He has posted five multi-hit games in his last 10 games, cracking a home run against the Rays on Sunday as well. Equally as unbelievable, was that he had not swung and missed since last Wednesday (32 swings since then).
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Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez joined an elite group Tuesday night, recording his 400th career save in the Tigers’ 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, becoming only the sixth pitcher in Major League Baseball history to accomplish such a feat.
“I don’t have that kind of swag to do that”, Bourjos said, laughing.
Sure, the Tigers (22-22) are playing well and Verlander (3-4, 4.58 ERA) has looked sensational over his past three starts allowing only four runs combined while striking out 27, but the Tigers lost two of those starts.
The home run can provide some confidence for the struggling Bourjos, though, he isn’t quite ready to take bat flipping tips from Herrera.
Ninth innings have been touch and go – mostly go – for the Detroit Tigers in recent seasons. He’s been an underdog in eight of his nine starts and for whatever reason, his pitcher rating hasn’t increased despite allowing two runs or less in five of his starts.
Verlander’s 9.69 K/9 on the season now ranks eighth among qualified American League starters.
“I’ve unfortunately seen an very bad lot of those saves on the other side of the dugout”, Verlander said. According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Tigers are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -130 to win, while the Phillies have been given a money line of +120 to win.
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“Sometimes unearned runs are deceptive”, Lamont said. With lackluster starts from veterans like Ryan Howard, the Phillies have been relying on the emergence of young talent like Herrera. Tigers batters, who would ask for time with more cushion before a pitch were not granted time and there were several Tigers who took issue with that fact. Miguel Cabrera drove in two runs for the Tigers, and since losing 11 of 12 earlier this month, Detroit has won eight of nine. He was back in the lineup the next day, and he made a big impact Wednesday with his home run.
