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Detroit baseball fans are starting to get spoiled this year, but it is well deserved after nearly 20 years of painful memories and obscurity. It is getting to the point that even when they are trailing late in the game you expect Detroit to find a way to win. Last night was more proof of that fact. After the bottom of the seventh inning it appeared the Tigers might waste another 12-strikeout performance from Jeremy Bonderman. However, some small ball, hustle and a clutch two-out hit and Bonderman suddenly was in line for the win. Bonderman became the first Detroit pitcher to have back-to-back games of 12 or more strikeouts since 1971 when Mickey Lolich struck out 14 in back-to-back games. Jeremy Bonderman only allowed an opposite field home run off the bat of Prince Fielder in the seventh. He pitched out of a bases loaded jam later in the inning to keep the game 1-0. His stuff was absolutely nasty. He only allowed four hits, walked three and at one point struck out six in a row. Bonderman continues to lower his ERA. After a couple bad outings early in the season Jeremy’s ERA was in the low fives to high fours. With his latest gem however his ERA is now 3.82. Jamie Walker retired the first batter in the eighth before giving way to Zumaya for the final two outs of the inning. Maybe the best news for the Tigers was the effort of Todd Jones, which was unexpectedly uneventful. Jones only required nine pitched to record three groundouts in a 1-2-3 ninth earning his 19th save. Back-to-back easy saves is a great sign after the bad struggles over the last few weeks. The Tigers bats struggled off Doug Davis, but they found a way to get it done in the 8th. Brandon Inge led off with a bunt single and advanced to second on a throwing error on the play. Alexis Gomex batting for Bonderman put down a sacrifice bunt to get Inge over to third. The bunt was so well placed that Gomez was going to beat it out. Corey Koskie’s throw got by the first baseman Prince Fielder and Inge scored without a throw. Two bunts…tie game. Later in the inning Polanco walked to put runners on first and second. With two outs Magglio Ordonez hit a double scoring both runners and giving Bonderman the well-deserved victory. Detroit picks up a half-game in the standing on the idle White Sox and now sit with a two game lead. The Tigers have won 9 of 10 and five in a row for the sixth time on the season. *** OEs 3 Stars of the Game *** #3 Magglio Ordonez – 1-4 with 2 RBI
#2 Todd Jones – Save (19), 1 IP, 0 Hs, 0 Rs, 0 BBs, 0 Ks, 6.75 ERA
#1 Jeremy Bonderman – Win (7), 7 IP, 4 Hs, 1 R, 3 BB, 12 Ks, 3.82 ERA  On Tap – Game 72 (47-24) @ Milwaukee Brewers (35-36) June 20th, 8:05 ET
Zach Minor (2-1, 2.65) v. Carlos Villanueva (0-0, -.--) --------------------------------------------------------
Go Tigers!!!
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