Series Recap
Chicago White Sox (58-36) vs. Detroit Tigers (64-31)
July 18-20, 2006
The White Sox dominated the Tigers in earlier matchups, but Detroit and its fans made a big showing at Comerica Park.
Game 1: July 18, 2006 — Frustration Continues
The White Sox came into this game dominating the matchups between these two teams, and it was the Tigers who again came out flat. Granted, most of the games this year between these two teams have been close, but not this one. Nate Robertson was nailed for six runs in 6 2/3 innings. Paul Konerko hit a solo homer off Robertson, as did Joe Crede. Konerko struck again in seventh against Jason Grilli, this time launching a three-run home run into right field off the metal railing just above the actual outfield wall. Jon Garland baffled the Tigers at the plate, throwing seven innings of one-run ball before the bullpen came in to slam the door.
| BOX | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs | Hits | Errors | |
| Chicago Sox |
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 | |
| Detroit | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
Game 2: July 19, 2006 — Monroe Says, “No More”
After the Tigers were held scoreless through five innings, it was time. Time to start showing what this team was made of. It was time to prove ourselves to all of the skeptics, and the Tigers put on a display. Javier Vazquez may have been able to cruise through the opening innings, but the Tigers were able to load the bases for Craig Monroe, who hit the team’s first grand slam of the season. Nearly 40,000 fans errupted, and I got the chills just watching. The boys of summer were representing Detroit in front of a packed house; surely this was the greatest moment of the season thus far. The five-run sixth inning was all the Tigers would need. Jeremy Bonderman went 7 1/3 innings, holding the ChiSox to two runs for the win.
| BOX | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs | Hits | Errors | |
| ChiSox |
0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 1 | |
| Detroit |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | - | 5 | 7 | 0 |
Game 3: July 20, 2006 — Big Red Comes Through in the Clutch
Jose Contreras came off his first loss in a calendar year before facing the Tigers, and it was a pitcher’s duel all the way. Contreras pitched seven stellar innings, but allowed two runs, which was just enough for the Tigers to squeak by. Kenny Rogers went six innings, allowing just a single run, but earned a no-decision, as the game was tied upon his departure. It wasn’t until the seventh that the Tigers took the lead for good. With one out and Marcus Thames on first, Craig Monroe grounded into what appeared to be a sure double play. Tadahito Iguchi caught the feed to get the out at second, but was unable to even get a throw to first because of a tenacious slide by Marcus Thames. His take-out slide flipped Iguchi “like a pancake,” extending the inning. Chris Shelton laced a double off the wall in left field to score the game-winning run. Joel Zumaya pitched the seventh and eighth innings, striking out three and allowing no runs. Todd Jones picked up save number 25. In front of 41,075 fans and an ESPN audience, the Tigers showed that they can indeed compete with last season’s World Series Champions, and also took a 5 1/2 game lead in the AL Central.
| BOX | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs | Hits | Errors | |
| Chicago WS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | |
| Detroit | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | 2 | 7 | 1 |
Final Thoughts — Time to Make a Statement
There were plenty of people who doubted the Tigers coming into this series, but the made it clear that they can compete with the White Sox. Detroit will not back down, and the race for the division will go right down to the wire. Regardless of who wins, it won’t come easy. Not only did the Tigers knock off their nemesis, but they also did it in front of a ballpark that was stuffed to the rafters with crazy fans, including the largest crowd I’ve ever seen for a Thursday matinee at CoPa. And the raise in wins means more fans are making a run for Comerica Park. Ridership on the People Mover is up 57% this year, spurred by baseball, the return of hockey, and the Super Bowl. The Tigers may not know it yet, but if they continue to win, it can really help out this city. People are getting excited as they begin to smell the possibility of a deep playoff run, and the City of Detroit is abuzz. If the Tigers can play this next stretch of games like they played the White Sox in the final two games of this series, they can perhaps build up their division lead, which may come in handy down the road as the fatigue of a 162-game season starts to take hold on the team.
Up Next
The Tigers will host the Oakland A’s (50-45) at Comerica Park. The Athletics have been cold at the plate this year, but are still legitimate because of their fine defense and pitching.
- 7/21 @ 7:05 PM
: Dan Haren (6-8, 3.73 ERA) vs. Justin Verlander (11-4, 2.83 ERA) - 7/22 @ 1:20 PM | TV: FOX
: Joe Blanton (9-8, 4.73 ERA) vs. Zach Miner (6-2, 3.30 ERA) - 7/23 @ 1:05 PM : TBA vs. Nate Robertson (8-6, 3.61 ERA)
: Joe Blanton (9-8, 4.73 ERA) vs. Zach Miner (6-2, 3.30 ERA)
