SB Nation - Dusty Ryan

Tuesday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:41:40 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Riedel - AP

I wasn't able to find a picture of Gregg Zaun blocking a pitch, but here's one of him blocking the plate from a baserunner. You get the idea.

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Some things to read while coming so close.

Thanks to Rubie for filling in yesterday while I was on my way back from a long travel weekend. I'm home now and will also write Mugs tomorrow and Thursday, health permitting: Somewhere on my travels, I managed to pick up a cold. If today's Mug drifts off into incoherence, now you know why.

The holiday week is usually a quiet one for transactions, but Adam McCalvy said the Brewers likely aren't done adding players in a recent Inbox. He also handled questions on a possible Opening Day lineup, Zach Braddock, and the roof at Miller Park.

Further proof that Gregg Zaun is a better catcher than Jason Kendall, at less than half the price: Beyond the Box Score's Catcher Block Percentage rankings have Zaun listed as the best catcher in baseball at preventing wild pitches and passed balls, adding roughly seven runs per 120 games to his value. Jason Kendall was worth roughly two runs, while Mike Rivera projected out to 5.5 runs per 120 games.

Speaking of Rivera, he's signed a minor league deal with the Yankees, with an invitation to spring training.

Meanwhile, LaTroy Hawkins has probably already finished packing and moving, because he's got plenty of experience in the field. The Northwest Indiana Post-Tribune notes that the Brewers will be Hawkins' eighth team.

Speaking of much traveled pitchers, Adam Foster of Project Prospect had an interesting note on John Halama: He faced 210 batters in winter ball and issued just three walks. Halama's Dominican team has been eliminated from postseason contention, along with Alcides Escobar and Hernan Iribarren's Venezuelan team. For more on that, plus notes on several new Brewers and the winter ball debut of Angel Salome, check out today's oversized Winter League Update.

And, while I'm self promoting, you have until 4 pm today to vote for a fifth outfielder and 4 pm tomorrow to vote for a #2 starter on our BCB All Decade Team. Also, follow us on Twitter.

Around baseball:

Blue Jays: Have reportedly reached a deal to acquire Brandon Morrow from the Mariners for pitcher Brandon League and a minor leaguer.
Braves: Signed infielder Joe Thurston to a minor league deal.
Indians: Acquired pitcher Mitch Talbot as the PTBNL in the Kelly Shoppach deal, and signed reliever Saul Rivera to a minor league deal.
Marlins: Signed utilityman Danny Richar to a minor league deal.
Nationals: Signed Jason Marquis to a two year, $15 million deal.
Padres: Acquired catcher Dusty Ryan from the Tigers for a PTBNL or cash.
Phillies: Announced plans to exercise Jimmy Rollins' option for 2011.
Pirates: Signed reliever Javier Lopez to a one year deal.
Rangers: Signed Darren Oliver to a one year deal.
Reds: Re-signed Laynce Nix and restructured and extended Scott Rolen's contract.
Tigers: Signed pitcher Phil Dumatrait and catcher (and former Brewer minor leaguer) Andy Bouchie to minor league deals.
White Sox: Claimed pitcher Freddy Dolsi off waivers from the Tigers.

I've mentioned this topic several times: sorry if you don't think it's interesting, but I find it fascinating. The Blue Jays are apparently bucking the minor league per diem trend and giving their players $25 dollars a day for meal money instead of $20 next season. The change will cost the team less than $50,000, but could go a long way towards helping their prospects get proper nutrition.

With 93 career wins, a Cy Young Award, and six straight seasons with an ERA under 4, Pete Vuckovich has a lot to be proud of from his major league career. Of course, all of that pales in comparison to his induction into the MLB Mustache Hall of Fame.

Happy birthday today to:

2003-2005 Brewer Wes Obermueller, who turns 33.
1992 Brewer Andy Allanson, who turns 48.

And a couple of belated ones I missed over the weekend:

Chris Narveson turned 28 on Sunday.
LaTroy Hawkins turned 36 yesterday.

Drink up.

Thursday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:20:18 -0000

by Brian Snyder - AP

Yes, Randy Wolf is a Brewer now.

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Some things to read while remembering that "port" is "left."

