The hype surrounding the return of Fernando Rodney was shortlived as he and Freddy Dolsi combined to give up five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning in the Tigers 8-6 loss to the Giants.  Dolsi gave up a pair of singles and got one out before Rodney came in and gave up a three run blast to the first batter he faced.  A double, a walk and another double later and a 4-3 lead turned into an 8-4 deficit in a hurry.

It’s too bad because Justin Verlander had a solid start.  He gave up two three runs (two earned) on five hits and just one walks with seven strikeouts in seven innings.  It’s his third straight start in which he’s struck out more batters then he’s walked, his longest streak of the season.

Marcus Thames brought the big stick and he belted a pair of homers.  Ivan Rodriguez had a team high three hits to go with his two runs and Curtis Granderson drove in a pair.

Kenny Rogers gets the nod tonight and he’ll go up against fellow lefthander Jonathan Sanchez.  I like all of those walks that Sanchez has given up (41 in 80 1/3 innings) and hopefully the Tigers can capitalize on the lack of control and get back in the win column.

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