Game 7 Recap

Tigers 7, Blue Jays 3
W: Anibal Sanchez (1-0, 1.50 ERA)     L: Brandon Morrow (0-1, 5.59 ERA)

Summary:

As I had hoped, the Tigers bats were alive and well, collecting 15 base hits while earning them a 7-3 win over the Blue Jays. Miguel Cabrera went four for five with a 2-out 3-run home run in the 4th off Morrow and the Tigers did not stop there.  Prince Fielder reached base four times, with a run scoring double and Torii Hunter collected three hits en route to his 2,000th base hit as professional baseball player.  Alex Avila also added a solo home run to the stat sheet.

Sanchez continued his success from his first start by working seven strong innings, allowing just two earned runs on five hits while striking out eight.  His pitch count was elevated at 114 pitches, but he was dominant throughout.  Don Kelly helped him out by robbing a J.P. Arencibia home run in the second inning.  It was a great play and its good to see Kelly show of his good defense.  Sanchez showed great command of all his pitches and he is pitching like he did in the playoffs last year.  This is a very good sign.

Thought it was a solid win, some things could have gone better.  Benoit gave up a home run to Rasmus and a double to Adam Lind in the ninth inning.  It did not alter the outcome of the game, but Benoit needs to prove he can handle end of the game situations, regardless of the the score.  Newly appointed third base coach, Tom Brookens, made his first questionable call when he sent Hunter home.  He was thrown out at the plate with no outs in the third inning.  It probably made more sense for him to keep Hunter at third since Fielder was due up next.  It did not end up costing them the game, but it is good for Brookens to make that type of decision early in the season.

The Tigers took control of the game early by scoring a run each of the first two innings and with two out scoring.  The bats are awake and I think they'll stick around for the rest of the series.

Earned Their Stripes:

• Anibal Sanchez: Although he had a lot of pitches, he pitched seven strong innings and showed great command of all his pitches, especially his change-up.
• Miguel Cabrera: Need I say more about this guy? He continues to hit and drive in runs, especially with two outs.  He became the first player with 100 home runs in Comerica Park.
• Torii Hunter / Prince Fielder: They both continue to hit in bunches, collecting three and two hits respectively.  Hunter is also the 14th active player to reach the 2,000 base hits.
• Don Kelly: He made one heck of a catch in left field and showed that he is part of the defense for this ball club.

Declawed:

• Johnny Peralta: He finished the day hit-less, leaving eight men on base and recorded the Tiger's only strikeout of the day. 
• Joaquin Benoit: Allowed two hits, including a home run and a double in one inning of work.  He needs to buckle down and focus if he plans on closing out games for the Tigers.  His best pitch, his change-up, needs to be kept down.  When it is left up, batters hit it a long ways.
• The bottom of the order (Peralta, Kelly, Infante): They only mustered one hit in thirteen at bats, leaving 15 on base throughout the game.  The Tigers loaded the bases with zero outs in the 7th inning and failed to score.  This has become a problem for Tiger hitters and going forward, they must take advantage of bases loaded situations