Welcome to day one of the Randy Wolf era (FanShot). He'll make $29.5 million over the next three seasons, plus an option for 2010. Reaction to the deal has come from everywhere:

Miller Park Drunk credits the Brewers for signing the best available free agent.
Master Reid of Quevedo at the Buffet says it's a gamble the Brewers had to take at this point.
Erik Manning of FanGraphs explains why this deal shouldn't be compared to the Jeff Suppan signing.
Jordan also offered his thoughts on that topic, and reasonable expectations for Wolf.
Adam McCalvy noted that Wolf's deal is the third richest for a pitcher in team history.
Jorge Says No! says the Brewers are "going for it" in 2010.
Babes Love Baseball thinks the Brewers overpaid for him.
Aaron Gleeman says he'd rather have the deal Rich Harden signed with the Rangers.
Wolf's contract inspired Rob Neyer to write a two parter on the economics of player salaries.
Meanwhile, Diamond Leung has a quote from Wolf about the divorce situation with the McCourts that might have led to Wolf's departure from Los Angeles.

But, the Brewers weren't done there: They decided to burn a little extra money by overpaying for bullpen help. The result is a two-year, $7.5 million deal for LaTroy Hawkins (FanShot). The move ensures the Brewers will have at least three pitchers in their bullpen earning more than $3.5 million next season (Hoffman, Riske and now Hawkins), as well as two pitchers with closing experience, both of which are 37 or older. Two more links on Hawkins: one good, one bad.

Aaron Gleeman notes that Hawkins has posted a 3.35 ERA over the last six seasons, in 379 innings.
Brian McTaggart quoted Hawkins as being "very disappointed" about leaving Houston, which is pretty much exactly what you don't want to hear from a guy you just threw a lot of perfectly good money at.

Both signings and a few other topics came up in Doug Melvin's MLB Network interview last night, which Tristarscoop chronicled for us, in case you missed it.

Since then, Doug Melvin's had an interesting 12 hours or so. First, a valet lost the keys to his car. Then, after presumably getting a ride back to the meetings, Melvin raised his offer to Craig Counsell. Melvin seems confident a deal will get done, and if he's saying so, that means he's pretty sure. Counsell has also spoken to the Reds, but it doesn't sound like there's much happening there.

Meanwhile, what once looked like a sure thing still isn't done: Mark Mulder remains unsigned, and now the Royals are also showing interest in his services.(h/t MLB Trade Rumors)

The Brewers also filled one more spot on their 40 man roster, selecting Indians lefty Chuck Lofgren in the Rule 5 Draft (FanShot). In a later post, Baseball America called him one of the best stories taken. It sounds like he's had a rough couple of years, but he's a big, athletic lefty who throws hard (90-93), so he's exactly the kind of pitcher the Brewers should be seeking out to work with Rick Peterson.

Can't get enough Triple G? Batter's Box Interactive has some photos from a Gregg Zaun at bat in Toronto last season. Zaun was also the starting point for today's Thursday Thinker: stop back for that at noon.

You still have a few hours to cast your vote for a second baseman on our BCB All Decade Team. Voting for that position closes at 4 today. Prince Fielder officially became the first Brewer elected to the team yesterday. Voting for a shortstop opened yesterday and closes at 4 tomorrow. Voting at third base, perhaps the most ~~depressing~~ interesting choice on the team, will open at 4 today.

Around baseball:

Astros: Acquired reliever Matt Lindstrom from the Marlins for two minor leaguers and a PTBNL, and signed Brandon Lyon to a three year, $15 million deal.
Mariners: Signed Corey Patterson to a minor league deal. (FanShot) Also re-signed infielder Josh Wilson.
Mets: Re-negotiated their contract with Henry Blanco, due to concerns over the health of his shoulder.
Orioles: Acquired Kevin Millwood from the Rangers for reliever Chris Ray and a PTBNL.
Padres: Released pitcher Eulogio de la Cruz.
Rangers: Agreed to terms on a one year, $7.5 million deal with Rich Harden, with a club option for 2011 and acquired Mike Lowell from the Red Sox for catcher Max Ramirez.
Rays: Acquired Rafael Soriano from the Braves for reliever Jesse Chavez.
Red Sox: Acquired Boof Bonser from the Twins for a PTBNL or cash.
Royals: Released Mike Jacobs and pitcher John Bale
Tigers: Designated pitcher Freddy Dolsi and catcher Dusty Ryan for assignment.

