- Some key Tigers just didn't seem to be themselves.
Placido Polanco struck out twice, including once with a key run on third base. He's usually the team's best hitter in that type of situation. He also couldn't field a possible double-play ball that ended up being one of many big RBI hits for the Minnesota Twins in extra innings.
Curtis Granderson getting doubled off first base on a line drive was uncharacteristic for such a smart baserunner. Reminded me of Darrell Evans getting tagged out at third base during the 1987 American League Championships, also against the Twins.
- In this case, I really hate to say I told you so. Here's how I predicted the Tigers might lose in a blog entry earlier this week: Based on some of those recent performances, I can see the Tigers taking a lead into the late innings only to see the game lost in a Twins rally consisting of bloopers, high-hoppers off the turf and maybe a ball lost in the roof for good measure.
I'm not entirely sure whether Ryan Raburn lost that fly ball in the roof and the aforementioned grounder that got by Polanco was a turf hit but not a high-hopper, but that's pretty close.
- A game like this is bound to create lots of opportunities for second-guessing the manager.
I question how long Leyland stuck with Zach Miner, who's at best the team's fourth-best relief pitcher. I thought he should have gone to Brandon Lyon sooner rather than bringing him in after Miner had already blown the lead. Also, I would have pinch hit Alex Avila for Gerald Laird with the bases loaded in the 12th.
Some are complaining about Leyland sticking with Feranando Rodney for so long, but I don't have a problem with it given the alternatives: Eddie Bonine and Nate Robertson. Rodney really pitched fairly well. He was victimized by the Raburn misplay and some seeing-eye hits. The game-winner was a well-placed, weak ground ball.
