[Pujolsfan91]

Joe Blanton

Last appearance:
8/05 vs CHW
5.0 IP, 3 ER
Dec = Loss
9-8, 3.72





Jordan Tata
Last appearance:
8/04 vs LAA
7.0 IP, 1 ER
Dec = Win

Oakland starting lineup:
1.Buck RF
2.Stewart LF
3.Swisher 1B
4.Cust DH
5.Ellis 2B
6.Kotsay CF
7.Scutaro 3B
8.Murphy SS
9.Suzuki C

Detroit starting lineup:
1.Granderson CF
2.Polanco 2B
3.Sheff DH
4.Maggs RF
5.Guillen SS
6.Casey 1B
7.Thames LF
8.Rabelo C
9.Infante 3B

The Detroit Tigers had enough trouble this week with one of the worst pitching staffs in the majors. Now they must face one of the best, opening a four-game series on Friday against the Oakland Athletics.

Detroit (63-51) is second in the majors with 642 runs scored, but has averaged just 3.6 runs over its last nine games and has lost seven of them. Since climbing a season-best 21 games over .500 on July 19, the Tigers have gone 6-15 to fall behind Cleveland for the AL Central lead.

They are coming off a four-game split against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who have baseball's worst record and whose pitching staff has a major league-worst 5.84 ERA.

After seemingly getting back on track by totaling 15 runs in two wins to open that series, Detroit dropped the final two contests against the Devil Rays and scored only one run in each.

ESPN - Oakland Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers Preview, August 10 2007 - MLB

[Pujolsfan91]

Tigers down 7-1 after 2 1/2 innings

Tata out after 2.0 innings pitched 5 hits and 7 earned.

Grilli came in and pitched the third after tata gave up a bases clearing double by jack cust.

[Pujolsfan91]

Tigers go down 1-2-3 in the third.. grilli still in for the 4th inning due up suzuki,buck and stewart.

[Pujolsfan91]

suzuki leadoff double *shakes head*

[Pujolsfan91]

Buck doubles in suzuki.. 8-1 A's

[Pujolsfan91]

Stewart grounds out.. 1 out.

Swisher walks 1st and 2nd 1 out for Cust.

Pitching change- Mcbride in for Grilli.

[Pujolsfan91]

Cust flies out to left.. 2 outs.

Ellis out on a force.. 3 outs.

Due up: Polanco, sheff, maggs

[Pujolsfan91]

polanco grounds out.. 1 down.

[Pujolsfan91]

Sheff kills the ball.. 25th homer of the season 8-2.

[Pujolsfan91]

single for maggs.