Nate

Robertson

Jeremy Bonderman has 154 strikeouts, and if Robertson can reach the 150 plateau, the two will become the first pair of Tiger pitchers to accomplish that feat in the same season since Mickey Lolich and Joe Coleman did so in 1974.

He deflected a ball with his left hand and left the game after his finger went numb.

“There’s a period guys go through when it starts to wear on you,” the left-hander said. “I’m kind of waiting for that second wind.” The fatigue has caused Robertson’s slider, his primary out pitch, to spin more than bite. Maybe a game against the Mariners tonight can help him get back on track.

Robertson won’t necessarily be the fifth starter every time through the rotation. Manager Alan Trammell said he intends to base that role on matchups.

That sets the surprising Robertson up for two starts next week, both against the Indians. Consider using him if he’s available in your league.

Cornejo’s next start will be delayed because of his 5-game suspension. Robertson appears to have locked down Detroit’s fifth-starter job.

Robertson has a 9.35 ERA while losing his last three starts. It looks like he’s following the same pattern as last year, when he had a 4.11 ERA before the All-Star break and a 5.79 ERA after.

He was matched by his opponent Gustavo Chacin tonight, so Robertson is still stuck on five wins despite a solid 4.10 ERA. He had allowed at least five runs in each of his previous three appearances, so tonight counts as a step forward. He’ll get the Red Sox and Blue Jays again next week.

Robertson had only thrown 91 pitches when he was pulled with the Tigers holding a 3-2 lead. Manager Alan Trammell went to closer Fernando Rodney, who gave up a solo homer to David Ortiz to tie the game. The Red Sox then scored seven in the 10th.

The Cubs threatened early, but as usual, not much came of it. With a solo homer and an RBI single, Henry Blanco drove in both of the club’s runs off the left-hander. Robertson currently has a 3.43 ERA. In 2005, he entered the All-Star break at 3.35, then went 4-9 with a 5.70 ERA in the second half to finish at 4.48.