Game 2 of the series provides a great pitching match-up on paper between Kenny Rogers and Joe Blanton. However, the Tigers roughed up Blanton something fierce and he was not able to get out of the fifth after allowing 8 runs. Rogers on the other hand was lights out. He gave up a no doubt home run to Frank Thomas in the bottom of the second, but not much else until the 8th where he allowed another run and left one runner on. Chris Spurling came in and struggled mightily. He was greeted with a home run off the bat of Mark Ellis to charge another run to Rogers. This cut the lead from 10-1 to 10-4. Crosby followed with a single and Frank Thomas smashed a long drive to center that Granderson made a nice catch while crashing into the wall. Spurling got out of the inning with a fly out by Milton Bradley. Jamie Walker gave the bullpen a life with an easy 1-2-3 ninth.
The Tigers’ offense got things started in the top of the second inning as they played some small ball and manufactured a run. Alexis Gomez doubled for his second hit of the year and moved to third on a ground out by Shelton. Carlos Guillen followed with a walk and Craig Monroe drove in the run with a single. Again in the fourth inning Detroit chipped away at Blanton. Shelton led off with a walk on four pitches. Guillen singled advancing Shelton to 3rd. Monroe followed with a single plating Shelton for the second run of the game. Brandon Inge brought in Guillen with a sac fly to center for the third run. The Tigers continued to play the first to third game as Monroe went to third with one out on Granderson’s single to right. Polanco drove in the fourth run of the game with a single.
The Tigers’ defense continued to make errors, but was able to get away with out the harm this time. Guillen booted a grounder in the 1st, his 3rd error in the last two games, but made amends by turning a slick double play. He then committed his 5th error of the year on a poor throw over the head of Shelton. Brandon Inge committed his third error of the season in the fourth with a poor throw to first. However, there were two outs in the inning and Rogers got the next batter to fly out to right.
Errors proved costly for the A’s in the fifth. Blanton dropped a bunt that was popped up allowing Alexis Gomez to reach 1st. After Shelton lined out Guillen double moving Gomez to third. Monroe was intentionally walked to load the bases. Brandon Inge made Oakland pay with a two run double that chased Blanton from the game. Two more runs were charged to the starter Blanton after Granderson walked to reload the bases and Polanco singled. With four more runs the Tigers lead increased to 8-1.
The A’s defense made more mistakes in the 6th. Alexis Gomez single to center and made it to 2nd base on the misplay by Jay Payton. Gomez advanced to third on a foul-out by Shelton. Guillen hit the ball over the drawn-in infield. Carlos made a bid for a double and a throwing error, the third of the game for Oakland, allowed Guillen to reach third. He came home on a sac fly by Monroe for the 10th run. There was little doubt of the outcome at this point with a 10-1 lead and Rogers cruising. The A’s handed the Tigers another run in the bottom of the ninth with their fourth error of the game. What an incredibly sloppy defensive game with seven errors between the two teams.
*** OEs 3 Stars of the Game ***
#3 Craig Monroe – 2-2 with 2 runs, 3 RBI, 1 BB, .241 AVG
#2 Kenny Rogers – Win, 7.1 IP, 3 hits, 3 runs, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 3.38 ERA
#1 Placido Polanco – 4-5 with 3 RBI, .345 AVG
