I went to bed after the seventh inning thinking the Tigers had this one in the bag.  I was kind of right because they won but the game went into the eleventh inning and thanks to the bottom of the order, the Tigers walked away with the win.  After this one being a pitchers duel through six innings, the Tigers finally got to John Danks and it started with a two run home run by Casper Wells.  Then the Tigers took a four run lead into the ninth only to see Phil Coke (with an assist by Robbie Weinhardt) implode.  Then the Tigers got it done in the eleventh with an RBI single by Gerald Laird to go ahead and then Austin Jackson doubled home Brennan Boesch for some insurance.  Eddie Bonine then got into trouble in the bottom of the eleventh before Dan Schlereth pitched out of the jam to pick up his first career save.

Jeremy Bonderman gave up his share of base runners and while he gave up three runs, only one of those was earned.  I could have done without the five walks and he didn’t strike anyone out but he got his ERA back below 5.00 for the first time in over a month.

Ryan Perry came up big and he pitched two shutout innings.  I still think he’s the heir apparent for the teams closer and while we have Jose Valverde one more year, the Tigers can begin getting Perry ready to fill his spot.

Austin Jackson and Gerald Laird both had two hits and two RBIs.  Brandon Inge and Brennan Boesch both scored a pair of runs.

The Tigers come home for the last time in 2010.  First up are the Royals beginning tonight and we’ll get Rick Porcello against Zach Greinke.  Johnny Damon has been good against Greinke (.318/.375/.500 in 24 plate appearances) so look for that matchup.  Brandon Inge has the third most plate appearances (49) against Greinke then any other players and he’s hitting .244 with a pair of home runs.  Game time is 7:05.

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