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Category: Tigers

Dontrelle's Start

From Minneapolis - It looks like Dontrelle Willis will get another start for the Tigers this season, after all. They don't yet know when, though.

Sounding much more positive about its likelihood, manager Jim Leyland said "I would hope so" when asked before Saturday's game against the Twins about Willis starting again before the end of the season.

"Obviously there will be a moment at some time when he has to pitch."

Category: Tigers

Skipping Kenny

From Minneapolis - Manager Jim Leyland said after Friday night's 10-2 loss to the Twins that he's decided to skip struggling Kenny Rogers' next scheduled start on Tuesday night at home against Oakland and that there's a good chance that Nate Robertson will make that start instead,

The plan is to start Rogers again next Saturday in Chicago.

Category: Tigers

Granderson's Future

What you are going to read in stories coming out of Wednesday night's 9-6 victory over the Angels is that Curtis Granderson has now matured to the point that he could be moved down in the lineup.

This was one of Jim Leyland's talking points a year or so ago, that when Granderson really arrived as a player, he could become a middle-of-the-lineup hitter.

Well, the manager now feels Granderson has arrived. The catch is, however, that he's not going to move him because the Tigers don't have a "pure leadoff hitter" to replace Granderson at the top of the lineup. So he's staying there.

The manager is confident, though, that Granderson could handle one of the production spots from 3-6. Some day when the Tigers find a pure leadoff hitter, the move will occur but until then, you'll have to be satisfied with those leadoff triples.

Category: Tigers

Guillen Still Out

If you're still wondering when Carlos Guillen will return to the lineup, don't look for him in this series against the Angels or even the next series in Minnesota. Because his back is still sore, it probably won't be until Monday night at home against Oakland.

That means he'll miss at least 12 games, so basically he's been on the DL without being on the DL.

Category: Tigers

Speaking of loud cheers

One of the people who threw a ceremonial first pitch was former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. Like Pudge, he received quite a few cheers. He also got a special catcher for the event -- today's starting catcher Brandon Inge. Carr's son, Jason, and his wife have gotten to be very close to Inge and his wife, Shani, fron when the Inges lived in Ann Arbor.

Lloyd was quite amusing in his windup and throw, which, I should add, was a bit high.

Category: Tigers

Loud cheers for Pudge

As you might expect, the return of Pudge Rodriguez has been a love fest for the Tigers' former catcher. Both when he came onto the field with the Yankees and when they announced his name during the lineups, he received raucous cheers. There's also quite a few people wearing the Pudge Tigers jersey, many of them children.

Category: Tigers

Lambert's Next Start

Someone has already asked if he'll do better next time out, now that he's gotten his debut out of the way and my answer to that is he might, but one start doesn't mean he'll get another.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Tigers don't keep him around for a follow-up start.

Category: Tigers

FINAL: Indians win, 10-4, lead series 2-0

It was going to be a tough task for rookie Chris Lambert (yes, he actually pitched in this game -- seems like a long time ago) to be opposing a surging Indians team that had Cliff Lee on the mound. But he did not get much defensive help early on from his team.

Cliff Lee won his 19th game and his eighth straight and the Indians have won nine in a row. They've won 15 of 18 since August 8.

Another bitter defeat for the Tigers.

Category: Tigers

10-4 Indians, bottom of the 9th

Edward Mujica is now pitching for the Indians. Excitement at the ballpark abounds. Many of the announced 38,774 tickets sold have long since left the building.

Do we need a review? Oh, wait, not until tomorrow. But Edgar Renteria's 354-foot shot scored Marcus Thames, who got his second hit of the game. So that's a big 10-4, buddy.

Category: Tigers

10-2 Indians, top of the 9th

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-changes! Ramon Santiago, who pinch ran for Miguel Cabrera, is now playing third. Ryan Raburn moves from third to left field. Marcus Thames moves from left field to first base.

Cliff Lee's line: 7.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HB. He's given up more than two earned runs once since July 6, when he gave up six to the Tigers July 30, a no decision for him.

How'd you like that catch by Matt Joyce? It spun him around but a spinning catch is better than no catch.