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04/03/2007Sheffield drives in two runs in debutMonroe looks good in field, but not at the plate
Detroit Tigers reliever Fernando Rodney leaves the field after giving up two runs in the 10th inning of their 5-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. DETROIT — Gary Sheffield was the center of the attention Monday. Detroit Tigers fans greeted his every at-bat with enthusiasm. The media hung on his every word. And he came up in a late-inning pressure situation that seemed tailor-made for the team's top off-season acquisition — a clutch hitter who is being paid to drive in runs. With the Tigers trailing Toronto 5-3, Sheffield stepped to the plate with one on, one out and a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the 10th inning with one swing of the bat. One pitch after ripping a foul ball that had home run distance, however, Sheffield struck out against Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan. "It was a slider down and in,” Sheffield said. "I really wasn't (anxious to make something happen). He just made a good pitch.” Sheffield came through in two earlier situations, however, driving in runs with sacrifice flies in the third and fifth innings. His second sac fly was a bullet off Toronto ace Roy Halliday that didn't appear to rise more than 10-12 feet off the ground. Unfortunately for Detroit, it was hit right at Jays left fielder Reed Johnson. Sheffield took little consolation in a solid out. "Bottom line, we lost,” Sheffield said. "I just look at our team doing well and winning. I don't focus on myself. "We chipped away (at a 3-0 deficit) and gave ourselves a chance to win. When you do that, more times than not you're going to come through.” Sheffield said he only felt butterflies once Monday, when he stepped to the plate in the first inning. "That first at-bat, I was nervous,” he said with a smile. "I'm always nervous before my first at-bat of the season.” OH, MONROE: Tigers left fielder Craig Monroe made two sparkling catches, one that robbed a possible two-run homer from Troy Glaus in the sixth inning. But he barely touched the ball at the plate. Monroe went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. Players call that a Golden Sombrero. FLAG DAY: Popular Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge and longtime team office worker Audrey Zelinski unfurled Detroit's 2006 American League Championship banner during pre-game ceremonies. Inge has the longest tenure of any current Tiger and Zelinski has been a member of the organization for 52 years. "It was an honor,” Inge said of his pre-game duties. "I bleed navy blue and white.” Members of the team will be presented with their AL Championship rings prior to Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays. NO GOV: Traditionally, the mayor of Detroit and governor of Michigan take part in first-pitch ceremonies. Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was there, but Governor Jennifer Granholm was a no show. Detroit Red Wings forward Kirk Maltby watched the game from a suite.
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