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The home opener is always special in Detroit, especially against the World Series champions and coming home with a 5-1 record. Unfortunately for Tigers’ fans the White Sox played like World Champs and ruined the Detroit party. The Sox blasted 3 HRs to the Tigers one for the 5-3 victory. For the first time all year the Tigers dropped to second place in the Central at 5-2 behind Cleveland. Freddie Garcia pitched well for the White Sox following a poor first outing. Craig Monroe hit a homer in the 2nd after Guillen drew a walk to give Detroit an early lead. However, the Tigers offense only generated one more run against Garcia in the 6th on a double on a 3-0 count by Chris Shelton to drive in Pudge. Bobby Jenks pitched well in the 9th for the save and he did not look like he lost any velocity on his fastball contrary to rumors in the spring. Jeremy Bonderman pitched well, but made two bad pitches. Unfortunately those two pitches were both smashed over the fence with a runner on to account for four runs. Bonderman went 7 innings walking two and surrendering 6 hits. He again racked up the strike outs. Bonderman Ked 8 in 7 innings of work and now leads the majors with 16 strike outs. Jamie Walker got Thome out to open the 8th before giving way to Joel Zumaya. He went the final 1.2 innings and gave up his first run of his major league career. Zumaya left his fastball down in the zone and Konerko hit it a mile. So the Tigers’ young pitchers gave up three homers that proved to be the difference in the first game of 2006 at Comerica Park.  *** OEs 3 Stars of the Game *** #3 Ivan Rodriguez – 2-4 with one run scored
#2 Craig Monroe – 2-4 with a HR, one run scored and 2 RBI
#1 Jeremy Bonderman – 7 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs, 2 BBs and 8 Ks On Tap – Game 8 v. Chicago White Sox, April 12th 1:05 ET
Nate Robertson (1-0, 5.06) v. Jose Contreras (0-0, 3.00)
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Go Tigers!!!
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