Back On Track

GAME SUMMARY

• Final Score:  Detroit 6  Baltimore 3
• WP: Justin Verlander (6-2): 6 innings, 9 H, 1 BB, 3 ER, 5 K, 112 pitches
• LP:  Matt Albers (0-2): 1.1 innings, 4 H, 0 BB, 3 R, 0 K
• SV: Fernando Rodney (9)
• HR: Luke Scott (11), Clete Thomas (2,3), Curtis Granderson (12)

The Tigers finally got a win in Baltimore as they topped Luke Scott and the Orioles, 6-3.  Scott homered off of Justin Verlander, his fifth in three games, but it wasn’t enough because the Tigers were able to tack on some runs late in the game.

The Tigers led 3-0 until the Orioles tied it up on Scott’s two run homer in the sixthinning.  Things were looking bleak.  However, Verlander rebounded and the bullpen held the Orioles scoreless to win this one.

Detroit clubbed three home runs (all solo shots) so head to Arby’s tomorrow if you’re into that sort of thing for a free roast beef sandwich.

Highly-touted Orioles prospect, Matt Wieters got his first hit, a triple off of Verlander and he later smacked a double.  The guy looks huge at the plate and I hope for the Orioles sake that he pans out into the sort of player many think he can be.  Aside from Robbie Alomar, I’ve always liked the Orioles.

• Good: Verlander didn’t have his best stuff tonight, as  you can gather from the nine hits he allowed.  However, he worked through some trouble and was able to stop the Orioles when he needed to.  Verlander will end the month of May with a record of 5-0 in six starts, picking up a quality start in each appearance.
• Good: Clete Thomas turned into Miguel Cabrera tonight, hitting two home runs to the opposite field.  Coming into this game, Clete had two career home runs.  He doubled his career total in one night.  He also doubled out of the leadoff spot as Josh Anderson got the night off.  Good game for Clete.
• Bad: Dane Sardinha is really bad.  I try my best to like him and give him the benefit of the doubt, but he just not good enough to appear in major league games.  Even as a back up.  Dane went 0-3 tonight with a pair of strikeouts and saw he average dip to .083.
• Bad: Placido Polanco is just not getting it figured out.  Magglio struggled early, but he appears to have his mojo back.  The same cannot be said for Polly who was 0-5 tonight and his average is now sitting at .255.
• Good: Joel Zumaya looked like the old Joel tonight.  Zumaya threw 1.1 perfect innings tonight, striking out a pair, including Luke Scott.  All 12 pitches he threw were strikes.  Great to see.