The Tigers have a scheduled day off on Thursday. For the first 8 innings today, it looked like they were taking today's game off. They couldn't hit when it counted, couldn't play defense (Raburn should donate his glove to someone who might learn how to use it), and didn't pitch very well. The Orioles, who own the worst record in baseball pounded Tiger starter Doug Fister for 8 runs. Finally, in the 9th inning, the Tigers showed some signs of life.

A couple of hits, a couple of walks (including two with the bases loaded) and the Tigers were suddenly back in the game. After Magglio Ordonez hit a slow chopper to the pitcher to make the second out (Alex Avila scored on the play to make it 8-5), the Orioles elected to intentionally walk Miguel Cabrera to load the bases. Brennan Boesch came into the game as a pinch-hitter and hit a slicing drive to left that would have cleared the bases and tied the score. Baltimore left-fielder Nolan Reimold made a nice running catch on the play and saved the game for the Orioles. They came close, but it was too little, too late. The Tiger batters were 2 for 12 today with runners in scoring position and hit into 3 rally-killing double plays. Missed opportunities have plagued this Tiger team all season.

While the Tigers were losing, Cleveland is leading Minnesota in a game that is currently in rain delay. If the Indians win, the Tiger lead in the American League Central is down to two games. The Tigers will host the Indians next weekend at Comerica Park after three games with the Twins.

The Tigers have placed infielder Carlos Guillen on the 15-day disabled list with a sore wrist. Will Rhymes has been recalled from Toledo to take his place.

Detroit will host the Minnesota Twins tomorrow night in a 7:05 game. Rick Porcello will go for his 12th win against Francisco Liriano of the Twins, who is 7-9. Porcello was roughed up pretty badly in his last start, but had been pitching really well before that game. Let's hope he returns to form and can help stop this losing streak at one.

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