Rejuvenated Tigers slugger Magglio Ordonez fractured his right ankle during a close play at the plate in tonight’s 3-2 loss to the Blue Jays. Maggs will be out 6-8 weeks, putting a big dent in the Tigers’ playoff hopes.
Another factor to the injury (other than there being a gigantic hole in the Tigers lineup) is Magglio’s contract. Now it looks like Maggs won’t have enough time to reach the 1,080 combined plate appearances between 2009 and 2010 that he needs for a $15 million contract option to kick in next year. Don’t get too excited about other free agents though; the team can activate that option if they wish, and Maggs reportedly has a great relationship with the Tigers’ front office. I would be very surprised if Magglio isn’t in Detroit next season.
Click after the jump for more on tonight’s game…
As for the game itself, the Tigers weren’t able to get much offense going both before and after Maggs’ injury. Hits weren’t the problem (they had 10), but the timing was; the Tigers were just 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Ryan Raburn continues to suck (but you already knew that).
MORE INJURED TIGERS
Carlos Guillen also left the game in the 6th inning with a calf strain. With his injury history, expect him to hit the DL in about a week. I hope I’m wrong though.
UPDATE: That was quicker than I thought. Guillen will be placed on the 15-day disabled list tomorrow, which is still technically “next week.” Damn, I’m good.
TRIPLE CROWN WATCH
Cabrera continued to tear the cover off the ball, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI. He’s pulled within .003 of AL batting average leader Josh Hamilton. Miguel still leads the AL with 86 RBI. He’s on pace for 145 by season’s end, but that could easily become a 150+ pace if he continues to hit well.
LOOKS AT THE ROOKS
Austin Jackson is making the Rookie of the Year race interesting again; he went 3-for-5 tonight, but he was gunned down by Toronto C John Buck on a steal attempt.
Scott Sizemore had a big RBI single in the 6th inning, but he struck out with two runners on base in the 8th inning.
Brennan Boesch and Danny Worth continued to struggle, going a combined 0-for-7. Boesch at least had a walk.
ESPN IS THE ENEMY
The Tigers are playing a double header tomorrow to make up for last night’s rain out. The second game, starting at 6:05 pm, will not be on TV due to ESPN’s Sunday night exclusivity agreement with the MLB.
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