Tigers On Top

Seems like I’ve seen this game somewhere before … let me think, I believe it was the last game the Twins played in our house. Not that I’m complaining! Again, this is the best kind of pitchers’ duel–the 1-0 kind where you win.

Little Nate is officially back. He was unquestionably brilliant last night, allowing only three hits count ‘em three over seven innings. I love Nate’s emotion on the mound too. The best part was the bottom of the sixth, when he really needed to keep the Twins off the board. With one out, Castillo singled and Bartlett walked to bring up Joe Mauer. My stomach was in knots! But Nate struck out Mauer swinging, then got Cuddyer to stand there like the house by the side of the road and watch strike three go by! Nate was yelling in triumph as he came off the mound, and he deserved to.

We had to scratch out our lone run. Poor Garza basically had the same brilliant night as Nate except nobody made an error behind Nate. But Brandon Inge led off the sixth by reaching on an error and got to second on a wild pitch. Grandy, AL Player of the Week and on his way to a 3-for-3 night (DAMN I love Grandy!), drew a walk. Polly then popped up a bunt and I pretty much thought the threat was over. I mean, how often does that happen? Placido Polanco just does not pop up bunts! And then Sheff flied out. But such is the beauty of the Tigers lineup–someone dangerous is always coming up. This time the someone dangerous was Maggs, who promptly lined an RBI single to left for all the scoring of the night.

 I would like to point out that my boy Jonesy had a rather uneventful and lovely ninth for his 24th save in 28 chances. Attababe Jonesy!

 My dad also passed on a most amusing quote from Rod Allen, who was talking about the Indians in the Freep. Rod said basically only two of the Indians’ regular starters would be able to crack the Tigers’ lineup–Pronk and Sizemore. I laughed most heartily, then began to wonder (as I often do) WHY THE HELL THE INDIANS ARE ONLY ONE GAME BEHIND US IF WE’RE SO MUCH BETTER. Yes, we have injuries. But still. For the love of Pete, Indians, just give up already. Yeah, I’m really not one for the down-to-the-wire pennant races. Not if they involve my Tigers. I’m good enough at giving myself ulcers as it is. In a perfect world, the Tigers would now pull away from everyone else in the central and coast on a double-digit lead to the playoffs–where they would slice through the Red Sox and whoever else, then trounce the Phillies in the World Series. (Yes, I also operate under the delusion that Philly will make the Series. No one ever said I was rational.)

Tonight Andrew Miller faces off against Johan Santana, nigh unbeatable in the Dome. (Random digression: How good will Santana be at home when the Twinkies move to their inevitably vastly superior new ballpark? Discuss) This game tonight is why I’m so frickin’ glad we won last night. Maybe Santana will get food poisoning or something.