Two former Brewers continue to search for work, and for once I'd rather have Jay Gibbons. Jason Kendall has received a two-year offer from the Royals, while Gibbons is drawing interest from the Dodgers.

While some players are looking for new teams. J.J. Hardy is busy making friends with his. He recently played in Harmon Killebrew's golf tournament, and the Hall of Famer had some nice things to say about him.

Easily the biggest trade at the meetings so far has been the three way deal involving the Tigers, Yankees and D-Backs. A lot of people are burying Arizona for giving up on Max Scherzer, but Patrick Sullivan of The Baseball Analysts and I agree: The Diamondbacks might come out ahead in this deal, trading a pitcher with an unsure future for two that might pitch in their rotation this season. Meanwhile, no one seems to mention that the Yankees traded two starters and a center fielder for one player.

Ever wonder what folks in minor league front offices do during the offseason? I don't know, but the Timber Rattlers' premiere episode of The Offseason would suggest they have some time on their hands.

With Jason Kendall gone, I guess we probably won't be talking about plunkings as much, and that's probably ok. With that said, Jeremy Greenhouse of The Baseball Analysts has a look at the probability of getting hit by a pitch, and what matchups and velocities make a batter most likely to get plunked.

It's been a pretty busy week at the Winter Meetings, and the flow of information has been dizzying at times. Just imagine how fast information would flow out if the internet was working.

Still looking for a gift for someone this holiday season? I might have a suggestion for you. Boys of Summer is a documentary chronicling Robert Cochrane and his father's summer long road trip to visit all 30 major league parks. The film is now available on DVD for the first time, with all proceeds going to the Michael J. Fox Foundation to help support research on Parkinson's Disease.

On this day in 1986, the Brewers sent Tim Crews and Tim Leary to the Dodgers for first baseman Greg Brock. Brock would go on to hit .261/.348/.387 over five seasons as a Brewer.

Happy birthday today to Doug Henry, who turns 46. Henry pitched the first four seasons of his major league career (1991-1994) as a Brewer, racking up 61 saves.

Drink up.

Freddy Dolsi, Dusty Ryan Designated For Assignment

Ian Casselberry — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:40:56 -0000

After acquiring four players in yesterday's blockbuster trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Tigers needed to clear two more spots on their 40-man roster. And with the deal becoming official this afternoon, the team designated pitcher Freddy Dolsi and catcher Dusty Ryan for assignment to accommodate the bushel of young talent coming to Detroit.

Dolsi pitched in only nine games with the Tigers this season, compiling a 1.69 ERA in 10.2 innings. (In 2008, he appeared in 42 games.) His last outing with Detroit was rather awful, giving up three hits and three walks in just 1.1 innings against Boston.

Ryan appeared in 12 games, batting.154/.267/.192 with four RBIs. Despite a pretty strong finish to 2008 (.880 OPS in 50 plate appearances), he could never break his way into the lineup. Perhaps defense was the main concern, as Jim Leyland leaned heavily on Gerald Laird throughout the season. But once Alex Avila was called up, and showed some impressive power, there was no room for Ryan.

If both players clear waivers, they could return to the Tigers organization. But the question now becomes whether or not the Tigers will make another move to clear a spot or two before tomorrow's Rule 5 Draft.

(via Jason Beck and Mark Anderson on Twitter)

Tigers Need Room on 40-Man Roster: Who Goes Next?

Ian Casselberry — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:00:15 -0000

More photos » by Gary Malerba - AP

Could Bobby Seay be the next player to be trimmed from the Detroit Tigers' roster?

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On his Twitter feed earlier tonight, Jon Paul Morosi pointed out that the Tigers' 40-man roster was full before Tuesday's trade. So with Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson moving over to new teams, and Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth, Austin Jackson, and Phil Coke coming to Detroit, there are now 42 players on the roster.

A source told Morosi that Bobby Seay, Jeff Larish, and Dusty Ryan are now available. Seay seems like a candidate to be non-tendered, with all of the left-handed relievers that the Tigers now have. Ryan also could be expendable, with the signing of Robinzon Diaz. And Larish just doesn't seem to have a very high stock in the organization right now. There's no buzz about him, giving the impression that the team has given up on him.

