August 22nd, 2009 at 11:16 PM ^
Needs to go back to Toledo and stay there until he learns to cut down on that swing. And if he doesn't, he's going to become a left-handed Brent Clevlen, the other day's game winning single notwithstanding. He's got 3 more K's tonight.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:16 PM ^
Armando recovered after a shaky start. Let's Go Tigers!
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:28 PM ^
Well hopefully Perry does not lose the game right now, but the offense leaves to many men in scoring position.
EDIT: Great job by Perry to get out of that.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:23 PM ^
late in close games there should always be someone warming up except for the 9th inning when you put your closer in.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:28 PM ^
to clean up his own mess! I'm really liking this kid and what I think he will become! Let's get some runs boys!!
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:31 PM ^
Nice job by Perry to get out of that jam in the 8th.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:37 PM ^
Why would you bring in Zach Miner? Isn't he the human surrender flag?
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:40 PM ^
miner=death
never fails
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:40 PM ^
Miner. Why is our worst bullpen pitcher in for a tie game? WTF Leyland...
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:45 PM ^
And it's not that I don't like Leyland, but he is a terrible in-game manager. I know the guy knows more about baseball than I do and maybe there is something that I'm overlooking, but I just don't get how you can basically forfeit a game like that by putting Miner in.
He did the same thing in the first game of the red sox series when we came back to tie it at 5 and 3 minutes later we were losing 6 or 7 to 5.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:48 PM ^
Miner should be the #6 man in the pen, reserved for blowout games, spot starts, or games where we just really have a tired pen. I understand no Seay. Hadn't he pitched a lot the last few days? But Ni appears solid. Lyon didn't work hard at all last night. He was probably good to go. Pretty sure I saw Rodney warming. He could have game in. Hell, Perry has decent endurance, you could have just let him pitch another.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:41 PM ^
Well Miner sucks. Use Lyon!
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:41 PM ^
why the fuck did Leyland bring in Miner? He has his closer warming up!!!!
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:47 PM ^
Where are those Leyland supporters from two days ago? Defend him!
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:50 PM ^
He is a good manager but there are just some things he does that baffles me. In a tied game why would you bring out a pitcher who is use to coming into a blow out compared to a guy who is used to the situation. YOUR CLOSER!!!!!!!!
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:11 AM ^
It was the right move. You're the away team, you're playing to extend the game, you bring in your long guy. Plus, given Rodney's stats in non-save situations, why in the world would Leyland bring him in?
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:15 AM ^
not technically a save but it was a time where we couldn't give up a run. And if you didn't want to bring in Rodney, you could have kept in Perry or bring in Lyon. At least they are good pitchers.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:51 PM ^
I like Leyland but I have no clue what he is doing. You have Lyon and Rodney in the bullpen. Use them. Miner should be brought into the game for long relief or mop up duty. His lineup card confuses me. To many righty-lefty matchup stuff. Just play the best hitters right now and stop with all of this.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:58 PM ^
He over-manages.
Just like when he will take out a hot bat in a tie game for a supposedly better defensive player (like clete over mags) or for a faster runner when we are down 1 run. If we're going to lose I want to lose because our best players couldn't get the job done, not because we're trying to get too cute and putting in lesser players for "matchup" purposes.
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:03 AM ^
you can make the case our best players did not get the job done, we scored 2 runs against a mediocre pitcher
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:05 AM ^
of listening to Rod Allen tip his f'ing hat to shitty ass pitchers because they "had good stuff tonight." NO THEY DIDN'T...OUR OFFENSE CONSTANTLY SUCKS AGAINST BAD PITCHING. After awhile, you stop tipping your cap and start wondering things.
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:09 AM ^
but when you put guys out there like Clete Thomas who strikes out 3 out of every 4 at bats, how could the key players play good. They know they have to do it of else noone else will.
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:15 AM ^
I agree with you, this is not a great team, far from it, yet we are in first despite the shitty managing of Leyland. You cannot have it both ways
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:06 AM ^
"to many righty-lefty matchup stuff. Just play the best hitters right now and stop with all this."
You say that after Leyland elects to leave Ryan Perry (right handed) in against the lefties in a tough jam with the bases loaded. Leyland does NOT go to the lefty in the pen and Perry gets out of the jam.
For God's sake, put some blame on the players for once. What about our, yet again, horrid inability to hit the ball? That certainly had nothing to do with it.
And if Leyland brought Rodney in, half of Michigan would have had a heart attack, knowing Rodney's stats in non-save situations, before he even threw a pitch.
