The Hawaiian Witch Doctor living in his roofed asylum, also known as the Metrodome, was
finally hooked and reeled in by the Tigers yesterday (9-21-09) during their most crucial
game of the year. As Adam Everett put it: “We’re talking a two game swing” meaning that
if they lose they’re only one game up on those pit bulls, also known as the Twins, or if they
win they’re three big ones up!
And win they did, 6-2, behind the surprising 5 inning, five hit, six strikeout pitching of
Rip Van Winkle, also known as Nate Robertson. Don’t get your hopes up too high with
Nate though. In his career with the Tigers, he’s done this before. Tease the Tigers
with a sweet plum now and then, only to settle back in to his losing, high ERA life time
status. WE HOPE NOT!
Let’s look at some of the high lights of this wonderfully played game.
First, in our book, was Denard Spam, who struck out FOUR TIMES! The importance of
this unusual performance by Spam should not be over looked. He is to the Twins what
Placido Polanco is to the Tigers. Wasn’t it in July at Comerica that this pain in the rear
garnered FIVE hits against us? Silencing his menacing bat was huge.
Then there’s the interesting case of the “SCRUB”. That’s the term that a California
baseball writer hung on Ryan Rayburn last year. Ryan was so distraught that Jim Leyland
gave him a pep talk. Wow, some pep talk! His homerun yesterday was his eleventh
tater playing almost unnoticed in a part time role. Leyland has never lost confidence in
Rayburn, who comes to the park everyday ready to play.
The Tigers did not have to deal with Joe Crede or Justin Morneau, two pains in the
same place as Spam. Both are out for the year, which really hurts the Twins. But, no
crying is heard from this very special franchise. By the way we open a three game
series in Cleveland tomorrow night and they are playing without Grady Sizemore. That’s
three Tiger Killers all on the shelf!
We could go into the sad case of Marcus Thames, but we feel kind today. Besides,
here’s another player who Jim Leyland absolutely believes in. Just watch. Before this
season ends Marcus will actually hit a meaningful big fat TATER!
LET’S ALL CELEBRATE…THE KAHUNA (Hawaiian Witch Doctor) HAS BEEN SLAIN and
WE’LL NEVER HAVE TO PLAY EVER AGAIN IN HIS DOMED ASYLUM Just for you J.R.
