GDT: 4/12/09 - DET (3-3) VS Tex (3-2) - 1:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- Fernando Rodney couldn't hear it. A lot of others in Detroit probably figured they'd never hear it.

"Rod-ney! Rod-ney!"

The chant started with a small group of fans when Rodney reached two strikes on Chris Davis with one out in the ninth inning on Saturday. By the time Rodney struck out Davis and Jarrod Saltalamacchia stepped up as the Rangers' last hope, the chanting was difficult to miss.

If that wasn't a suggestion that Rodney could establish himself as the Tigers' closer, his strikeout of Saltalamacchia might be. Three up, three down, no drama, just a hop off the mound and a fist pump from Rodney when Saltalamacchia swung and missed at his 96-mph fastball.

"I saw people stand up and clap," Rodney said, "but I'm very focused on the hitter."

He appreciated the gesture nonetheless.

"It's a good sign," he said. "People have fun at the good game. When you play hard, play nine innings hard like that, close game, people have fun. More important, we win the game."

Rodney has no problem having fun playing the game, but his focus has been impressive. Just as important for the Tigers is that Rodney doesn't seem to be rattled by the closer's role. Handed a one-run lead for his first save situation of the season, Rodney responded by picking up where he left off at the tail end of Spring Training.

"He's in a good mindset," manager Jim Leyland said.

It's a comfort level for Rodney. To use the old Leyland analogy, this is good pressure rather than bad pressure, because he feels he has prepared himself for this.

"I feel more comfortable," Rodney said, "because I think I worked very hard for that in Spring Training."

The Tigers worked very hard with him to build that after his wild stretch run last year. Fastball command became the priority, and when he struggled to mix in his slider, they bagged it and had him focus exclusively on fastballs and changeups.

"To be honest with you, he's around the plate a lot more," Leyland said. "I think the knee-to-knee [drills] that [pitching coach Rick] Knapp worked with him has helped him. I think he tuned it up a notch when he needed to today. And the more comfortable you feel with the delivery, the easier you'll be able to take it up 3-4 mph and not get out of whack in your delivery. That's the art of pitching."

Rarely has the art of pitching been associated with Rodney, whose inconsistencies have been maddening at times. If he can use the fastball effectively to set up his offspeed pitches, however, he'll have plenty of opportunities to leave hitters off-balance. Saturday featured a heavy dose of heaters climbing out of the strike zone as Rangers hitters swung and missed.

How rare was Rodney's Saturday performance? Only once last season, July 27 against the White Sox, did he strike out the side in order, and that wasn't a save situation.

When Leyland named Rodney the closer, it was far from definitive beyond Opening Day. Now, nearly a week into the season, there's no question it's his role. Leyland keeps talking about the need to sort out the bullpen roles, but closer isn't one of them.

"We have to figure out some things from [innings] seven to nine -- seven and eight more importantly," Leyland said.

Nine seems pretty well solved for now. And Rodney, who still felt like he was competing for the job when the Tigers broke camp a week ago, feels confident about his spot.

"Right now, I'm feeling like that's my job," Rodney said. "I'll keep throwing the ball the like however long I can, and we'll see what happens. I think we have a really good bullpen."

With Rodney needing just 14 pitches to send down the side Saturday, he'll be available again for the ninth when the Tigers try to go for the sweep of the Rangers on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 ET. It would be a good test for him throwing back-to-back days, but he has answered every test so far to get the closer's job.

Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Edwin Jackson (0-0, 1.23 ERA)
If the Tigers can get anything close to the efficient success of Jackson's Detroit debut going forward, they might have the innings-eating workhorse for their rotation. Jackson threw just 89 pitches Tuesday in sending down the Blue Jays through seven innings of one-hit scoreless ball, before Scott Rolen's leadoff homer and a subsequent error by Brandon Inge knocked him out in the eighth. Brandon Lyon's blown save left Jackson without a win to show for his work, but his ability to give the Tigers a chance in what had been a low-scoring duel could be huge for Detroit if he can keep it up.

TEX: RHP Kevin Millwood (1-0, 1.29 ERA)
Millwood won for the first time in four Opening Day starts with a 9-1 victory over the Indians on Monday. He allowed one run on five hits, walked one and struck out five. He threw 113 pitches and said he still felt strong going into the seventh. Millwood is 4-4 with a 3.91 ERA in 11 career starts against the Tigers and 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA in three starts in Detroit. He was 4-7 with a 5.05 ERA on the road last year. That was the sixth highest road ERA among AL ERA qualifiers.

