GDT: 5/1/10 - DET (14-10) vs LAA (12-12) - 1:05 p.m. ET

Jackson ready to take his hacks vs. Kazmir

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

The rookies captured the spotlight during the Tigers' 10-6 win over the Angels on Friday night. And leading the way was the rookie who didn't take his foot off the gas pedal all month -- Austin Jackson.

The 23-year-old outfielder put a neat little ribbon on a month of April with a 5-for-5 night at the plate.

With that, Jackson finished April leading the American League with 36 hits, added 12 multi-hit games -- including six in his past seven contests -- and has reached base safely in 18 consecutive contests.

The 36 April hits are the most by an AL rookie since Rocco Baldelli notched 39 with the Rays in 2003.

"It's hard to argue with what he's done," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He's leading the league in hits. He's hitting .364, got a couple stolen bases and playing the outfield great. It's pretty hard to do better than he's done the first month."

But what about the second month? How will pitchers adjust? Perhaps more off-speed pitches could be the trick, since, according to FanGraphs, Jackson has seen 67.6 percent fastballs so far this season.

Jackson, however, isn't one to complicate matters.

"I'm just going to try to go out there and do the same thing I've been doing," Jackson said, "not try to overdo it."

Whatever adjustments are required, the Angels' Saturday starter, Scott Kazmir, will get the first crack in the new month during the second of a three-game series.

When Kazmir faced Jackson on April 20, he struck him out all three times.

Angels: Free passes hurt Kazmir last time out

The Yankees only had three hits against Kazmir on Sunday, but they were also the beneficiary of four walks and a hit batsman, which helped them notch four runs against him in his 5 1/3-inning stint.

Kazmir faced the Yankees to start the season, then faced them again two starts later. He'll be on that same pattern with the Tigers, who he got the win against after giving up two runs in 5 2/3 innings on April 20.

"That's what this game is all about, making changes to how you pitch and approach from game to game and during a game," Kazmir said. "It is different to come right back and pitch against the same team so quickly, but that is part of the game.

"I have to make pitches to help expand the strike zone so I get them to hit my pitches."

Tigers: Leyland will abide by smoking law

The first day of the Michigan public smoking ban is Saturday, which includes Comerica Park. Jim Leyland said Friday he will not smoke in his office.

"I'm a law-abiding citizen," the Tigers' skipper said. "That's just the way it is. We're not supposed to smoke here, and I'm not going to do it. I'll try to find someplace outside somewhere, I guess."

Worth noting
Hideki Matsui, one of just two Angels players who played in all 24 games in April, is just one RBI shy of 1,500 for his pro career (including his time in Japan).

... Magglio Ordonez is day-to-day after leaving Friday's game with what the Tigers classified as abdominal cramping. He had been dealing with tightness around his stomach muscles for the past few days, but had played through it. Ryan Raburn could get a start if Ordonez can't go.

... Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera is a .325 career hitter in May, including .340 last year.

... The Angels are at .500 despite being outscored by 23 runs this year.



Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 6.97 ERA)
The main obstacle holding back Bonderman from an encouraging return this year has been the big inning, whether it's in his first inning or his second time through the order. He worked through three solid innings Monday at Texas, protecting a big early lead, but was chased after three hits, a walk and two runs in the sixth. His splitter has become a better pitch than many would have expected, especially potent when paired with a slider that has its old bite back, but it has so far proven difficult for him to find the combination to get through a lineup two or three times without some sort of struggle. He had a quality start against the Angels on April 21 with three runs allowed over six innings.


MIN: LHP Scott Kazmir (2-1, 7.20 ERA)
The Yankees managed to score four runs against Kazmir with only three hits in 5 1/3 innings on Sunday, aided by four walks and a hit batsman. Kazmir yielded a pair of homers and was down, 3-0, in the second, but he clamped down and left with a lead in the sixth. He appeared to find his absent slider mid-game, mixing it in with his fastball and changeup with his new delivery, in which his hands are held behind his head before uncoiling. Kazmir is 3-4 with a 4.50 ERA in nine career starts against the Tigers, having beaten them on April 20 at home while going 5 2/3 innings. In that start, he allowed six hits and two earned runs, recording seven strikeouts. He's 2-2 with a 3.25 ERA in five career starts at Comerica Park.


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Sunday, May 2:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (1-2, 5.53 ERA)) vs Angels (RHP Jered Weaver (3-0, 2.53 ERA)), 1:05 PM ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Monday, May 3:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (1-1, 4.23 ERA)) at Twins (RHP Scott Baker (2-2, 5.72 ERA)), 8:10 PM ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Tuesday, May 4:
Tigers (LHP Dontrelle Willis (1-1, 3.75 ERA)) at Twins (To be announced ), 8:10 PM ET (FS-D Plus / 1270)

Magglio Ordonez is back in the starting lineup, but Jim Leyland said
he's going to DH him. Magglio said he was still sore, but otherwise
fine. He compares the cramping of his abdominal muscles to back spasms.

TIGERS

1. Jackson, CF
   
2. Damon, LF
   
3. Ordonez, DH
   
4. Cabrera, 1B
   
5. Inge, 3B
   
6. Raburn, RF
   
7. Laird, C
   
8. Sizemore, 2B
   
9. Everett, SS
   

P: Jeremy Bonderman

ANGELS

1. Erick Aybar, SS
   
2. Howie Kendrick, 2B
   
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
   
4. Hideki Matsui, DH
   
5. Kendry Morales, 1B
   
6. Juan Rivera, LF
   
7. Mike Napoli, C
   
8. Brandon Wood, 3B
   
9. Reggie Willits, CF
   

P: Scott Kazmir

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Erick Aybar singles on a bunt ground ball to second baseman Scott Sizemore.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
With Howard Kendrick batting, Erick Aybar caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Laird to second baseman Scott Sizemore.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Howard Kendrick swinging.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Bobby Abreu lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

0-0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Reggie Willits.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Johnny Damon singles on a line drive to right fielder Bobby Abreu. Austin Jackson to 2nd.


