The Return Of The Formula?

Gil Meche's good feeling in Kansas City is gone. The Tigs put up six runs on the KC ace, and took the second game of this series 6-5. In a win that reads like what we've come to expect from these Tigers, the bats came alive. Three home runs, one a piece from Gary Sheffield, Curtis Granderson, and Pudge Rodriguez, in addition to a sacrifice fly from Magglio Ordonez, accounted for all of the Tigers' runs. Mike Maroth also looked okay in his first start of the new year, going five solid innings, allowing four runs and striking out three with just one walk.

This is the type of game we've come to expect from the Tigers. Jump out early with big flys off of some hot bats, in this case Gary Sheffield, who seems to be warming up to the Old English D, in the first part of the game and just being aggressive at the plate. Sheff not only hit the homer in the first but also singled in a run in the third. Granderson also continued his torrid pace to start the year with a single that scored Craig Monroe who had earlier hit his first double of the season, and then homered leading off the fifth inning.

Something that is becoming truly disturbing is just how awkward Brandon Inge looks at the plate. He had yet another 0fer game and still has not gotten a hit on the season. He was working on some things in spring training in his swing, but he just simply hasn't produced yet this season. But, as long as he continues his stellar work in the field, there's no reason to pull him out just yet, the season is still young.

On the bright side, the Tigers' pen held today, even if Jason Grilli gave up another run in his one inning of work. It's four games into the season and I'm already beginning to loathe his existence. Joel Zumaya came in and worked two scoreless innings and handed the ball over to Todd Jones to finish the game off, which he did in quick fashion, retiring the Royals one-two-three with one strike out. If only the rest of the pen could get on the same page that Jones and Zoom Zoom are on right now, because they are the only bright spots that I can see. Actually, I take that back, Wil Ledezma pitched well yesterday. But, something tells me that these three guys can't pitch every day. Rodney, Mesa, and DEFINITELY Grilli need to figure exactly what the hell they're doing and get their shit right.

Tomorrow is the rubber match, it'd be nice to get out of Kansas City with a above .500 record and a series win.