Tidbits
The Tigers will hold their Kids Day Easter celebration on Sunday. The first 500 kids at the park age 14 and under will be invited to participate in an Easter parade on the warning track and receive an "Always A Tiger" T-shirt. The first 200 kids 14 and under at the Big Cast Court photo booth can have a free photo with the Easter Bunny.
... All kids 14 and under will receive a PAWS 2009 schedule magnet.
... Ramon Santiago is expected to get his third start of the week Sunday, this one at shortstop to give Everett another day off.
... Curtis Granderson has hit safely in all six games this season, batting .280 (7-for-25) in the process.
... Placido Polanco has six hits over his past four games since going 0-for-4 on Opening Day.
... Miguel Cabrera had his first hitless game of the season, as well as his first two strikeouts of the year.

To track MLB play-by-play: http://m.mlb.com/scores/

On the Internet
MLB.TV
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On television
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On radio
• WXYT 1270 AM / 97.1 FM

Up next
• Monday: Tigers (Zach Miner, 1-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. White Sox (Gavin Floyd, 0-1, 2.57 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 0-1, 7.20 ERA) vs. White Sox (John Danks, 0-0, 0.00 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 1-0, 1.29 ERA) vs. White Sox (Jose Contreras, 0-1, 7.20 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ian Kinsler grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Michael Young walks.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Josh Hamilton homers (1) on a fly ball to left center field. Michael Young scores.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Hank Blalock flies out to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Nelson Cruz pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Michael Young.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez pops out to second baseman Ian Kinsler.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Josh Hamilton. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen lines out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

RANGERS 2-0

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
David Murphy pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Chris Davis flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounds out sharply, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Jeff Larish grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Gerald Laird pops out to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Chris Davis.

RANGERS 2-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

Inning 3
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Elvis Andrus singles on a line drive to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
With Ian Kinsler batting, Elvis Andrus steals (1) 2nd base.

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Ian Kinsler homers (2) on a line drive to left field. Elvis Andrus scores.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Michael Young pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Josh Hamilton flies out to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Hank Blalock lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Everett lines out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:0 S:1 O:3 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into a force
out, third baseman Michael Young to second baseman Ian Kinsler. Placido
Polanco out at 2nd.

RANGERS 4-0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Nelson Cruz doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
David Murphy walks.

B:1 S:2 O:2 - Chris Davis grounds into double play,
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Adam Everett to pitcher Edwin
Jackson. Nelson Cruz to 3rd. David Murphy out at 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Jarrod Saltalamacchia swinging.

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out to left fielder David Murphy.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Jeff Larish swinging.

RANGERS 4-0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Elvis Andrus pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Ian Kinsler walks.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Michael Young doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Ian Kinsler to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Josh Hamilton grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Hank Blalock pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Gerald Laird swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge grounds out softly to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Adam Everett swinging.

RANGERS 4-0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

Inning 6
Top Half

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Nelson Cruz grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
David Murphy swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Chris Davis called out on .

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson lines out to second baseman Ian Kinsler.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Chris Davis.

RANGERS 4-0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon Lyon replaces Edwin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Elvis Andrus bunt pops out to pitcher Brandon Lyon.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Ian Kinsler flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

RANGERS 4-0

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out, first baseman Chris Davis to pitcher Kevin Millwood. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Jeff Larish grounds out, pitcher Kevin Millwood to first baseman Chris Davis. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Gerald Laird pops out to first baseman Chris Davis.

RANGERS 4-0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

Inning 8
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Michael Young grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Josh Hamilton grounds out, pitcher Brandon Lyon to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Hank Blalock lines out sharply to pitcher Brandon Lyon.

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: C. J. Wilson replaces Kevin Millwood.

