Boesch vs. Hanson (Photo: Cindy Ferda / SC)
The 2nd place Detroit Tigers appear to be built for the present and future as their rookie tandem of Brennan Boesch and Austin Jackson continue to tear up the bases like in yesterday’s 10-4 win against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.
Most expected the Tigers (40-34) to depend on sluggers Miguel Cabrera (.332, 20HR, 64 RBI), Magglio Ordonez (.319, 10HR, 49RBI) and newly-acquired Johnny Damon to carry the load this season but Boesch and Jackson have contributed an enormous amount at the plate.
During yesterday’s 17-hit attack on starter Tommy Hanson and the Braves pitching staff, Boesch and Jackson’s combined stats included 5 hits, including a two-run, 400-ft. dinger by Boesch, 5 RBI and 4 runs.
After yesterday’s performance in Atlanta, Boesch improved his season’s average to a team-leading .338 while Jackson’s leaped to .307.
Both hitters have enough at bats to qualify for the AL Rookie-of-the-Year voting and are getting their share of attention regarding the award. The tandem sits well above the rookie pack in the American League at No. 1 and No. 2 in batting average with the nearest trailer Tampa Rays Reid Brignac batting .272.
Jackson came to Detroit as the main acquisition in the unpopular trade with the bitter rival New York Yankees that sent fan-favorite Curtis Granderson off to the Big Apple.
If Jackson stays on this kind of pace, it won’t take long for Tigers fans to “forgive” Tigers’ GM Dave Dombrowski for making the move.
BTW, here’s another stat for all the Dombrowski haters. While Jackson continues to tear it up for Motown’s Tigers, Granderson is hitting a career-low .237 in New York.
Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC