For the second time in less than a week the Tigers have had a postponement of a game due to the rain.

Tonight’s game was one I am sure they would have liked to get in, mainly because the Tigers wouldn’t have seen the Blue Jays again this season, and finding mutual and convenient days to make up a game can be difficult. Not to mention that days are not only well-deserved – they are essential. Teams don’t want to use them playing make-up games.

The Tigers have rescheduled this game for June 27, 2011. Rick Porcello who originally was going to pitch tonight, will miss his turn. Phil Coke will get the start against Boston tomorrow. There will be two games at Fenway before the Tigers head westward to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates in Interleague play this weekend.

-Skip

Of course, I don’t need to tell you that baseball is a season of 162
games. The old saying about the season being a marathon, and not a
sprint is true. So, with that in mind, although it would have been nice
to kick the 2011 campaign off with a win, it wasn’t crucial.

I thought Tiger’s starter Justin Verlander looked good most of the
time, and other times he had a difficult time locating his pitches. He
got behind the hitters several times — and that is just asking for
trouble.

During spring training Verlander wanted to put his April woes behind
him by mentally envisioning March as the first month of the season. It
was a good strategy especially when you consider the April dog that
hounds him is a psychological one.

Verlander ended his day after 6 innings. He gave up just 3 hits and 3
earned runs. The biggest hit was a 3-run homer off of the bat of Mark
Teixeira in the 3rd inning. He walked 4 batters and struck out 8.

For those unfamiliar with the definition of a quality start, it is
when a pitcher lasts 6 innings and gives up no more than 3 runs in a
game. Verlander wasn’t credited with a win or a loss. However, he did
have a quality start. That is a pretty good way to begin the season.

Miguel Cabrera had a single in the 2nd and scored 2 runs – one of them in 4th after drawing a walk to start the inning.

The only other run for the Tigers came from Austin Jackson. After
leading off the 5th inning with a base hit, he scored on a Cabrera sac
fly to Curtis Granderson.

By the way, Curtis Granderson made the most of this game against his
former team. He had a couple of nice catches and a solo home run off
reliever Phil Coke in the 7th inning. Coke was tagged with the loss.

Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia started the game for New York. Like
Verlander, he had a no-decision. Joba Chamberlain, who relieved CC to
start the 7th inning was the victor.

So, it wasn’t what we, as Tiger’s fans, had hoped for — a win. But
there were some signs of the good things to come. It wasn’t a total
loss.

Our Tiger’s have Friday off.

-Skip

In
2010, the Tigers were riding high atop the Central prior to the All-Star
break. A number of injuries were cited as the reason for their
second-half slide. This year, the Tigers will begin the season without
Joel Zumaya and Carlos Guillen. Both players will be on the disabled
list (DL).

The
key to making this a successful year will rely heavily upon the health
of key players, such as Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez.

Of
course, keeping the position players off of the dreaded DL is important.
Keeping this pitching staff healthy, too, will be important.
Unfortunately, as you know, that isn’t an easy thing to accomplish.
Injuries happen. There is no way to prevent many of them from happening.
But I am saying that barring any mishaps on the field, or off, this
team will go far.

A
couple of off-season moves will help to make that happen. The signing of
Victor Martinez added punch to a lineup that already boasts such heavy
hitters such as Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez. Definitely most fans
are expecting to see good things from Austin Jackson — at the plate and in
center field. Brandon Inge will be back at third, and Jhonny Peralta
will be the Tiger’s shortstop. The position of second base was recently
filled by Will Ryhmes. You can expect that once Carlos Guillen is
healthy enough to return he will take over for Rhymes.

Justin
Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Rick Porcello are a group of starters to
be reckoned with. Each of them has good stuff. Phil Coke will begin the
season in the bullpen, although he is expected to be a part of the
rotation. I have been a fan of new Tiger’s pitcher Brad Penny. He has
great potential as long as he’s healthy (see, there’s that word again).
He can get a lot of wins. Jose Valverde is beginning the year healthy –
and happy. Jim Leyland has already made a comment that he will hold
Papa Grande to a pitch-count. No more high-pitch-count-marathons for
him! The Tigers also added Joaquin Benoit to their bullpen. He will be
the setup man for Valverde — which was the role we had hoped to see
Joel Zumaya in. No worries, Benoit can do the job.

