Tigers Start Home Stand with Loss

Before I talk about tonight's game, I want to introduce a new addition to the Tigers blogosphere. Monkeytargets, a frequent and quality poster at MotownSports has started a new blog called "A Tigers Blog by Monkeytargets". In his most recent post, he breaks down the Tigers bullpen.

Now, on to the the bad news. The Tigers opened their 11 game home stand right where they left off on the road - with another loss. Andrew Miller lasted only 4 innings before leaving at the beginning of the 5th inning with a minor hamstring strain. The injury does not sound serious. He allowed 6 runs on 7 hits including two home runs, a solo homer by Jermaine Dye in the 2nd and a grand slam by Juan Uribe in the 4th. He left with his team trailing 6-0 and the White Sox went on to win 7-4.

The Tigers scored 3 runs in the 4th on a 2 run double by Magglio Ordonez and a an RBI single by Mike Hessman. Those would be all the runs that starter Mak Buehrle would allow in 8 innings of work. Ordonez was the only Tiger with a multiple hit game going 3 for 4.

Jeremy Bonderman will try to bounce back from the worst start of his career tomorrow night. His opponent will be a very tough Javier Vazquez.

Notes:

X-Rays and an MRI taken on Gary Sheffield's shoulder revealed no structural damage and he will try to get better through rest and rehab. For now at least, he is not headed to the disabled list. He really needs to get healthy soon or it will be a huge blow to the Tigers post-season chances. He was replaced in the line-up by Ryan Raburn who went 1 for 4.

Although he is reportedly healthy, Fernando Rodney will not be ready this weekend as originally hoped. He will continue his rehabilitation at Toledo by throwing 25 pitches in Saturday's game. His readiness for the Tigers will be evaluated again after that game.

Neifi Perez had a third positive test for banned stimulants and was suspended for another 80 games. He recently finished a 25 game suspension. His career as a Tiger is likely over. This story helps to explain their peculiar interest in shortstop Jack Wilson of the Pirates. Since the Tigers don't see Omar Infante as a shortstop and there is no immediate help availalable in the minors, they are looking for a backup shortstop.