2009 Detroit Tigers season

2009 Detroit Tigers
Slogan: "Always a Tiger"
Major League affiliations
American League (since 1901)
Central Division (since 1998)
Location
Comerica Park (since 2000)
Detroit, Michigan (since 1894)
Other information
Owner(s)	Mike Ilitch
General manager(s)	Dave Dombrowski
Manager(s)	Jim Leyland
Local television	Fox Sports Detroit (Mario Impemba, Rod Allen)
Local radio	Detroit Tigers Radio Network (Dan Dickerson, Jim Price, John Keating)
Stats	ESPN.com BB-reference
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The 2009 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 109th season. The Tigers' new slogan for 2009 was "Always a Tiger." It replaced the 2006–2008 slogan "Who's Your Tiger?"

The Tigers ended the season on October 6 with a 6–5 loss in 12 innings to the Minnesota Twins in the tie-breaker game to win the AL Central. The Tigers spent 146 days in first place and became the first team in Major League history to lose a three-game lead with four games left to play.

2008–2009 offseason events

• The Tigers announced on September 29, 2008, that they would not pick up the $12 million option on shortstop Edgar Rentería's contract, although the team did not rule out the possibility of re-signing him in the offseason. The buyout was worth $3 million. The option was part of the contract Rentería signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2004. He had changed teams twice since then. The roster move was finalized on October 30. The team could have offered him arbitration and received a draft pick from Rentería's new team, but formally chose not to offer Rentería arbitration on December 1.^[1] On December 4, 2008, Rentería signed a two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants.^[2]
• On October 17, the Tigers hired Rick Knapp as their new pitching coach,^[3] replacing Chuck Hernandez, who took part of the blame for the team's poor pitching in 2008. Knapp had worked for 12 years as the minor league pitching coordinator for the Minnesota Twins.
• The Red Sox claimed Tiger reliever Virgil Vasquez off waivers on October 28.^[4] Vasquez had spent the entire season as a starter with the Toledo Mud Hens, the Tigers' AAA affiliate.
• On December 8, the Tigers acquired catcher Gerald Laird from the Texas Rangers, in exchange for minor league pitching prospects Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo.^[5]
• On December 10, the Tigers traded outfielder Matt Joyce to the Tampa Bay Rays for starting pitcher Edwin Jackson. Joyce had divided his time in the previous season between the Tigers and Class AAA Toledo.
• On December 12, the Tigers signed infielder Ramón Santiago to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.^[6]
• Also on December 12, in a Rule 5 draft, the Tigers selected left-handed pitcher Kyle Bloom from the Pittsburgh Pirates double-A affiliate, Altoona. Detroit would return Bloom to the Pirates in March 2009. In the same draft, they lost James Skelton, a left-handed hitting catcher, to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Skelton was on Detroit's 2008 40-man roster but was not included on the 40-man cast for 2009.^[7]
• On December 13, relief pitcher Aquilino López became the Tigers' only arbitration-eligible player this offseason to not be offered a contract by the team, making him a free agent.^[8]
• On December 15, the Tigers finalized a one-year, $1 million contract with free-agent shortstop Adam Everett, previously with the Minnesota Twins.^[9]
• On December 18, former Marlins catcher Matt Treanor signed with the Tigers.^[10]
• On January 6, 2009, the Tigers signed former utility outfielder Alexis Gómez to a minor-league contract. Gómez had played on the 2006 World Series team, but had spent the subsequent two seasons in the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins systems.^[11]
• On January 13, the Tigers signed Taiwanese sidearm relief pitcher Fu-Te Ni to a minor-league contract with an invitation to training camp. Ni had pitched for Taiwan at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.^[12]
• On January 14, the team avoided arbitration with relief pitcher Fernando Rodney and utility outfielder Marcus Thames by signing both to one-year contracts.^[13]
• On January 20, the team avoided arbitration with catcher Gerald Laird, starting pitcher Edwin Jackson, and relievers Joel Zumaya and Bobby Seay by signing each to one-year contracts.^[14] The same day, the Tigers signed Juan Rincón to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training.^[15]
• On January 26, the Tigers signed relief pitcher Brandon Lyon to a one-year contract.^[16] The same day, the team signed Timo Pérez to a minor-league contract.^[17]
• On February 3, the Tigers avoided arbitration with starting pitcher Justin Verlander by signing him to a one-year, $3.7 million contract.^[18]
• On February 4, the organization outrighted pitcher Eddie Bonine to the Mudhens after clearing waivers.^[19] He had spent most of the 2008 season with the Mudhens.
• On February 24, the Tigers came to terms with relief pitchers Clay Rapada and Freddy Dolsi, and outfielders Brent Clevlen, Ryan Raburn and Wilkin Ramírez, all to one-year contracts.^[20]
• On March 19, the Tigers outrighted relief pitcher Macay McBride to Toledo.^[21]
• On March 29, the Tigers placed relievers Joel Zumaya and Dontrelle Willis on the 15-day disabled list. Zumaya, who had had a history of shoulder problems, was due to be activated April 11, one day after the Tigers' home opener against Texas. Willis was placed on the list due to an anxiety disorder.^[22]
• On March 30, the Tigers acquired speedy outfielder Josh Anderson from the Atlanta Braves for pitching prospect Rudy Darrow. Anderson hit .294 with three home runs, 12 RBIs and ten stolen bases with Atlanta in 2008.^[23]
• In a surprise move, the Tigers released nine-time All-Star Gary Sheffield on March 31. Sheffield, who joined the Tigers before the 2007 season, was one home run short of the 500 club when he was released.^[24]

