GDT: 6/25/11 - DET (40-36) VS ARI (43-34) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Verlander goes for third straight complete game
Collmenter takes familiar mound in Detroit

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 6/24/2011 11:11 PM ET

D-backs starter Josh Collmenter spent Friday morning in his hometown of Homer, Mich., a small town a little less than two hours west of Detroit.

"It was exciting," Collmenter said prior to Friday's series opener. "It was a good time to see friends and family. Just the support from Homer has been amazing and, as evidenced by today, it's something I'll remember the rest of my life."

On Saturday, Collmenter (4-3, 2.09 ERA) will experience another moment he won't soon forget, as he starts in his home state against his boyhood team when Arizona and Detroit continue a three-game series at 7:05 p.m. ET at Comerica Park. Justin Verlander (9-3, 2.54) starts for Detroit. The Tigers right-hander is looking to pitch his third consecutive complete game.

"I was a Tigers fan ... I never really had allegiance to anyone else, the Tigers were it," Collmenter said of growing up. "Going to Tiger Stadium, and then eventually Comerica Park, watching games as a fan, it's going to be different to step out there -- and it even was today, to run out there and be in a park that's familiar to you. You know what it looks like and you've seen it before."

Since his debut on April 17, Collmenter has experienced a meteoric rise, much like the rest of the D-Backs, who remain in first place in the National League West. Since moving to the rotation in mid-May, Collmenter is 3-3 with a 2.33 ERA, with opponents hitting only .194 against him. Collmenter's family and friends are certainly excited to watch him try to continue that success, as the 25-year-old said he got about 20 tickets for Saturday's game and expects between 200-1,000 people from Homer to be in attendance.

"It's going to be exciting," Collmenter said. "I haven't been nervous or anything like that, it's kind of not me, but I'm just looking forward to seeing how many people from my hometown are there and how many familiar faces are in the stands."

Aside from trying to keep his nerves down while pitching in front of his hometown fans, Collmenter also will have quite a challenge in his counterpart on the mound.Verlander is amidst a stretch in which he might have distinguished himself as arguably the Majors' best pitcher. The 28-year-old right-hander has pitched at least eight innings in each of his last four starts, including going the distance in his past two. In his most recent start, on June 19 at Coors Field, Verlander held the Rockies to one run on four hits.

"You just don't find stuff like that," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said afterward of Verlander. "You don't find a combination of fastball, curve, changeup and slider. Three of them are well above average and one of them's average [the slider]. That's pretty tough. When he locates his fastball, he can be unhittable."

Verlander has been pretty much just that in his last five starts, posting a 0.86 ERA while holding opponents to a .156 batting average. Collmenter said he knows he'll have to bear down and focus in order to battle with Verlander.

"He's going to demand the best out of me, so hopefully I'll in turn demand the best out of him, as well," Collmenter said.

D-backs: Gibby, Tram return to Detroit
Collmenter isn't the only D-back coming home this weekend, as D-backs manager Kirk Gibson and bench coach Alan Trammell also returned to the city in which they spent their careers. Gibson played in Detroit for 12 seasons, worked five seasons in the Tigers broadcast booth and joined Trammell as bench coach when Trammell managed Detroit from 2003-05. Prior to Friday's win, Gibson -- a Michigan native -- said his time as a Tiger was in the past.

"I appreciated my time here for sure," Gibson said. "I got to play in Tiger Stadium where I watched games as a little kid. We developed together as an organization, we grew up together and we accomplished a World Championship together. It was a special time and we'll never forget it. But now they're the enemy."

Trammell was Gibson's teammate on Detroit's 1984 World Series Championship team, and played all 20 of his Major League seasons at shortstop for the Tigers.

"I'm always going to be a part of their history, as I should," Trammell said. "I wouldn't want that to change. It's where I played my entire career."

• Arizona is 8-2 in Interleague Play this season.

Tigers: Perry back in 'pen
Right-hander Ryan Perry returned to Detroit on Friday, allowing only one hit in 2 1/3 innings. The reliever was sent to Triple-A Toledo after giving up 14 runs in 10 1/3 innings with the Tigers earlier this year, and said he spent his time in Toledo working on his mechanics while watching film of himself. One of the changes Perry made was pitching out of the windup without runners on base, which he said has helped him locate his pitches better.

"That's something that no one's ever screwed with before so I felt like I can go to that and give me what my natural flow is," Perry said. "It's really helped me stay on top of the ball a lot better. My arm angle is a little lower, which I've said before, I think it's been raised."

