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[kalinecountry]

Ausmus enjoying time near home in Del Mar.
Brad Ausmus had been looking forward to his day off at home in nearby Del Mar for weeks, and he was openly hoping he could surf the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The Tigers manager's actual off-day was a little more mundane.

"When I was walking my dog, I looked at the surf," he said. "It was too small. It wasn't worth it."
He wasn't kidding. The 44-year-old still surfs, and he was hoping to get his first chance to hit the waves in months. While smaller waves might sound easier and safer, Ausmus argued it's the opposite.

"When the waves are small, it's a little more dangerous, because the water's more shallow," he said. "You can fall off and twist a knee or hit your head on the sandbar. When the waves are a little bit bigger, it's deeper water. Now, there is a bigger risk of death when the waves get bigger, but the risk of injury probably lower."

His off-day wasn't a waste, not by a long shot. He had a cookout at his house for much of the Tigers' traveling party.

"It wasn't just the coaching staff, but also the strength coaches, the trainers, Dave Dombrowski, the bullpen catchers, everybody," Ausmus said. "We probably had about 25 people, even some wives and some children that were out here."
from the Tigers official site

 

[kalinecountry]

Smyly returns to starting rotation on Wednesday.
Drew Smyly reprised his role as bullpen savior Wednesday against the Dodgers, but his relief stint will come to an end in the next couple days. Manager Brad Ausmus said the left-hander is tentatively scheduled to return to the rotation and start Wednesday against Cleveland at Comerica Park.
"That's the plan right now," Ausmus said.

It's a few days earlier than expected. The Tigers could go without a fifth starter until next Saturday if they wanted. By returning Smyly early, however, he matches up against an Indians lineup that leans heavily toward left-handed batters and switch-hitters. The only purely right-handed hitter in Cleveland's regular batting order is catcher Yan Gomes.

Correspondingly, the Indians entered Friday batting just .192 with a .542 OPS against left-handed pitching, compared with .265 and .764 off right-handers.

Smyly delivered three scoreless innings against the Dodgers on Wednesday, facing the minimum nine batters. It was eerily similar to his early-season bullpen success last year, which eventually elevated him from long reliever to setup man and left-handed specialist.

"It's a unique situation," Ausmus said of Smyly. "He's supposed to be one of our starters and because of the schedule, we can use him in the bullpen. Fortunately, we've been able to use him in spots where he's gone multiple innings, so we've taken advantage of that during this two-week stretch.

"But he's been outstanding. He doesn't seem to get rattled by big situations. I think you could pitch him three innings or you could pitch him in the bottom of the ninth, and I don't think it would change his demeanor."
from the Tigers official site

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2014/04/tigers_padres.html
Padres 6 - Tigers 0: Detroit finishes with just one hit, 11 strikeouts in first shutout loss of season.
from Mlive

http://www.freep.com/article/20140412/SPORTS02/304120037/detroit-tigers-san-diego-padres
San Diego 6 - Detroit 0: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers can't solve struggles in dominant pitching performance.
from the freep

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/...era-not-swing-things-Tigers-held-one-hit-loss
Padres 6 - Tigers 0: Cabrera not in swing of things as Tigers held to one hit in loss.
from the detnews

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/inde...014_04_11_detmlb_sdnmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=det
Tigers' offense shut down by brilliant Cashner and turd home plate ump.
Tigers manage just one hit while Miggy tries to fix swing.
from the Tigers official site

http://newenglishd.com/2014/04/12/how-was-the-game-april-11-2014/
How Was The Game? (April 11, 2014).
from the NewEnglishD-Tigersblog

www.blessyouboys.com/2014/4/12/5606...dew-cashner-strikes-out-11-in-one-hit-shutout
Padres 6 - Tigers 0: Dominant Andrew Cashner strikes out 11 in one-hit shutout.
from bybtb

http://motorcitybengals.com/2014/04/12/padres-cashman-dominates-detroit-tigers-offense/
Padres? Cashner Dominates Detroit Tigers? Offense in 6-0 Loss.
from mcbtb

 

[kalinecountry]

April 12 in Tigers and mlb history:

1916 - The Cleveland Indians acquire outfielder Tris Speaker from the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Sad Sam Jones, minor league infielder Fred Thomas, and $55,000 cash. This season, Speaker will lead the American League in batting (.386), slugging (.502), on-base percentage (.470), hits (211), doubles (41), and total bases (287).

1922 - There are no playing managers in the National League for the first time since 1900. Long considered an economic necessity, the dual role is no longer essential. It will be 1930 before the American League has a year with all bench managers.

1960: The Detroit Tigers make one of their best trades ever, acquiring Norm Cash from the Cleveland Indians for Steve Demeter. In 1961, Cash will lead the American League with a .361 batting average, and will go on to hit 373 home runs for the Tigers in 14 seasons.

