Tigers Salvage One Game from Dodgers

The Tigers beat the Dodgers 7-5 today for their only win of the three-game series at Dodger Stadium.  For the fourth time in five games, a Tiger starter failed to get a quality start.  This time it was Rick Porcello who allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings.  It sounded on the radio like he ran into some bad luck, but that's what happens when a pitcher can't get batters to swing and miss very often.  Porcello has allowed 14 runs in 7 2/3 innings in his last two road starts and now sports an unattractive 4.50 ERA for the season.

The amazing Al Alburquerque did a great job bridging the gap between the fifth and eighth innings.  He allowed no runs on no hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings.  He also added four strike outs to give him an absurd total of 44 K in 26 1/3 innings for the season.

The game got very scary in the bottom of the ninth when closer Jose Valverde loaded the bases.  The game ended on a leaping grab by Austin Jackson in deep center field.  Jackson did not start the game, but had come in as defensive replacement.     

Most of the offense came via the long ball as Casper Wells, Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez and Don kelly all went deep.  The Tigers now have 72 homers on the year which is good for sixth in the American League.

Inter-league Woes

After five years of winning records in inter-league play, the Tigers have been uncharacteristically bad versus the National League this year:

2006 15-3
2007 14-4
2008 13-5
2009 10-8
2010 11-7
2011 3-6

What's the reason for this?  It could be that they are catching teams at the wrong time.  It has not helped that the last six games have been on the road in two rather extreme parks. Coors Field is, of course, a great hitters park and Dodger Stadium is one of the better pitching parks. 

One poster on MotownSports theorized that losing the designated hitter hurts more this year than in the past because they are finally getting production from the position.  Of course, that doesn't explain the lousy starting pitching.   

Perry is Back

The Tigers have optioned lefty Adam Wilk to Toledo and have recalled Ryan Perry from the same club.  No decision has been announced regarding Brandon Inge's return as of yet, but there is a possibility that he will also be back for the weekend series versus Arizona in Comerica Park.