Tiger Geist

All headings this week will be based on songs from detroit bands (bonus points to whomever states the band from the last post).

Attending the game with Scotty, we were encouraged at Thames’ continued onslaught on the rest of the league with two monster shots.  The ninth provided more potential to get close… but no ah ah.

Overall, its a tough loss in a game I didn’t expect to win.  Verlander (again) pitched well enough for the victory.  However, I wonder if Leyland out-thought himself tonight.  He replaced Freddy Dolsi (any reason its not Fred Dolsi?  its always Freddy… no idea why that is…) with Fernando Rodney, who self destructed.  Most of his pitches were for strikes, which i guess is a good sign.  I don’t question replacing Dolsi, but I wonder why he replaced a right hander against a left hander with another right hander… Leyland seems to love matchups so much that I don’t know why Fossum or Seay weren’t warming up at the same time — Bowker is a rookie who has shown decent power so far this season.  It was a frustrating loss, but if the team is to win, Rodney needs to be solid, so to me its an acceptable loss.  Also, Giants fans are much easier going then Oakland fans, so Scotty & I could walk out of there without being threatened with our lives (see playoffs, 2006 for a reference).

Interesting subplot:  The first 6 or so players in detroit’s lineup seemed to make huge gestures to Bengie Molina; most likely in reference to his brother Yadier getting blown up last weekend.  The best part was the awkward hug that wasn’t to be between Polanco and Molina.  Either way, hopefully Yadier is doing alright.

Interesting subplot #2:  tomorrow my father visits Pacbell (or whatever the hell they call it these days) park for the first time.  I’ve been telling him that CoPa, while a fantastic stadium, doesn’t compare at all to pacbell for years… tomorrow and Wednesday he’ll be able to visit it first hand.

Interesting subplot #3:  Though i didn’t expect to win tonight’s game, we should have won.  I’m pissed.  Not happy at all.  Its hard to keep a straight head when you can take a train to and from the game (I live 3 miles from the stadium) and sneak a flask into the game… but still… this was a tough one.  The last inning was interesting at least, with SF’s closer (a capable Brian Wilson) throwing 30+ pitches to get out of a four run lead, escaping with a two run victory.  Kudos for Detroit not giving up.  Kudos for Sf’s fans not killing me — on the train home, they merely pointed out that pudge was probably out at home, with casual conversation about ernie harwell.  To be continued tomorrow.