Oh-for-4

The MLB.com story about the Tigers' 8-5 loss today against Chicago describes the crowd as "predominantly angry." It looks like the Tigs are doing their best to keep from stealing the Red Wings' thunder heading into the NHL playoffs.

Jason Grilli gave up a 3-run HR to A.J. Pierzynski during a brutal 7th-inning performance. But the real turning point here was the third inning after Detroit tied the score at 2-2. Nate Robertson got two outs in the top of the third and then plunked Jim Thome, walked Paul Konerko, gave up an RBI double to Jermaine Dye and a two-run double to Pierzynski.

Detroit rallied again to tie the score thanks to a two-run double by Pudge Rodriguez and an RBI single by Jacque Jones in the bottom half of the frame, but Robertson cannot give up 3 runs with 2 outs and no one on base. Who knows, it might have cost Robertson pitching another inning rather than only 5. If he goes 6, maybe we don't see Grilli today.

Clete Thomas and Pudge went 3-for-4. Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Guillen both had 3 walks.

I'd say this was a game the Tigers figured to win. I'm putting them at -3 in the expectation category. Who know what will happen tomorrow with Willis vs. Floyd. But the Kitties need a win badly and Floyd might provide a chance to pound out a victory.