Certainly,
as you can see, this is a Detroit Tigers team to be excited about. I am
also excited to share the 2011 season with you.

The
season officially starts at 1:05 p.m. ET on March 31 in New York against
the Yankees. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN. Then the
countdown to the home opener, April 8, 2011, will begin. That game
starts at 3:05 p.m. ET., which is a little later than usual, and that is
because of the previous night’s game against Baltimore. We want a
well-rested team to take the field that Friday afternoon. Don’t we? So, I
will take the later start — and hope the weather will be decent — at
least a few degrees warmer than the 38 degrees we saw last year on
opening day.

Be
sure to get downtown early to find a place to park, and mingle with
Tiger’s fans at a couple of the downtown bars and restaurants before the
game.

Comerica Park gates open at 12:30 p.m..

-Skip

Today,
baseball fans across the country are mourning the loss of George Lee
Anderson – more affectionately known to all as, “Sparky.”

Sparky
passed away today at his home in Thousand Oaks, California. He is
survived by his wife Carol, sons Lee and Albert, daughter Shirley
Englebrecht and nine grandchildren.

Sparky
Anderson was the first manager to win a World Series title in both the
American League (Detroit Tigers) and the National League (Cincinnati
Reds). In his 26 years as a manager, he won 2,194 games, and five
pennants, and three World Series titles. He won more games here in
Detroit than any other Tiger’s manager (1331).

He
came to Detroit in 1979 amid the promise that he would make something
big happen for the team. He did. In 1984, the Detroit Tigers began the
season with a 35-5 start, and they never looked back. That team brought a
world championship to Detroit. Also, he managed the 1987 Tigers to a
first place finish in the American League East.

Detroit
fans have always loved, admired, and respected their sports heroes –
even before the Detroit Tigers launched the current “Always A Tiger”
campaign, which celebrates past accomplishments amid promises of hope
for future glories.

I
hope that there will be a renewed call to retire Sparky’s jersey number.
The Detroit Tigers have had opportunities to do so, and never have. 
Although it would have been a wonderful gesture by the organization to
do so last year, during the 1984 reunion, while Sparky was in town, they
should reconsider the reasons they haven’t and put his name on the wall
at Comerica Park. Sure, he managed the Reds, and even entered the Hall
of Fame as a Red, but as far as baseball fans in Detroit are concerned,
Sparky will always be a Tiger!

WIN: Matt Garza (11-5)   LOSS: Max Scherzer (7-8)
WEATHER : Indoors 72   TIME: 2:36    ATTENDANCE: 17,009

Both
games in yesterday’s doubleheader began as classic pitchers duels.
Tonight’s game was no different. However, this one featured the
excitement of a no-hitter — for each pitcher — through the first six
innings.

The
no-hit bid by Max Scherzer lasted until former Tiger Matt Joyce shook
things up with a grand-slam home run in the sixth inning of tonight’s
game.

Brad Thomas relieved Scherzer in the inning.

However,
Matt Garza went on to pitch into the Tampa Bay Rays history books by
pitching the franchise’s first no-hitter, and earning the win, 5-0. The
last time the Detroit Tigers were no-hit was twenty years ago on June 2,
1990 (BOXSCORE).
At that time Mariner’s pitcher Randy Johnson threw the gem. That one
happened indoors, too, under a dome, at Seattle’s Kingdome.

But I
am a fan of the no-no, and I will drop everything to watch one. Although
I’m not thrilled that one took place against my team, I applaud Garza
for the accomplishment.

The
other featured moment during the game was the ejection of Jim Leyland, 
in the third inning, after bolting from the dugout to argue a stolen
base call at second.

I
can’t blame Leyland for arguing. You don’t have to look back very far to
see that the Tigers have had a number of calls go against them. Plus,
you know he is frustrated by that and, of course, the injuries that the
Tigers have sustained.