Trades

On July 30, the Tigers traded outfielder Josh Anderson to Kansas City for cash considerations.^[25]

On July 31, the Tigers traded rookie left-handed pitcher Luke French and left-handed pitcher Mauricio Robles to Seattle for veteran left-handed starting pitcher Jarrod Washburn.^[26]

On August 17, the Tigers traded pitcher Brett Jacobson to Baltimore for Aubrey Huff.^[27]

Season highlights

The Tigers' home opener was on April 10 against the Texas Rangers.^[28] The Tigers won that game 15–2, which included a grand slam by Miguel Cabrera and finished the series with a sweep.^[29]

The Tigers swept their rivals the Indians in Cleveland during the second weekend of May.^[30] The Tigers also completed back-to-back sweeps in May, against the Athletics and the Rangers. The Tigers also completed back-to-back sweeps in late June, over the Brewers and Cubs.

On May 15, the Tigers hit 2 grand slams in a game, only the third time in team history.^[31]

On June 19, Instant replay was used twice in the Tigers' 10-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park, the first time that's happened in league history.^[32] Miguel Cabrera's third-inning single off the top of the wall is called a home run after instant replay review shows that it had actually cleared the wall. Contrarily, Dusty Ryan's fourth-inning home run was overturned to a ground rule double. Later that weekend, the Tigers won the series with a sweep.

On May 19, Dontrelle Willis and four relief pitchers combined to throw a one-hitter in a 4–0 Tigers Victory. Willis had a stretch in which he retired 17 straight batters ^[33]

The Tigers completed back-to-back sweeps against the Indians and Rays in early September.^[34][35]

The Tigers held the 1st-place position from May 8 until they lost it to the Twins in the tiebreaker game on October 6.

The Tigers swept the Indians for the third time of the season in late September.^[36]

Regular season

Season standings

AL Central	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Minnesota Twins	87	76	0.534	—	49–33	38–43
Detroit Tigers	86	77	0.528	1	51–30	35–47
Chicago White Sox	79	83	0.488	7½	43–38	36–45
Cleveland Indians	65	97	0.401	21½	35–46	30–51
Kansas City Royals	65	97	0.401	21½	33–48	32–49

Roster

2009 Detroit Tigers
Roster
Pitchers 38 Jeremy Bonderman 49 Eddie Bonine 40 Freddy Dolsi 41 Casey Fien 43 Alfredo Figaro 53 Lucas French 58 Armando Galarraga 36 Edwin Jackson 40 Chris Lambert 37 Brandon Lyon 31 Zach Miner 59 Fu-Te Ni 45 Ryan Perry 48 Rick Porcello 50 Clay Rapada 59 Juan Rincón 29 Nate Robertson 56 Fernando Rodney 44 Bobby Seay 35 Justin Verlander 53 Jarrod Washburn 21 Dontrelle Willis 54 Joel Zumaya		Catchers 13 Alex Avila  8 Gerald Laird 55 Dusty Ryan 57 Dane Sardinha 20 Matt Treanor Infielders 24 Miguel Cabrera 27 Brent Dlugach  4 Adam Everett 15 Brandon Inge 19 Jeff Larish 14 Plácido Polanco 39 Ramón Santiago Outfielders 13 Josh Anderson 28 Curtis Granderson  9 Carlos Guillén 32 Don Kelly 30 Magglio Ordóñez 25 Ryan Raburn 60 Wilkin Ramírez 33 Marcus Thames 34 Clete Thomas Other batters 19 Aubrey Huff		Manager 10 Jim Leyland Coaches 17 Rafael Belliard (infield) 51 Jeff Jones (bullpen) 52 Rick Knapp (pitching) 22 Gene Lamont (third base) 12 Lloyd McClendon (hitting) 99 Scott Pickens (bullpen catcher) 18 Andy Van Slyke (first base)

