The Tiger batters stranded an embarrassing 20 batters, which is simply inexcusable.
Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco, Magglio Ordonez, and Miguel Cabrera all managed to get a hit, which is to be expected. The four combined to hit 4-for-10 with a run and an RBI.
Newcomer Gerald Laird went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, and a pair of runs. Though the combination of Lyon and Laird allowed two stolen bases in the Braves’ three-run fifth inning. This offensive performance earned Laird the MVP at the plate for the game. But his shortcomings defensively are rather bothersome.
The loss of Ivan Rodriguez will be clearly noticeable, as Laird has nowhere near the arm strength that Pudge had provided for his years behind the plate for the Tigers.
Lackluster performances by Carlos Guillen and Jeff Larish added to the Tiger inefficiency behind the plate. The pair combined to go 0-for-5 with seven runners left on base.
Though the Tigers won, the fact that they tallied eleven hits and five walks, only to score five runs, is hard to believe for an offense as potent as the Tigers. The Tiger runs were scored off of two sacrifice flies, a wild pitch and two singles. This scrappy play cannot be relied on to win ballgames with a bullpen as shaky as the Tigers.
The fact of the matter is that the Tigers offense needs to cover for a weaker pitching staff. Against the Braves, they escaped with a win, but this is not a reliable means to victory.
The Tigers will travel Thursday to take on the Washington Nationals in Viera, Florida. Tiger pitchers Edwin Jackson, Nate Robertson, Joel Zumaya, and rookie gem Rick Porcello are all scheduled to pitch, with Jackson penciled as the starter.
All in all, the Tigers were good but not great in their first game of the preseason, but spring training is all about finding your identity as a team. And in the Tigers' case, they are still searching for answers.
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