B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez pops out to second baseman Howard Kendrick.


B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera walks. Austin Jackson to 3rd. Johnny Damon to 2nd.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Reggie Willits. Austin Jackson scores. Johnny Damon to 3rd.

DET 1, LAA 0




B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.

DET 1, LAA 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Hideki Matsui grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Kendry Morales singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Juan Rivera grounds into double play, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Kendry Morales out at 2nd.

DET 1, LAA 0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

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


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Scott Sizemore swinging.


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Adam Everett walks.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
With Austin Jackson batting, Adam Everett steals (1) 2nd base.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Austin Jackson swinging.

DET 1, LAA 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Mike Napoli doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Johnny Damon.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Wood lines into double play, pitcher Jeremy Bonderman to second baseman Scott Sizemore. Mike Napoli out at 2nd.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Reggie Willits flies out to right fielder Ryan Raburn in foul territory.

DET 1, LAA 0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon lines out to third baseman Brandon Wood.


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


B:2 S:2 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera grounds into a force out,
fielded by second baseman Howard Kendrick. Magglio Ordonez out at 2nd.
Miguel Cabrera to 1st.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
With Brandon Inge batting, Miguel Cabrera steals (1) 2nd base.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge pops out to shortstop Erick Aybar.

DET 1, LAA 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Erick Aybar grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Jeremy Bonderman.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Howard Kendrick singles on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
With Bobby Abreu batting, missed catch error by Miguel Cabrera on the pickoff attempt, Howard Kendrick to 2nd.


B:3 S:2 O:1 - Bobby Abreu reaches on fielding error by
left fielder Johnny Damon. Howard Kendrick scores. Missed catch error
by first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

LAA 1, DET 1


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Hideki Matsui swinging.


B:3 S:1 O:3 -
With Kendry Morales batting, Bobby Abreu caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Laird to shortstop Adam Everett.

LAA 1, DET 1 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Juan Rivera.


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Gerald Laird called out on .



B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Scott Sizemore walks.


B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:1 S:0 O:2 - Adam Everett grounds out, pitcher Scott
Kazmir to second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Kendry
Morales. Ryan Raburn to 3rd. Scott Sizemore to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Kendry Morales.

LAA 1, DET 1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Kendry Morales singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Juan Rivera flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Mike Napoli doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Kendry Morales to 3rd.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Wood singles on a ground ball to left fielder Johnny Damon. Kendry Morales scores. Mike Napoli to 3rd.

LAA 2, DET 1




B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Reggie Willits lines out to second baseman Scott Sizemore.


B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Erick Aybar swinging, catcher Gerald Laird to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Johnny Damon doubles (10) on a line drive to center fielder Reggie Willits.


B:0 S:0 O:0 - Magglio Ordonez reaches on a fielder's
choice, fielded by shortstop Erick Aybar. Johnny Damon advances to 3rd,
on throwing error by shortstop Erick Aybar.


B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Reggie Willits. Johnny Damon scores. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

LAA 2, DET 2




B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Juan Rivera.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.


B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Gerald Laird called out on .

LAA 2, DET 2 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

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


B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Bobby Abreu called out on .


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Hideki Matsui singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Kendry Morales singles on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Raburn. Hideki Matsui to 2nd.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:3 - Juan Rivera singles on a line drive to
left fielder Johnny Damon. Hideki Matsui out at home on the throw, left
fielder Johnny Damon to catcher Gerald Laird.

LAA 2, DET 2 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Scott Sizemore flies out to left fielder Juan Rivera.


B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett flies out to left fielder Juan Rivera.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Austin Jackson lines out to left fielder Juan Rivera.

LAA 2, DET 2 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Eddie Bonine replaces Jeremy Bonderman.


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Mike Napoli swinging.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Wood singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Reggie Willits swinging.


B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Erick Aybar grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Adam Everett. Brandon Wood out at 2nd.


LAA 2, DET 2 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Kevin Jepsen replaces Scott Kazmir.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, third baseman Brandon Wood to first baseman Kendry Morales.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, pitcher Kevin Jepsen to first baseman Kendry Morales.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Kendry Morales.

LAA 2, DET 2 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

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


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Fu-Te Ni replaces Eddie Bonine.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Bobby Abreu grounds out, second baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Hideki Matsui swinging.

LAA 2, DET 2 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Kevin Jepsen.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge pops out to shortstop Erick Aybar.


B:3 S:0 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to right fielder Bobby Abreu.


B:0 S:1 O:2 - Gerald Laird grounds into a force out,
first baseman Kendry Morales to shortstop Erick Aybar. Ryan Raburn out
at 2nd. Gerald Laird to 1st.


B:3 S:1 O:2 - With Scott Sizemore batting, Gerald
Laird steals (1) 2nd base, . Gerald Laird advances to 3rd, on throwing
error by catcher Mike Napoli.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Scott Sizemore walks.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ramon Santiago replaces Adam Everett.

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Kendry Morales.

LAA 2, DET 2 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago remains in the game as the shortstop.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Kendry Morales grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.



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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Fu-Te Ni.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Juan Rivera flies out to right fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:3 S:0 O:3 -
Mike Napoli flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

LAA 2, DET 2 after 8.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Scot Shields replaces Fernando Rodney.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Austin Jackson lines out sharply to second baseman Howard Kendrick.


B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Johnny Damon homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.

DET 3, LAA 2 final score