2012 Detroit Tigers Spring Training (Games 28-30) - jhendricks316's Dynasty

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2012 Detroit Tigers Spring Training (Games 28-30)

Posted on May 11, 2012 at 10:24 PM.

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Game 28 @ ATL

If you look at matchups, you could expect a great game. Just look at it: Jackson and Bourn, Ethier and Prado, Avila and McCann, Cabrera and Jones, Morse and Heyward, Kinsler and Uggla, and lastly on the mound... Gio Gonzalez vs. Jair Jurrjens.

Of course, the pitching matchup proved to be most important. There weren't any runs scored until the 7th inning, when Miguel Cabrera homered to left. Just like the last game, Prince Fielder went back-to-back with Cabrera!

All right... something's up... as in wrong with the game. I am convinced that Gio Gonzalez just went down with the same injury as Beckett.

Sadly, the Tigers bullpen continues to give up runs. I should just give up on Randy Choate. He gave up 2 hits, and a run in 1/3 INNINGS! Brad Lidge also could only retire one hitter. Scott Downs ended the threat, and the Tigers maintained their slim advantage.

Andre Ethier led off the 9th with a single, and a Cabrera double drove in the insurance run. Prince Fielder was intentionally walked, and then a Michael Morse single loaded the bases. Ian Kinsler legged out an infield single with the bases loaded, making the score 4-1 with no outs.

Michael Bourn missed a diving play and pinch-hitter, Victor Martinez, hustled for a triple to clear the bases! The 7-1 lead eliminated the potential use of Jose Valverde.

Game 29 @ NYM

Andre Ethier set the tone with a solo shot in the 1st. After a Miguel Cabrera double, Michael Morse drove him in. In the next inning, Miguel Cabrera had a bases-clearing double.

The Mets got on the board when Andres Torres had an RBI fielder's choice, in the 3rd.

Doug Fister had an intentionally shortened start, only going 6 innings as the Tigers want to prep his move to the 2 spot in the rotation (because of the injuries to Gonzalez and Beckett). In the 7th, Cabrera had another RBI on a single. Austin Jackson scored on a Prince Fielder double. Ian Kinsler singled up the middle, driving in 2 and extending the lead to 9-1.

Melancon, Choate, and Balester came out of the bullpen, and the score stayed that way.

Team Notes
Miguel Cabrera was named Player of the Month for March. He now has 17 HR and 43 RBI, while batting .478.

Reed Johnson was traded to the Oakland A's in exchange for Manny Ramirez. Manny Ramirez's role with the Tigers has yet to be determined. He will start the next game.

Magglio Ordonez was signed to a minor-league deal. He will play in the next game along with Ramirez.

Game 30 vs. TOR

We're finally here. Spring Training is almost here. Bullpen guys are still trying to make their case as to why they should start the season on the 25 man roster.

After a taxing inning for Jordan Zimmerman, Eric Thames led off the 2nd with a solo home run for the Blue Jays. Geovany Soto responded with a solo shot of his own in the bottom half of the inning. Austin Jackson scored off of a Miguel Cabrera double in the 3rd.

The Jays didn't respond until the 6th, when Adam Lind homered to take the lead. Jordan Zimmermann was removed from the game. He will take the #3 spot in the rotation, due to the Gonzalez and Beckett. Zimmermann's replacement, Brad Lidge gave up another run. Scott Downs eventually replaced Lidge.

Closer Sergio Santos tried to shut the door on the Tigers, but the Tigers came out swinging, literally. Victor Martinez singled. Pinch runner, John Mayberry, Jr., ran home on an Andre Ethier double. The lead was down to only one run. Alex Avila singled, but the strong arm of Eric Thames kept Andre Ethier at 3rd base.
Then, Austin Jackson singled with two outs to tie the game! We went to extra innings.

As a pinch runner, Rajai Davis scored on a Colby Rasmus double.

Sergio Santos stayed in with the lead. He surrendered a leadoff single to Miguel Cabrera. Prince Fielder singled to follow. Darren Oliver was brought on with Andre Ethier hitting, and he grounded into a double play.

The Jays won the heartbreaker.

Team Notes
Manny Ramirez singled in his first at bat as a Tiger. Magglio doubled in the first at bat of his return.

Brad Lidge was sent to AAA. His future with the Tigers is bleak.
Troy Glaus signed a minor league deal.