illustration by Samara Pearlstein
I enjoy it when the starting pitcher frolicks merrily with the baseball. Especially when that pitcher has had a rather, shall we say, checkered relationship with said baseball in the past. Regardless of what has gone before, they are the best of friends right now, and it is so good to see.
I don’t even care that he wasn’t wicked incredibly efficient. This is Jeremy Bonderman, after all– not Justin Verlander. He has his own special set of pitching issues.
There’s nothing quite like walking the bases loaded, and then hitting a batter to score a run. That’s, you know, pretty bad pitching. Like ‘an example we should show the minor leaguers to scare them into doing their homework’ kind of bad. Eat your broccoli, children, or you too will have an inning like Bondo’s third today.
But he overcame that inning. Unbelievably, he did not issue another base on balls after that third-inning-RBI-HBP. It’s as if he just totally lost the feel for the ball, then stepped back, took a deep breath, and willed himself back on track. We have been almost as concerned with the mental aspect of Bondo’s game as we have been with his variety of physical issues. So this was stupidly, amazingly encouraging to see.
Pitching that makes RotT happy two days in a row? I dunno if that can possibly last, but by Paws! I will suck all the enjoyment out of it while I can.
Roar of the Tigers 
I love this illustration, thought it does creep me out a little! :)
Yes, Bondo has always concerned me as a particular head-case. It was great to see him conquer the demon there, for one outing at least.
I think my favorite part of the game was where Bondo had given up a run (and the team was clinging to a 2-1 lead), but he still had a no-hitter going.
Now, tonight we get to see how starter #5 (and head-case#2) does against a pretty hot Dodgers team. I’d like to hear Vin Scully call the game, since I’m sure he’ll talk about Ernie Harwell.
But yesterday was satisying, and a first-place tie ain’t bad, either.
If you have XM radio, you should be able to pick up the Dodgers broadcast, as they use the home team.
Even better, the Twins lost, so the Tigers are now tied for 1st place.
I bite my thumb at you, Minnesota.
a little too nervous about Dontrelle to swim in the happiness of two straight good pitching performances but … UGh. no i can’t do it. The only thing that could make me feel better would be a Miguel Cabrera haircut.
Two reasons I hate it when the Tigers are on
the West Coast:
1. 10pm starts kill me. I’m usually asleep by the 4th inning.
2. LA is where the Tigers started to get those ugly…forearm tattoos and I’m scared to see who gets one next. I’m looking at you Mr. Inge.
Will we be able to see this in illustrated form?
Thomas is one of the Tigers sporting a Mohawk following last week’s barbershop antics in the Tigers clubhouse. He reported his wife “thought it looked a little rough at first” and that his daughter’s evaluation was that “your head’s a bit spikey.”
:p
There’s nothing quite like walking the bases loaded, and then hitting a batter to score a run. That’s, you know, pretty bad pitching.
A feat duplicated by Dontrelle the following night . . . :(