Detroit Tigers Experiencing the Breaks
Just when a team is finally playing well and looking like a part-time contender, they either push right through it to succeed, or there are bad breaks that prevent success.
In the case of the Detroit Tigers, they are facing a situation that's of the latter.
If you haven't heard, Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez will miss 6-8 weeks after breaking his right ankle in Detroit's 3-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.
"That was just terrible to see," Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston told ESPN. "What a player, and he's so important to that team. He's a player that I have always admired on and off the field, so you really hate to see that."
Ordonez has been a catalyst for the Tigers since his arrival. Recently, however, he has been limited to designated hitter duties the past week because of a sore ankle, injuring himself trying to score from first on Miguel Cabrera's third-inning double.
"I was in the clubhouse and saw it on TV," Tigers outfielder Johnny Damon, who did not start because of a stomach bug, told ESPN. "I saw his right foot go in the wrong direction. I was hoping it was just a sprain, but it wasn't. We've lost our three, six and seven hitters in a week. That's tough."
Earlier in the week, the bad-luck started with Detroit third baseman Brandon Inge, breaking his hand and second baseman Carlos Guillen leaving Saturday's game with a calf injury.
"This is part of the game, and no one is going to feel sorry for us," Tigers manager Jim Leyland told ESPN. "You always get tested in this game, and this is a test. We have to go out, play our butts off and see how many games we can win."
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