in many years with a big "BUT" I'll get to later...

The Nationals' righthander went to only one three ball count all night and threw a remarkable 96 of 119 pitches for strikes. He seemed to be 0-2 on 75% of the batters and 1-2 on most of the remainder.

Actually, to the credit of the Tigers, the game was anyone's to take regardless, absolutely remarkable given the power, control and movement Scherzer had on display all evening long. His sliders were biting like rattlesnakes and the fastballs were as hot as molten lava, but just the same somehow Detroit managed six hits. Among them was a surprising home run by Jose Iglesias in the top of the third. The light hitting shortstop swung like Mighty Casey at a high, inside fastball but instead of missing it, muscled it into row number one in the left field corner...tying the game at 1.

Former Nationals' and now Tigers' starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann gave up a run in the first on a one-out single by Daniel Murphy. Zimmermann settled down and stranded Bryce Harper at third base. The Washington faithful gave him a rousing ovation and the game had to be paused momentarily while Jordan waced his cap acknowledging it, when he batted for Detroit in the third in appreciation for six fine seasons in their behalf. He left trailing 3-1 after seven strong innings and after Murphy knocked in Rendon again in the 6th and Danny Espinosa hit a solo home run in the seventh.

Sadly, in a game that featured almost everything you'd hope for, something again reared its ugly head. No Tigers game is complete without baffling strategy by the buffoonish manager Brad Ausmus. With Zimmermann done for the night, "Bradley" passed on an opportunity to make a double switch before the eighth inning started, or if not that, a better choice to pinch hit than what he ultimately chose.

To get Nick Castellanos into the game (the guy is by far the hottest hitter on the ballclub for both power and and average - leading the AL in average), he could have double switched and put incoming pitcher Kyle Ryan in James McCann's 6th position in the order. Then he would have been able to have Jarrod Saltalamacchia enter as a pinch hitter in the 9 spot and simply remain in the game.

Why was this important? Well, McCann seemingly needs to bat .500 for a week solid to even make the Mendoza line (currently .108), and when the Dartmouth Dunce elected to just have Salty pinch hit for the pitcher...he left himself without a catcher on the bench.

So, in the 9th with a man on, after J.D. Martinez belted a home run leading off the 9th inning to bring Detroit within a run making it 3-2 Nats, Victor Martinez singled with one out. Now Ausmus pinch runs Andrew Romine for Victor, so there goes your "emergency" catcher if you want to give Castellanos a shot at tying the game or going ahead. Justin Upton strikes out for what seems like the 1,000th time this season, the record-tying 20th for Scherzer, making it two out.

The up to bat walks "Mr .108" McCann. Max did not strike him out for the fourth time on the night to break the strikeout record for a pitcher in nine innings but got him to meekly roll over and hit a grounder to short to end the game.

For crying in the night...even if Ausmus did not double switch he could have had Nick pinch hit in the 8th then be done for the evening and simply saved Salty to bat in the 9th for McCann and stay in the game.

 

Friday night

Orioles 1 Tigers 0

Tigers record 15-20, 4th place ALC, 8 GB Chi White Sox

Justin Verlander threw a complete game, giving up only a solo home run to Adam Jones.

The Tigers did absolutely nothing at all to help him on offense.

That's it. That's all folks. Good night.

Sunday afternoon May 15

Tigers 6, Orioles 5

Tigers record 16-21, 4th place ALC, 7 GB of Chi White Sox

Let's make this a simple summary. After Detroit blew a 4-3 lead after climbing back from a 3-0 deficit, it appeared that standout Orioles set up man Darren O'Day had thrown one of his sidearm offerings by J.D. Martinez to end the top of the eighth inning. It was ruled that he checked his swing. Given new life, he slammed the 3-2 pitch into deep center, tying the game. Miguel Cabrera, seizing the chance to put Detroit ahead, did not disappoint, slamming the very next pitch out of there, as O'Day slammed his mitt to the ground in frustration.

Rookie Australian import Warwick Saupold earned (applicable term here) his first major league victory by hurling 2 and two-thirds scoreless innings with four strikeouts against the hard hitting Orioles. Francisco Rodriguez notched his 9th save in ten chances in lifting the Tigers out of an 11 losses in 12 games quagmire.

Tuesday, May 17

Tigers 7, Twins 2

Tigers record 18-21, 4th place ALC, 5.5 GB of Chi White Sox

It wasn't pretty and Mike Pelfrey (no decision 0-4) again failed to complete six innings as in every start so far this season, but the team got it done and claimed its 3rd straight win.

Joe Mauer hit his second home run in the fifth, putting the Twins up 1-0, then Miguel Sano hit his 7th in the sixth, putting the Twins up 2-0 and ending Pelfrey's night after 96 offerings (56 strikes).

