Results tagged ‘ World Baseball Classic ’
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Barring a miracle comeback by Venezuela, the 4 Detroit Tigers players will finally get back to Lakeland and rejoin their home team. As it stands right now, VEN is losing to South Korea 8 to 1. Pitcher Carlos Silva had a terrible first inning (even worse than Dontrelle recently) and gave up 6 earned runs.
One thing that is REALLY bugging me is the playing time afforded to Curtis Granderson, playing for the USA. He has only gotten 14 at-bats in the whole World Baseball Classic, while the rest of the Tigers in Spring Training have gotten upwards of 50. At least I know that this week it will be over, and the whole team can finally get back together and get some proper training.
TCS
10-4 Good Buddy
The Detroit Tigers pulled off a 10 to 4 come-from-behind victory out of their collective hats today, despite a poor start by Dontrelle Willis. Nate Robertson came in for relief and retired 9 batters in a row. Eddie Bonine came on late in the game and had similar results, retiring the last 8 batters of the game. What else can I say but, “Pitching wins ball games!” The offense took off against the former Tiger Mike Maroth, now playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, featuring 4 infield hits and two home runs (Laird and Hessman).
In the World Baseball Classic, Venezuela came through with a victory over the Dutch 3 – 1, including a home run from Tigers first-baseman Miguel Cabrera. Tonight we get to see Team USA with Curtis Granderson in the outfield versus Puerto Rico, featuring Ivan Rodriguez behind the plate. I-Rod is still a free agent despite his great performance in the WBC. Inevitably, some team will sign him before the start of the MLB season.
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Venezuela vs. USA
It will be another fun one on Wednesday, when the Tigers on Team Venezuela get to take on Team USA in a rematch from Miami. After the great showing by Detroit players on Tuesday, I think we can expect another firestorm from this group in this game. It looks as though Carlos Guillen, Miguel Cabrera, and Magglio Ordonez have found their stride at the plate (and Armando Gallaraga on the mound never lost it from last season) - plus I would love to see Curtis Granderson for the United States do the same! Who do you love?
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Waking Up
The Tigers on Team Venezuela came alive today as Carlos Guillen got an RBI double, Miguel Cabrera got an RBI double, single, and a home run (his first hits of the tourniment) and Magglio Ordonez got a double and was safe on an error. It’s good to know the Detroit Tigers really do know how to hit – when you look at the team down in Spring Training, you wouldn’t think so.
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Win for USA
Team USA trounced Venezeula this evening in Toronto by a score of 15 to 6. Detroit Tigers players faired nicely, with Armando Galarraga picthing 4 innings with 4 strikeouts, while allowing only 2 runs (by far the best pitching performance tonight for V), Carlos Guillen hitting another home run, and Curtis Granderson getting 2 singles. Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez looked like they were swinging for the seats every time, resulting in multiple strike-outs and ground-outs. Magglio did hit one very long fly ball out to center, which was run down by Grandy.
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Galarraga
Armando Galarraga looked fantastic on the mound for Team Venezeula against the USA this evening. He gave up 2 runs over 4 innings, including 4 strikeouts.
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Tigers vs. Tigers
Tonight’s game in the World Baseball Classic will be a unique situation for fans and players of the Detroit Tigers. In Team Venezuela we find power hitters Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen (who hit the key home run yesterday). The starting pitcher will be last year’s best pitcher for the Tigers, Armando Galarraga. On Team USA we find many of the United States’ best players, including Detroit Tigers center fielder, Curtis Granderson. I am filled with mixed emotions about this game. Although I certainly am an American and Curtis Granderson is my favorite major league baseball player, I want all the Tigers players to do well.
In today’s spring training game, I am very disappointed. The Yankees easily clobbered the Tigers in poor performances from the pitching and hitting staff. It is true that many of the key players are playing in Toronto tonight, so perhaps once they rejoin the club after the WBC is complete, things will start to improve.
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Venezuela vs. Italy
Team Venezuela did finally get things going in the 4th inning with a lead-off home run by Tigers left fielder Carlos Guillen. Italy did play very good baseball for the first few innings, including more than one spectacular defensive play. However, their relief pitching threw the game away when Venezuela’s bats got hot. The final score was about what was expected, 7 to nothing.
Tigers players on this day did ok, but they looked a little bit like some of Detroit’s winter is still in them. Carlos Guillen got the go-ahead homer, which is all that Venezuela needed. Miguel Cabrera was safe on first once on a fielder’s choice. For Team USA, Curtis Granderson struck out with 2 outs and the bases loaded in his only at bat.
Tomorrow should be really fun, with team USA playing Venezuela in Toronto.
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Tribute to Grilli
Carlos Guillen gave Jason Grilli a rude tribute, taking his former teammate deep in the Rogers Centre as part of the World Baseball Classic. I don’t think many Tigers fans will find that surprising. To be honest, Team Italy is playing much better than expected.
In another game, former Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez went 4 for 4 with 3 RBI’s for his team, Puerto Rico. It’s nice to see him like his old self again.
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Venezuela
Team Venezuela is stacked with Detroit Tigers, and it will interesting to watch them play for their home country in the World Baseball Classic. They should be able to beat Italy with no problem. Of course, that’s what I thought about when they played the Detroit Tigers in exhibition, but the Tigers, full of minor-leaguers, defeated them! But, I am really thankful for the newly established MLB Network, so I can watch this wonderful game of baseball all the time!
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