Jim Leyland wants more offense out of

Jim Leyland wants more offense out of Tigers catchers Gerald Laird, Alex Avila
By Steve Kornacki
April 12, 2010, 6:59PM

Tigers catcher Alex Avila: 'We all felt like we could win that game' video

DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland stated it plain and simple after Monday’s game: “We’ve got to get some offense out of our catchers.”

Alex Avila went 0-for-4 on Monday, but has just eight at-bats this season and one single to show for it.

Gerald Laird is 1-for-18 and batting .056.

Combined they are 2-for-26 and .077 without a run batted in.

Laird’s eighth-inning single Sunday broke his 17 at-bat hitless streak for the season, and sparked its fair share of humor.

Many at Comerica Park stood and cheered.

“I got a standing ovation and I know some of them were being sarcastic,” Laird said. “But I think some of them felt good for me.”

Leyland got in a playful jab when he visited the mound in the ninth inning.

Laird said: “He said, ‘I just got poison ivy; you got a hit.’ “

Leyland chuckled when it was brought up.

“I said, ‘You got a hit. (Cripes), I’m breaking out in a rash or something.”

But, kidding aside, he expected more after Laird devoted more time to hitting during spring training and adjusted his stance to bat a respectable .269 with 3 homers and 12 RBIs.

Avila batted .357 in Grapefruit League games with 8 doubles, and impressed the Tigers with his hitting during an August and September call up.

“I’ll just keep grinding away,” Avila said. “They had a good game plan for me today -- keeping me off-balance with changeups and cut fastballs. I can’t remember the last 0-for-4 I’ve had.”

Avila had just one such game last year in 10 games with four-plus plate appearances.

Others struggling are left fielder Johnny Damon, who is in a 1-for-19 rut and batting .130, and utility man Ryan Raburn (.143).

Should just start Avila. I realize Laird's defensive presence, but .056?! Avila has had way less chances to prove himself at the plate.

all i can say is - - well, duh! they do have coaches for that, don't they? The Tigers have always raised good catchers...