Monday, August 27, 2007

Verlander, Tigers Destroy Yankees 16-0

The Tigers finally won their first series since mid-July with a convincing 16-0 rout of the Yankees. The previously struggling Justin Verlander pitched his best game of the second half against a lethal Yankees line-up. Every player in the Tigers line-up contributed to a 20 hit night which included 8 extra base hits. It was their 3rd victory in the 4 game series, their first series win since sweeping the Twins July 17-19. They remain 2 1/2 games behind the Indians but they are suddenly showing definite signs of life.

Verlander had all his pitches working and his velocity seemed back to normal during 7 innings of shutout ball. He allowed just 2 hits and 2 walks to the best offense in the American League. Hopefully, this is the first game of a good stretch run for a pitcher who needs to be successful if they are going to have a chance to make the playoffs. Zach Miner, just recalled yesterday when Jurrjens was placed on the disabled list, finished the shutout with 2 perfect innings of relief.

The Tigers pounded starter Mike Mussina for 6 runs on 9 hits in just 3 innings and they continued their assault all night long against the Yankees bullpen. Ever starter had at least one hit in an attack that included the following:
  • Curtis Granderson - a double, 2 singles and a stolen base
  • Placido Polanco - a home run and 2 singles
  • Carlos Guillen - a double and 2 singles
  • Brandon Inge - 3 doubles
  • Sean Casey - a single and a hilarious triple (his first since 2004) which lit up the Tigers dugout and all of Comerica Park.
Like the Friday night/Saturday morning marathon, it was a night to remember at Comerica.


Notes:

Gary Sheffield was placed on the 15 day disabled list retroactive to August 22 and Timo Perez was recalled. Given Sheffield's lack of optimism about the condition of his shoulder, this news was someting I was totally expecting. I'm not assuming that he will be able to help the Tigers much down the stretch

Curtis Granderson got one step closer to the quadruple 20 with his 17th stolen base of the season tonight. He also has 33 doubles, 21 triples and 17 home runs.

The Tigers now go on the road for 6 games, three apiece at Kansas City and Oakland. Tomorrow night it will be Nate Robertson against the Royals' Brian Bannister at 8:05.

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