The Tigers probably want to clear at least one spot before Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, unless they're just not interested in selecting any available players.

The implication from Morosi's report is that Detroit would like to deal off Seay, Larish, or Ryan in the remaining two days of the Winter Meetings. But as The Detroit Tigers Weblog points out, couldn't the team also release any players that could've been left unprotected three weeks ago, such as Dontrelle Willis or Don Kelly?

I know the smoke still hasn't cleared from the big trade, but it's becoming increasingly apparent that the Tigers probably aren't done making moves this week. So who could go? Who should go?

EDIT: It would probably be helpful to link to the Tigers' 40-man roster. Sorry about that.

The Rookies Who Aren't

TheJay — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:00:16 -0000

Determining rookie status:

A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list).

The first part of the definition of a rookie in Major League Baseball is straightforward. Once a player reaches 131 at bats or 50 1/3 innings pitched, he's no longer a rookie. The second part is a little trickier. After all, service time numbers are hard to find. They generally come out once each year, in team media guides. Add in the fact that you have to subtract time in the major leagues after September 1st and on the disabled list and it's even harder to figure out who is truly a rookie.

It has already been mentioned this offseason that Mat Gamel eclipsed 45 days of service time before September. Gamel was recalled from Nashville on May 14th and optioned back on July 20th, giving him 67 days on the active roster during the "period of 25-player limit." So, even though he sits at 130 career at bats, the same number Scott Rolen had going into his Rookie of the Year season, Gamel cannot win the Rookie of the Year award (though that might not stop him from getting votes).

Gamel isn't the only such little-used non-rookie in the Brewers organization. Raise your hand if you realized Hernan Iribarren has 48 days of major league service time, all before September 1. Iribarren spent 20 days on the major league roster in April and June 2008, picking up 14 at bats. He spent 28 days in the majors in 2009, batting a mere 13 times. I'm going to go out on a limb and predict he wasn't going to win the 2010 Rookie of the Year Award anyway.

New Brewer George Kottaras also enters 2010 off the list of rookie players. He spent all of 2009 in the majors with the Red Sox, playing in 45 games with 93 at bats. Though he spent the month of August on the disabled list, he gave up his 2010 rookie status in mid-May.

Gamel, Iribarren, and Kottaras are not the only little-used rookies. Follow the jump for a list of all such position players to appear in the majors in 2008 or 2009. Please note it is lengthy and full of guys who have no chance at winning an award anyway. I will post a list of pitchers in the next few days.

Non-Rookies with 130 or fewer career AB:

Mat Gamel, 130 career AB
Joaquin Arias, 129 AB
Argenis Reyes, 127 AB
Jose Morales, 122 AB
Ivan Ochoa*, 120 AB
Michel Hernandez, 118 AB
Curtis Thigpen*, 118 AB
Ramiro Pena, 115 AB
Josh Whitesell, 115 AB
Luke Carlin, 112 AB
Chris Gimenez, 111 AB
Tyler Greene, 108 AB
Sam Fuld, 103 AB
Reid Brignac, 100 AB
Francisco Cervelli, 99 AB
George Kottaras, 98 AB
Freddy Guzman, 95 AB
Robinson Cancel, 94 AB
Guillermo Rodriguez, 92 AB
Steve Holm, 91 AB
Justin Ruggiano*, 90 AB
Nathan Haynes*, 89 AB
Diory Hernandez, 85 AB
Don Kelly, 83 AB
Dane Sardinha, 80 AB
Luis Maza*, 79 AB
Paul Hoover, 78 AB
Edwin Maysonet, 76 AB
Dusty Ryan, 70 AB
Clint Sammons, 68 AB
Tug Hulett, 67 AB
Drew Sutton, 66 AB
J.R. House*, 60 AB
John Mayberry, 57 AB
Gregorio Petit, 54 AB
Brian Myrow*, 51 AB
Chris Stewart*, 48 AB
Justin Christian*, 40 AB
Travis Denker*, 37 AB
Gustavo Molina*, 34 AB
Hernan Iribarren, 27 AB
Ryan Budde, 23 AB

* - last appeared in the majors in 2008

I warned you. If I missed anyone or included someone who should not be on the list, let me know in the comments.

