GDT: 7/28/11 - DET (55-49) VS LAA (57-48) - 1:05 p.m. ET ---
VS ---
Detroit Tigers VS Los Angeles AngelsThursday, July 28, 2011
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Game Time - 1:05 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. Anderson’s number 11 was retired
in a pre-game ceremony on June 26.
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Preview Rejuvenated Abreu faces Penny, TigersBy Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 7/27/2011 7:23 PM ET
It appears as though Angels designated hitter Bobby Abreu might finally be getting back to his old self.
Abreu has recorded a hit in three straight games, including knocking out his fourth home run of the season Monday. His declining power production has been a cause of concern for the Angels this season, but the past few games -- with the veteran once again driving the ball -- have been encouraging.
Abreu has hit at least 15 home runs for 13 consecutive seasons, driving in at least 100 runs eight times during that span. And although he's highly unlikely to reach those totals this season -- entering Thursday with four homers and 41 RBIs -- Abreu and the Angels are feeling optimistic after he made a slight change at the plate, which has led to his success of late.
"I'm more on top of the plate," Abreu said. "I was having trouble with balls on the outside part of the plate, because I was way too far off the plate. I'm feeling much better now. I'm making pretty good contact again. I'm not swinging at bad pitches or jumping at the ball and getting a lot of rollovers like before."
Abreu will enter Thursday's opener of a four-game series in Detroit with great career success against the Tigers, hitting .327 with a .512 slugging percentage, including .342 and .507 marks, respectively, in 19 games at Comerica Park.
Abreu will face Detroit right-hander Brad Penny, against whom he's a .340 (18-for-53) career hitter. Penny had his two-game winning streak snapped in his last start against the Twins, giving up four runs on seven hits in seven innings.
One of those wins during his streak came against the Angels on July 6, when Penny gave up four runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Angels: Pineiro trying to reboundRight-hander Joel Pineiro will take the bump for the Angels on Thursday against a team he has had success against in his career. Pineiro is 8-3 with a 3.16 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) against the Tigers, including 3-1 with a 0.95 WHIP in Detroit. Facing the Tigers should be a welcome assignment for Pineiro, who has given up 10 earned runs in his past two starts (5 2/3 innings).
"I feel good," Pineiro said. "It's just a matter of keeping the ball in the strike zone and getting outs. It's no secret what I try to do: throw the sinker for strikes down in the zone."
• On Wednesday against the Indians, Ervin Santana threw the ninth official no-hitter in club history and first non-combined no-no since 1984. It also was the first non-shutout no-hitter in Angels history.
Tigers: Betemit impressingSince joining the Tigers on July 20, infielder Wilson Betemit has impressed, hitting .300 with two RBIs in six games with Detroit. One of those RBIs came Tuesday, when Betemit's go-ahead single proved to be the difference in a Tigers victory.
"I already like him," manager Jim Leyland said. "He's gotten some big hits already."
Betemit said he's enjoying his time with the Tigers so far.
"It's great, especially to come here to this team," Betemit said Wednesday morning. "We're in first place. You try to do your best to help."• Jose Valverde has converted 27 consecutive saves to begin the season, the second-longest streak during a single season in Tigers history. Guillermo Hernandez converted 32 straight from April 6-Sept.23, 1984.
Worth noting• The Angels are 2-1 against the Tigers this year as they make their first trip to Detroit. They're 31-15 in Detroit since 2002 and 53-29 overall against Tigers during that time frame.
• Angels reliever Scott Downs has been scored upon in only four of his 39 outings and has not allowed a run in his past 12 outings (11 2/3 innings).
• Detroit's Jhonny Peralta is hitting .372 with three doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs in 12 games since the All-Star break.
• Abreu is two runs shy of 1,400 in his career, and with his next double, he will pass Tony Gwynn (543) for 24th all time.
Tigers: RHP Brad Penny (7-7, 4.51 ERA)Penny struggled over the first four innings of his start against the Twins on Saturday, but after giving up four earned runs, Penny pitched three scoreless innings. Penny will look to build on that in his start on Thursday.
Angels: RHP Joel Pineiro (5-5, 4.61 ERA)Pineiro excelled against Detroit on July 4 in one of his best outings of the year, holding the Tigers to one earned run on five hits in seven innings. Fighting his command, he's given up 13 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings since then.
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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:
-
Thursday, September 1 versus Kansas City at 1:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 15)
INJURY UPDATE: •
RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery,
60-day disabled list on March 30).
•
LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation,
60-day DL on May 11)
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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) • Friday, July 29: Tigers (RHP
Rick Porcello (10-6, 4.67 ERA))
VS Angels (RHP
Tyler Chatwood (6-6, 3.64 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)• Saturday, July 30: Tigers (LHP
Duane Below (0-1, 4.66 ERA))
VS Angels (RHP
Dan Haren (10-6, 3.01 ERA)),
4:10 p.m. ET (FOX / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)• Sunday, July 31: Tigers (RHP
Justin Verlander (14-5, 2.34 ERA))
VS Angels (RHP
Jered Weaver (14-4, 1.79 ERA)),
4:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)