He’s not your ‘Mando, He’s not my ‘Mando, He’s Armando

The last time Armando Galarraga earned a victory was April 26th against the Kansas City Royals, until today that is. In the 10 starts between then and now ‘mando was 0-7 with a 7.48 ERA. He allowed at least one home run in each of those 10 starts, four times allowing two home runs. In this same span he struck out 21 batters while walking 22 and had three quality starts. Somehow Armando managed to fight off his early ineffectiveness en route to a victory and a sweep of the Cubs.

It appeared early in todays contest that the same issues would continue to plague Galarraga. He allowed a three run home run in the first inning, as he also did in his last start against Milwaukee. Galarraga has surrendered a first inning home run in three of his last four starts and has coughed up five first inning jacks in total this year. His numbers early in ballgames have been horrific this season.

Coming into this afternoons start opposing hitters were batting .363 against Galarraga in the first three innings of games he pitched, with 18 extra base hits (including 10 home runs) and 20 walks against 21 strike outs. However this time around he was able to stop the bleeding. He went on to give up three hits in the first three innings combined, while walking only one batter and recording four of his five strike outs – all of which were swinging.

Armando allowed another run in the 4th, on a Kosuke Fukudome triple, then retired seven of the remaining eight hitters he faced. In total – six innings pitched, six hits, four earned runs, one walk and five strike outs. Four of the six Cubs hits were for extra bases, which is concerning. However the aforementioned five K’s swinging is a good sign.  This was the first time all season that Galarraga won a game in which he allowed a home run. His record in day games is now 4-0. His overall line for the season now sits at 4-7 with a 5.65 ERA.

Bobby Seay and Brandon Lyon worked a scoreless inning of relief each, earning holds in the process, before Fernando Rodney came on to record his 16th save of the season. Lyon, who struggled early this season, has allowed one earned run on five hits in his last 10 appearances. Rodney was less impressive, allowing a moon shot to Micah Hoffpauir in the and a double to Fukudome before nailing down the victory by striking out the side.

The offense gave ‘Mando enough run support to win, knocking around Ted Lilly to the tune of 10 hits and six earned runs. Ramon Santiago hit his 5th home run of the season and Magglio Ordonez his 3rd, the first time he’s cleared the fence in two months. After making Magglio look bad with early fastballs Lilly made the same mistake Joel Zumaya made against Micah Hoffpauir the other night, he tried to sneak a lazy breaking ball by him. Magglio turned it and burned it into the Tigers bullpen for a two run bomb that put the Tigers ahead to stay.

Miguel Cabrera was credited with a double in the bottom of the first inning after launching a Ted Lilly pitch off the railing in right-centerfield, above the yellow line atop the fence. The instant replay definitively showed that it was a home run, but the umpiring crew did not review it. Ryan Raburn continued his hot hitting with a 3-4 performance, driving in two runs and scoring the tying run on Magglio’s home run.

The victory ups the Tigers winning streak to seven games, which as you probably have heard by now is tied for the longest streak by the team this season. Their record now sits at 41-31, with a five and a half game lead over the Twins pending the outcome of their matinee with the Brewers. Up next – three games with the Houston Astros at the juice box starting tomorrow night.

Tags: Armando Galarraga, Bobby Seay, Brandon Lyon, Cubs Swept, Fernando Rodney, Jake Fox, Magglio homers, Magglio Ordonez, Micah Hoffpauir, Miguel Cabrera, Miguel Cabrera robbed of home run, Ramon Santiago, Ryan Raburn, Ted Lilly