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This one got a bit scary for the Tigers in the end. However, Detroit managed to hang on and win a tough game Tigers teams of the past often lost. Kenny Rogers pitched into the seventh inning allowing only two runs before giving way to the Zumaya, Rodney and Jones trio to finish things off. Zumaya gave up a home run off a 97 mph fastball before getting the final two outs of the seventh for his 10th hold. Rodney picked up his 4th hold of the year after pitching out of big trouble in the 8th. Once again an error almost cost the Tigers dearly. With runners at first and second and no outs in the eighth Inge started what should have been a 5-4-3 double play. However, Polanco’s relay sailed over the head of Shelton at first allowing the Indians to score their 4th run to make it a one run game with a runner on. The heart of the Indians order, Hafner and Martinez were not able to do further damage against Rodney, who did a nice job of picking up Polanco and pitching through adversity. Jones struck out one in a perfect ninth for his 8th save. Marcus Thames opened up the scoring in the second with a HR off Cliff Lee. The blast was the fifth of the year for Marcus. Thames may benefit with more playing time as D. Young’s injury continues to linger. Young is going to be re-evaluated over the weekend, but he may be headed to the DL again possibly until the first of June. Thames is hitting .298 in limited time in 2006. Detroit added to the 1-0 lead with a run in the fifth when Craig Monroe doubled and came home on Brandon Inge’s RBI single. He now has 21 RBI on the year. After Cleveland tied the game with a run in the fifth and sixth the Tigers opened things up with a two-run homer off the bat of Craig Monroe. Pudge double home Granderson later in the inning to provide what ended up being the deciding run. The Tigers victory coupled with the Twins trouncing the White Sox moves Detoit back to within a game and a half in the AL Central. The loss is Cleveland’s fourth in a row and they drop to two games below .500. Game 2 of the series provides a great pitching match-up with Jeremy Bonderman going for his fourth win on the year against C.C. Sabathia and his 2.35 ERA. Hopefully the Tigers can get another victory while the Tribe is struggling. *** OEs 3 Stars of the Game *** #3 Todd Jones – Save (8), 1 IP, 0 Hs, 0 Rs, 0 BBs, 1 K, 4.82 ERA
#2 Craig Monroe – 2-4 with 2 runs scored, a HR and 2 RBI
#1 Kenny Rogers – Win (6), 6.1 IP, 8 Hs, 2 Rs, 1 BB, 4 Ks, 1 HR, 3.23 ERA  On Tap – Game 36 (22-13) @ Cleveland Indians (17-19) May 12th, 7:05 ET
Jeremy Bonderman (3-2, 4.40) v. C.C. Sabathia (2-0, 2.35) --------------------------------------------------------
Go Tigers!!!
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