Record vs. opponents

Team	BAL	BOS	CWS	CLE	DET	KC	LAA	MIN	NYY	OAK	SEA	TB	TEX	TOR	NL
Baltimore	–	2–16	5–4	2–5	3–5	4–4	2–8	3–2	5–13	1–5	4–5	8–10	5–5	9–9	11–7
Boston	16–2	–	4–4	7–2	6–1	5–3	4–5	4–2	9–9	5–5	2–4	9–9	2–7	11–7	11–7
Chicago	4–5	4−4	–	10–8	9–9	9–9	5–4	6−12	3–4	4–5	4–5	6–2	2–4	1–6	12–6
Cleveland	5–2	2–7	8–10	–	4–14	10–8	2–4	8–10	3–5	2–5	6–4	5–3	1–8	4–4	5–13
Detroit	5–3	1–6	9–9	14–4	–	9–9	5–4	7–12	1–5	5–4	5–4	5–2	7–2	3–5	10–8
Kansas City	4–4	3–5	9–9	8–10	9–9	–	1–9	6–12	2–4	2–6	5–4	1–9	3–3	4–3	8–10
Los Angeles	8–2	5–4	4–5	4–2	4–5	9–1	–	6–4	5–5	12–7	10–9	4–2	8–11	4–4	14–4
Minnesota	2–3	2–4	12–6	10–8	12–7	12–6	4–6	–	0–7	4–6	5–5	3–3	6–4	3–5	12–6
New York	13–5	9–9	4–3	5–3	5–1	4–2	5–5	7–0	–	7–2	6–4	11–7	5–4	12–6	10–8
Oakland	5–1	5–5	5–4	5–2	4–5	6–2	7–12	6–4	2–7	–	5–14	6–4	11–8	3–6	5–13
Seattle	5–4	4–2	5–4	4–6	4–5	4–5	9–10	5–5	4–6	14–5	–	5–3	8–11	3–4	11–7
Tampa Bay	10–8	9–9	2–6	3–5	2–5	9–1	2–4	3–3	7–11	4–6	3–5	–	3–6	14–4	13–5
Texas	5–5	7–2	4–2	8–1	2–7	3–3	11–8	4–6	4–5	8–11	11–8	6–3	–	5–5	9–9
Toronto	9–9	7–11	6–1	4–4	5–3	3–4	4–4	5–3	6–12	6–3	4–3	4–14	5–5	–	7–11

