HEALED!

The City of Detroit welcomed back a long lost friend tonight.

Joel Zumaya appeared in a game for the first time since May. He threw well. It's hopefully a sign of things to come for the Tigers.

Jair Jurrjens pitched well tonight. Joel Zumaya threw well in a return to form game. Fernando Rodney threw the ball hard and good. Todd Jones pitched a nice ninth for a save and the Tigers are back to within a half–game of first in the Central.

Earlier I predicted 85 wins would get a team the Central because I felt everyone would beat up on each other. It might not take that many. But remember the World Champions from last season won only 83 regular season contests.

Jurrjens looked really good. Did I mention that yet? Good for him.

A game like tonight's and the return of a local folk hero create the makin's of somethin' special. Let's hope August 21, 2007, is remembered as a turning point. Let's go Tigers. Let's really kick this thing into gear now and win this division. Don't back in. Or like last year, back out ...

The game felt good. Imagine how the players must feel. This one felt right.

Cheers.