Detroit Tigers: The week that was
June 18 – June 24
It was an up and down week for the Detroit Tigers as they finished 3-3 in two series of Interleague Play. The Tigers hosted a 2006 World Series rematch with the St. Louis Cardinals at Comerica Park and the results were much better than in 2006.
The Tigers gave the ball to Justin Verlander in game one of the three game series and the results were as you’d expect. Verlander went seven strong innings with one earned run and three strikeouts. It was a great start to the series as they beat the Cards, 6-3 as Delmon Young and Austin Jackson each had two RBI’s.
Game two belonged to Cardinals pitcher Jake Westbrook, as he threw a complete, no earned game and the Cardinals went on to win 3-1.
Game 3 was our first look at young Jacob Turner, a pitching prospect of the Tigers. Turner went five innings, and gave up just one run. It wasn’t until the 10th inning that Quinton Berry hit a bases loaded single, to drive in the winning run. The Tigers took their fourth series in a row and headed to Pittsburg.
The Tigers dropped the first two games to the Pirates 4-1 and needed a Justin Verlander performance on Sunday to pick them up.
Pittsburg centerfielder Andrew McCutchen went 4-7 with 3 RBI’s in the first two games.
But Verlander wouldn’t be denied, like usual, in the final game of the series. Verlander threw a complete game, two earned, seven strikeout performance as the Tigers went on to win 3-2.
Quinton Berry hit his first career homerun in the first inning.
A Look Ahead
The Tigers have a huge week ahead of them. Currently three games behind the White Sox for first in the division, the Tigers need a good week to keep pace.
It won’t be easy as they face the Texas Rangers, who currently have the best record in baseball. Three games in Texas against Yu Darvish and Roy Oswalt are going to be tough for the Tigers. The offense better come to play because everyone knows the Rangers bats are always out.
Next up will be a four game series with the Tampa Bay Rays. Manager Joe Maddon has his team 3.5 games out in the AL East but eight games above .500. The Tigers have to win one of these series to keep pace in the Central.
The trade deadline is approaching and we will have that covered as it comes up.
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