• Source: MLB Standings Grid

Through October 5, 2009

Game log

Legend
Tigers win	Tigers loss	Game postponed

Game log
April (11–10) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 1 April 6 @ Blue Jays L 12–5 Halladay (1–0) Verlander (0–1) 48,027 0–1 2 April 7 @ Blue Jays L 5–4 Ryan (1–0) Lyon (0–1) 16,790 0–2 3 April 8 @ Blue Jays W 5–1 Miner (1–0) Litsch (0–1) 12,145 1–2 4 April 9 @ Blue Jays L 6–2 Romero (1–0) Porcello (0–1) 15,297 1–3 5 April 10 Rangers W 15–2 Galarraga (1–0) Benson (0–1) 44,588 2–3 6 April 11 Rangers W 4–3 Robertson (1–0) Harrison (0–1) Rodney (1) 28,693 3–3 7 April 12 Rangers W 6–4 Lyon (1–1) Wilson (0–1) Rodney (2) 18,905 4–3 8 April 13 White Sox L 10–6 Floyd (1–1) Miner (1–1) 21,850 4–4 April 14 White Sox Postponed (rain) – rescheduled for July 24 9 April 15 White Sox W 9–0 Galarraga (2–0) Contreras (0–2) 20,212 5–4 10 April 17 @ Mariners L 6–3 Hernández (2–0) Verlander (0–2) Morrow (3) 35,824 5–5 11 April 18 @ Mariners W 2–0 Jackson (1–0) Bédard (1–1) Rodney (3) 31,966 6–5 12 April 19 @ Mariners W 8–2 Porcello (1–1) Silva (0–2) 30,450 7–5 13 April 21 @ Angels L 4–3 Arredondo (1–0) Lyon (1–2) Fuentes (3) 41,627 7–6 14 April 22 @ Angels W 12–10 Rincón (1–0) Shields (0–2) 43,047 8–6 15 April 23 @ Angels L 10–5 Palmer (1–0) Jackson (1–1) 38,543 8–7 16 April 24 @ Royals L 6–1 Greinke (4–0) Porcello (1–2) 36,363 8–8 17 April 25 @ Royals W 9–1 Miner (2–1) Davies (1–1) 37,647 9–8 18 April 26 @ Royals W 3–2 Galarraga (3–0) Ponson (0–3) Rodney (4) 13,520 10–8 19 April 27 Yankees W 4–2 Verlander (1–2) Sabathia (1–2) 28,784 11–8 20 April 28 Yankees L 11–0 Hughes (1–0) Perry (0–1) 25,519 11–9 21 April 29 Yankees L 8–6 Chamberlain (1–0) Porcello (1–3) 28,348 11–10
May (17–11) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 22 May 1 Indians L 6–5 Pavano (1–3) Galarraga (3–1) Wood (5) 22,288 11–11 23 May 2 Indians W 9–7 Zumaya (1–0) Betancourt (0–1) Rodney (5) 34,646 12–11 24 May 3 Indians W 3–1 Verlander (2–2) Lee (1–4) Rodney (6) 27,411 13–11 25 May 4 Twins L 7–2 Liriano (1–4) Jackson (1–2) 21,298 13–12 26 May 5 Twins W 9–0 Porcello (2–3) Blackburn (2–2) 23,754 14–12 May 6 @ White Sox Postponed (rain) – rescheduled for June 8 27 May 7 @ White Sox L 6–0 Buehrle (5–0) Galarraga (3–2) 27,475 14–13 28 May 8 @ Indians W 1–0 Verlander (3–2) Lee (1–5) 27,492 15–13 29 May 9 @ Indians W 4–0 Jackson (2–2) Carmona (1–4) 33,640 16–13 30 May 10 @ Indians W 5–3 Porcello (3–3) Reyes (1–1) 25,705 17–13 31 May 12 @ Twins L 6–2 Slowey (5–1) Galarraga (3–3) 24,807 17–14 32 May 13 @ Twins L 14–10 (13) Crain (2–1) Lyon (1–3) 22,178 17–15 33 May 14 @ Twins L 6–5 Breslow (1–1) Seay (0–1) Nathan (6) 26,046 17–16 34 May 15 Athletics W 14–1 Jackson (3–2) Anderson (0–4) 26,770 18–16 35 May 16 Athletics W 9–1 Porcello (4–3) Braden (3–5) 31,554 19–16 36 May 17 Athletics W 11–7 Miner (3–1) Cahill (2–3) 27,535 20–16 37 May 19 Rangers W 4–0 Willis (1–0) McCarthy (3–2) 23,756 21–16 38 May 20 Rangers W 5–3 Verlander (4–2) Harrison (4–3) Rodney (7) 23,417 22–16 39 May 21 Rangers W 4–3 Jackson (4–2) Millwood (4–4) Rodney (8) 34,356 23–16 40 May 22 Rockies W 4–3 Porcello (5–3) Jiménez (3–5) Zumaya (1) 28,264 24–16 41 May 23 Rockies L 4–3 Marquis (6–3) Galarraga (3–4) Street (6) 37,035 24–17 42 May 24 Rockies L 3–1 Hammel (1–3) Willis (1–1) Street (7) 34,606 24–18 43 May 25 @ Royals W 13–1 Verlander (5–2) Meche (2–5) 34,524 25–18 44 May 26 @ Royals L 6–1 Greinke (8–1) Jackson (4–3) 16,366 25–19 45 May 27 @ Royals W 8–3 Porcello (6–3) Davies (2–4) 16,568 26–19 46 May 28 @ Orioles L 5–1 Hernandez (1–0) Galarraga (3–5) 11,937 26–20 47 May 29 @ Orioles L 7–2 Bergesen (2–2) Willis (1–2) 42,704 26–21 48 May 30 @ Orioles W 6–3 Verlander (6–2) Albers (0–2) Rodney (9) 34,567 27–21 49 May 31 @ Orioles W 3–0 Jackson (5–3) Berken (1–1) Rodney (10) 32,233 28–21
