I hoped to come to you this morning with some amazing news. Instead, I have good news.
The Tigers got demolished by the Mariners on Tuesday. The final was 8-4, but 3 of Detroit’s 4 runs were in the garbage
time 9th inning. They struck out 9 more times, which is a lot, but for them, not as bad as most of their recent performances.
Jack Flaherty, facing Raleigh, Rodriguez and Suarez instead of Manzardo, Bad Rodriguez and Arias, was reminded what it’s like to have to work for outs. He allowed 4 runs in 3.1 innings. The Tiger pen gave up 4 more.
Remember how I said the news could have been even better than Detroit losing? That’s because the Yankees were facing elimination last night and were in a 6-1 hole. Shane Bieber, Ernie Clement and Andres Gimenez were about to eliminate them! Instead, the Jay defense collapsed, and they gave up 8 unanswered runs. Clement did go 4-for-4, though. Bieber was yanked in the 3rd, because managers panic and do things they’d never do in August, and that decision did not age well. Did he run into trouble? Yes. Was it entirely his fault? No. Do I think he would have blown a 6-1 lead? No.
Guardian Notes
• David Fry is about to undergo some unpleasant surgery.
• As we safely assumed, Nic Enright needs Tommy John.
• The Guards want all their coaches back. I also want Grant Fink back—as Slider.
• MLB isn’t giving any new info on Clase and Ortiz yet. (Obviously. Get your bets in now on whether Aaron Judge homers Wednesday night.)