Armando Galarraga lost a perfect game bid due to a
blown-call at first base. Johnny Damon was called out on strikes in
another game with the Braves when the pitch was far off the plate, and
the bad calls continued tonight.

The way things have been going for Detroit this almost seemed inevitable, I guess. The blown-calls this season have been like salt in an unseen wound. The real injury came from the arm of Matt Garza.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

WIN: Max Scherzer (7-7)   LOSS: Colby Lewis (9-6)
WEATHER:  Partly Cloudy 87    TIME: 2:35    ATTENDANCE:  28,704

A
two-run home run from Gerald Laird in the second inning and a brilliant
pitching performance from Max Scherzer brought the Tigers 7-game losing
streak to an abrupt end, 4-1.

The 400-foot shot off of Gerald Laird’s bat was his third this season, and it put the Tigers ahead early.

If you
have watched the Tigers, especially over the past seven games, you know
that the one thing they really craved was a good, quality start from
one of their starters. They got one tonight. Max Scherzer pitched seven
shut out innings — striking out five and walking only three batters.

The Rangers lone run came in the ninth inning when Ian Kinsler scored on a Josh Hamilton ground out.

Let’s
face it, the problems that have plagued the Tigers over the course of
the last week –  since the All-Star break — haven’t disappeared.
However, the win helps right the ship for the moment, and allows them a
chance to breathe.

There
is a pattern of a slumping offense, and then the bats come alive for a
game or two, and then they become anemic once again. That pattern has to
stop.

The
one attribute I want to see from this point forward is consistency – 
in their defense and most certainly their offense. Additionally, some
aggressive base running, like we saw when Austin Jackson scored tonight, is something I would like to see more often.

The motto should be, “win by playing hard, or lose by playing hard.” Period.

They
need to win the next series. The schedule only gets tougher next week,
and definitely doesn’t get any easier next month. The White Sox, Angels,
and Yankees are waiting just beyond the horizon.

Next, the Tigers will host the Toronto Blue Jays. The first game of four is tomorrow afternoon. Justin Verlander is the scheduled starter.

SKIP’S NOTES

The
Tigers recalled Scott Sizemore from Triple-A Toledo. Casey Fien was
optioned back to Triple-A to make room on the roster. Sizemore was the
starting second baseman when the season began, but will probably play at
third in place of Brandon Inge.

Also,
allow me to offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of
former Detroit Tigers manager Ralph Houk. He passed away at the age of
90. Houk manged the Tigers between 1974 – 1978. It was in 1976 that pitching sensation Mark Fidrych became a phenomenon in baseball — Houk was his manager.

Here is a link to the Detroit News Online article. CLICK HERE.

Ralph Houk from Baseball Reference. CLICK HERE.

Ralp Houk Wikipedia. CLICK HERE.

(Photo Credit: Robin Buckson/The Detroit News)

WIN:
Jeanmar Gomez (1-0)    LOSS: Andy Oliver (0-4)
WEATHER : Partly Cloudy 83   TIME: 2:44   ATTENDANCE: 
19,102

A
small crowd of just over 19-thousand fans saw an inside the park home
run, and watched the Cleveland Indians sweep a four game series from the
Detroit Tigers for the first time in 19 years on Sunday, 7-2.

Indians
third baseman, Jhonny Peralta hit a ball out to center and Ryan Raburn
tried to play it off of the Indians bullpen entrance — instead falling
through the gate, while the ball got away and Peralta rounded the bases.

It is
never a fun thing to watch your team get swept by another. But this was
especially hard to witness because the losses have come at the hands of a
team that is in last place — and for a reason. Our one-time Central
Division nemeses do not play well.

But
they took advantage of the Detroit Tigers struggles this weekend, and
capitalized on their road woes. The Tigers have played poorly while they
are on the road, 16-29.

The
loss is the fifth in a row for Detroit.

We weren’t ready to play, and that’s my responsibility,” said
Tigers manager Jim Leyland. It was surprising, but there’s no need to
over-analyze it. It’s not rocket science. We just got our [rear ends]
kicked.