June (15–13) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 50 June 2 Red Sox L 5–1 Matsuzaka (1–3) Porcello (6–4) 25,914 28–22 51 June 3 Red Sox L 10–5 Beckett (6–2) Galarraga (3–6) 29,240 28–23 52 June 4 Red Sox L 6–3 Wakefield (7–3) Willis (1–3) Papelbon (14) 31,353 28–24 53 June 5 Angels L 2–1 Santana (1–2) Rodney (0–1) Fuentes (15) 31,187 28–25 54 June 6 Angels W 2–1 Jackson (6–3) Escobar (0–1) 32,367 29–25 55 June 7 Angels W 9–6 Zumaya (2–0) Arredondo (1–3) 32,074 30–25 56 June 8 @ White Sox W 5–4 Zumaya (3–0) Linebrink (2–3) Rodney (11) 31–25 57 June 8 @ White Sox L 6–1 Contreras (1–5) Bonderman (0–1) 30,809 31–26 58 June 9 @ White Sox W 7–6 (10) Lyon (2–3) Linebrink (2–4) 25,676 32–26 59 June 10 @ White Sox W 2–1 Verlander (7–2) Danks (4–5) 28,079 33–26 60 June 11 @ White Sox L 4–3 Jenks (1–2) Zumaya (3–1) 20,824 33–27 61 June 12 @ Pirates W 3–1 Porcello (7–4) Snell (1–7) Rodney (12) 18,369 34–27 62 June 13 @ Pirates L 9–3 Duke (7–4) Galarraga (3–7) 31,411 34–28 63 June 14 @ Pirates L 6–3 Ohlendorf (6–5) Willis (1–4) Capps (16) 27,565 34–29 64 June 16 @ Cardinals L 11–2 Wainwright (7–4) Verlander (7–3) 44,021 34–30 65 June 17 @ Cardinals L 4–3 Wellemeyer (6–6) Jackson (6–4) Franklin (16) 39,699 34–31 66 June 18 @ Cardinals W 6–3 Porcello (8–4) Piñeiro (5–8) Rodney (13) 41,323 35–31 67 June 19 Brewers W 10–4 (7) Miner (4–1) Looper (5–4) 34,112 36–31 68 June 20 Brewers W 9–5 Figaro (1–0) Bush (3–4) 39,156 37–31 69 June 21 Brewers W 3–2 Verlander (8–3) Gallardo (7–4) Rodney (14) 41,163 38–31 70 June 23 Cubs W 5–4 Lyon (3–3) Gregg (2–2) 38,046 39–31 71 June 24 Cubs W 5–3 Miner (5–1) Harden (4–4) Rodney (15) 36,438 40–31 72 June 25 Cubs W 6–5 Galarraga (4–7) Lilly (7–5) Rodney (16) 42,332 41–31 73 June 26 @ Astros L 5–4 Sampson (4–0) Zumaya (3–2) Hawkins (10) 33,052 41–32 74 June 27 @ Astros L 8–1 Paulino (2–4) Figaro (1–1) 37,123 41–33 75 June 28 @ Astros W 4–3 Seay (1–1) Valderde (0–2) Rodney (17) 34,041 42–33 76 June 29 @ Athletics L 7–1 Anderson (4–7) Porcello (8–5) 10,563 42–34 77 June 30 @ Athletics W 5–3 Galarraga (5–7) Gonzalez (0–2) 12,126 43–34
July (10–14) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 78 July 1 @ Athletics L 5–1 Braden (6–7) Verlander (8–4) 21,238 43–35 79 July 3 @ Twins W 11–9 (16) Dolsi (1–0) Dickey (1–1) 33,368 44–35 80 July 4 @ Twins L 4–3 Guerrier (4–0) Lyon (3–4) Nathan (22) 27,238 44–36 81 July 5 @ Twins L 6–2 Blackburn (7–4) Porcello (8–6) 33,274 44–37 82 July 6 Royals L 4–3 Colón (1–0) Rodney (0–2) Soria (13) 32,134 44–38 83 July 7 Royals W 8–5 Verlander (9–4) Chen (0–3) Rodney (18) 29,751 45–38 84 July 8 Royals W 3–1 French (1–0) Greinke (10–5) Rodney (19) 29,104 46–38 85 July 10 Indians W 5–1 Jackson (7–4) Lee (5–8) Rodney (20) 35,592 47–38 86 July 11 Indians L 5–4 Pavano (8–7) Galarraga (5–8) Wood (12) 41,782 47–39 87 July 12 Indians W 10–1 Verlander (10–4) Ohka (0–3) 39,680 48–39 88 July 17 @ Yankees L 5–3 Hughes (4–2) Zumaya (3–3) Rivera (24) 46,197 48–40 89 July 18 @ Yankees L 2–1 Sabathia (9–6) Verlander (10–5) Rivera (25) 46,423 48–41 90 July 19 @ Yankees L 2–1 Chamberlain (5–2) Jackson (7–5) Rivera (26) 46,937 48–42 91 July 21 Mariners W 9–7 Porcello (9–6) Olson (3–4) Rodney (20) 32,906 49–42 92 July 22 Mariners L 2–1 Hernández (11–3) Seay (1–2) Aardsma (23) 29,758 49–43 93 July 23 Mariners L 2–1 Washburn (8–6) French (1–1) Aardsma (24) 32,177 49–44 94 July 24 White Sox W 5–1 Verlander (11–5) Contreras (4–9) 27,844 50–44 95 July 24 White Sox W 4–3 Lyon (4–4) Linebrink (2–5) Rodney (21) 39,375 51–44 96 July 25 White Sox W 4–3 (10) Rodney (1–2) Carrasco (3–1) 41,378 52–44 97 July 26 White Sox L 5–1 Richard (4–3) Porcello (9–7) 38,255 52–45 98 July 27 @ Rangers L 5–2 Hunter (3–1) Galarraga (5–9) Wilson (11) 17,137 52–46 99 July 28 @ Rangers L 7–3 Grilli (1–2) French (1–2) 21,615 52–47 100 July 29 @ Rangers W 13–5 Verlander (12–5) Feldman (9–4) 33,235 53–47 101 July 31 @ Indians L 6–5 (13) Ohka (1–4) Fien (0–1) 35,273 53–48
August (16–13) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 102 August 1 @ Indians W 4–3 (12) Seay (2–2) Veras (4–2) Miner (1) 31,353 54–48 103 August 2 @ Indians L 11–1 Pavano (9–8) Galarraga (5–10) 24,718 54–49 104 August 3 Orioles W 6–5 Rodney (2–2) Báez (4–5) 27,857 55–49 105 August 4 Orioles L 8–2 Matusz (1–0) Washburn (8–7) 29,295 55–50 106 August 5 Orioles W 4–2 Jackson (8–5) Guthrie (7–11) Rodney (22) 28,978 56–50 107 August 6 Orioles W 7–3 Porcello (10–7) Hernandez (3–4) Lyon (1) 31,165 57–50 108 August 7 Twins W 10–8 Galarraga (6–10) Swarzak (3–5) 36,444 58–50 109 August 8 Twins L 11–0 Pavano (10–8) Verlander (12–6) 39,685 58–51 110 August 9 Twins W 8–7 Lyon (5–4) Guerrier (5–1) Rodney (23) 35,423 59–51 111 August 10 @ Red Sox L 6–5 Ramírez (6–3) Miner (5–2) Papelbon (28) 37,960 59–52 112 August 11 @ Red Sox L 7–5 Tazawa (1–1) Lambert (0–1) 38,013 59–53 113 August 12 @ Red Sox L 8–2 Beckett (14–4) Miner (5–3) 38,124 59–54 114 August 13 @ Red Sox W 2–0 Verlander (13–6) Buchholz (1–3) Rodney (24) 37,556 60–54 115 August 14 Royals W 1–0 Lyon (5–4) Colón (1–2) 34,799 61–54 116 August 15 Royals W 10–3 Jackson (6–6) Hochevar (9–5) 37,276 62–54 117 August 16 Royals L 3–2 (10) Soria (3–0) Rodney (2–3) 32,888 62–55 118 August 18 Mariners W 5–3 Seay (3–2) Lowe (1–6) Rodney (25) 33,710 63–55 119 August 19 Mariners L 3–1 Snell (3–9) Verlander (13–7) Aardsma (28) 33,194 63–56 120 August 20 Mariners W 7–6 Seay (4–2) Aardsma (3–5) 31,167 64–56 121 August 21 @ Athletics W 3–2 Jackson (10–5) Gonzalez (4–4) Rodney (26) 15,927 65–56 122 August 22 @ Athletics L 3–2 Bailey (6–3) Miner (5–4) 26,266 65–57 123 August 23 @ Athletics L 9–4 Tomko (3–2) Porcello (10–8) 17,690 65–58 124 August 24 @ Angels W 10–7 Verlander (14–7) Weaver (13–5) Rodney (27) 38,421 66–58 125 August 25 @ Angels W 5–3 Washburn (9–7) Lackey (8–7) Rodney (28) 42,970 67–58 126 August 26 @ Angels L 4–2 Saunders (10–7) Jackson (10–6) Fuentes (36) 36,329 67–59 127 August 28 Rays W 6–2 Porcello (11–8) Garza (7–9) 35,030 68–59 128 August 29 Rays L 3–1 Price (7–6) Robertson (1–1) Howell (16) 39,296 68–60 129 August 30 Rays W 4–3 Verlander (15–7) Balfour (5–3) Rodney (29) 36,067 69–60 130 August 31 Rays L 11–7 Shields (9–10) Washburn (9–8) 26,533 69–61
September (16–12) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 131 September 1 Indians W 8–5 Jackson (11–6) Carrasco (0–1) Rodney (30) 24,225 70–61 132 September 2 Indians W 4–2 Porcello (12–8) Laffey (7–4) Rodney (31) 25,840 71–61 133 September 3 Indians W 4–3 (10) Miner (6–4) Pérez (4–3) 28,267 72–61 134 September 4 @ Rays W 4–3 Verlander (16–7) Howell (7–5) Rodney (32) 18,596 73–61 135 September 5 @ Rays W 8–6 Seay (5–2) Balfour (5–4) Lyon (2) 36,973 74–61 136 September 6 @ Rays W 5–3 Jackson (12–6) Springer (0–3) Lyon (3) 28,059 75–61 137 September 8 @ Royals L 7–5 Yabuta (1–1) Seay (5–3) Soria (23) 12,032 75–62 138 September 9 @ Royals L 5–1 Tejeda (2–1) Verlander (16–8) Soria (24) 10,584 75–63 139 September 10 @ Royals L 7–4 Colón (2–3) Miner (6–5) Rosa (1) 12,029 75–64 140 September 11 Blue Jays W 6–4 Tallet (7–9) Robertson (1–2) Frasor (9) 31,575 75–65 141 September 12 Blue Jays L 8–6 League (3–5) Rodney (2–4) Frasor (10) 36,142 75–66 142 September 13 Blue Jays W 7–2 Porcello (13–8) Romero (12–8) 32,468 76–66 143 September 14 Blue Jays W 6–5 (10) Seay (6–3) Wolfe (1–2) 24,375 77–66 144 September 15 Royals L 11–1 Tejeda (3–1) Washburn (9–9) 20,422 77–67 145 September 16 Royals W 4–3 Miner (7–5) DiNardo (0–1) Rodney (33) 25,400 78–67 146 September 17 Royals L 9–2 Greinke (14–8) Jackson (12–7) 26,457 78–68 147 September 18 @ Twins L 3–0 Duensing (4–1) Porcello (13–9) Nathan (42) 32,693 78–69 148 September 19 @ Twins L 6–2 Crain (6–4) Verlander (16–9) 43,338 78–70 149 September 20 @ Twins W 6–2 Robertson (2–2) Baker (13–9) 36,335 79–70 150 September 22 @ Indians W 3–1 Jackson (13–7) Laffey (7–7) Rodney (34) 23,217 80–70 151 September 23 @ Indians W 11–3 Porcello (14–9) Masterson (4–9) 13,971 81–70 152 September 24 @ Indians W 6–5 Verlander (17–9) Carrasco (0–3) Rodney (35) 23,516 82–70 153 September 25 @ White Sox L 2–0 Peavy (8–6) Bonine (0–2) Thornton (2) 30,794 82–71 154 September 26 @ White Sox W 12–5 Figaro (2–1) García (2–4) 35,590 83–71 155 September 27 @ White Sox L 8–4 Hudson (1–1) Jackson (13–8) Thornton (3) 33,685 83–72 September 28 Twins Postponed (rain) – rescheduled for September 29 156 September 29 Twins L 3–2 (10) Rauch (6–3) Lyon (6–5) Nathan (45) 35,243 83–73 157 September 29 Twins W 6–5 Verlander (18–9) Duensing (5–2) Rodney (36) 30,240 84–73 158 September 30 Twins W 7–2 Bonine (1–1) Pavano (13–12) 34,775 85–73
October (1–4) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 159 October 1 Twins L 8–3 Baker (15–9) Robertson (2–3) 40,533 85–74 160 October 2 White Sox L 8–0 Peavy (9–6) Jackson (13–9) 34,726 85–75 161 October 3 White Sox L 5–1 García (3–4) Figaro (2–2) 35,184 85–76 162 October 4 White Sox W 5–3 Verlander (19–9) Danks (13–11) Rodney (37) 35,806 86–76 163 October 6 @ Twins L 6–5 (12) Keppel (1–1) Rodney (2–5) 54,088 86–77

