Another key move was bringing Jose Lopez back when they did. I like Jose. He's a pretty good ballplayer. Gotta find a spot for him. At worst, keep him on the bench! He's valuable as a utility ballplayer.

6th inning. Tribe 5-3. OMG is Detroit's defense this bad.

had bases juiced in the 8th but couldn't get one in.

Time to see Perez in action.....lots of cheers and a standing O before he throws a pitch...

A walk and a double...I hear some boos...

A strikeout brings the 15K fans to their feet...

...............

And that makes for a good night

Kotchman's been swinging a better looking bat lately. Maybe its time for Acta to switch Kotchman and Damon. Damon won't have to worry about driving in runs. Instead, his role will just be getting on base.

This is a huge two weeks coming up. I believe we're looking at a bunch of games with the boys from this division. It would be nice to play .650 ball or better. At minimum, take each of the series one at a time.

I will agree that the Tigers dont look like all that. Fielder is fat.

Fielder has always been fat. One of the most durable players though.

That was a huuuuuuge win tonight for the fans of this team.........

A nice win, for sure.

Pestano and Perez fired well, though not without suspense.

Tonight was the first night I ever saw a live armadillo after a Tribe win. I saw it, and took the dog clear, though the dog also saw it and cared less.

I think I get scrabblesque bonus points for legitimately using "armadillo" in a GameTime post.

Have I mentioned that I like Casey Kotchman? His leather, and occasional bat, is priceless.

Tribe Fan in SC/Cali wrote:
Have I mentioned that I like Casey Kotchman? His leather, and occasional bat, is priceless.

Actually, I really like all the guys on our team this year for their scrap and/or talent/performance.

rusty2 wrote:That was a huuuuuuge win tonight for the fans of this team.........

It's usually hyperbole to say an individual game in May is huge, but:

considering this was our first game of the year against the Tabbies,
and considering that we're at an apparent pitching disadvantage in these next two games,
and considering the way they basically stomped on our guts the last two months of 2011...

...I have to agree: this was a huge win.

They're probably still the favorites to win the division, but I have to say I don't get Detroit. They seem so much less than the sum of their parts, kind of like the 2006 Indians--a team that on paper should have been at least as good as the Tigers team that won the AL. Granted Valverde has come back to earth, and their infield defense is an abomination worthy of condemnation by the Vatican, but it's still hard to see how they can be under .500 in this division.