GDT: 5/7/10 - DET (16-13) at CLE (10-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET ---
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Detroit Tigers at Cleveland IndiansFriday, May 7, 2010Progressive Field, Cleveland, OHGame Time - 7:05 p.m. EDT______________________________________
Tigers, Indians look for quick turnaround By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.comAt least both teams know how each other feels.
Both the Indians and the Tigers, in Cleveland for a three-game series beginning on Friday, are trying to turn things around after being swept. Cleveland lost three at home to the Blue Jays, the last of which being a heartbreaker on an error and ninth-inning home run.
"Tough loss, tough series, tough homestand so far," Indians manager Manny Acta said after Wednesday afternoon's lost that dropped the club's record on this homestand to 1-5. "There's nothing more discouraging than battling for eight or 8 2/3 innings and then not winning the ballgame."
The Tigers would rather forget their first trip to Target Field in Minneapolis, as they got swept away by the American League Central-leading Twins to end a grueling stretch of 20 straight games in five cities.
"We're going to get a well-deserved day off," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "I'm proud of our guys. They went through a real tough stretch here. The day off is a welcome thing and we'll get back to work Friday."
They'll try to turn things around by sending Jeremy Bonderman to the mound on Friday, and that might give the Indians some cause for optimism. That's because the Detroit right-hander has gone 8-9 with a 5.68 ERA in his career against his division rival. He did beat the Indians earlier this year by allowing one run on one hit over five innings in his first start. That one was in Detroit; this one is in Cleveland, where Bonderman has gone 6-5 with a 4.82 ERA. In his last start, against the Angels, Bonderman gave up just two runs -- one earned -- albeit on 10 hits over six innings in a no-decision.
The Indians can hope left-handed starter David Huff will be an advantage. While the Tigers are among the best hitting teams in baseball, leading the AL with a .280 average and fourth in OPS (.794), they hit just .241 off lefties. Huff faced the Tigers for the first time in his career last month and allowed four runs (one earned) over six innings. He'll be trying to shake off three straight losses, in which he's allowed 13 runs and 25 hits over 16 1/3 innings of work.
Tigers: Laird should be back FridayIf you're going to pick a good time to bruise a shin on a foul ball, Tigers catcher Gerald Laird may have found it.
Laird came out of Tuesday's game against the Twins early with the shin bruise and was listed as day-to-day. Leyland had already planned to have Alex Avila catch on Wednesday afternoon and the Tigers have Thursday off, giving Laird two full days to recover.
He'll be ready to go against the lefty Huff on Friday, but with a pair of righties taking the mound for Cleveland after that, don't be shocked to see Avila in there a bit more. Leyland said the rookie will get more playing time against right-handed pitching as long as he produces. He hit two solo homers on Wednesday.
"The way he's starting to swing now, basically what that means is it earns you more playing time," Leyland said. "That's the way it is. That's what this stuff's about. We got some nice production from him."
Indians: Cabrera close to being readyThe Indians expect to have Asdrubal Cabrera back in the lineup Friday night, and that's a good thing. Cabrera, who was out of the lineup Tuesday and Wednesday because of left quadriceps tightness, has been one of the few reliable factors in the lineup this year. The leadoff hitter is batting .311 with 14 runs scored, six doubles, a homer and four RBIs in 25 games, and he had gone 11-for-45 (.44) with five runs scored and two doubles over his past six games before getting hurt.
Actually, the injury is something Cabrera also dealt with in Spring Training, so it could be a lingering concern. But Acta said he expects Cabrera to be back in there against the Tigers.
"He's a tough kid," Acta said of Cabrera, who had played through the pain for several days.
Worth notingTigers slugger Carlos Guillen, on the disabled list since April 23 with a left hamstring strain, is still "not close to a rehab assignment," according to Leyland.
... With another 2 2/3 scoreless innings on Wednesday, the Tigers' bullpen has a 1.07 ERA over its past 18 games (58 2/3 innings, seven earned runs).
... The Indians' Travis Hafner might be the one most happy to see Bonderman on the mound. The DH has a 1.084 OPS in 34 at-bats against the Tigers right-hander.
... The Indians have not gotten a home run from their catchers, first basemen or center fielders this year.
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Pitching matchupDET: RHP Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 5.74 ERA)Bonderman's first month back in the Tigers rotation was about slow, steady progress after shoulder surgery to correct a blood vessel restriction cost him the better part of two seasons. His last start was an encouraging one in that regard despite 10 hits allowed over six innings against the Angels. His fastball velocity averaged higher than at any point since surgery, and his top speed of 94 mph is believed to be his best since his younger days four years ago. He's throwing an increasing number of splitters and has been drawing more swings and misses as he sharpens it. Bonderman is 8-9 lifetime against the Indians, including a victory in the Tigers' home opener on April 9.