Player stats

Through September 17, 2009

Batting

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
Ramirez, WilkinWilkin Ramírez	15	11	4	.364	1	3
Cabrera, MiguelMiguel Cabrera	160	611	198	.324	34	103
Ordonez, MagglioMagglio Ordóñez	131	465	144	.310	9	50
Avila, AlexAlex Avila	29	61	17	.279	5	14
Raburn, RyanRyan Raburn	113	261	76	.291	16	45
Polanco, PlacidoPlácido Polanco	153	618	176	.285	10	72
Santiago, RamonRamón Santiago	93	262	70	.267	7	35
Thames, MarcusMarcus Thames	87	258	65	.252	13	36
Granderson, CurtisCurtis Granderson	160	631	157	.249	30	71
Everett, AdamAdam Everett	118	345	82	.238	3	44
Anderson, JoshJosh Anderson *	74	165	40	.242	0	16
Thomas, CleteClete Thomas	102	275	66	.240	7	39
Kelly, DonDon Kelly	31	56	14	.250	0	3
Guillen, CarlosCarlos Guillén	81	277	67	.242	11	41
Inge, BrandonBrandon Inge	161	562	129	.230	27	84
Laird, GeraldGerald Laird	135	413	93	.225	4	33
Larish, JeffJeff Larish *	32	74	16	.216	4	7
Huff, AubreyAubrey Huff *	40	106	20	.189	2	13
Ryan, DustyDusty Ryan	12	26	4	.154	0	4
Sardinha, DaneDane Sardinha *	12	31	3	.097	0	3
Dlugach, BrentBrent Dlugach	4	3	0	.000	0	0
Treanor, MattMatt Treanor *	4	13	0	.000	0	0

Pitchers batting statistics not included

Starting pitchers

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Verlander, JustinJustin Verlander	35	240	19	9	3.45	269
Jackson, EdwinEdwin Jackson	33	214	13	9	3.62	161
French, LucasLucas French *	7	29⅓	1	2	3.38	19
Porcello, RickRick Porcello	31	170⅔	14	9	3.96	89
Galarraga, ArmandoArmando Galarraga	29	143⅓	6	10	5.64	95
Figaro, AlfredoAlfredo Figaro	5	17	2	2	6.35	16
Washburn, JarrodJarrod Washburn	8	43	1	3	7.33	21
Willis, DontrelleDontrelle Willis *	7	33⅔	1	4	7.49	17

Relief pitchers

Player	G	W	L	SV	HLD	ERA	SO
Dolsi, FreddyFreddy Dolsi *	6	1	0	0	0	1.69	3
Lyon, BrandonBrandon Lyon	57	6	4	3	13	2.87	51
Ni, Fu-TeFu-Te Ni	29	0	0	0	3	2.93	19
Seay, BobbyBobby Seay	63	6	3	0	27	3.61	37
Rodney, FernandoFernando Rodney	64	2	4	33	0	3.88	59
Perry, RyanRyan Perry	47	0	1	0	6	4.00	51
Miner, ZachZach Miner	45	7	5	1	6	4.52	56
Zumaya, JoelJoel Zumaya *	29	3	3	1	7	4.94	30
Rincon, JuanJuan Rincón *	7	1	0	0	0	5.23	10
Robertson, NateNate Robertson	25	1	2	0	0	5.35	25
Bonine, EddieEddie Bonine	8	0	0	0	0	5.96	13
Rapada, ClayClay Rapada *	2	0	0	0	0	7.71	2
Bonderman, JeremyJeremy Bonderman	6	0	1	0	0	9.31	5
Fien, CaseyCasey Fien	6	0	1	0	0	9.82	6
Lambert, ChrisChris Lambert *	2	0	1	0	0	14.85	4

