This game was a lot closer then it looked.  Through six innings, it was a back and forth 3-2 game that saw the Tigers score, and the A’s answer shortly thereafter.  Then the Tigers offense exploded for three runs in the seventh and four more in the eighth to turn it into a blowout.  Miguel Cabrera homered twice and drove in four runs and Placido Polanco had a team high three hits and a run. Gary Sheffield and Edgar Renteria also both went deep with solo shots.

Armando Galarraga was the first Tiger pitcher to reach ten wins with another solid start.  He gave up two runs on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.  Bobby Seay, Joel Zumaya and Kyle Farnsworth combined to hold the A’s to just two hits in 3 1/3 innings of shutout relief.

The rubber game is this afternoon.  It’ll be Nate Robertson going up against rookie Greg Smith.  The Tigers didn’t get it done against a lefthander on Friday so hopefully they’ll fare better today.  The White Sox lost but the now first place Twins won so the Tigers sit eight games back.

I met some big time baseball fans this weekends.  Yesterday, I voluneteered to help out at Wal-Mart Field with the Miracle of League of Michigan.  Wal-Mart Field is specially designed to give kids with disabilities an easier way to play ball.  I was a player “buddy” for Toby, who’s favorite baseball player is Gary Sheffield and who was a southpaw like me.  There motto is a good, “Every Child Deserves the Chance to Play Baseball.”  I had a nice time and everyone there was extremely friendly.

Permalink | Posted in 2008 Tigers