For love came just in time. You found me just in time. And changed my lonely life that lovely day. -Tony Bennett
Public Service Announcement: Ok, here we go! The Detroit Tigers are doing it the old fashioned way. The Detroit Tigers have clawed their way into first place the old fashioned way. The Detroit Tigers have clawed their way into first place with pitching and defense. Defense and pitching. Sparky Anderson once said of Brooks Robinson, “I hope the car they (Sport Magazine who awarded it to the World Series MVP) give him has an extra large glove box.” Well, I hope the car they give Dave Dombrowski for Executive of the Year has an extra large glove box. He’s got a lotta new gloves to put in there. He’s also got a good ole arm to put in there too.
He’s got Justin Verlander’s arm to put in there. He’s got the 2006 Rookie of the Year’s arm to put in there. You know, the guy who pitched the first ever no-no-Nanette at Comerica Park. The guy who holds the Old Dominion University single-season strikeouts record. The guy who can hit 100 on the gun. You’re under the gun so you take it on the run. That guy there.
Just Verlander took it on the run last night. Took on the run and struck out nine batters. Batter batter, swiiiiiing, batter. You know what that gives him, boys and girls? That gives him 106 punchados for the season. That gives him 106 punchados in only thirteen games. That gives a tie for the franchise record for fewest games to 100 strikeouts in a season. That ties what Mickey Lolich done did back in 1969. You know what else Mickey Lolich done did back in 1969? Sure you do. Mickey Lolich threw 271 punchados back in 1969. Yowza! That’s what he done did.
Justin Verlander is now 7-0 over his last nine starts. Justin Verlander now has an 1.10 ERA over his last nine starts. Bless you Justin Verlander.
In 2007, the Tigers gave up 797 runs. (Ninth in the AL) Last year, the Tigers gave up 857 runs. (12th) Part of that is due in part to the decisions to add fielding-first players like Adam Everett and Gerald Laird. The other part of that is pitching. The other part of that is Justin Verlander.
Public Spectacle:
PS: Edwin Jackson doesn’t hurt either.
Yardwork (The Big Lead)
Verlander downs Danks in South Side Showdown (Big League Stew)
Peace out homies. Six two and Even!
Need More? Detroit Tigers, Justin Verlander, MLB
.jpg){kind=small}
