Q: Do you think the Tigers need a good batting coach?
— Donald Curtis, Wellston, Mich.

A: The Tigers are making a lot of pre-season predictions (including mine) look pretty foolish, and a surprisingly inconsistent offense is a big reason why. You knew they had some bullpen issues coming out of spring training, but injuries — Dontrelle Willis, Gary Sheffield, Placido Polanco, Curtis Granderson and Denny Bautista all have been on the disabled list since Opening Day — and the mysterious struggles of ace Justin Verlander have helped turn the first two months into a worst-case scenario.

But what nobody expected was an offense that added Miguel Cabrera to a group that finished second in the majors in runs in 2007 just not being able to find any consistency. The Tigers already have been shut out eight times, and scored three runs or less in 25 games. What makes their overall runs total respectable is the fact that they have scored nine or more runs in nine games, including 19 two times.

Now, is all of this hitting instructor Lloyd McClendon’s fault? I don’t think so. The Tigers’ regulars are for the most part a veteran group of players who have proven track records of excellence. McClendon also was the hitting coach last season, and nobody was complaining much about offense then. Sometimes, these team slumps just happen, and players and coaches simply can’t figure out how to correct things. Unfortunately for the Tigers, it’s getting dangerously late for them to turn it around and back into the race.

Q: What happened to Sammy Sosa? Didn’t he lead the Rangers in home runs last year, and they didn’t even give him a chance this year?
— Jackie Tucker, Caraway, Ark.

A: Yes, Sammy did lead the Rangers last season with 21 homers — one more than Brad Wilkerson and Ian Kinsler. And he finished only two RBI behind team-leader Michael Young with 92. He also hit .252 but struck out 112 times in 412 at-bats.

But Sosa and the Rangers parted ways when they couldn’t come to an agreement on a 2008 contract. It was reported that Sosa was seeking up to $7 million guaranteed, and the Rangers weren’t willing to go anywhere near that figure.

Considering that Sosa didn’t get so much as a spring-training invitation from any other organization — or if he did, he didn’t accept it — it appears as if the Rangers had him valued closer to his true worth at the advanced age of 39. But considering Sammy earned well over $100 million in his big-league career, and passed the 600-homer mark in a nice comeback 2007 season, he should feel proud walking away from the majors when he did.

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You probably haven’t seen the last of him, however, as he has said he wants to play for his native Dominican Republic in the spring-2009 World Baseball Classic.

Q: I was wondering if anyone has ever pitched a no-hitter in his major-league debut? We know Boston’s Clay Buchholz pitched one in his second start.
— Stephanie Bray, Ft. Pierce, Fla.

A: It hasn’t been done, Stephanie. Bobo Holloman came real close, however, as he pitched a no-hitter in his first major-league start after a couple of relief appearances. It came on May 6, 1953, for the St. Louis Browns against the Philadelphia Athletics — a couple of weeks after he made his debut on April 18^th at the age of 30.

The other thing that stands out about Holloman is his no-hitter turned out to be about the lone highlight of a short-lived big-league career that lasted only until July 19^th of that same season. Holloman, a wild right-hander, made 10 starts and 22 appearances in all for the Browns, and went 3-7 with a 5.23 ERA in 65.1 innings, walking 50 batters.

He pitched another two seasons in the minors, but never reappeared in the big leagues, making him one of the least-likely pitchers ever to throw a no-hitter.

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