* No longer on active roster

Farm system

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Toledo Mud Hens	International League	Larry Parrish
AA	Erie SeaWolves	Eastern League	Tom Brookens
A	Lakeland Flying Tigers	Florida State League	Andy Barkett
A	West Michigan Whitecaps	Midwest League	Joe DePastino
A-Short Season	Oneonta Tigers	New York–Penn League	Howard Bushong
Rookie	GCL Tigers	Gulf Coast League	Basilio Cabrera

See also

• 2009 in baseball

References

1. Detroit Tigers Official Site December 1, 2008 Tigers Won't Take Risk with Renteria
2. "Giants sign free agent infielder Edgar Renteria to a two-year deal". Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
3. Detroit Tigers Official Site October 17, 2008 - Rick Knapp named Tigers pitching coach
4. Detroit Tigers Official Site October 28, 2008 Red Sox Claim Tigers Hurler Vasquez
5. Detroit Tigers Official Site December 8, 2008 Tigers Seal Deal with Texas, Get Laird
6. Detroit News December 8, 2008 Santiago, Tigers agree on 1 year contract
7. Detroit News December 12, 2008 Tigers grab lefty Bloom
8. Detroit Tigers Official Site December 13, 2008 Lopez Left Out as Tigers Offer Contracts
9. Detroit Tigers Official Site December 15, 2008 Tigers agree to terms with Adam Everett
10. Mlive.com December 18, 2008 Tigers announce signing catcher Matt Treanor
11. Detroit Tigers Official Site January 6, 2009 Tigers sign Gomez to minor league deal
12. Mlive.com January 13, 2009 Detroit Tigers sign Fu-Te Ni
13. Mlive.com January 14, 2009 Fernando Rodney, Marcus Thames sign with Detroit Tigers to avoid contract arbitration
14. Detroit Tigers Official Site January 20, 2009 Tigers Ink Four, Ponder Verlander Terms
15. Detroit Tigers Official Site January 20, 2009 On Rebound, Rincón Inks Minors Deal
16. Detroit Tigers Official Site January 26, 2009 Chance to close landed Lyon in Detroit
17. Detroit Tigers Official Site January 26, 2009 Pérez Signs Minor League Deal
18. Mlive.com February 3, 2009 Tigers, Justin Verlander avoid arbitration
19. Detroit Tigers Official Site February 4, 2009 Tigers Outright Bonine to Triple-A
20. Detroit Tigers Official Site February 24, 2009 Tigers Come to Terms With Five
21. Detroit Tigers Official Site March 19, 2009 McBride Outrighted to Triple-A Toledo
22. Detroit Tigers Official Site March 29, 2009 Tigers Place Willis, Zumaya on DL
23. Detroit Tigers Official Site March 30, 2009 Tigers Acquire Anderson from Braves
24. Detroit Tigers Official Site March 31, 2009 Tigers Release Sheffield Archived April 3, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
25. "Detroit Tigers Official Site July 30, 2009 Tigers send Anderson to Royals for cash - Oufielder moves to fourth Major League ballclub in career". Archived from the original on August 5, 2009. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
26. Detroit Tigers Official Site July 31, 2009 Tigers acquire Washburn from Mariners - AL Central leaders add veteran left-hander to all-righty rotation
27. Tigers acquire infielder Huff from O's - Veteran brings left-hand bat to lineup and versatility in the field
28. 2009 Detroit Tigers Regular Season Schedule
29. "MLB.com 4/12/09 Inge starts, finishes Tigers' comeback". Archived from the original on June 22, 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2009.
30. "Detroit Tigers Official Site May 10, 2009 Stingy Tigers sweep behind Porcello". Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
31. "MLB.com 5/15/09 Tigers get Raburn, Inge grand slams". Archived from the original on June 22, 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2009.
32. "MLB.com 6/19/09 Tigers rain down runs on Brewers". Archived from the original on June 22, 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2009.
33. "MLB.com 5/19/09 D-Train won't be denied in second start".
34. Tigers.com September 3, 2009 Polanco comes through for Tigers win - Victory in 10th extends lead in AL Central to five games
35. Detroit Tigers Official Site September 6, 2009 Tigers sweep behind Inge's heroics - Slugger ropes go-ahead grand slam in ninth inning
36. "Detroit tigers Official Site September 24, 2009 Tigers sweep Tribe, pad AL Central lead - Bats, Verlander help Detroit reduce magic number to eight". Archived from the original on September 27, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2009.

External links

• Detroit Tigers official site
• Fox Sports Detroit official site – 2009 Detroit Tigers telecast schedule
• The Detroit News Tigers newsfeed (updated daily)
• Detroit Tigers game-time forecasts (from weather.com) (updated daily)
• 2009 Detroit Tigers season at Baseball Reference