It is
too bad that I have heard that come from Jim Leyland far too many times.
Why wasn’t this team ready to play? That’s my question.

In the
meantime, the red-hot White Sox were cooled down by the Minnesota
Twins, losing three of four games this weekend. So while Detroit was
losing to the Indians, they weren’t losing much ground to Chicago.
Unfortunately, the Twins were gaining. They are tied with Detroit for
second place.

The
good news, if there is any, is the Tigers are back home at Comerica Park
beginning tomorrow night. Their home record has been an impressive
32-13.

The Tigers host
the Rangers for three games and the Blue Jays for four games in next
week’s home stand. Jeremy Bonderman will start tomorrow night for
Detroit.

SKIP’S
NOTES

The
Tigers brought back Rick Porcello to pitch in Saturday’s night-cap.
Although the Tigers lost, 2-1, in a game delayed almost two hours by
rain, Porcello looked good. Pitching eight innings, he gave up only one
run (a home run to Carlos Santana in the fourth) and struck out six
batters. He walked no one.

To
make room on the roster for Porcello, the Tigers sent pitcher Daniel
Schlereth down to Toledo.

But
because of the “name calling,” sometimes I tend to be reserved in my
opinion, or view of a game, or a play.

When I
write, regrettably, I don’t always convey the thoughts of one who
easily wears the exhilaration of a win, or bears the pain of a loss.

In truth, this site can accommodate both –
the emotional point of view and the reserved re-cap. Both can share this
space. And at times it has — just not as often as I would like.

Let’s
face it, that is what being a fan of any game or sport is about.

So
where am I going here, with all of this, you ask?

Of
course, I will tell you.

I have
watched every game the Tigers have played in 2010. Yes, all 86 games in
the first half of this season.

I am
sorry to say that I have emotionally paced myself throughout the past
four months.

But
while I was at Friday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, for the first
time the “slappy” in me knocked on the door of the more conservative fan
inside. When I reached for the handle, I began to get those goosebumps
you feel when you know you are witnessing something bigger than you.

I felt
I was watching something very special. A special team. Although I am
loath to use the word destiny; that is as close to describing the
feeling as I can get. But there was no doubt. I began feeling that this
team will be something special. Am I talking about World Series
special?

Yes.

For
the first time, I felt like I did in 2006, when I thought that each
game, win or lose, was a stepping stone to the bigger prize. I truly
believe that this team can win the Central and take this all the way to
the end. But before we can get the “prize,” most would agree that some
changes need to be made in the second half.

NOW
DOWN TO BUSINESS

What
is it going to take for the 2010 Detroit Tigers to flourish?

Do the
Tigers need to make changes — additions/subtractions — to their
roster? Yes. They do.

I feel
that starting pitching is going to continue to be a problem in the
second half of the season. Of course, there are question marks after
Andy Oliver, Armando Galarraga, and Jeremy Bonderman’s names. You can add Rick
Porcello to the list, too.

When
those names are mentioned, I can not give you a solid, beyond-doubt
prediction about how I think they will do in the next half. I want to
feel as strongly about the bottom of this rotation as I do about the
top of it — Verlander and Scherzer.

The
bullpen needs to be shored up. Let’s get another arm or two in there that
we can count on. Phil Coke, Ryan Perry, and Eddie Bonine all have high
WHIP’s. That
means a lot of trouble down the road.

Also, I
want to see some consistency at shortstop. Santiago and Worth have
been good, however I want to see one or the other in the role full-time.
Preferably Ramon Santiago. If the Tigers don’t want to commit to
either one as the full-time guy, then they need to find one.

SECOND
HALF THRILLS

Our
rookies have performed above and beyond the call of duty in all
instances. The addition of Johnny Damon has been huge to this team.
Brandon Inge continues to impress me everyday with his defensive skills.
Miguel Cabrera’s bat continues to find faraway places to put the
baseball. Gerald Laird has an arm that threatens any runner trying to
steal second base. The strike-out counter goes off the charts whenever
Justin Verlander is on the mound, and Magglio is being Magglio everyday
– again.