You're the away team in a tie game in the ninth - you are playing to extend the game. That's why you bring in the long relief guy. You extend the game, then if you fail to score the next inning, guess what? You still have you're long relief guy!
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:10 AM ^
Did you even read my post. I was talking about the hitters. Ordonez has been hitting better lately and should be playing more. Thomas is not a number 6 hitter. If he wants a lefty there, put Avila there.
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:13 AM ^
is so difficult. On one hand, he's hitting decently since the break. On the other, even the way he's hitting, it's still not $18 million worthy. I really hope we can keep him under the plate appearance limit.
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:18 AM ^
Yeah I understand that, but he only needs about 80 more PA. I think we have 40 games left, so 4 PA per game he plays. So basically that would mean he would not play half of the remaining games. The only way this does not happen is if DD or the owner says something to JL.
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:21 AM ^
I don't think anything needs to be said to JL. He knows what's at stake. I mean, if we all know, he certainly does. And considering the contract extension he recently signed, it's in his best interest as well for Mags to not get the extension. It's simply not going to happen. If that means playing Magglio in only 12 more games this year, that's what will happen.
Hopefully the Tigers will be able to sneak in while doing it - Chicago's dreadful schedule will be our best weapon down the stretch. Each game they lose is another we can afford to keep Magglio on the bench. That sounds horrible, but it is what it is.
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:14 AM ^
I know you were, but it's the same concept. You said that Leyland plays the lefty-righty matchup too much. I'm pointing out that he specifically didn't in this game.
"Thomas is not a number 6 hitter"
Well, yeah. Unfortunately, this team also consists of Inge, Raburn, Thames, Santiago, Laird, Everrett, and Avila. All of which would be 7-9 hitters on any decent offensive team.
Jim can only play with the cards he's dealt.
I'm not trying to blindly defend Leyland here, but losing a game by a run in the ninth in which you're team records only five hits is probably not the sole result of poor managing.
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:18 AM ^
to label Avila as a 7-9 hitter on a good team. Well, I guess you can label him for that now. But in the future, he could very well develop into a pretty solid hitter. Also, lay off Santiago. I like him.
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:24 AM ^
I was referring to right now. Obviously it's far too early to label Avila anything. But right now, he's not hitting above 7 on a decent lineup.
I love Ramon too, but he is a lower third of the lineup hitter. It's not being mean or anything, that's just how it is. Guys hitting .250 are generally lower third of the lineup guys.
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:27 AM ^
you meant on the Avila thing. That's why I clarified it a bit more. However, of all those lower end hitters, I honestly feel Santiago is the one I'd least crucify. I honestly think he's great at what he does and is a very valuable player. I'm glad someone else feels the same way.
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:31 AM ^
I agree - I'm glad he's getting a fair shot at the SS spot. He does a ton of little things and ideally, he's a great 9 hitter. A guy we can put at the bottom of the lineup who can bunt, run, move guys up, and get it back to the top with someone on.
The whole comment was really meant to defend Leyland batting Clete 6th. All you have to do to see why he's at 6 is look at who's below him. Heck, earlier in the week he was batting 3. It's just how this team is right now; we don't have guys who will consistently hit at a .280 clip so we have to play matchups (yes, the righty lefty matchups ;) in addition to personal matchups) and go with hot hands.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:51 PM ^
I'm a Leyland supporter, his record speaks for itself, my client will not be taking the stand.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:53 PM ^
but it's okay to question him sometimes. Especially when you disagree with a decision.
August 23rd, 2009 at 2:34 AM ^
His career record is 1391 wins and 1417 loses after tonight. He is overrated, and I am getting tired of watching him mismanage this team. He needs to bring in a new hitting coach, McClendon sucks.
August 23rd, 2009 at 9:44 AM ^
I'd agree that going with Miner wasn't the right decision - obviously, this looks more obvious with the advantage of hindsight. But, jesus, you people are insane. You're declaring Leyland a "terrible manager"? He has a team with one good hitter and two good pitchers in first fucking place. This Tiger's roster is fucking MISERABLE - their corner OF's, catcher, and middle infielders couldn't start for more than half the teams in baseball, and the way their 3B is playing since his injury, he probably couldn't start for any team that had at least one other player capable of playing the position. Their minor league organization is ranked 26th in baseball by Baseball America - there is no obvious source of replacements.
They have two good starters, and an adequate bullpen. Somehow, they've maintained a lead in the division. Putting Miner in last night wasn't Leyland's best moment, but let's see the forest for the trees here.
August 23rd, 2009 at 1:27 PM ^
Porcello needs a good outing today. Hopefully 6+ innings.