Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Big boppers

Thanks to Curtis Granderson's 3-for-3 night, the Tigers' top five batters in the order are hitting at least .300 -- Granderson (.303), Polanco (.334), Sheffield (.300), Ordonez (.362), Guillen (.308). I would think that's rather uncommon.

Newcomer Mike Hessman, 29, is known as a power hitter -- he led the International League with 27 HR while at Triple-A Toledo -- but it was a bloop single with 2 outs last night that was the big blow against Chicago. It drove in 2 and gave Detroit a 7-6 lead. Also, Hessman made a nice pick at first on a throw by Carlos Guillen, saving runs earlier in the game.

The bullpen provided 4.1 innings of 1-hit relief after Andrew Miller was unable to get out of the fifth. Miller struggled with his control, but I would think should be OK down the road.

Day-night twinbill today. Virgil Vasquez, who got lit up on national TV in his only big league appearance this year, gets the call up to start the second game. He's pitched well lately at Toledo. Gavin Floyd gets the call up for Chitown. If these guys pitch to their past performances, it could be offensive.

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