Tigers Outslug Mariners 12-6

It was a see saw affair for the first 5 innings tonight as the Tigers took 3-1, 4-3 and 5-4 leads only to see the Mariners tie it up each time. They finally went ahead to stay in the 6th when they scored 3 runs to make it 8-5. That inning was highlighted by a two run homer by Brandon Inge. They then broke it wide open when Placido Polanco smacked a three run double in the 7th to make it 11-6. Pudge Rodriguez capped the scoring with a solo homer in the 8th to arrive at the 12-6 final score.

Nate Robertson was not sharp at all tonight as he gave up single runs in each of the first 5 innings and failed to make it through the 5th. Zach Miner took over, finished the 5th and allowed 1 run in 2 1/3 innings. Fernando Rodney and Yorman Bazardo finished it off with one perfect inning each. The fielders backed the pitchers with several fine defensive plays including 2 diving catches by Timo Perez and a barehanded catch and throw by Inge that was so impressive that Rodney cracked a smile.

The big story of this game though was an offensive explosion that produced 15 hits including 7 of the extra base hit variety. The big hitters were:

• Ivan Rodriguez - 4 hits including a homer
• Timo Perez - 2 singles and a triple
• Placido Polanco - 3 hits and 4 RBI
• Curtis Granderson - a single and a triple
  

The nightly Granderson update is that the triple was his 22th of the year. That is the most triples since Snuffy Stirnweiss had 22 in 1945. Dale Mitchell had 23 in 1949.

The victory was their 4th in a row but they were unable to gain any ground on the Yankees who toppled the Royals 11-5. So, they are still 3 behind in the wild card race. They are 4 1/2 behind the Indians in the Central pending the result of their game with the Angels tonight. The Indians are up 3-0 in the 6th at this moment. The Tigers will try for a sweep of the Mariners when Jeremy Bonderman faces Felix Hernandez tomorrow afternoon.