Scoring AL's worst; more changes likely
-- The Tigers took over last place in the American League in runs scored Sunday, and they did so emphatically. For the seven innings in which their 11-2 loss to Arizona was close, they had one at-bat with a runner in scoring position.
During that at-bat, Craig Paquette grounded into a bases-loaded, inning-ending double play. That made this the Tigers' eighth loss in the past 2 1/2 weeks in which they didn't drive in a runner from third with fewer than two out at a crucial stage of the game.
Now the Tigers go to the pitching capital of Atlanta, and manager Luis Pujols is thinking about lineup changes. His most obvious decision involves second baseman Damion Easley, who had his sixth straight hitless game Sunday -- fourth straight since a two-game benching.
"I'm starting to look at different options," Pujols said of the second-base job. "I can't look the other way."
Easley is 4-for-47 (.085) since he returned from the disabled list and said he still feels effects of the layoff. "It's all mental," said Easley, who lives near Phoenix and might take a session in his home batting cage before leaving for Atlanta today. "I'm thinking too much, out-thinking myself, analyzing too much, trying to think with the other team. You name it."
Pujols ponders other lineup questions. Who will hit third, if Dmitri Young, like the injured Bobby Higginson, is unavailable in Atlanta?
Young didn't start for the second straight game Sunday because of a hernia, which has the potential to flare up until Young has surgery. Pujols talked as if surgery might have to happen during the season. Young said surgery during the season "is not an option."
Pujols said of Young's hernia, "I'm getting deeply concerned about the whole situation."
Later, Pujols said, "Our lineup is really difficult with Higgy and Dmitri out. We have to do the best we can with what we have, and better days will come."
Ryan Jackson, who has played well off the bench since his recall last week, might start in left if Young can't. The Tigers also might activate left-handed-hitting Jacob Cruz from the disabled list for Tuesday's game. If Damian Jackson replaces Easley at second, he might also replace rookie Ramon Santiago at leadoff. In his two weeks leading off, Santiago is averaging a strikeout per game, has two walks and has a low on-base percentage (it's under .300).
-- The Tigers took over last place in the American League in runs scored Sunday, and they did so emphatically. For the seven innings in which their 11-2 loss to Arizona was close, they had one at-bat with a runner in scoring position.
During that at-bat, Craig Paquette grounded into a bases-loaded, inning-ending double play. That made this the Tigers' eighth loss in the past 2 1/2 weeks in which they didn't drive in a runner from third with fewer than two out at a crucial stage of the game.
Now the Tigers go to the pitching capital of Atlanta, and manager Luis Pujols is thinking about lineup changes. His most obvious decision involves second baseman Damion Easley, who had his sixth straight hitless game Sunday -- fourth straight since a two-game benching.
"I'm starting to look at different options," Pujols said of the second-base job. "I can't look the other way."
Easley is 4-for-47 (.085) since he returned from the disabled list and said he still feels effects of the layoff. "It's all mental," said Easley, who lives near Phoenix and might take a session in his home batting cage before leaving for Atlanta today. "I'm thinking too much, out-thinking myself, analyzing too much, trying to think with the other team. You name it."
Pujols ponders other lineup questions. Who will hit third, if Dmitri Young, like the injured Bobby Higginson, is unavailable in Atlanta?
Young didn't start for the second straight game Sunday because of a hernia, which has the potential to flare up until Young has surgery. Pujols talked as if surgery might have to happen during the season. Young said surgery during the season "is not an option."
Pujols said of Young's hernia, "I'm getting deeply concerned about the whole situation."
Later, Pujols said, "Our lineup is really difficult with Higgy and Dmitri out. We have to do the best we can with what we have, and better days will come."
Ryan Jackson, who has played well off the bench since his recall last week, might start in left if Young can't. The Tigers also might activate left-handed-hitting Jacob Cruz from the disabled list for Tuesday's game. If Damian Jackson replaces Easley at second, he might also replace rookie Ramon Santiago at leadoff. In his two weeks leading off, Santiago is averaging a strikeout per game, has two walks and has a low on-base percentage (it's under .300).
