Brandon Inge Becoming Mr. Clutch

Brandon Inge is a Tiger that I have given A LOT of grief over the years, and deservedly so I would point out, but he has had some big time hits this season.

Brandon Inge came through again today with a 2 run Home Run in the top of the 9th inning against the Houston Astros with the Tigers trailing 3-2 with 2 outs and Thames on 1st. The blast coming out loud over my home theater gave the Tigers a 4-3 lead, and paved the way for another win as Fernando Rodney saved is 17th game in 17 chances.

Inge has been with the Tigers for several years and has played nearly every position on the field for the Tigers. Last year he went back to laying catcher, his original position, for the first time since the 119 loss season back in 2004.

Now back at 3rd base, he is hitting HRs like he did in the magical 2006 World Series run season, although at an even stronger pace. 17 HRs already through 73 games this season, but he has a few real clutch ones.

We don't have to go too far back even to see his last clutch dinger. While it didn't win the game, it should have. HE hit a 2 run bomb against the Cubs on just a couple days ago on June 23rd and gave the Tigers the lead again in the 7th before surrendering it. Of course Ryan Raburn came through in the 9th with a 2 run walk off HR himself to seal the deal.

Just a couple weeks earlier on, Inge singled in the winning run in the 9th on June 8th against the White Sox. A huge division win.

Back on May 22, Inge hit his 12th HR, but drove in the winning RBI in the 8th on a ground out.

His season has been up and down in the average department, as well as in the clutch moments, but he has some big time hits this year. Game breaking HRs late, and stellar defensive plays that have made me sort of lay off the guy for now....