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The Tigers took two of three against the Rangers earlier this week in a series that saw the winner score at least eight runs in every game.  Game one was tight, the Tigers then embarassed the Rangers who then turned the tables and provided the beatdown in the finale.  Nate Robertson gave up five long balls in that one and that was the first time it’s happened to a Tiger pitcher since Jeff Weaver gave up five in a start on July 24, 1999 (at Tiger Stadium in their final season no less).  The other Tiger starter to give up five homeruns since 1958 was Don Mossi back in 1961.  The ironic thing about the Mossi game (6/23/1961) was that the Tigers actually won it 15-7 and hit four homeruns of their own.

Miguel Cabrera drove in his 97th run and he’s pretty much a lock to finish with 100.  How far he moves up the Tigers single season RBI list will depend on how much he plays in September.  He’s on pace for around 120-130 or so and that would barely put him in the top 20.  Magglio Ordonez has been stuck in the low 70s for some time and he now sits at 72.  I mentioned this a while back but if he could reach the milestone, he’d be the first Tiger with three consecutive 100 RBI seasons since Cecil Fielder.

The internet takes us in odd directions and after checking out the box score to a Pirates game (I think it was Monday because their game was the only day game) and I noticed the name Chris Gomez.  Talk about some flashbacks.  Chris Gomez made his Tiger debut way back in 1993 and he was traded to the Padres in 1996 in a deal that brought us Brad Ausmus.  Still, since his debut in 1993 he’s played at the major league level every year for the past 16 seasons.  This is a guy who played for Sparky and he also played with Tram, Lou Whitaker and Kirk Gibson.  I didn’t do a scientific study, but after perusing the 1993 Tigers roster, he’s the only guy left in baseball (David Wells just missed because he hasn’t pitched this year).  In fact, the claim to fame that Gomez has is that he helped push Travis Fryman to third base.  And 1993 was that memorable team that led the American League in runs scored (899), walks and strikeouts (by hitters). 

Anyway, enough with the nostalgia, Justin Verlander gets the nod tomorrow and he’ll go up against Brian Bannister.  Bannister has an ERA close to six so I like our chances.

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