The Mariners have now scored almost as many runs in their first two games against the Tigers (15) as they did in their first ten games (16).  Still, Justin Verlander was solid, the Tigers just couldn’t get anything going against Ryan-Roland Smith and the Mariners.  Verlander gave up three runs on seven hits and a walk with six strikeouts in seven innings and he was pretty efficient (102) pitches. 

Joel Zumaya got two batters out and pitched to three batters in total to finish things up for the Tigers.  To Franklin Gutierrez, he threw four fastballs (99, 100, 101, 98 mph) where he gave up an inherited runner.  To the next batter, he finally went off-speed and started off with two curveballs before throwing  two 100 mph fastballs for the strikeout.  Then to Ken Griffey, Jr., he mixed it up again.  First he threw a 101 mph fastball before throwing two curveballs for balls.  Then he went back to the fastball for 101 mph.  His offspeed pitches were in the low to mid-80s, which is perfect if he can get it over for strikes.  He hasn’t given up a run himself yet, but I’ll have to go back and check to see how many inherited runners he’s given up. Still, so far, so good for Zumaya’s comeback.

At the plate, Scott Sizemore picked things up and he went two for four with a double and a run.  Magglio Ordonez drew a walk and belted his fourth home run of the season.  Through eleven games, he’s kept his OPS up above 1.000.  I’ve been very impressed with his eye at the plate.  He’s walked seven times already with just five strikeouts.  Ordonez is also coming up on a milestone and with four runs, he’ll be at 1,000 for his career.

The Tigers try to avoid the sweep this afternoon.  Max Scherzer goes for his first win as a Tiger and the Mariners throw Ian Snell.  Game time is 4:10.

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