|
Strike up the band. The Justin Verlander era is officially under way in the D. The Tigers extended their winning streak to 5 games. Each of the Tigers starters begin the season with a victory. This game was frustrating for local fans as the game was blacked out and I had to listen to Verlander’s dominance. I wanted to watch his first start, but what can you do. Verlander was easily the story of the game. He went 7 full innings and did not surrender a run. Verlander showed good control, only walking two and his stuff was nasty. He struck out 7 and pitched calmly out of pressure situations. These a great signs for the future of the Tigers. Bonderman and Verlander will form a great top of the rotation future for years to come. The bullpen pitched the last two innings to finish the shutout. Both Chris Spurling and Bobby Seay only required 9 pitches to retire the Rangers in the 8th and 9th respectively. Offensively the freakish start of Chris Shelton continued. One of the slowest players in the game tripled twice and finished with 3 RBIs. The guy is on an unbelievable stretch. Curtis Granderson, the young centerfielder, had a solid game scoring a pair of runs and driving in a pair on two hits. One of those hits included his second HR of the first week of play. The other two hit effort came from Maggs who had a RBI. Dmitri Young batted in a run and Brandon Inge doubled out of the 3rd spot in the order. Pudge Rodriguez got his first game off this year. The Tigers are going for the 4 game sweep in Texas. *** OEs 3 Stars of the Game *** #3 Curtis Granderson – 2-5 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs
#2 Chris Shelton – 3-4 (2 triples) with 3 RBIs
#1 Justin Verlander – 7 scoreless innings only two hits, two walks and 7 Ks  On Tap – Game 6 @ Texas Rangers, April 9th 2:05 ET
Kenny Rogers (1-0, 1.50) v. Vicente Padilla (1-0, 1.50)
--------------------------------------------------------
Go Tigers!!!
--------------------------------------------------------
|