2003 - The Detroit Tigers win for the first time this season, getting a three-run home run from Shane Halter to beat the Chicago White Sox, 4 - 3. The Tigers (1-9), the only team since 1900 to start back-to-back seasons with nine straight losses, started 0-11 in 2002.

Tigers players birthdays:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/postle01.shtml
Lew Post 1902.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bailebi01.shtml
Bill Bailey 1918.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcnaier01.shtml
Eric McNair 1941-1942.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wilsoja01.shtml
Jack Wilson 1942.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Charlie_Lau
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lauch01.shtml
Charlie Lau 1956, 1958-1959.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/frymawo01.shtml
Woodie Fryman 1972-1974.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Brennan_Boesch
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/boescbr01.shtml
Brennan Boesch 2010-2012.

Tigers players, coaches, and managers who passed away:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Frank_Skaff
http://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/skafffr01.shtml
Frank Skaff coach 1965-1966, 1971, manager 1966.

from Baseball Reference

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2014/04/miguel_cabrera_continues_to_st.html
Miguel Cabrera continues to struggle offensively in series opener: 'I need to work on my swing'.
from Mlive

http://beck.mlblogs.com/2014/04/12/game-8-cabrera-says-his-swing-is-terrible/
Game 8: Cabrera says his swing is ?terrible?.
from JasonBeck'sTigersblog

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.highheatstats.com/2014/04/winning-with-war-whether-to-build-or-to-buy/
Winning with WAR: whether to build or to buy?
from HighHeatStats

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2014/4/11/5574276/the-best-non-opening-day-starters-max-scherzer
The best non-Opening Day starters.
from beyondtheboxscore

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2014/4/11/5599336/justin-verlander-tigers-2014-woba-split-concern
Justin Verlander's wOBA split: Cause for concern?
from beyondtheboxscore

 

[kalinecountry]

http://blog.detroitathletic.com/2014/04/12/lessons-from-sparky-5-ways-successful-happy-life/
Lessons from Sparky Anderson:
5 Leadership Tips for Success + Happiness.
from Detroit Athletic

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on...has-strong-words-for-tigers-closer-joe-nathan
Denny McLain has strong words for Tigers closer Joe Nathan.
from cbssports

 

[kalinecountry]

JustinVerlander on the bump today with two interesting trends: Winningest pitcher in interleague history (.913), and still hitless (0/26).

 

[kalinecountry]

JustinVerlander on the bump today with two interesting trends: Winningest pitcher in interleague history (.913), and still hitless (0/26).

 

[kalinecountry]

http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.j...956848.3956856&partnerId=ed-8064974-670215183
Detroit Tigers 5"x7" Framed Tigers Stadium Box Seat Swatch.

 

[kalinecountry]

Castellanos back as Tigers rest Martinez.
No, Brad Ausmus hadn't forgotten about Nick Castellanos. But he wasn't going to sit Victor Martinez to play him on most Interleague nights. Saturday was the night.
While Martinez got a night off, Castellanos, rated Detroit's No. 1 prospect this year by MLB.com, returned to his normal post at third base, with Miguel Cabrera back at first. It was his second start in four games on this trip and the latest in the juggling act Ausmus has tried to play to keep hitters from gathering rust without the DH.
"The juggling here is not having guys sit too long," Ausmus said. "I mean, Nick hasn't done anything to deserve not to play. It's just the National League format and the way our roster is set up for an American League format."
Martinez will return to the lineup for Sunday's series finale, Ausmus said, though before Saturday's game it was unclear at which position. It would not be a surprise if he got back behind the plate to catch Max Scherzer, one of the pitchers he caught in Spring Training.
from the Tigers official site

Hunter returns to Tigers' lineup vs. Padres.
Torii Hunter returned to the Tigers' lineup Saturday after missing the previous two games with a bruised left knee.
"We were hoping he would play yesterday, but it was just a case where his knee wouldn't allow him to play right field," manager Brad Ausmus said. "As the old saying goes, [he was] day to day, and today's the day that he can play. Like Dr. Seuss."
Hunter's return brought a cascade effect down the rest of the lineup. With Hunter batting third after Rajai Davis and Ian Kinsler, Miguel Cabrera moved back to cleanup. It also gave the Tigers a little flexibility to sit Victor Martinez, who had been shuffling between catcher and first base with no DH slot in National League parks.
from the Tigers official site

 

[kalinecountry]

When hits dry up, Tigers turn to baserunning.
Rajai Davis went first to third without a ball in play Friday night.
The Tigers hadn't made solid contact on an Andrew Cashner pitch Friday night until Rajai Davis sent a line drive through the middle with one out in the sixth inning. They didn't need to make solid contact, or any contact, to get him to third.