But the Tigers struck for 7 in the bottom of the seventh. Victor Martinez got it going with a sacrifice fly making it 2-1. Then Cameron Maybin, who has been red hot since joining the team off the DL Sunday, knocked in Nick Castellanos and sent Justin Upton to third with his single, tying it at 2-2. Jose Iglesias singled them both in making it 4-2 Detroit. Back to back home runs by Ian Kinsler (9, a two run shot) and J.D. Martinez (8) made it 7-2 and that's how it wound up.

Kyle Ryan (1-1) got the win for the Tigers and the bullpen came up with a rare effort, not allowing the Twins a run.

Friday night May 20

Rays 7 Tigers 5

Tigers record 19-22, 4th place ALC 5.5 GB Chi White Sox

Before the season started, many observers and followers of the Tigers said that the success or lack of that they would have this season depended upon how Anibal Sanchez pitches.

I hope that they are wrong, because not only did he not make it out of the sixth inning (again) but also got touched up for three runs in the top of the first, beginning with yet another leading the game off HR given up by a Tigers starter. This time it was Steven Souza Jr. doing the honors (9).

Detroit rallied back to tie with a run in the second, and a two run shot by Miguel Cabrera (7) in the third.

But the old bugaboo of a starter not making it through six innings and a reliever giving up inherited base runners struck again. Sanchez (3-5) began the 6th with a single and a walk and was yanked in favor of Kyle Ryan. Ryan retired two batters but gave up another walk to load the bases. Then he allowed the crusher - a bases clearing three run triple to right field by Kevin Kiermaier.

The Tigers got closer with a Miguel Cabrera 8th inning solo HR (8), but ultimately lost 7-5. Matt Andriese (3-0) allowed 4 ER but picked up the win for the Rays. Alex Colome notched his 11th save.

Sunday afternoon May 22

Tigers 9, Rays 4

Tigers' record 21-22, .488, 4th place ALC, 4.5 GB Chi White Sox

In a game that featured a lot of hitting, the Tigers got two scares. One was when winner Jordan Zimmermann (7-2, 2.52) had to leave the game with a groin injury while leading 6-2 in the sixth and another was when Miguel Cabrera was struck by a pitch in the knee in the seventh.

The anticipated pitching duel between the Rays' Chris Archer (3-5, 5.16 after completion of the game) and Zimmermann came unraveled fast. J.D Martinez and Cabrera knocked in first inning runs to put Detroit up 2-0 in the first. The Rays quickly tied it 2-2 on Logan Morrison's two run shot in the second.

But a relentless offense put some distance between the teams, as Andrew Romine tripled in a run in the second. Miguel Cabrera started the third with a home run (9) making it 4-2. Later that inning, red hot Cameron Maybin singled in two more, making it 6-2.

Tim Beckham's two run home run (2) in the seventh got the rays within 6-4 but that was it as Detroit won for the 6th time in seven games on the home stand.

Tuesday May 24 , Comerica Park, Detroit

Tigers 3, Phillies 1

Tigers' record 23-22, .511, 4th place ALC, 3.5 GB Chi White Sox

Two things are key to the success or lack thereof for these Tigers. That would be 1) the effectiveness of Justin Verlander at the top of the rotation and 2) the health and power at the plate by Miguel Cabrera. Right now, both are in lock step in a positive way as the season eclipses the quarter pole.

Verlander (4-4, 4.02) went eight shutout innings in his best game of the season. That's four straight outstanding starts as he struck out 10 Phillies on the heels of a 10 K performance vs the Twins. Cabrera doubled in the first run and drove in the winner with a ground out vs. Jeremy Hellickson (4-3, 3.97) in the 6th before Victor Martinez singled in the third and final run for the Tigers.

Tommy Joseph's 9th inning sacrifice fly gave Philadelphia hope at 3-1, but Francisco Rodriguez finished up for his 14th save in 15 tries.

Friday night, May 27 at O.co Coliseum, Oakland, CA

Tigers 4, Athletics 1

Tigers record 24-23, .511, 4th place ALC, 2.5 GB Chi White Sox and Kansas City Royals

Michael Fulmer (4-1, 3.97) pitched a gem five days ago, defeating Tampa Bay, allowing one run and striking out 11.

He pitched much more to contact tonight but the results were even better. Only 3 K's but no earned runs allowed in 7 and a third innings.

In the second, Cameron Maybin doubled in Justin Upton and James McCann singled him in to make it 2-0.

In the sixth, a solo HR by Nick Castellanos (10) made it 3-0. Then in the top of the 9th, a triple by J.D. Martinez that scored Ian Kinsler accounted for the other two runs.