CLE: LHP David Huff (1-4, 4.60 ERA)Huff was victimized by the long ball in a loss to the Twins on Sunday. He allowed four runs on 10 hits with two walks and two strikeouts in five innings. All of the runs came in as a result of home runs. Since tossing a complete-game victory against the Rangers on April 15, Huff has lost three straight starts and given up 13 runs in 16 1/3 innings along the way. He faced the Tigers on April 9 and allowed four runs (one earned) on six hits over six innings in a loss.
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From MLB Tigers Press Pass
RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers suffered a 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Wednesday, the club’s third straight loss. Rick Porcello (2-3) took the loss for Detroit after allowing five runs (three earned) in 5.1 innings of work. Miguel Cabrera and Alex Avila connected for two home runs apiece, while Brennan Boesch added two hits. The Tigers continue a six-game road trip with the first game of a three-game series at Cleveland this evening. Detroit opens a nine-game homestand on Monday featuring visits from the Yankees, Red Sox and White Sox.
NINE-GAME WINNING STREAK OVER THE INDIANS: The Tigers have won nine straight games over the Cleveland Indians dating back to September 1, 2009. The nine-game winning streak matches the longest such streak against Cleveland since at least 1920. Detroit compiled a nine-game winning streak over Cleveland June 6-July 28, 1935.
MIGGY MASHES AGAINST THE TRIBE: Since joining the Tigers in 2008, Miguel Cabrera is hitting .331 (53x160) with 11 home runs and 35 RBI in 39 games against the Cleveland Indians. He is tops among all active major league players with 35 RBI versus the Indians during that stretch, while he is tied for the lead with 11 home runs.
RECENT SUCCESS VERSUS THE INDIANS: Since the start of the 2009 season, the Tigers have compiled a 17-4 record against the Cleveland Indians. Detroit is tops among all major league clubs with a 3.14 ERA (195.0IP/68ER) versus the Indians since the start of the 2009 season.
ACTION JACKSON: Austin Jackson has reached base safely in each of his past 23 games dating back to April 11. During the 23-game stretch, he is hitting .394 (39x99) with five doubles, two triples, a home run and six RBI. Jackson is tops among all American League players with a .394 batting average and 39 hits during that stretch.
DAMON GETTING DIALED IN: Johnny Damon enters this evening’s game against the Indians hitting .349 (30x86) with nine doubles, a triple, home run and 15 walks over his last 25 games dating back to April 10. He is third in the American League with a .447 onbase percentage during that stretch, while he is sixth with a .349 batting average.
AUSTIN ADDING UP THE HITS: Austin Jackson singled on Wednesday against the Twins and he has now hit safely in 25 of his first 28 major league games. He is just the third Tigers player since at least 1920 to collect at least one hit in at least 25 of his first 28 career games. Dale Alexander hit safely in 25 of his first 28 career games in 1929, while Coot Veal hit safely in 25 of his first 28 career games in 1958.
LOOKING AT THE HITTING LEADERS: The Tigers are hitting .280 (282x1007) in the club’s first 29 games of the season. Detroit is tops among all American League clubs with a .280 batting average and 282 hits, while the club is second with 76 doubles.
JACKSON’S MULTI-HIT MAGIC: Austin Jackson finished Monday night’s game against the Twins with three hits and he is leading the American League with 14 multi-hit games this season. He has collected the 14 multi-hit games in his first 28 career games, becoming the second Tigers player since at least 1920 to accomplish the feat. He joins John Stone with 14 multi-hit games in his first 28 career games in 1928.
CABRERA IN A GROOVE WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION: Miguel Cabrera enters tonight’s game at Cleveland hitting .515 (17x33) with runners in scoring position. He is tops among all American League players with a .515 batting average with runners in scoring position this season.
ROOKIE IMPACT: Alex Avila, Brennan Boesch, Austin Jackson and Scott Sizemore have all impacted the Tigers lineup as rookies this season. The four players have combined to hit .302 (83x275) with 29 extra-base hits and 26 RBI this season. The 83 combined hits are 29.4 percent of Detroit’s total of 282 hits, while the 29 combined extra-base hits are 27.6 percent of Detroit’s total of 105 extra-base hits.
LEGGING OUT INFIELD HITS: The Tigers enter tonight’s game at Cleveland second among American League clubs with 29 infield hits in 2010. Austin Jackson is leading the league with nine infield hits, while Johnny Damon is tied for sixth with seven infield hits.
BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have posted a 1.07 ERA (58.2IP/7ER) over the club’s last 18 games. Club relievers have compiled a 9-4 record and 2.03 ERA (97.2IP/22ER) through the club’s first 29 games this season. Tigers relievers lead the American League with nine victories, a 2.03 ERA and 97.2 innings pitched.
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Up next (Probable Pitchers)• Saturday, May 8:
Tigers (RHP
Justin Verlander (2-2, 4.50 ERA))
at Indians (RHP
Justin Masterson (0-3, 5.40 ERA)),
1:05 PM ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)
• Sunday, May 9:
Tigers (RHP
Max Scherzer (1-2, 6.47 ERA))
at Indians (RHP
Mitch Talbot (3-2, 2.88 ERA)),
1:05 PM ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)