Rick Helling threw a 6 hit complete game win. It’s nice that Rick finally got some run support. He’s been pitching very well in the last two months, but the team just has not been getting it done for him. Or, if they have, it’s been after he’s left the game, the win usually going to Jeff Zimmerman. :)
This game started off pretty well, and that more or less set the tone for the entire game to follow. Rick Helling struck out the first batter, then walked the next one. After a popout to Pudge, Helling erased his walk by picking off the runner to end the first.
Our side started well, too. Mac tripled to start the game, and scored a couple of batters later when Rusty grounded out, bringing Mac in. Add to that a Raffy solo shot to centerfield, and we were off to a 2-0 lead. We added a few more in the next inning, and that put us ahead for good. We also followed with a home run by Roberto Kelly in the 5th, and we picked up the rest of our runs in the 6th, the highlight was a two run double by Tom Goodwin.
The only two runs Detroit got were both on solo home runs by Juan Encarnacion & Damion Easley. If you remember, Encarnacion also had another homer against Rick Helling on opening day. The first pitch of the season, to be more precise! Helling seemed to get a bit weaker towards the end of teh game, but he pitched wonderfully, a great win for him and the team.
We seemed to dominate this one, but then again, we should dominate teams like the Tigers. I just wish we could perform like this regularly against someone like, oh… the Yankees!
I’m going tomorrow to the game that starts at 6:05. Ugh, 104º – no fun :(