Royals 3, Tigers 2

Robertson Robbed
Offense Remains Dormant

By John Rogatski

Nate Robertson pitched seven strong innings giving the Tigers a rare quality start, but the bewildered Detroit offense remained in hibernation as the Tigers fell to the Kansas City Royals 3-2 Tuesday night at Kaufman Stadium.

Robertson, who had been struggling along with the rest of the starting rotation, put together his best outing of the year only needing 82 pitches in his seven innings of work despite allowing 10 hits. Robertson struck out two, walked none, and was able to get the big out when he needed it. The Royals picked up two runs in the third on singles by Joey Gathright, David DeJesus and Tiger killer Mark Grudzielanek followed by a double from Jose Guillen. That tied the score at two.

The Tigers had taken a 2-0 lead with single runs in the first and second innings. Carlos Guillen doubled home Placido Polanco in the first, and Matt Joyce hit his second home run in as many games in the second. The Tigers had their chance to knock Royals starter Zach Greinke out of the game in the fifth when Miguel Cabrera and Edgar Renteria wrapped singles around a Joyce walk to load the bases for Pudge Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who had singles in his first two at-bats against Greinke struck out on three pitches to end the final threat of the night for the Detroit.

The Royals scored the game-winner off Francisco Cruceta (L, 0-1) in the bottom of the eighth after Cruceta recorded the first two outs of the inning on a come-backer to the mound and a strikeout. Jose Guillen doubled to left, Billy Butler walked, and then Mark Teahen hit a ground ball up the middle that Renteria gloved. Renteria flipped the ball to Polanco but it ended up in the middle of the infield as pinch-runner Estaban German scored all the way from second. “That was just one of those in-between plays,” manager Jim Leyland said. “If the throw’s there, it’s a great play.” “It was a tough play, you know,” Renteria said. “In that situation, you take the best chance you have. I thought it was my best chance.”

Although Cruceta took the loss, it was Robertson who suffered yet again from the lack of run support from a team that continues to underachieve.

Tiger Tracks:

Game two of this three-game series with the Royals is tonight starting at 8:10 p.m. Justin Verlander (1-6) will oppose Luke Hochevar (2-2) in a battle of two former first-round draft picks. 

 

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Red Wings-Stars Showdown to the Stanley Cup

                      

  By Dave Frisco

The Detroit Red Wings hold a commanding 3 games to none lead over the Dallas Stars in the National Hockey Leauges Western Conference finals best of seven games series. Detroit skated to a 5 to 2 victory over Dallas Monday night in Game 3 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The Wings also won their first two games on home ice in Detroit at Joe Louis Arena by a score of 4 to 1 over the Stars in Game 1 and in Game 2 posting a close 2 to 1 victory over Dallas. The victory Monday evening extended the Red Wings winning streak to a club record 9 straight games in one playoff year. The Wings haven't lost since April 16th in the first round of the playoffs against the Nashville Predators whom they went on to win the series 4 games to 2.

 

Game 4 of the Detroit - Dallas series continues at the American Airlines Center in Dallas Wednesday evening May 14th at 8pm. If necessary, Game 5 moves back to Hockeytown at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit for a Saturday afternoon matinee May 17th at 1:30pm. The game will be televised on NBC for American viewers and on CBC for a Canadian audience. The Wings and Stars will head back to Dallas, Texas for Game 6 if necessary Monday May 19th at 8pm. If necessary, the puck will drop in the Motor City for Game 7 Wednesday evening May 21st at 7:30pm for the Red Wings and the Stars at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

 

The winner of the Western Conference finals will move on to play for hockey's most coveted trophy, the Stanley Cup. The Detroit Red Wings or the Dallas Stars will face off versus the Eastern Conference winner Pittsburgh Penquins or the Philadelphia Flyers for a chance to capture the Stanley Cup. The Penquins hold a 3 games to none lead currently over the Flyers.

 

The Red Wings need 5 more wins to capture their 11th Stanley Cup in franchise history.

 

( Updated May 13, 2008 )

 

 

GO WINGS

 

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