By MIKE ECKERT
meckert@record-eagle.com
August 07, 2008 12:00 am It can't get much worse for Detroit Tigers fans than the last week's events. First, the face of the franchise is sent packing -- to the New York Yankees, of all teams. Then, the shortcomings of the Tigers are put on full display over the weekend in a three-game sweep against Tampa Bay. The Rays? I realize the years of mediocrity seemed to go away this season when the team denounced the "Devil" -- at least from its nickname -- but give me a break. Even with their newfound enlightenment, the Rays shouldn't be sweeping Detroit and its $137 million payroll, any time, anywhere. And finally, there was Tuesday's 10-8 disaster in Chicago where Joel Zumaya squandered a two-run lead in the 14th inning for the Tigers' fifth straight loss. It was the second time in as many games that Detroit homered in extra innings, only to lose in the bottom of the frame. Rock bottom? Hopefully. But Tiger fan, you're not the only one reeling. "This is really stunning. It's like a body blow," said Tigers play-by-play voice Dan Dickerson. "And if I feel that way, I can't imagine how the players are feeling right now." My bet is pretty down on themselves. "I'm sure it's got to get to them, but the one thing I've found with this team is their mood doesn't change day to day," Dickerson said. If the mood doesn't change, the question now is whether Detroit can alter its recent luck. The Tigers entered Wednesday two games under .500 and 7.5 games back of the White Sox in the American League Central race. "These are big games," Dickerson said of the rest of the series in Chicago. "If they win two here, they're 5.5 back with (about) 45 games to play. At this point in the season, there's a big difference between 5.5 and 7.5 games." Clearly, the one area Detroit needs to improve in order to turn the corner will be the bullpen. These days, the combination of Fernando Rodney, Zumaya and newly-acquired Kyle Farnsworth can't seem to hold a lead if their lives -- or playoff hopes -- depended on it. "I do think they need to stretch a few together where someone comes in and slams the door for a few games," Dickerson said of the bullpen. "That would let the hitters know that they're going to be rewarded for their efforts." If not, the team may be looking at more late-night letdowns. With Tuesday's game starting an hour later than usual for the Central Time Zone and stretching 14 innings, it didn't end until 1 a.m. Eastern time when Nick Swisher slammed his three-run walkoff homer. "I'm glad there aren't any day games this series," Dickerson said.
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Mike Eckert