He's a little taller (in his batting stance), a little more aggressive to the ball. He's not collapsing on his backside. His swing's more level.

In the sixth, not being able to block the ball, that was huge. We might still be playing. ... We didn't stop them after that, but we didn't score any runs either, so it's a moot point.

It's not one or two things; it's everything . It's getting in your stance to denying the ball.

Down the stretch, we've been struggling with our pitching staff, but he's taken the ball. He's been our best pitcher down the stretch when things have been tough. It means a lot, it really does. He continues to go out there like he did in 2003, no excuses, just give me the ball.

Whether I'm there or not, I'll always be a Tiger, and I'll always root for the Tigers.

Not too shabby. Getting out of that first inning was huge for him, because you could see he was nervous, but he got that big double-play ball and then he settled in.