Detroit Tigers Hammered By Halos

This game was ugly on way too many levels for the Tigers.  Detroit has several players in the top ten in batting average, runs batted in, pitching wins.  We sent 5 to the All-Star Game, and statistically, could have sent a couple more.  The Tigers have a lot of good players.  Yet they are not a very good team. 

Brad Penny started today's game and was hit hard.  Really hard.  Penny gave up 7 runs before being pulled in the 4th inning with just one out.  He also got into an argument with catcher Victor Martinez on the field.  Maybe it was just frustration.  The Tigers then proceeded to score 4 runs in the bottom of the 4th to make it 7-6.  Some rare clutch hitting for Detroit, and all of sudden the Tigers are back in the game with a lot of baseball left to play.  Neither team scored in the 5th or 6th, then the Tiger bullpen made the Angels happy in the 7th, giving up 5 runs.  David Purcey gave up a hit then walked two to load the bases.  Phil Coke came in and threw gas on the fire, and by the time he got out of  the inning, the Angels were up 12-6.  The Tiger bats would remain silent until Wilson Betemit hit a solo homer in the 9th.  That was the end of it.  Angels 12, Tigers 7.

The Tigers are now 55-50 and still in first place in the American League Central.  Cleveland and Chicago both enjoyed an off day today, and gain a half game on the Tigers.  The Indians are 1 & 1/2 back and the White Sox are now just 3 behind.

The Tigers and Angels will play again tomorrow night at Comerica Park in Detroit.  Rick Porcello will go for win #11 against rookie Kyle Chatwood of the Angels who is 6-6.

The Tigers have 57 games left to play this season.  Let's hope they can find their mojo before it's too late.