• On Friday, the Tigers announced they will retire Sparky Anderson's No. 11 prior to Sunday's game in a ceremony beginning at 12:45 p.m. Anderson will be the 10th person, and only the second manager, to have his number retired by more than one Major League club. Casey Stengel (Mets and Yankees) is the only other skipper to share the honor. Anderson previously had his number retired by the Reds.

Worth noting
•: Verlander is 13-2 with a 3.24 ERA in 18 Interleague starts.

• The D-backs lead the all-time series against Detroit, 15-10.

• Detroit's Victor Martinez is hitting .388 with eight doubles, two home runs and 17 RBIs in last 26 games.


Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (9-3, 2.54 ERA)

Manager Jim Leyland said he'll keep his starters on turn through the All-Star break, which gives Verlander an extra day of rest this week. It also puts him on track to start the last day before the All-Star break, and not the All-Star Game.


Diamondbacks: RHP Josh Collmenter (4-3, 2.09 ERA)

Collmenter will make a home start of sorts as he is from nearby Homer, Mich. and expects to have a contingent of several hundred supporters in the stands. Collmenter has lost his last two starts, the last one to the White Sox.


Game Information


TIGERS TO RETIRE SPARKY’S NUMBER ON SUNDAY: The Tigers will retire Sparky Anderson’s number prior to Sunday’s game versus Arizona during a ceremony beginning at 12:45 p.m. Anderson will become the 10th person, only the second manager, to have his number retired by more than one major league club. Casey Stengel is the only other manager to receive the honor, having his number retired by both the Yankees and Mets.

RESCHEDULED GAMES: The following is the information on the rescheduled Tigers games postponed at Comerica Park this season:
- Monday, June 27 versus Toronto at 6:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 17)
- Thursday, September 1 versus Kansas City at 1:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 15)

INJURY UPDATE:
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 15-day disabled list on May 11), Rehab with Toledo
• INF Carlos Guillen (left knee microfracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30),
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).


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• Sunday, June 26:
Sparky Anderson Number Retirement Ceremony
Sparky Anderson Commemorative Canvas Print
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (5-6, 4.80 ERA)) VS Diamondbacks (LHP Joe Saunders (4-7, 4.35 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Monday, June 27:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (9-3, 4.61 ERA)) VS Blue Jays (RHP Zach Stewart (0-1, 5.91 ERA)), 6:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Tuesday, June 28:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (6-5, 4.50 ERA)) VS Mets (RHP R.A. Dickey (3-7, 3.76 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS

Arizona
1. R. Roberts, 3B
2. K. Johnson, 2B
3. J. Upton, RF
4. S. Drew, SS
5. C. Young, CF
6. M. Montero, C
7. W. Pena, DH
8. J. Miranda, 1B
9. G. Parra, LF


TIGERS
1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Brennan Boesch, LF
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Alex Avila, C
8. Brandon Inge, 3B
9. Ramon Santiago, 2B

ARI - Top 1st
B:1 S:2 O:1
Ryan Roberts flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Kelly Johnson out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Justin Upton lines out softly to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson out on foul tip.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Brennan Boesch flies out to center fielder Chris Young.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, second baseman Kelly Johnson to first baseman Juan Miranda.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

ARI - Top 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Stephen Drew flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Chris Young called out on .

B:3 S:3 O:3
Miguel Montero out swinging.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Justin Upton.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a fly ball to left fielder Gerardo Parra.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta pops out to second baseman Kelly Johnson.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila doubles (15) on a line drive to right fielder Justin Upton. Victor Martinez scores.
1 - 0

B:0 S:3 O:3
Brandon Inge out swinging.

1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

ARI - Top 3rd
B:0 S:2 O:0
Wily Mo Pena reaches on fielding error by third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Juan Miranda called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:1
Gerardo Parra doubles (8) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Wily Mo Pena to 3rd.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Ryan Roberts out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Kelly Johnson grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Ramon Santiago out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a fly ball to center fielder Chris Young.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Brennan Boesch walks. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Magglio Ordonez grounds into double play,
third baseman Ryan Roberts to second baseman Kelly Johnson to first
baseman Juan Miranda. Brennan Boesch out at 2nd.

1 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

ARI - Top 4th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Justin Upton called out on .

B:1 S:3 O:2
Stephen Drew called out on .