Bonderman Among Tigers' Six Minor League Call-Ups

Ian Casselberry — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:01:20 -0000

More photos » by Duane Burleson - AP

Jeremy Bonderman gets another chance to sit next to Edwin Jackson in the Detroit Tigers' dugout, as one of six players the team called up from the minors.

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The Detroit Tigers will add six players from the minors, once rosters can officially expand tomorrow. Pitchers Jeremy Bonderman, Eddie Bonine, and Casey Fien, along with outfielder Wilkin Ramirez, catcher Dusty Ryan, and shortstop Brent Dlugach, are the minor league call-ups. Jason Beck reported the names via Twitter.

All three pitchers had earlier stints with the Tigers this season. Bonderman allowed six runs (and three homers) in four innings for a spot start in early June. Bonine posted a 7.07 ERA in five appearances, though allowed three runs over seven innings for a start in late July. And Fien compiled a 9.00 ERA in four games, also in late July.

Bonderman finished his minor league rehab assignment with a 2-4 record and 3.95 ERA. He struck out 30 batters and walked eight in 41 innings. Bonine's record with the Mud Hens was 4-5 with a 4.41 ERA in 17 starts. And Fien pitched in 42 games for Toledo, notching 14 saves and 66 strikeouts (with 15 walks) in 55 innings.

On the position side, Ramirez had two one-and-done call-ups earlier this season. In his first game, he hit an impressive home run into Comerica Park's centerfield shrubs for his first major league hit. The second time around, he went 0-for-3. Ryan didn't see much game action as the back-up catcher, getting into 11 games and batting .160/.276/.200. But bringing him back allows the Tigers to use Alex Avila as a pinch-hitter more often, rather than holding him back in case of emergency.

This season with Toledo, Ramirez hit .258/.326/.444 with 17 homers and 51 RBIs, playing mostly in left field. Ryan batted .261/.361/.462 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs. And Dlugach compiled a .294/.348/.448 average, adding nine homers and driving in 59 runs.

Dlugach wasn't on the Tigers' 40-man roster, so the team has to make a move to accommodate him. I'm assuming Jeff Larish will be shuffled to the 60-day disabled list in light of his wrist surgery to clear a spot.

EDIT (11:25 a.m.): Michael Hollimon was moved to the 60-day DL. (Thanks to TMadison25 for posting this in the comments.)

The Alex Avila Era Now Begins

Ian Casselberry — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:30:32 -0000

More photos » by David J. Phillip - AP

If it wasn't captured in a photograph, would you have remembered that Dusty Ryan actually played in an occasional game for the Detroit Tigers?

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The Detroit Tigers' 8-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles quickly became the second story of the night, as the team announced several roster moves following the game. Hello and goodbye, Wilkin Ramirez. He was sent back down to Toledo, along with catcher Dusty Ryan.

Pitcher Chris Lambert takes the bullpen spot that opened up when Casey Fien was demoted earlier today. But the big surprise is who's taking over for Ryan as back-up catcher. Alex Avila, probably the top prospect in the minor league system right now, is being called up from Double-A Erie.

This season with the Seawolves, Avila batted .264/.365/.450 with 12 homers and 55 RBIs. From all accounts, his left-handed bat is major league ready, but it's his defense that needs work. (Unfortunately, I can't really find any numbers to support that.) So is playing back-up to Gerald Laird really going to help him with that? Or is this an indication that Laird is about to lose some playing time? Another theory is that Avila could see some time at DH, if Carlos Guillen is ready to play left field.

But doesn't this feel like calling up Cameron Maybin in 2007? Too soon? And probably too desperate, as well?

(demondeaconsbaseball has more thoughts on Avila in the comments of our last post.)

Lambert, meanwhile, compiled a 6-7 record and 3.55 ERA, adding 106 strikeouts and 31 walks in 126.2 innings. But in his last 10 starts, he's 4-2 with a 2.07 ERA, which is probably why he got the promotion. (And it's probably a temporary one, until the Tigers figure out what they can get out of Jeremy Bonderman and Nate Robertson.)

