Tigers Stopped by Royals

Tigers fans were flying high after the Tigers swept the Twins in the dreaded Metrodome earlier this week. After losing 2 of 3 to the last place Royals at home, they have now returned to earth. he Royals won the series finale 5-2 today behind the strong pitching of Brian Bannister who allowed just 1 run on 4 hits in 7 innings. After pitching probably his best game of the year last time out, Tigers starter Nate Robertson allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 11 hits in 6 innings to take the loss.

Craig Monroe hit a solo homer in the 3rd to put the Tigers on top 1-0 at the time but the Royals scored 2 in the 4th and never lost the lead after that. Monroe's homer was his 2nd in 2 days after going more than 6 weeks with none. Magglio Ordonez drove in their only other run with a double in the 9th. It was Ordonez's 38th double of the year which puts him on a pace for 64. That would break Hank Greenberg's Tigers record of 63 in 1934.

Pending the outcome of the Indians game with the Rangers tonight, The Tigers have a 1 1/2 game lead in the AL Central. They now go back on the road for a 5 game series at Chicago including a doubleheader on Tuesday night. The opening game tomorrow night will match Andrew Miller against Mark Buehrle. Jeremy Bonderman will pitch the first game of Tuesday's twin bill . They will call up a pitcher from the minors to pitch game 2. My guess is that it will be Jordan Tata. Kenny Rogers and Justin Verlander will pitch the final 2 games of the series.