Tigers’ Offense Explodes to Take Series Finale Over Angels

Detroit 9, Los Angeles of Anaheim 4 (box)

There’s no need to adjust your computer monitor; the post heading is not a misprint. The Tigers won a game with a complete team effort. The offense took off to the tune of nine runs, and the pitching held the Angels to just two earned runs. It was exactly the way you win ballgames, so it was exactly the type of game the Tigers have been sorely missing for most of the season’s second half.

As a group, the Tigers’ batters were 7-16 with runners in scoring position. They must read the blog; we all suggested that they should hit better in RISP situations. They did, and they won. Funny how that works.

(cheers after the jump)

Cheers for

• Will Rhymes– Little Will was the offensive MVP for the day. He was 3-4 at the plate including 2-2 with runners in scoring position. He’s not Carlos Guillen, but he hasn’t been the worst hitter the Tigers have had in recent weeks. A job well done today.
• Rick Porcello– It’s been an up-and-down year for Rick (mostly down), but he’s had more “ups” in recent starts. He was Good Rick today with six strong innings. He struck out four, walked none, and allowed only two earned runs. I’ll take that from my young starting pitcher every time.
• Johnny Damon– Johnny joined Rhymes in the three hit club. Two of the hits came with RISP, and he ended the afternoon with three RBI.
• Jose Valverde– He decided not to go crazy and allow all sorts of runs to score, and he didn’t need to throw 60 pitches in the process.

Today’s win certainly doesn’t make up for all the poor play that we’ve become so accustomed to, but it does show that this team hasn’t given up it’s fight. I don’t think anyone’s kidding themselves any more, this team isn’t going to have a snowball’s chance of competing for the division this year, but it is nice to see them compete. Hopefully they can find a way to end the year above .500, even if they can’t make up the full nine games by the end of the year.

UPDATE: Will Rhymes was optioned back to AAA Toledo after the game to make room on the active roster for Carlos Guillen. Kind of a bummer to get sent down after having a fantastic game, but it’s probably the right move. Even after the game, his hitting numbers were in the Danny Worth range, but he’s not the fielder that Worth is. Either way, Worth is on the DL so he’s not taking up a roster spot and the Tigers needed to send a middle infielder down.