Saturday's game was over ealry, David Huff went only 2.1 innings, and gave up five runs. He was struggling with his control, giving up four walks during those innings. He didn't strikeout anyone, and just seemed like he couldn't get into a groove. Doug Fister on the other hand had his best outing since joining the Tigers. He went seven innings, and struck out seven. He's only had more strikeouts one time this season, and that was against the Mariners. The only run that he gave came on a solo homerun to Shin-Soo Choo in the third inning.
Sunday's game was closer, but wasn't pretty on either end. Neither starter made it through four innings, Jimenez giving up eight runs in 3.1 innings, and Porcello giving up five runs in 3.2 innings. The Indians bullpen came in and shut down the Tigers for the rest of the game, while the Tigers bullpen gave up 11 base runners and almost gave the lead back. It was frustrating to watch the Indians continue to get runners on, but not score them.
By the top of the ninth inning, it was a one run game, and Jim Leyland brought in Jose Valverde to get the save. Valverde wasn't sharp, and walked the first batter, Kosuke Fukudome, and then hit the second batter, Jason Donald. The third batter of the inning was Jack Hannahan. Hannahan worked his way into a 3-1 count, but then Manny Acta gave him the sacrifice bunt sign. Acta should have let Hannahan swing away in this situation. Hannahan has a good eye at the plate, and with Valverde struggling with his command, the Tribe could have easily had the bases loaded with no outs. After the sacrifice, Matt LaPorta hit what looked to be a sacrifice fly to center field, but Austin Jackson threw Kosuke Fukudome out at home plate to end the game.
It was a rough weekend for the Tribe, who now sit 4.5 back from the Tigers, and only 0.5 games ahead of the White Sox. This week, the Indians get the Mariners, and it's important to take control of the series early, because we get to see Felix Hernandez in the series finale on Wednesday. The Tigers face the Rays this week, while the White Sox matchup against the Angels.
Around the League:
The Angels and Jered Weaver agreed to a contract extension for $85 million over five years. The deal seems fair for both sides. Weaver could have gotten more on the open market, but I guess he feels he can live with only $85 million. He's from Los Angeles, and took a home town discount to stay there.
Jose Tabata also got a contract extension from the Pirates. It appears to be a pretty team friendly deal, with three team options that could lock up Tabata through 2019. It was a wise move for the Pirates because there have been rumors that Tabata isn't actually 22 years old, having his documents falsified when he came into the country. Most of these rumors came up when he was traded from the Yankees in the Xavier Nady deal. Tabata was great last year in Class-AAA as a 21 year old, but if it comes out that he were really 23 or 24, his future outlook wouldn't be as bright. This is where the club options come in, because by those Tabata's career might be on the downslope. This is probably much ado about nothing, but it's worth noting, and it was a smart move by the Pirates.
The Giants cannot score at all. For the season, they've only scores 16 more runs than Mariners, but since they've still managed to win, we haven't heard much about it. The Diamondbacks have been struggling in the past week too, so the Giants are still only 1.5 games back. They'll need to win the division, because the Braves have opened up the wildcard lead to eight games. With Brian McCann back, the Braves seem like a totally different team. Brandon Belt has been playing well since being brought back up to the Giants, including a four for five day yesterday. He now has the second highest OBP on the team this season, not including Pat Burrell, who could be out for the rest of the year.
Around the League:
The Angels and Jered Weaver agreed to a contract extension for $85 million over five years. The deal seems fair for both sides. Weaver could have gotten more on the open market, but I guess he feels he can live with only $85 million. He's from Los Angeles, and took a home town discount to stay there.
Jose Tabata also got a contract extension from the Pirates. It appears to be a pretty team friendly deal, with three team options that could lock up Tabata through 2019. It was a wise move for the Pirates because there have been rumors that Tabata isn't actually 22 years old, having his documents falsified when he came into the country. Most of these rumors came up when he was traded from the Yankees in the Xavier Nady deal. Tabata was great last year in Class-AAA as a 21 year old, but if it comes out that he were really 23 or 24, his future outlook wouldn't be as bright. This is where the club options come in, because by those Tabata's career might be on the downslope. This is probably much ado about nothing, but it's worth noting, and it was a smart move by the Pirates.
The Giants cannot score at all. For the season, they've only scores 16 more runs than Mariners, but since they've still managed to win, we haven't heard much about it. The Diamondbacks have been struggling in the past week too, so the Giants are still only 1.5 games back. They'll need to win the division, because the Braves have opened up the wildcard lead to eight games. With Brian McCann back, the Braves seem like a totally different team. Brandon Belt has been playing well since being brought back up to the Giants, including a four for five day yesterday. He now has the second highest OBP on the team this season, not including Pat Burrell, who could be out for the rest of the year.
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