The Tigers dropped their finale against the A’s last night and they settled for a 2-2 split in their four game series.  This time it was a rough outing by Chad Durbin that cost the Tigers.  He was tagged for six runs on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.  The pen actually did a nice job in this one (4 2/3 innings, just one run) but the six runs given up by Durbin were too much for the Tigers to come back from.

Magglio Ordonez drove in both Tiger runs with a two run single in the first inning and that brings his RBI total up to 104.  The Tigers managed just four hits as Chad Gaudin of all people shut them down.  In all, there were fourteen Tiger strikeouts with Ivan Rodriguez and Brandon Inge leading the way at three a piece.

Congratulations to Placido Polanco for breaking an impressive fielding record.  He’s now played in 144 straight games without giving up an error, and that breaks the previous mark set by Luis Castillo that was just set earlier this year.  And this isn’t a hollow mark either because he’s done it while compiling the third highest zone rating amongst second baseman in the American League.  Last year he finished second in zone rating and Polanco’s defense, until he began to approach this record, was one of the more under-appreciated assets of his game.

Joel Zumaya made his first rehab appearance since coming back form surgery on his middle finger.  He pitched 2/3 of an inning and he gave up a hit while striking out one.

The Tigers jump right into the fire with two weeks of critical games.  They play two against the Indians beginning tonight with C.C. Sabathia taking the mound for the Indians and Jerem Bonderman throwing for the Tigers.  Jair Jurrjens will make his major league debut on Wednesday so he’ll definitely be thrown right into the fire.  Then it’s four against the Wild Card leading New York Yankees with another four game series against the Yanks the following weekend and a three game series against the Indians sandwiched between them.  As it stands, the Tigers are a game back of the Yankees and they’re tied with the Indians so this is the time for the Tigers to catch fire and get it done.

Permalink | Posted in 2007 Tigers