Game 28: Tigers End April in the D at 13-15

ESPN highlights available here.

The Gist: Jeremy Bonderman avoided a serious first-inning problem by yielding “only” two runs. Then he was all business: 7.2 innings pitched, five hits, the aforementioned two runs (both earned) and, oddly enough, just one strikeout. Placido Polanco appears to have caught fire in New York, highlighted by two home runs on Wednesday. And don’t look now but here comes Gary Sheffield: two-for-four and now only 17 points (or 32 depending on your perspective) south of the Mendoza Line.

The Quote: “You don’t want to know what I told him, I’ll tell you that much.†— Jim Leyland on his first inning, ahem, heart-to-heart meeting with Bonderman on the mound.

The Stat: 54. The number of points Polanco has seen his average soar in the past two games. Six hits in 10 at bats will do that for you.

My Two Cents: Bonderman drives me nuts.

Up Next: Tigers at Yankees

Nate Robertson (0-3, 6.91) vs. RHP Ian Kennedy (0-2, 8.53)