GDT: 5/9/10 - DET (17-13) at CLE (10-18) - 1:05 p.m. ET

Youth will be served with Scherzer, Talbot

By Bailey Stephens / MLB.com

Max Scherzer and Mitch Talbot will both be looking to regain their form from earlier this season when they meet in the finale of the three-game set between the Indians and Tigers on Sunday.

A strong start would be a big boost to both teams: The Indians have lost 10 consecutive games to the Tigers going back to Sept. 1 of last season, and a sweep would give Detroit momentum entering a series with the Yankees.

Scherzer is probably just happy to be facing a different team after getting handled by the Twins in back-to-back starts. The young hurler allowed 10 runs on eight hits in just 4 1/3 innings in his previous outing and has struggled with his control of late. Scherzer has shown flashes of success this season, turning in three quality starts so far, all coming on the road before struggling mightily in the past two. Despite the right-hander hitting a rough patch, the Tigers aren't yet worried about Scherzer's place in the rotation.

I think he's going to be fine," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He's got a really good arm, and he's just got to use all of his pitches a little more. You just can't rapid-fire guys one after another. It's just a matter of him making adjustments with his pitchability."

While Scherzer has shown he's not afraid to go right after hitters, his manager would like to see him harness that in certain situations.

"He's an aggressive kid, but you have to channel that a little bit," Leyland. "Sometimes it works for you, sometimes it works against you. Sometimes you've got to channel it."

The Indians' Talbot, in comparison, has shown success on a pretty consistent basis this season. He had stellar numbers before giving up five runs in eight innings of work to the Blue Jays his last time out.

Talbot did pitch late into the ballgame despite his early struggles, evidence of his ability to settle down and work through a tough start.

"I started to throw my fastball where I wanted to and started getting the results I wanted," Talbot said. "It got me in the ninth."

Talbot is getting his second look at the Tigers this season and will be hoping for different results. He faced the Indians' division foe in his first start of the season, a loss, and gave up four runs over five innings in his shortest start of the year.

Tigers: Cabrera hits Indians pitching very well
Miguel Cabrera continued his attack on the Indians on Saturday with a two-run single. Since joining the Tigers in 2008, Cabrera has raked against the Indians, posting a .331 (54-for-163) mark with 11 homers and 37 RBIs in 40 games against the Tribe.

Indians: Valbuena can return to comfort zone
Questions are beginning to arise about Luis Valbuena's role with the Indians. Valbuena made a crippling error at shortstop in Wednesday's loss to the Blue Jays as the would-be third out rolled through his legs. After that, three runs scored. In Saturday's loss, another Valbuena error and a misplay cost the Tribe. With Asdrubal Cabrera expected back Sunday, Valbuena will return to second base. Still, Valbuena has to be perceived as on shaky ground because of his slow start at the plate, combined with prospect Jason Donald's hot start in the Minors.

Worth noting
Austin Jackson has now hit safely in 26 of his first 29 Major League games. He also now has 15 multihit games to lead the American League.

... Indians closer Kerry Wood struggled in his season debut on Saturday, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks in just two-thirds of an inning. The two seventh-inning runs led to him taking the loss as the Tribe fell, 6-4.



Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Max Scherzer (1-2, 6.47 ERA)
The good news for Scherzer is that he won't have to face the Twins again for a while after Minnesota's hitters roughed him up in back-to-back starts. But it won't mean much until he regains his command. Sliders that were meant for the corner ended up over the middle of the plate, and Twins hitters put them in the outfield gaps. He gave up 10 runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings Monday at Target Field, and has surrendered 16 runs on 18 hits in just eight innings over his past two outings. He has never faced the Indians, but his three quality starts this season were all on the road.

CLE: RHP Mitch Talbot (3-2, 2.88 ERA)
Talbot was not nearly as dominant against the Blue Jays on Monday as he had been against his previous three opponents. He had allowed just two earned runs over his previous 21 1/3 innings, but the Jays changed his fortune by roughing him up for five runs on eight hits, including three homers, with four walks and five strikeouts over eight-plus innings. Talbot settled in after a rough early going, but the trouble he had keeping the ball in the park hurt him. He had allowed just two homers in his four previous starts this season. Talbot faced the Tigers on April 10 and gave up four runs on six hits over five innings in his Tribe debut.


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Monday, May 10:
Tigers (LHP Dontrelle Willis (1-1, 3.99 ERA)) vs Yankees (RHP Sergio Mitre (0-0, 2.79 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Tuesday, May 11:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (2-3, 7.50 ERA)) vs Yankees (RHP Javier Vazquez (1-3, 9.78 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Wednesday, May 12:
Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 5.74 ERA)) vs Yankees (RHP Phil Hughes (4-0, 1.69 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Thursday, May 13:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (3-2, 4.50 ERA)) vs Yankees (LHP C.C. Sabathia (4-1, 3.04 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Austin Jackson pops out to second baseman Mark Grudzielanek.


B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon walks.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
With Magglio Ordonez batting, Johnny Damon steals (2) 2nd base.


B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez doubles (7) on a fly ball to center fielder Grady Sizemore. Johnny Damon scores.

DET 1, CLE 0




B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch grounds out, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek to first baseman Russell Branyan.



Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Asdrubal Cabrera strikes out swinging.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Grady Sizemore grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Shin-Soo Choo doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Travis Hafner walks.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Austin Kearns strikes out swinging.


DET 1, CLE 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to center fielder Grady Sizemore.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
With Alex Avila batting, Brandon Inge caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Lou Marson to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Alex Avila strikes out swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Scott Sizemore flies out to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.



Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Russell Branyan walks.


B:2 S:2 O:0 -
With Mark Grudzielanek batting, wild pitch by Max Scherzer, Russell Branyan to 2nd.


B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Mark Grudzielanek singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Russell Branyan to 3rd.


B:3 S:2 O:0 - Andy Marte triples (1) on a fly ball to
center fielder Austin Jackson. Russell Branyan scores. Mark
Grudzielanek scores.

CLE 2, DET 1




B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Lou Marson singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Brandon Inge. Andy Marte scores.

CLE 3, DET 1




B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Asdrubal Cabrera strikes out swinging. Lou Marson steals (2) 2nd base.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Grady Sizemore grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Lou Marson to 3rd.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Shin-Soo Choo singles on a ground ball to shortstop Ramon Santiago. Lou Marson scores.

CLE 4, DET 1




B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Travis Hafner singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Johnny Damon. Shin-Soo Choo to 3rd.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Austin Kearns grounds out, pitcher Max Scherzer to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CLE 4, DET 1 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek to first baseman Russell Branyan.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Austin Kearns.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Johnny Damon grounds out softly, pitcher Mitch Talbot to first baseman Russell Branyan. Austin Jackson to 2nd.


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez walks.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo. Austin Jackson scores. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

CLE 4, DET 2




B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch pops out to third baseman Andy Marte in foul territory.



Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Russell Branyan strikes out swinging.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Mark Grudzielanek flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Andy Marte walks.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Lou Marson grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


CLE 4, DET 2 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge pops out to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Alex Avila called out on strikes.


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



Bottom Half

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


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Grady Sizemore singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Shin-Soo Choo flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Travis Hafner grounds out, second baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CLE 4, DET 2 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out softly, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek to first baseman Russell Branyan.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to left fielder Austin Kearns.


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez doubles (8) on a line drive to left fielder Austin Kearns. Austin Jackson scores. Johnny Damon to 3rd.

CLE 4, DET 3




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


B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Mitch Talbot intentionally walks Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Grady Sizemore. Johnny Damon scores.

DET 4, CLE 4




B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds out to first baseman Russell Branyan.

Bottom Half

B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Austin Kearns singles on a ground ball to shortstop Ramon Santiago.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Russell Branyan out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Max Scherzer to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Austin Kearns to 2nd.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Mark Grudzielanek singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Austin Kearns scores.

CLE 5, DET 4




B:3 S:2 O:1 -
With Andy Marte batting, Mark Grudzielanek steals (1) 2nd base.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Andy Marte pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Lou Marson flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


CLE 5, DET 4 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Aaron Laffey replaces Mitch Talbot.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek to first baseman Russell Branyan.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Scott Sizemore grounds out, third baseman Andy Marte to first baseman Russell Branyan.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a sharp ground ball to second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, deflected by pitcher Aaron Laffey.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Austin Jackson grounds out to first baseman Russell Branyan.



Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fu-Te Ni replaces Max Scherzer.


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Asdrubal Cabrera strikes out swinging.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Grady Sizemore grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Shin-Soo Choo grounds out, second baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CLE 5, DET 4 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek to first baseman Russell Branyan.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, first baseman Russell Branyan to pitcher Aaron Laffey.


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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Kerry Wood replaces Aaron Laffey.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera pops out to second baseman Mark Grudzielanek.



Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Travis Hafner walks.


B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.


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


B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Austin Kearns walks. Travis Hafner to 2nd.


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


B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Russell Branyan walks. Travis Hafner to 3rd. Austin Kearns to 2nd.


B:1 S:0 O:0 - Mark Grudzielanek singles on a line
drive to left fielder Johnny Damon. Travis Hafner scores. Austin Kearns
to 3rd. Russell Branyan to 2nd.

CLE 6, DET 4




B:2 S:2 O:1 - Andy Marte out on a sacrifice fly to
left fielder Johnny Damon. Austin Kearns scores. Mark Grudzielanek to
2nd. Russell Branyan advances to 3rd, on throwing error by left fielder
Johnny Damon.

CLE 7, DET 4




B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Lou Marson strikes out swinging.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Asdrubal Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


CLE 7, DET 4 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Tony Sipp replaces Kerry Wood.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ryan Raburn replaces Brennan Boesch.


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn strikes out on foul tip.


B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Brandon Inge strikes out swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Gerald Laird replaces Alex Avila.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Gerald Laird called out on strikes.



Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn remains in the game as the designated hitter.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Gerald Laird remains in the game as the catcher.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Ryan Perry.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Grady Sizemore flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Shin-Soo Choo reaches on fielding error by second baseman Scott Sizemore.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Travis Hafner hit by pitch. Shin-Soo Choo to 2nd.


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Eddie Bonine replaces Phil Coke.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Luis Valbuena replaces Travis Hafner.


B:0 S:1 O:3 - Austin Kearns grounds into double play,
second baseman Scott Sizemore to shortstop Ramon Santiago to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Luis Valbuena out at 2nd.

CLE 7, DET 4 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Luis Valbuena remains in the game as the designated hitter.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Chris Perez replaces Tony Sipp.


B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Scott Sizemore singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Grady Sizemore.


B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago walks. Scott Sizemore to 2nd.


B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon pops out to third baseman Andy Marte on the infield fly rule.


B:1 S:1 O:3 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into a force
out, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.
Ramon Santiago out at 2nd.

CLE 7, DET 4 final score

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