It was another scary one but at least the Tigers game against the Nationals tonight had a happy ending (9-8 win).  The Tigers jumped out to a 9-1 lead only to see the Nationals chip away at the least until they pulled to within one run (and a runner at third base) in the ninth inning.  Todd Jones buckled down after a very rough outing though and he gave the Tigers just enough to win it.  Just enough. 

Mike Maroth was tagged for five runs (two scored after he left the game) in five innings but he picked up the win.  Rod Allen hinted on the television broadcast that big changes might be in the works with Kenny Rogers coming back on Friday.  My guess is that Mike Maroth might be the odd man out.  It wouldn’t surprise me if the Tigers made some kind of move with Fernando Rodney either although he is out of options and that’s somewhat limiting.

Eulogio De La Cruz made his major league debut and he looked sharp in a shutout eighth inning.  He did give up a double but he got the other three batters out.  Jason Grilli also gave the Tigers some solid relief.  He got the team out of a jam in the sixth and then he threw a shutout eighth.

Carlos Guillen had a nice day at the plate.  He went three for four with a homerun, three RBIs and two runs.  Marcus Thames hit his fifth homerun and Gary Sheffield had two hits, two RBIs and a run.  Even Mike Maroth got in on the action and he doubled and scored a run to help out his own cause.

Chad Durbin will take on Jason Simontacchi tomorrow.  Durbin’s lost his last two but in one of those game he gave up just three runs in eight innings.  He very well could be pitching for a job so hopefully he’s up for the challenge.

Permalink | Posted in 2007 Tigers