Spring Quotes

Spring Quotes, Latest News About Update: AT MCKECHNIE FIELD, BRADENTON, FLA. What happened: Walks. Too many of them. Pittsburgh pitchers walked 12 batters. On the other hand, Tigers starter Nate Robertson walked only one, the first he has allowed this spring. Robertson pitched four innings, gave up four hits and two earned runs, the first on a balk. Detroit had chances to put up big numbers early but couldn’t take advantage. “We made some mistakes today that you can’t make,” manager Jim Leyland said. “We let them off the hook.”

NO MAN’S LAND: A mental error came in the first inning, when Tigers leadoff hitter Clete Thomas got caught between second and third trying to steal. He thought pitcher Kevin Hart was about to throw to the plate. He didn’t wait long enough into his motion and took off running while Hart still had time to pivot and catch him in the rundown. “That can’t happen,” Leyland said.

BEST-LAID PLANS: With runners on first and second and no outs, Leyland called for Alex Avila to bunt the runners to second and third, even though normally such a player in that instance would be allowed to swing freely. Up next was Scott Sizemore, and Leyland wanted to see whether the young second baseman could find a way to drive in a run. Avila walked. Sizemore singled, and Leyland didn’t get to see the situation he was trying to set up.

OVERHEARD: “One thing I’m gonna talk to them about: It’s time now to start locking in. … It’s time to get a little more serious.” — Leyland