Tigers-White Sox: That Was a Good Day

Didn’t yesterday seem like the sort of day the Tigers usually blow?  The entered their double-header against the White Sox tied with them for first place.  I was prepared for a split at best.  Despite my cynical view on things, yesterday was one of the top days of the years for the Tigers.

I woke up and decided I should make the trip to Detroit and enjoy the surprisingly nice weather.  I made a few calls to see if I could get someone to come with me.  My friend Brandon decided he was game, so we hopped in the car and made the drive.  We missed the first inning but were able to get seats way up in the upper deck. 

In the top of the fourth inning we decided to try and sit in one of the thousands of seats must closer to the action. 

However, we were rebuffed in every attempt.  I’ve never seen ushers out in such a force as they were yesterday.  Every section we attempted to enter we were asked for our tickets.  We settled for standing out by the statues and taking in the game from there.

From our “seats” in left-center we had a good view for another Justin Verlander gem.  I’ve been to six Tigers games this year and the Tigers are 3-3 when I’m in attendance. 

Here’s who has pitched in those games: Verlander, Galarraga, Willis, Willis, Verlander, Verlander.  Where do you think the three wins came from?  Yeesh.  What would the Tigers be without him?  I don’t like to think about it.

Following a great game one, Brandon and I went over to Hockeytown to grab a bite and think about whether or not we would wait around for game two of the day.  The night game was a “premium” game and that meant we would have to pay a good chunk of change more to see another game. 

We decided that we were happy with what we saw from Verlander and that we didn’t have a good feeling about paying even more to see Eddie Bonine (no offense).  We hopped in the car and decided to watch game two a bar in East Lansing.

I’m not a huge bar guy, but we had a pretty good time watching the game there.  There were quite a few Tigers fans there, and as the beer flowed and Bonine kept the Tigers in there, it seemed more and more likely that the Tigers would pull one out.

Bonine did exactly what you’d like to see from a spot starter and gave up only three runs in six innings of work.  The bullpen took things from there and the mast of the bases-loaded walk, Clete Thomas “drove” in the winning run.

So, here we are, 24 hours later and the Tigers have gone from a tie for first to a two game lead.  Not bad.  Sure, they have to go out and do it again today, but I like Edwin Jackson’s chances.  You always have to like his chances.

Matt Holliday is gone and that’s fine.  Carlos Guillen may end up being the “trade” the Tigers needed to make.