The Detroit Tigers had a one run lead heading into the bottom of the eighth inning but that was soon gone as the Texas Rangers came from behind with four runs in the eighth to beat the Tigers 11-8. Tough loss that falls on hands of the Tigers bullpen without a doubt.

Dontrelle Willis made his return to the mound and tossed five innings as he allowed two hits and three runs. The three runs that the D-Train gave up all came on a three-run home run in the in the fourth inning. Gary Glover had a terrible time when he came in for Willis in the sixth inning as he allowed three hits and four runs.

Relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth took the loss for the Tigers as he was charged with four hits and four runs while only recording two outs. Terrible outing for the farns.

At the plate for the Tigers, Gary Sheffield led the team with a three-run home run and three rbi on the night. Sheffield was followed by Jeff Larish who had two rbi. Placido Polanco, Magglio Ordonez, and Miguel Cabrera all finished up with one rbi each. It just wasn’t enough as Farnsworth blew the game.

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Dontrelle Willis pitched terribly on Monday night as he only lasted 1 1/3 innings against the Cleveland Indians.  The Indians scored three runs in the first inning and then five more in the second innings and all eight runs were charged to Willis who dropped to 0-1 on the season.  It just doesn’t seem like the D-Train is on track after being hurt earlier in the season.

You do have to give a lot of credit to the Tigers bullpen however as they held the Indians do the eight runs the rest of the game.  Denny Bautista (2.2 innings), Clay Rapada (3 innings), and Bobby Seay (2 innings) all did a great job and each pitcher only gave up one hit.

Both of the Tigers runs came in the fourth inning.  Edgar Renteria had a rbi single and Placido Polanco had a rbi double.  The Tigers offense left 22 runners on base while the struckout seven times.  You just aren’t going to get the job done in most cases by leaving that many runners on base and not putting the ball in play with the runners on base.

The Tigers are now 11 games under .500 at 26.37 on the season.  Are they ever going to turn this thing around and get back to .500?

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Freddy Dolsi gave up a bases loaded infield single to Jack Cust in the 11th inning and the Detroit Tigers lost to the Oakland Athletics by the score of 5-4.  With two outs in the 11th, it appeared the Tigers were going to get out of the jam except Dolsi was slow getting over cover first base, well I should say he never even made it there and the A’s came away with the victory.

Bobby Seay actually took the loss as he gave up a lead off single in the 11th inning and that was the winning run that scored.  Dontrelle Willis took the no decision after throwing four innings and allowing two hits and no runs.  The Tigers are going to be very cautious with Willis as he regains arm strength to be come a starter once again.

Armando Galarraga gave up three runs after he came into the game when Willis exited.  Casey Fossum then was called upon but he also gave up a run as the Tigers bullpen just didn’t get the job done.

Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco, Miguel Cabrera, and Carlos Guillen all had a rbi in the game for the Tigers.  They just weren’t able to get that one or two big runs at the end of the game to come away with a victory.

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Manager Jim Leyland has set his pitching rotation up to start the 2008 season.  Justin Verlander will be the opening day starter followed by Kenny Rogers.  After Rogers you will see Jeremy Bonderman in the third slot and then Dontrelle Willis holding down the fourth spot.  Nate Robinson will more then likely be the fifth starter in the rotation.

It was believed that Leyland wanted to split up Verlander and Rogers with Willis, but he setteled in with pitching the D-Train in the fourth spot to start off the season.

What do you think Tigers fans?  Are you happy with that starting rotation?