Justin Verlander: Nearly a Blanco de Mayo

 ~ Tigers Sweep Astros 9-0 ~ 

 Red Wings Tonight! 

Justin Verlander
Flirts with a No-Hitter

Justin Verlander flirted with a no-hitter until the 7th inning.

It was supposed to be a special day in Houston.  They even wore special jerseys recognizing Cinco de Mayo - the festival celebration commemorating the defeat of the French Army observed by both Mexicans and Americans.  The Astros had lost 9 of their last 10 - including the last 5-in-a-row - and sheer odds were now in their favor that the spell would be broken.  But Justin Verlander had nearly made it a "Blanco de Mayo" - a no-hitter - right up until 1-out in the bottom of the 7th inning when Los Astros got their first hit. 

Justin Verlander cruised along - also getting some
defensive help - and blanked the Astros until the 7th.

The chance that Justin Verlander might get his 3rd career no-hitter was looking more and more like a real possibility until Carlos Pena singled over Omar Infante's glove with 1 out in the 7th inning.  Carlos Corporan singled again on the next play.  Credit should be given to several Tigers, notably Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Andy Dirks, who all contributed awesome defensive plays that preserved the effort until then.

Miguel Cabrera makes the throw to first.  Lying on his back!

The newly assigned American League Houston Astros now have the unfortunate distinction of having the worst record in the majors with a record of 8-24.  They also allotted Detroit it's first 4-game sweep since May 26th, 2006 which came against the Kansas City Royals.  

Prince Fielder snags a line drive and turns a double play single-handed.

It all would not have been possible without the continued success the Tigers are having with the bat, however.  Detroit collected a total of 13 hits and piled on 4 more home runs to their impressive season stats - 1 each by Brayan Pena (1), Prince Fielder (8), Omar Infante (3) and Andy Dirks (2) - all of this following the outburst Saturday night.   

Los Astros should read Loser Astros.

With the night off Monday the Tigers get a chance to relax before taking on the Washington Nationals in a 2 game set starting Tuesday, and just like us they'll be able to watch the Red Wings grapple with the Anaheim Ducks again.  Detroit maintains sole possession of 1st place in the AL Central standings by ½ game.

Tonight at The Joe is game Four
for the Red Wings..........
The Red Wings had evened the series out west with an overtime win, but the ugly loss Saturday makes the prospect of them advancing to the 2nd round in the NHL Playoffs a little less likely.  Nonetheless, we'll all be here waiting for the puck to drop at The Joe Monday evening.  Come join us!  You can see it all on the
Big H-D Screens at CUBS' A.C. in Ann Arbor!

The Wings play in Anaheim for 2 and return to the Joe for 2 and if
if you are not going we'll have it here on the Big Screens!

  Here's the Deal - You can catch BOTH the Tigers and the Red Wings on the Big H-D Screens at CUBS' A.C. in Ann Arbor during Happy Hour - Monday thru Friday from 12 Noon until 6 PM - and also.... Happy Hour II from 9:00pm 'til Midnite Mon-Thur - and enjoy $2.00 LARGE domestic drafts that are crisp, clear and cold.

 GO TIGERS!!    GO WINGS!!  

Game Notes: E_P.Fielder. LOB_Detroit 8, Houston 6. 2B_R.Santiago. HR_B.Pena (1) off P.Humber, P.Fielder (8) off P.Humber, A.Dirks (2) off P.Humber, O.Infante (3) off E.Bedard. GIDP_M.Cabrera, B.Laird. DP_Detroit 2 (P.Fielder), (R.Santiago, O.Infante and P.Fielder); Houston 1 (B.Laird, M.Gonzalez and C.Pena).  HBP_by D.Downs (B.Barnes). 
T_3:14. A_23228.
Umpires_Home,Tim Welke; First, Mike Everitt; Second, Marty Foster; Third, Scott Barry.