When these roster moves were announced, my initial thought was that I didn't understand calling up Ramirez at all. What was the point? But if you thought he was in the Tigers' lineup tonight solely to face a left-handed phenom, then you're probably correct. I mean, isn't it completely obvious after another one-and-done big league appearance?

I'm guessing that Detroit was ready to swap Fien for Lambert, but saw an opportunity to go with a short-handed bullpen with Jarrod Washburn presumably set to pitch deep into the ballgame. And with an unfamiliar Brian Matusz pitching for the Orioles, why not bring in another right-handed bat? Unfortunately, Washburn gave up six runs and Ramirez went 0-for-3, so neither move ended up working out for the Tigers.

And where exactly does Dusty Ryan stand in the Tigers' organization? (Billfer doesn't see much of a future for him.) He was supposed to give Detroit some more punch in the back-up catcher role, right? Hitting .160/.276/.200 hardly provided that. Yet Ryan only played in 11 games since joining the team in mid-June. Did Jim Leyland just not trust his defense? Did he think he could turn Laird's bat around by keeping him in the lineup? Instead, Laird wore down and Ryan become a non-factor.

So what do you think? Is the air thick with desperation around Comerica Park? Would you have liked to see Ramirez remain with the big league club? Is calling up Avila too hasty a move, or does the excitement of getting to see the Tigers' top prospect overshadow that concern?

Deflated, Defeated: Rangers 7, Tigers 3

Ian Casselberry — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:00:09 -0000

More photos » by Tom Pennington - AP

Miguel Cabrera is about to lay flat on the ground here, which pretty much describes the Detroit Tigers' effort after the second inning.

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If the Tigers aren't going to put much effort into trying to win a game, how much effort should I put into a recap?

This one started off promisingly, with Detroit pouncing on an early scoring opportunity, instead of frittering away yet another chance. With two on and two out, Ramon Santiago smacked a double into the opposite field gap to drive in the first run of the game. Then Dusty Ryan followed that up with a single that brought in two more runs. A three-run lead for Luke French!

French got so excited that he gave the lead right back in the bottom half of the inning. With two outs in the inning, but two runners on, three straight Ranger batters got base hits. A single, triple, and double, to be specific. French almost gave up the cycle in one inning. What he did give up was four runs, and the Tigers went flat after that.

Detroit put two runners on to lead off the fourth, but the next three hitters went down. And from then until the ninth inning, another 12 Tigers batters failed to reach base. Perhaps adding to the indignity was former Tiger Jason Grilli recording six of those outs in the fifth and sixth innings, which turned out to be good for the win. (Another former Tiger, Guillermo Moscoso, closed out the game in the ninth.) Throw in three errors, and that pretty much sums up the night. It wasn't pretty.

Comment of the Night:

On the bright side...

We’ve only left 4 guys on base!

by SabreRoseTiger

And your runner-up, but you have to read the comment directly before it for context.

Cuddyer and Morneau Homer, but Punto Wins It

Jesse — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:58:57 -0000

More photos » by Jim Mone - AP

5 months ago: Minnesota Twins' Francisco Liriano pitches against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 4, 2009 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

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That's right, LNP delivered on what would be the game's deciding run.

For six innings on Saturday afternoon, Francisco Liriano was the ace of the team. He was striking guys out, the walks weren't an issue and he set himself up to go seven innings by being efficient with pitch counts (at least after the second inning). He was fun to watch, especially because for most of it he was out-duelling Detroit starter Edwin Jackson.

The Twins struck first in this one, witnessing solo shots from Michael Cuddyer (his 13th) and Justin Morneau (20th) as Liriano strung together zeroes. A great diving stop at the hot corner by Brian Buscher here (completely horizontal and a great reaction play) and a couple of strikeouts there (and there, and there, and there, and...), and Minnesota was playing the complete game. Sure, it was moving slowly at times, but at least the Twins were winning.

And so it came to pass that with 90 pitches under his belt through six innings, and following on from Friday night/Saturday morning's fiasco with all the arms, Cisco came out for the seventh inning with a 2-0 lead. Consecutive singles preceeded a strikeout of Brandon Inge (who went down on strikes three times), and that preceeded a Maggio Ordonez three run blast (his fourth this year). Liriano had faced four batters that inning up to this point, and the three who weren't retired all succeeded on just one pitch. Magglio's was a fastball that was up and caught way, way, way too much of the plate. Denard Span tracked it back to the wall, but could do nothing about it.