I love
the excitement of seeing those sliding catches from our rookies, tight
double plays, and bats hotter than Hades that hit with runners on base
to score those game-winning runs.

I love
the thrill of watching pitchers who have fire in their eyes, while
throwing heat with their arms, and the unabashed showing of a clinched
fist and a hop on the mound as our closer has just forced another batter
to swing and miss.

My heart pounds for the rookie, and
the veteran, who have just gone deep for yet another one long gone,
and is still in mourning for the one who brought such plays to life
through my radio.

Yes, I
have a feeling that this is the year of the tiger -the year of the
Detroit Tiger!

The Tigers are
10 games over the .500 mark going into the second half. They have been
in — and are flirting with — first place.

I have
been happy to share the first half of what will be one of the most
exciting years in Detroit Tigers history.

I am
looking forward to sharing the second half of 2010 with you, too!

Go Get ‘Em
Tigers!!

W: B. Thomas (2-0)  L: H. Ambriz (0-1)

I am sure that many of you, like me, lost a lot of sleep over last
night’s blown call. When I finally did fall asleep, the alarm went off
and woke me up.

Not only was I tired, but for most of the day, I was crabby.

The events from last night bothered me. They angered me.

Prior
to the start of today’s game, at Jim Leyland’s suggestion, Armando
Galarraga delivered the lineup card to Jim Joyce. A teary-eyed home
plate umpire took Galarraga’s
offered handshake and soon afterward the game began.

I can say with tremendous pride; what the Tigers did today was the
RIGHT call.

Good sportsmanship should always trump
on-field anger.

Armando Galarraga, Jim Leyland, and the entire Detroit Tiger’s
organization are as classy as they come.

Of course, I’m still not happy, however I
am pacified. I would
still like to see Major League Baseball overturn the call and give the
Detroit Tiger’s and Armando Galarraga their perfect game.

But I am feeling a lot better about things this evening.

One last note before I call it a night
and get some much-needed sleep. Jim Joyce “manned up” and admitted his
error. His tears and anguish were real and heartfelt. Because he stepped
up he has my respect.

If I had been in Galarraga’s shoes, I don’t
think I could have handled it with an equal amount of grace and poise.
In my eyes he took a few steps up on the character ladder.

Armando Galarraga might not have pitched a perfect game, but he has
been a perfect example of good sportsmanship. No one can deny him of
that!

W:
Galarraga (2-1) L: Carmona (4-4)

Armando Galarraga pitched a perfect game. I don’t care what the
boxscore says. He pitched a perfect game.

First base umpire, Jim Joyce blew the call that would have made it
official.

“I just cost that kid a perfect game,” Joyce said. “I thought
he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the
replay. The biggest call of my career, and I kicked the **** out of it.”

So where do we go from here?

Can Major League Baseball overturn the call?

I would hope that something can be done. I am sure they don’t want to
set a precedent of overturning safe/out calls at first base, but
honestly — this wasn’t a regular game!

I could be forgiving if it was. If the scenario that played out was
this — the Indians are down, 3-0. The Tigers are already trotting out
their fourth pitcher because Cleveland has six hits on the board and the
bases are loaded for the second time. A little nubber out to first is
shoveled over to the pitcher covering the base. The umpire blows the
call at the bag and a run scores. Big Deal.

BUT TONIGHT WAS DIFFERENT!

One batter to retire — and Galarraga has the first perfect game in
Detroit Tiger history.

One batter to go — and he has thrown the third perfect game this
season.

One batter to go — and he has thrown the 21st perfect game in major
league baseball history.

I will ask it again. Can Major League Baseball overturn the call?

Obviously, tonight’s game wasn’t your typical run-of-the-mill
ballgame, and let’s face it, umpires have already been taking heat for a
barrage of blown calls — especially in post season play.

I’ve heard many tonight who have talked about the “human element” of
the game. Even Jim Leyland spoke after the game, and said, “That’s
baseball.”

Sure. It is.

But I believe that if this call is allowed to stand, it would be
disastrous to the integrity of the game itself.