Let the game's begin (exhibition style)

It's hard to get too excited about spring training games, unless you're in Florida or Arizona watching them. The most exciting thing is they signal the season is not far away.

The Tigers beat the Mets 4-2 yesterday. The great Motown lineup managed just 1 hit in the first 6 innings and a fella named Wilkin Ramirez (22-year-old OF prospect who hit .273-10-41 in 319 ABs at Single-A Lakeland and .215-2-14 in 121 ABs at Double-A Erie) had a two-run single in the seventh to provide the margin of victory.

Primarily, Detroit fans will be watching the pitchers and a few position players -- Brandon Inge and Ryan Raburn especially.

Jeremy Bonderman pitched two innings yesterday and gave up four hits and two runs. He worked without using his slider to prevent unnecessary strain on his elbow and to work on other pitches (changeup primarily). Jason Grilli, Zach Miner, Preston Larrison, Tim Byrdak and Denny Bautista followed with 7 innings of 2-hit ball.

Larrison, 27, is a sinkerball pitcher with, from reports, the stuff to pitch in the bigs. He just needs to stay healthy. He makes annual trips to the DL and had Tommy John surgery a couple years ago.

Inge, who played as a replacement in CF, had a hit, an RBI and a walk.