Leyland Blows Another One. This Act is Getting Tired.

Thankfully I was out and about when the Tigers game ended today. The combination of Ryan Perry and Phil Coke could not close out the game to secure the 4-2 victory in the 9th. Where was Valverde you ask? Oh, well he threw 60 pitches last night so he wasn't available today. Yes, that is a lot of pitches. No, he didn't enter in a save situation last night. I realize he had not pitched in a game in four days, but listen, Jim, he's a CLOSER. His only job is to get three outs when the team is ahead by three runs or less or a scenario where the Tigers are in danger of losing the game. I have never understood Managers bringing their "closer" in just to get their work in during a blowout (winning or losing). There is a stat out there about how much worse closers do in that situation as compared to trying to earn a save (someday I'll look for it too). The Tigers had the game well in hand last night before Valverde entered. 60 pitches and a grand-slam later they escaped with a 6-5 win erasing any chance of Valverde pitching in a meaningful position should it present itself during the Saturday day game. Let Valverde get his necessary work in if he must in meaningful game scenarios where the pressure is on (you know, like a save situation) so that he doesn't lose his edge (like last night). I realize Leyland isn't playing with his optimal roster, but he isn't doing himself any favors with the way he is managing his bullpen (or the grab bag lineup that changes every day).

Tigers/Twins Game 163 Liveblog

I felt like crap and stayed home from work today. After sleeping until noon I haven't been able to sit still. I Can't imagine what it's been like for the Tigers, who are about to let a 7 game division lead slip away in the final month of the season. Add in the distraction of the Cabrera situation, I have no idea how anyone in that clubhouse could possible be loose for this game. On the other side of the field, the Twins, Morneau-less, have been playing loose for weeks. Here we go.

4:53 PM
The lineups are posted and Granderson is leading off. If he goes 0-4 with two strikeouts, the Tigers are done. Raburn is batting 6th and Santiago getting the start at SS. One observation I made at the beginning of the season about Leyland not ever starting the same lineup two days in a row has played out this season. I still maintain that this is one reason for the Tigers offensive inconsistencies.

5:13 PM
Tigers go down 1-2-3. Granderson does NOT strike out, but Polanco does. Maggs looks a half second slow on the fastball, which is all they threw him. Also, why is Craig Sager the third man in on the broadcast? If I have to put up with him for the duration of the playoffs I'm not going to be happy.

5:28 PM
Runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out. I would have had Guillen bunt, but what do I know. Three sliders and Inge will be a strikeout victim. A low fastball gets two outs with one swing. Can you feel my optimism?

5:31 PM
Inge has a good swing and still comes up Millhouse. Laird hits a lazy fly and the leadoff double produces squat, the story of September for the Tigers. Money on the Twins scoring at least 2 in the bottom half...

5:47 PM
Maggs gets a hold of a fastball that tails in on him and takes it the other way sending Grandy in for the first run. I can hear my Mom "wooo-ing" all the way from Michigan! It would be real nice if Miggy could pound one and tag on a few more.

5:50 PM
He must have heard me. 3-0 Tigers, Bazinga! Keep pouring it on please.

6:05 PM
2 Hits, 2 flyouts and a wild pitch equal a run for the Twins. Mauer walked on four pitches and now Kubel is down 1-2, check that, Strikeout and the inning is over. A two run lead is a lot different than a 3 run lead and the Twins have 18 outs left. There is no way Porcello pitches, I mean Leyland allows Porcello to pitch, more than 6 innings. Conclusion: the Tigers need to score more runs, now, a lot more.

6:25 PM
Porcello is looking good. Set them down in order in the 4th, but like I said, he is going no further than the sixth. If the score is 3-1 at the end of 6, that would not be good.

6:50 PM
Mauer strikes out to make it two outs with no one on, then Kubel goes and hits an upper deck shot to make it 3-2. I feel ill.

7:20 PM (stretch time)
Polanco fisted one to short to end the inning and the Tigers threat. It's 3-2 and no Tigers fan can feel comfortable at this point with the way the bullpen has given away games the last two years. Who is even the setup man at this point? Perry? Lyon? I definitely would not give the ball to Lyon with this one run lead. And you know if it gets to Rodney the ninth will be interesting.

Detroit Tigers 2009 Season, Time of Death - 7:31 PM
Cabrera hits a two run homer, it's all over but the crying. There will be no need for any additional posts. I quit.