Tigers Falter, Settle for Split with ChiSox

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Series Recap
Chicago White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers
August 21-24, 2006

In the battle for the AL Central, the Tigers were able to take the first two games of the series against the ChiSox, but the Southside had an answer of their own as they rebounded for a split.

Game 1: August 21, 2006 — What Unbeaten Streak?
Earlier this season, Jose Contreras had strung together an unbeaten streak that stretch over two seasons. Since then, he has struggled, and the Tigers were able to get to him at Comerica Park. Craig Monroe hit a two-run home run off Contreras in the fifth, and Sean Casey put in a three-hit, three-RBI effort to help power the Tigers to a 7-1 victory. Justin Verlander was absolutely stellar on the mound, going seven innings. The only run he allowed was a solo blast by Jermaine Dye in the second inning. Contreras left the game after five innings, and was hit with the loss, while Verlander put up his 15th win of the year. Both teams’ bullpens slammed the door once they got the call. A great game for Tigers fans, as they may be on the road to recovery after going through such a tough slump.

BOX	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		Runs	Hits	Errors
Chicago Sox	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		1	7	0
Detroit	0	2	0	0	2	3	0	0	-		7	12	0

Game 2: August 22, 2006 — The End of the Streak
The Detroit Tigers had a streak of 13 consecutive seasons with a losing record. No longer. With a win over the White Sox, the Tigers clinched a .500 record, and with another win, they’ll have their first winning season since 1993. Kenny Rogers pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and a walk. Fernando Rodney pitched the final two innings, closing the door on Kenny Roger’s 13th win of the season. At the plate, Marcus Thames did everything for the Tigers, drawing a bases-loaded walk in the first, hitting an RBI triple in the third, and then capping it off by hitting a solo homer off Mark Buehrle in the fifth. 2-for-2 with a walk and 3 RBI — That doesn’t sound like the line of a player who only gets a few starts a week… That’s right folks, a winning season! In mid-February, I asked: “Could this year, 2006, be the first winning season since the 1990’s? Will this finally be the year of the Tiger?” Indeed, this is the year of the Tiger, and a winning season is upon us! Oh, how things have changed.

BOX	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		Runs	Hits	Errors
US Cellular	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	5	0
Comerica	2	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	-		4	9	3

Game 3: August 23, 2006 — Homers Doom the Tigers
Zach Miner took the hill in this one, and Jim Leyland pulled him after just 1 1/3 innings of work. Mind you, I’ve seen worse, but Miner just didn’t have his good stuff tonight. He allowed six earned runs, including a three-run homer by Jermaine Dye in the first, and then a solo blast to Paul Konerko in the second. Mind you, Konerko one-handed a pitch that was way low and outside into the bullpen, but as Rod Allen said, “He was looking for the breaking ball.” Still, I don’t think many guys at any level can get a ball out like that. The Tigers tried to pick up Miner in the bottom of the first after he allowed three runs to start the game. Dmitri Young hit a two-run home run off Freddy Garcia way back into the seats in right center (estimated at 429 feet), and Pudge hit an RBI single to tie the game 3-3. Unfortunately, Miner just couldn’t find his rhythm, and he left the game trailing 6-3. Sean Casey later hit a two-RBI double to bring the Tigers within one, but it wasn’t enough, as the ChiSox answered by using their bullpen to slam the door on any hope of a rally. On a side note, Jim Thome had to leave the game after he injured his hamstring while running out a ground rule double.

BOX	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		Runs	Hits	Errors
ChiSox	3	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	0		7	15	1
Tigers	3	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0		5	9	0

Game 4: August 24, 2006 — Decimated
The first pitch was delayed be rain — the Tigers wish it could have been cancelled altogether. Nate Robertson allowed ten runs in 6 2/3 innings of work as the White Sox completely destroyed hopes of a series win for the Tigers. Jermaine Dye hit two home runs off Nate Robertson for 3 RBI’s, and Jon Garland pitched a complete game shutout to give the White Sox a split. We’ll just pretend this one never happened…

BOX	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		Runs	Hits	Errors
Chicago	1	0	1	3	2	0	3	0	0		10	14	0
Detroit	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	6	0

Final Thoughts — Another Chance Bites the Dust
After winning the first two games of the series and holding the White Sox to just one run combined in those games, the Tigers had a chance to deliver a knockout blow to the White Sox. Instead, the sleeping beast was awoken, and that beast loved to hit home runs and score a lot of runs. The end of this series dampened what looked to be a great opportunity. Just as things were looking up, it all came crashing down. The White Sox may be able to beat the Tigers head-to-head, but the Tigers escape with a 5.5 game lead over the US Cellular 9. Hopefully the Tigers can stop the negative momentum quickly, and just move on and play baseball. There is still plenty of baseball to be played, and the Tigers must stay on their feet.
Up Next
The Tigers will head to Jacobs Field in downtown Cleveland to face the Indians (57-68). The Indians were supposed to battle the Twins and White Sox for the division title this year, but have really disappointed in terms of results. After nearly knocking off the ChiSox at the end of last season, they just haven’t been able to pull things together. However, they still have pitchers that can beat you if you let them, and they are not an opponent to be taken lightly.

• 8/25 @ 7:05 PM : Jeremy Bonderman (11-5, 3.86 ERA) vs. Jeremy Sowers (5-3, 3.48 ERA)
• 8/26 @ 7:05 PM : Justin Verlander (15-6, 3.05 ERA) vs. Jake Westbrook (10-8, 4.18 ERA)
• 8/27 @ 1:05 PM : Kenny Rogers (13-6, 4.14 ERA) vs. Cliff Lee (10-9, 4.61 ERA)

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