Detroit took a 3-2 lead, leaving Liriano bent over, hands on his knees. The disappointment was evident on his face and in his body language, and it was at this point that I thought to myself: He needs to stay in there and finish the inning. He needs to prove that he can do it.

It's the quiet battles that mean the most, and whether this was one of those moments for Liriano or not, it was still a big situation for him. He'd pitched very well, and lost it all on one mistake pitch to a struggling veteran outfielder. It can be a worse feeling than being the culprit in a blow-out, because that big shining team 'W' was in sight. Would he be able to be the man who pitched in June and step up and finish the inning? Or would he revert to who he'd been in April and May?

While it did appear at first that he was about to lose it, walking Adam Everett on four pitches after getting a quick ground-out, it was Liriano's instincts that got him out of the inning and not his slider. He caught Everett too far off the bag, throwing to Morneau who threw to Harris, who easily applied the tag at secodn on a sliding Everett to end the inning and the threat.

The offense was equal to the momentum shift, and returned fire immediately. Span walked, Joe Mauer singled up the middle and then Morneau came through again, plating Denard to knot the game back up at three. But it wasn't until the bottom of the eighth inning that it all came to a head.

Buscher singled off Tiger reliever Brandon Lyon, shocking a hard-hit liner into the left-center field gap. A faster runner might have had a double, but Ryan Raburn held him to a single. Catcher Jose Morales failed in bunting him forward, but succeeded in advancing Matt Tolbert (who was running for Buscher) on a ground-out. Then stepped in the hero of the game. With Joe Crede and Delmon Young still on the bench, Ron Gardenhire stuck with Nick Punto. And little Nicky delivered! Hit in the air the ball died, falling just over the out-stretched glove of Everett (who's a big boy now, did you know?) and rolling into shallow left field.

The ball slowed just enough on bouncing to the turf to enable Tolbert to round third base with a full head of steam. Raburn again fielded the ball, and with a strong relay to the plate made it a close play. Tiger catcher Dusty Ryan fielded the ball just in front of home. Tolbert slide do the outside, reaching in with his left hand while sliding by the plate, dragging his fingers across the dish. Ryan's swipe tag was wide and slow, in an effort to reach out to tag Tolbert somewhere, anywhere, but it was too late.

Both Matt Guerrier and Joe Nathan came on after the seventh to lock it up, and that's exactly what they did. Each of their performances couldn't mean more in a game like today under the circumstances, but it was Liriano's ability to go a full seven innings that makes the pitcher's part of the tale for the day.

Back in the win column and a pair of games back over .500, Minnesota's in position to take another series tomorrow afternoon. We'll see you there!

Stars of the Game
#3: Francisco Liriano (7 IP, 5 H, 8 K, 2 BB, 3 R, -.086 WPA)
#2: Justin Morneau (4-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, R, .358 WPA)
#1: Nick Punto (2-for-3, RBI, BB, .239 WPA)

Dusty Ryan Getting the Call

Ian Casselberry — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:46:04 -0000

Lee at Tiger Tales has heard from a source close to the Detroit Tigers that catcher Dusty Ryan has been called up from Triple-A Toledo.

No word yet on whether or not Dane Sardinha has been sent down to Toledo, but you would think that's the logical move. However, with Dontrelle Willis placed on the DL yesterday and Alfredo Figaro not being called up until Saturday, the Tigers have an extra roster spot for the day.

This season with the Mud Hens, Ryan has a .259/.374/.442 average with seven homers and 23 RBIs in 175 plate apperances. Sardinha is batting .097/.091/.129 with three RBIs in 34 plate appearances. That kind of performance has surely led Jim Leyland to depend too heavily on Gerald Laird, and it's become pretty apparent that the workload is wearing him down, as his offensive numbers (.215/.315/.308) are steadily deteriorating.

(Hat tip to Billfer, who notified me of the news via instant message)

UPDATE: The Tigers confirmed this transaction in their Official Press Notes.