Things went better than expected in the last two games of the Twins series. The Tigers fill-in starter, Eddie Bonine, threw like a man on a mission. His primary objective was to keep the Tigers in the game and hope for some heroics, but as it turned out, the heroics were all his. Bonine was able to keep his composure after allowing two runs in the first inning and shut Twins hitters down with his knuckle-change-slurve-ish thing.
Though he only pitched five innings before giving away to the ‘pen, Bonine was able to keep Minnesota hitters off balance long enough for Detroit to pounce on Carl Pavano. Before his first inning single- placed perfectly behind the running Orlando Cabrera –Twins catcher and MVP candidate Joe Mauer was seen asking catcher Alex Avila what he had just seen come out of Bonine’s hand. What used to be a full-fledged knuckleball has since turned into a freakish knuckleball/ curveball/ changeup hybrid that comes in shaking in the mid 70s and then rolls over and breaks down and out to lefties like a screwball. What it all comes down to is that the Tigers had a three-game lead and Eddie Bonine opened some eyes after Wednesday.
Photo: Associated Press - Eddie Bonine delivers.
Unfortunately, the Tigers were caged back up on Thursday afternoon and could do little more than swipe at the bypassing pitches delivered by Scott Baker. In a brief, five-inning, effort, Baker allowed only five hits and one unearned run while walking and striking out three. Baker left due to an elevated pitch count, but stayed long enough to break the spirits of the Detroit hitters.
Nate Robertson never really had a chance in this game, but still it would have been nice to see him throw a bit better than he did. Robertson struck out just two hitters while allowing nine hits and four runs (three earned). Robertson did, however, keep the extra-base hits to a minimum and kept the ball in the yard. He lasted six innings before handing the ball over to a bullpen that was clearly half asleep. He left the game with a three run deficit. While disheartening, still a manageable tally to come back from.
Casey Fien and the generally reliable Bobby Seay allowed the Twinkies to blow the game wide open. Though he recorded two outs, Fien allowed a single and a walk before handing his torch of mediocrity over to Seay. Seay continued the travesty by surrendering a walk and singe with a three-run, Orlando Cabrera double plopped in the middle. Jeremy Bonderman allowed Cabrera to score on an RBI single before ending the inning.
Where the Tigers won game three by five runs, so too did the Twins in game four. The lead is back to two measly games. Fortunately for the Tigers, the magic number is only two – due almost entirely to the fact that they are running out of games – otherwise I think the division lead would soon be lost. On Friday night, the Tigers get to face off with the White Sox and their new ace Jake Peavy.
With a win by the Tigers and loss by the Twins it’s all over. With a win in two of the three games this weekend, it’s all over. If the Sox can manage to sweep Detroit and the Twins manage to do the same against the Royals, the tides turn completely and the Tigers season is lost. If the Tigers win only one against the Sox and the Twins sweep Greinke and the crowns, the Twins will take part in a 163rd game for the second consecutive season. And given recent Tiger performances in Minnesota, I think this too will lead to the conclusion where the Tigers’ season is lost.