B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Brandon Inge homers (4) on a fly ball to right field.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Adam Everett singles on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Curtis Granderson reaches on fielding error by shortstop Elvis Andrus. Adam Everett to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:0 O:0 - Placido Polanco doubles (3) on a ground
ball to left fielder David Murphy. Adam Everett scores. Curtis
Granderson to 3rd.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez swinging.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
C. J. Wilson intentionally walks Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:1 - Carlos Guillen doubles (2) on a ground
ball to left fielder David Murphy. Curtis Granderson scores. Placido
Polanco scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Marcus Thames replaces Jeff Larish.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Warner Madrigal replaces C. J. Wilson.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Josh Anderson replaces Carlos Guillen.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Warner Madrigal intentionally walks Marcus Thames.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Gerald Laird swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2 - Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to
center fielder Josh Hamilton. Miguel Cabrera scores. Josh Anderson
scores. Marcus Thames to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Adam Everett pops out to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

6-4 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Josh Anderson remains in the game as the left fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Marcus Thames remains in the game as the designated hitter.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Brandon Lyon.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Nelson Cruz bunt grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
David Murphy pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Detroit Tigers left fielder Carlos Guillen left the game due to an injured foot/ankle.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Chris Davis flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

win 6-4

April 12, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Texas	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0		4	5	1
Detroit	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	X		6	9	0

Texas AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Kinsler, 2B 3 1 1 2 1 0 0 .348 Young, 3B 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 .273 Hamilton, CF 4 1 1 2 0 0 2 .286 Blalock, DH 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .222 Cruz, N, RF 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .304 Murphy, LF 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 .000 Davis, C, 1B 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .045 Saltalamacchia, C 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .167 Andrus, El, SS 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 .294 Totals 31 4 5 4 3 3 7 BATTING 2B: Cruz, N (1, Jackson), Young (3, Jackson). HR: Hamilton (1, 1st inning off Jackson, 1 on, 1 out), Kinsler (2, 3rd inning off Jackson, 1 on, 0 out). TB: Kinsler 4; Young 2; Hamilton 4; Cruz, N 2; Andrus, El. RBI: Hamilton 2 (6), Kinsler 2 (8). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Saltalamacchia; Blalock 2. GIDP: Davis, C. Team RISP: 1-for-5. Team LOB: 3. BASERUNNING SB: Andrus, El (1, 2nd base off Jackson/Laird). FIELDING E: Andrus, El (2, fielding).		Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Granderson, CF 4 1 0 0 0 2 0 .241 Polanco, 2B 4 1 3 1 0 0 0 .346 Ordonez, RF 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .259 Cabrera, M, 1B 3 1 2 0 1 0 0 .520 Guillen, LF 4 0 1 2 0 1 3 .182 --1-Anderson, J, PR-LF 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Larish, DH 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .250 --a-Thames, PH-DH 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .273 Laird, C 4 0 0 0 0 2 4 .318 Inge, 3B 4 1 2 3 0 0 0 .304 Everett, SS 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 .238 Totals 34 6 9 6 2 8 14 a-Intentionally walked for Larish in the 8th. 1-Ran for Guillen in the 8th. BATTING 2B: Polanco (3, Wilson), Guillen (2, Wilson). HR: Inge (4, 8th inning off Wilson, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Polanco 4; Cabrera, M 2; Guillen 2; Inge 5; Everett. RBI: Inge 3 (7), Polanco (3), Guillen 2 (4). 2-out RBI: Inge 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Guillen; Laird; Everett. Team RISP: 3-for-9. Team LOB: 6. FIELDING DP: (Cabrera, M-Everett-Jackson).
Texas IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Millwood 7.0 4 0 0 0 6 0 0.64 Wilson (L, 0-1) 0.1 4 6 3 1 1 1 10.80 Madrigal 0.2 1 0 0 1 1 0 15.43		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Jackson 6.0 5 4 4 3 3 2 3.38 Lyon (W, 1-1) 2.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.00 Rodney (S, 2) 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
IBB: Cabrera, M (by Wilson), Thames (by Madrigal). Pitches-strikes: Millwood 112-70, Wilson 24-13, Madrigal 12-5, Jackson 97-60, Lyon 17-12, Rodney 5-5. Groundouts-flyouts: Millwood 8-7, Wilson 0-0, Madrigal 0-1, Jackson 6-9, Lyon 3-3, Rodney 1-2. Batters faced: Millwood 25, Wilson 7, Madrigal 4, Jackson 25, Lyon 6, Rodney 3. Inherited runners-scored: Madrigal 2-2. Umpires: HP: Bill Hohn. 1B: Bruce Dreckman. 2B: Paul Emmel. 3B: Gary Darling. Weather: 55 degrees, sunny. Wind: 6 mph, L to R. T: 2:26. Att: 18,905. April 12, 2009