B:0 S:2 O:2
Chris Young singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Miguel Montero grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Chris Young.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a fly ball to left fielder Gerardo Parra. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Jhonny Peralta doubles (14) on a line drive to left fielder Gerardo Parra. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez to 3rd.
2 - 0

B:0 S:1 O:0
Alex Avila homers (10) on a fly ball to right field. Victor Martinez scores. Jhonny Peralta scores.
5 - 0

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Chris Young.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago flies out to right fielder Justin Upton.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Austin Jackson pops out to second baseman Kelly Johnson.

5 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

ARI - Top 5th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Wily Mo Pena called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:2
Juan Miranda flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Gerardo Parra out on foul tip. (9 FOR JV)

DET - Bot 5th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch grounds out, second baseman Kelly Johnson to first baseman Juan Miranda.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Magglio Ordonez walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Chris Young. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez pops out to shortstop Stephen Drew on the infield fly rule.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Justin Upton.

5 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

ARI - Top 6th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Ryan Roberts grounds out softly, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Kelly Johnson flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Justin Upton singles on a ground ball to second baseman Ramon Santiago, deflected by pitcher Justin Verlander.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Stephen Drew out swinging. (10 JV )

DET - Bot 6th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Gerardo Parra.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Ramon Santiago flies out to center fielder Chris Young.

5 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

ARI - Top 7th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Chris Young out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Miguel Montero flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Wily Mo Pena grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Justin Verlander.

DET - Bot 7th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to shortstop Stephen Drew.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Brennan Boesch singles on a ground ball to right fielder Justin Upton. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Esmerling Vasquez replaces Josh Collmenter.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Magglio Ordonez grounds out softly, pitcher Esmerling Vasquez to first baseman Juan Miranda. Austin Jackson to 3rd. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Esmerling Vasquez intentionally walks Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out, pitcher Esmerling Vasquez to first baseman Juan Miranda. Austin Jackson scores. Brennan Boesch to 3rd. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.
6 - 0

B:0 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Ryan Roberts to first baseman Juan Miranda.

6 - 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

ARI - Top 8th
Defensive Substitution: Casper Wells replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 3rd, playing right field.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Juan Miranda walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Gerardo Parra doubles (9) on a line drive to right fielder Casper Wells. Juan Miranda to 3rd.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Ryan Roberts called out on .

B:3 S:3 O:2
Kelly Johnson out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Justin Upton out swinging.
(CAREER HIGH 14 FOR JV)

DET - Bot 8th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila singles on a fly ball to left fielder Gerardo Parra. Alex Avila out at 2nd, left fielder Gerardo Parra to second baseman Kelly Johnson.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Brandon Inge grounds out, second baseman Kelly Johnson to first baseman Juan Miranda.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Ramon Santiago grounds out softly, pitcher Esmerling Vasquez to first baseman Juan Miranda.

6 - 0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

ARI - Top 9th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces left fielder Brennan Boesch, batting 2nd, playing left field.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Justin Verlander.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Stephen Drew grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Chris Young singles on a ground ball to left fielder Don Kelly.

With Miguel Montero batting, Chris Young advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Miguel Montero grounds out softly, catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Chris Young to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Wily Mo Pena grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

BATTING
2B: Avila (15, Collmenter), Peralta, Jh (14, Collmenter).
HR: Avila (10, 4th inning off Collmenter, 2 on, 0 out).
TB: Jackson, A 2; Boesch; Cabrera, Mi 2; Martinez, V 2; Peralta, Jh 2; Avila 7.
RBI: Avila 4 (45), Peralta, Jh (43), Martinez, V (43).
2-out RBI: Avila.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Inge; Peralta, Jh 3.
GIDP: Ordonez.
Team RISP: 2-for-9.
Team LOB: 6.

FIELDING
E: Inge (6, fielding).

PITCHING
IBB: Cabrera, Mi (by Vasquez).
Pitches-strikes: Collmenter 90-62, Vasquez 20-12, Verlander 119-84, Valverde 13-11.
Groundouts-flyouts: Collmenter 3-7, Vasquez 5-0, Verlander 5-5, Valverde 3-0.
Batters faced: Collmenter 29, Vasquez 7, Verlander 30, Valverde 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Vasquez 2-1.
Umpires: HP: Mike Muchlinski. 1B: Chris Guccione. 2B: Mark Carlson. 3B: Mike Everitt.
Weather: 77 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 11 mph, Out to CF.
T: 2:35.
Att: 43,163.

W: Verlander (10-3)