Detroit Tigers Annihilate Angels 12-2

When Maicer Itzturis launched the second pitch of the game from Detroit's Rick Porcello into the seats, I thought, "Oh no, here we go again."  Porcello would settle down after that and scatter 5 hits over 8 innings to earn his 11th win of the season.  Brennan Boesch would tie the game in the bottom of the 1st with a moon shot that landed deep in the discount seats in right field. 

The Angels would score one more time and take a temporary lead in the top of the 5th.  The Tiger hitters got busy after that, scoring a run to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the 5th, then plating 4 in the 6th, 2 in the 7th and 4 more in the 8th to blow this one wide open.  Victor Martinez and Carlos Guillen each had 4 RBI's for the Tigers tonight. 

The Tigers put another game between themselves and second-place Cleveland, as the Indians were crushed by Kansas City.  Detroit leads Cleveland by 2 and a half.  Chicago was leading Boston late, and would be three games behind with a win. 

After yesterday's embarrassing loss, the Tigers needed a game like this.  Just about everybody in the lineup contributed in a positive way, showing what this team is capable of.  If this version of the Detroit Tigers would show up more frequently, they should easily win the American League Central.  Tomorrow is another day, and Tiger fans don't know if we'll see Jekyll or Hyde.  The Tigers and Angels will be on national television tomorrow afternoon.  Los Angeles will start 10-game winner Dan Haren against Tiger rookie Duane Below (0-1).  The Tigers haven't gotten a win from the 5th starter in nearly 2 months.  If they swing the bats like they did tonight, they have a good chance.  4:10 first pitch on Fox.