Within five pitches, Davis had stolen two bases, and the previously focused Cashner had walked Ian Kinsler. Though Cashner regrouped to get an inning-ending double play from Miguel Cabrera, the rally became Exhibit A of what aggressive baserunning can mean to a team struggling to produce offense.

It was the third time in two games that a Tigers hitter went from first to third with less than two outs without a ball put in play. Ian Kinsler did it twice Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, swiping second and third on Josh Beckett before a wild pitch and a throwing error advanced him in the seventh inning. Both times, Kinsler scored on sacrifice flies.

"I've seen a lot of good things on the bases in the first eight games," manager Brad Ausmus said Saturday. "We put an emphasis on it in Spring Training. The key is to re-emphasize, remind and make sure that we continue to have this frame of mind once we've left home plate. Force the defense to make the play; try to go the extra 90 feet on a pitch or the extra 180 feet on a batted ball."

Kinsler's steals came early in a scoreless game against a slow pitcher to home. Davis' steals came at a time when everyone expected the Tigers to try to manufacture some offense, having failed to do so for the first five innings.

"I think Jim Leyland said it to me: You know a guy's a basestealer when everyone in the stadium knows he's trying to steal a base and he still does," Ausmus said. "When he gets on base, he can change not only the way the game goes, but the pitcher's frame of mind. The pitcher's now concentrating on two things as opposed to one. When he's on base, he can be an issue for an opposing team."

That said, don't expect Davis to do so from the leadoff spot for much longer. Ausmus reiterated his plans to move Davis back toward the bottom of the order once the team returns home for American League play and the designated hitter rules next week.

"More than likely, when we get back to the American League format, he'll go back to the nine hole," Ausmus said, "because I really do prefer Miggy hitting third on a regular basis."
from the Tigers official site

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers' Kelly OK after crash into outfield wall.
Don Kelly woke up Saturday morning no longer experiencing a headache from his Friday night crash into the right-field fence at Petco Park. The rest of his body didn't fare so well.

"All over sore," he said. "Shoulder, knee, the whole right side."

Kelly was still available off the bench for Saturday night's game against the Padres, but Torii Hunter's return to right field rendered moot any question of his being able to start.

"He's a tough nut," manager Brad Ausmus said.

It was Kelly's second crash into a right-field fence in four days, and the third by a Tigers right fielder. The previous two had come at Dodger Stadium, where the barriers are shorter but the outfield territory is a little cozier.

At Petco Park, the right-field fence is larger and includes a video board. Kelly ran into a wire mesh screen in front of the board that some compared to a chain-link fence. He crashed into it first with his head, then with his right side, as he ran after Jedd Gyorko's first-inning drive to the warning track.

Kelly stayed in the game and passed an early concussion test, though he acknowledged he had a headache.

"That was the thing that hurt the most at the beginning," Kelly said. "But as the game went on, it started getting a little tighter."
from the Tigers official site

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2014/04/brad_ausmus_explains_why_he_is.html
Brad Ausmus explains why he is not starting Nick Castellanos in left field: 'It wouldn't be fair to him'.
from Mlive

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.freep.com/article/201404...sor-Tigers-cold-relievers-plenty-time-heat-up
Tigers' cold relievers have plenty of time to heat up.
from the freep

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2014/04/padres_tigers.html
Tigers 6 - Padres 2: Miguel Cabrera has RBI double; Justin Verlander gets first two career hits.
from Mlive

http://www.freep.com/article/201404...Diego-2-Tigers-Verlander-hit-his-1st-win-year
Detroit 6 - San Diego 2: Tigers' Justin Verlander a hit in his 1st win of year.
from the freep

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/...tin-Verlander-pitches-hits-Tigers-past-Padres
Tigers 6 - Padres 2: Justin Verlander pitches -- and hits! -- Tigers past Padres.
from the detnews

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/inde...014_04_12_detmlb_sdnmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=det
Verlander ends hitless streak in first 2014 win.
Tigers starter pitches seven frames while belting first two MLB hits.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/inde...d=det#gid=2014_04_12_detmlb_sdnmlb_1&mode=box
Boxscore.
from the Tigers official site

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/4/13/5608908/tigers-6-padres-2-justin-verlander-first-career-hit
Tigers 6 - Padres 2: Justin Verlander, hitting machine, earns first win of season.
from bybtb

http://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/4/...er-first-career-hit-detroit-tigers/in/5371621
Justin Verlander has first two career hits, scores a run.
from bybtb

http://newenglishd.com/2014/04/12/how-was-the-game-april-12-2014/
How Was The Game? (April 12, 2014).
from the NewEnglishD-Tigersblog