The Tigers finally tamed the South Siders by taking two of three and allowing them just three runs in the final two games after giving up seven in the first. Kenny Rogers went six strong before turning it over to Joel Zumaya and Todd Jones as the Tigers extended their Central Division lead to five and a half games with a 2-1 win. It was the second loss in a row for Chicago’s Jose Contreras after winning 17 without losing. It was also the eighth straight start of Rogers’ that the Tigers have won.
BBP posterboy Marcus Thames‘ take out slide of Tadahito Iguchi has been labeled the play of the game that allowed the Tigers to get the lead in the 7th inning. A double play would have ended the inning, instead Chris Shelton ‘s RBI double turned out to be the difference. The Tigers are now 3-6 against the White Sox after being swept in an early season series in Detroit. The two teams have 10 more games against each other including a three game set in Chicago September 18th-20th. Next is a three-game set against Oakland in Detroit before hitting the road for 10.
Trade Winds
Nothing particularly new on the Alfonso Soriano dealings. It seems that the Nationals are asking for the world and being rebuffed at this point. Bobby Abreu no longer appears to be on the team’s radar with focus shifted to Soriano. The Toronto Blue Jays recently designated Shea Hillenbrand for assignment, but given the fact that the incident was related to personality, I’m not too eager to add a cancer to this clubhouse. Plus, the Tigers are primarily looking for a left-handed bat, which Hillenbrand is not. Nor is Soriano, but he has the luxury of being Alfonso Soriano!!! Jon Paul Morosi mentions Sean Casey, David Dellucci and Matt Stairs as potential options should the Soriano talks reach an impasse. I think this current incarnation of the team is fully capable of a stretch run, so I won’t be terribly angry if they don’t make a move.
Young Returns
Dmitri Young is scheduled to return to the team very soon, but questions regarding where and when he will play remain. I think a Sunday afternoon, Monday or Thursday spot start is the best he can hope for right. The only place to put him is the DH/LF area and you can’t take Thames out of the lineup outside of a rest here and there. Craig Monroe, the hero of the Chicago series, has been swinging a big bat in July out in left, so it’s tough to remove him. He did leave Thursday’s game with pain in his right leg, but it doesn’t appear to be serious at this point. Even still, I might prefer Alexis Gomez to Young if Monroe can’t go. Gomez is 14 for his last 46 spanning 32 games in June and July.
Down on the Farm
From freep.com:
Double-A Erie shortstop Tony Giarratano will have season-ending surgery Monday for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Giaratanno, who played briefly for the Tigers in 2005, hit .263 with no homers and 19 RBIs.
Baseball By Paul 