GDT: 7/9/11 - DET (48-42) AT KC (36-53) - 7:10 p.m. ET ---
AT ---
Detroit Tigers AT Kansas City RoyalsSaturday, July 9, 2011
Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Game Time - 7:10 p.m. EDT REMEMBERING SPARKYThe Tigers are wearing a patch on their right
sleeves this season in the shape of a home
plate emblazoned with the name SPARKY, to
honor Hall of Fame manager Sparky
Anderson who passed away on November 4, 2010.
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Preview Furbush looking to help Tigers cage RoyalsBy Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 7/9/2011 12:40 AM ET
It's important for Tigers left-hander Charlie Furbush on Saturday to go deep in his second career start. Important for his psyche, perhaps, but even more so for a bullpen that skipper Jim Leyland called "unsettled."
"We just really haven't been able to get it totally in synch; the thorough bullpen, the total bullpen," Leyland said.
A big reason for that has been the situation in which Furbush's been involved. Furbush, who on July 4 made his first career start, replaced fellow left-hander Phil Coke in the rotation. In Thursday's game, Coke came in and got a big out in the seventh inning. Leyland hopes Coke can continue to do that in a role he pitched well in a year ago.
"Between him and [Al] Alburquerque coming back, that's a pretty good combination," Leyland said. "That would be just what the doctor ordered, if he pitches like he's capable of pitching in that role, that would be very good for our club."
Taking the bump for the Royals is Luke Hochevar, who is coming off an outing in which he allowed five runs, all in the fifth inning. The right-hander (5-8) has split his two starts this year against the Tigers and is 3-4 with a 4.41 ERA in nine career games (eight starts) against Detroit.
Tigers: Jackson still outCenter fielder Austin Jackson won't be in the lineup for the rest of the series. Jackson was pulled from Thursday's game in the third inning with a sore left wrist, which had been bugging him for a few days. Leyland said he doesn't want him to aggravate it, but said he'll be fine. Jackson could come in as a late defensive replacement, but Leyland doesn't want him swinging a bat.
• In his last 40 games, Victor Martinez is hitting .342 with 10 doubles and 24 RBIs.
Royals: Diamond of Dreams fundraiser announcedRoyals Charities announced on Friday the Diamond of Dreams: Taking the Field for Operation Breakthrough will be held at 7 p.m. CT on July 21 at Kauffman Stadium. The fundraiser benefits locally-based Operation Breakthrough, a St. Vincent's Family Service Center. Tickets for the on-field event only are available for $100 each and can be purchased online or by calling 816-504-4149.
• Closer Joakim Soria has converted his last eight save opportunities.
Worth noting• Of Detroit's final 72 games, 48 come against American League Central opponents. The Tigers are 17-7 against division foes this season.
• Jose Valverde has converted 23 straight saves to begin the season, the fourth-longest streak in Tigers history.
• The Royals have lost 11 of their last 13 games against division opponents.
• Detroit's Miguel Cabrera is hitting .478 (11-for-23) in his career against Hochevar.
Tigers: LHP Charlie Furbush (1-2, 3.08 ERA)Furbush used all of his four-pitch arsenal in his first Major League start Monday night, striking out five Angels over 4 2/3 innings of three-run ball. One run scored on a balk when his cleats caught, another on a bloop single.
Royals: RHP Luke Hochevar (5-8, 5.17 ERA)Hochevar jammed his lower back while sliding at Colorado and eventually left the game in the fifth inning. After the injury, his shutout vanished in a five-run outburst. But he's recovered and will make his start as scheduled.
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Tiger's MLB Game Notes
Game InformationRESCHEDULED GAMES: The following is the information on the rescheduled Tigers games postponed at Comerica Park this season:
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Thursday, September 1 versus Kansas City at 1:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 15)
INJURY UPDATE: •
RHP Al Alburquerque (right forearm flexor mass inflammation,
15-day disabled list on June 30),
•
LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation,
15-day disabled list on May 11),
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INF Carlos Guillen (left knee microfracture surgery,
60-day disabled list on March 30),
Rehab with Toledo•
RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery,
60-day disabled list on March 30).
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To track MLB play-by-play, to help post GDT outcomes: http://m.mlb.com/scores/On the Internet MLB.TV Gameday Audio•
Gameday•
Official Press Pass game notesOn television •
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Direct TV Extra Innings ScheduleOn radio•
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XM Channel Schedule______________________________________
Up next (Probable Pitchers) • Sunday, July 10: Tigers (RHP
Justin Verlander (11-4, 2.26 ERA))
AT Royals (LHP
Jeff Francis (3-9, 4.69) ERA)),
2:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)• Sunday, July 10: Taco Bell All-Star Sunday at Chase Field featuring: XM All-Star Futures Game, 6 p.m. ET, and
Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game,
approximately 9:30 ET• Monday July 11: Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Chase Field featuring:
State Farm Home Run Derby, 8 ET• Tuesday July 12: 82nd MLB All-Star Game at Chase Field, 8 ET• Wednesday July 13: OFF DAY
• Thursday July 14: OFF DAY