GDT: 5/21/10 - DET (24-17) AT LAD (23-18) - 10:10 p.m. ET

Dodgers welcome in Tigers newcomers

By John Schlegel / MLB.com

The Dodgers, powered in recent years by a wave of top-flight young players, will get a glimpse at life from the other side this weekend.

With the Tigers coming to town, the Dodgers will be introduced to a couple of youngsters ready for their Hollywood closeups.

Detroit will bring rookie outfielders Austin Jackson and Brennan Boesch to Dodger Stadium to start Interleague Play with a three-game series that will showcase some talented twenty-somethings on both sides of the field.

Right-hander Chad Billingsley, part of the Dodgers' influx of young talent the past few years, will take on Dontrelle Willis in Friday night's opener of Interleague Play for both clubs.

Jackson and Boesch have impressed their teammates with their performances thus far. Including a single and a run scored in the Tigers' finale at Oakland on Thursday, Jackson has hit safely in 20 of 21 games for a .351 average (31-for-94), among the best in the American League. It's that kind of performance beyond his years that has the veteran Tigers enjoying the influx of rookies Jackson and Boesch.

"I think the rookies have made a good impression," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. "Veteran players like good players. They like good, young players who got talent that can help them win."

Jackson leads all rookies with 30 runs and 56 hits. Boesch leads AL rookies with a .354 average and 19 RBIs.

Said Johnny Damon, the 36-year-old veteran who shares the outfield with them: "I love being around all these young kids," Damon said. "They definitely make me feel a lot younger and they're not afraid to get mohawks. But all these guys know how to live their lives. I'm here to help them along the way, if they need it. I'm here to share my experience of the game."

Tigers: Willis hoping for control
Back in the National League for a start, Willis will have a chance to bat -- he has eight homers and 35 RBIs in his career, though he only has gone 0-for-1 in Interleague Play with the Tigers. Starting for the first time in 11 days after a bout with a sinus infection, Willis had a bout with an old affliction his last time out: control issues. With seven walks over 3 1/3 innings and just 40 of his 86 pitches going for strikes, Willis did not factor in the decision when the Tigers rallied to defeat the Red Sox on Saturday.

Dodgers: Billingsley finding a groove
At 25 years old, Billingsley already has established a strong resume with 51 victories in 108 starts, and he appears to be catching a groove after some early 2010 struggles. Since allowing seven runs in three innings at Cincinnati on April 20, Billingsley has been solid, and in his last outing, he was excellent, with 7 1/3 innings of shutout ball against the Padres. "He was great," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "He was so comfortable to watch for me. He had a good tempo all game and didn't rush himself."

Worth noting
The Tigers and Dodgers have met three times previously in Interleague Play, most recently in a three-game home sweep for the Tigers in 2008 during which Detroit outscored L.A., 22-11. The Dodgers have won five of the nine meetings overall.

... Russell Martin went 1-for-3 on Thursday to extend his career-high hitting streak to 15 games. It's the longest active hitting streak in the Majors and the longest for a Dodger since Orlando Hudson hit safely in 17 straight games from May 9-27, 2009.

... Jamey Carroll recorded his seventh multihit game and second multi-RBI game since joining the Dodgers. Carroll has hit .309 with 12 runs, two doubles and nine RBIs in 22 games and helped the club to a 15-7 mark since Rafael Furcal strained his left hamstring on April 27.

... The Dodgers have gone seven consecutive games without committing an error, their longest streak since an eight-game errorless stretch from August 8-17, 2009.

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Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Dontrelle Willis (1-1, 4.68 ERA)
The Tigers' comeback against the Red Sox last Saturday night allowed Willis to stretch his unbeaten streak to three starts, but it didn't let him escape the frustration of a wild outing. With seven walks over 3 1/3 innings and just 40 of his 86 pitches for strikes, it marked the first time this season that Willis showed signs of his past control woes for more than an inning. He was pitching for the first time in 11 days, and he still seemed lethargic after missing his last start with the flu, but he didn't want to use that as an excuse. If pitching in his hometown doesn't give him a little energy boost, it would be a surprise.

LAD: RHP Chad Billingsley (4-2, 4.03 ERA)
Billingsley has gotten away from trying to sink the ball, relying more on his four-seamer and curveball, and the result his last two starts has been an ERA drop of more than a full run. Billingsley went 7 1/3 scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory over the Padres on Sunday, and in his previous start he went 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs in a win over the D-backs. He had a 5.06 ERA entering that start in Arizona.


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Saturday, May 22:
Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga (1-0, 1.59 ERA)) at Dodgers (RHP John Ely (2-1, 3.51 ERA)), 7:10 p.m. ET (FOX / 1270 & 97.1)

• Sunday, May 23:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (3-4, 5.93 ERA)) at Dodgers (RHP Hiroki Kuroda (5-1, 2.87 ERA)), 4:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

Friday: Tigers at Dodgers

Back on the beat after a couple days off. Already heard the vacation jokes, thanks.

Speaking of days off, the squeeze of four Tigers outfielders and just three spots shakes out with Johnny Damon as the odd man out tonight. Brennan Boesch is in left field. Magglio Ordonez is in right. He said his ankle feels fine now. Still isn't completely sure what caused it. Manager Jim Leyland said Damon will definitely be in the lineup Saturday. Not sure who won't be.


Starting Lineups:

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .329
Santiago, SS .250
Ordonez, RF .315
Cabrera, M, 1B .340
Boesch, LF .354
Inge, 3B .224
Avila, C .164
Worth, 2B .400
Willis, P .000
Totals .271

LA Dodgers AVG
Carroll, J, SS .290
Belliard, 1B .296
Ramirez, M, LF .352
Kemp, CF .281
Blake, 3B .263
Johnson, Re, RF .258
Green, N, 2B .000
Ellis, A, C .250
Billingsley, P .154
Totals .275

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Austin Jackson doubles (11) on a fly ball to left fielder Manny Ramirez.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Nick Green to first baseman Ronnie Belliard. Austin Jackson to 3rd.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Reed Johnson. Austin Jackson scores.

DET 1, LAD 0




B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera pops out to second baseman Nick Green.

DET 1, LAD 0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Jamey Carroll reaches on fielding error by third baseman Brandon Inge.


B:1 S:2 O:2 - Ronnie Belliard grounds into double
play, second baseman Danny Worth to shortstop Ramon Santiago to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jamey Carroll out at 2nd.


B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Manny Ramirez grounds out, second baseman Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 1, LAD 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, shortstop Jamey Carroll to first baseman Ronnie Belliard.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Alex Avila swinging.

DET 1, LAD 0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Matt Kemp grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Casey Blake grounds out, second baseman Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Reed Johnson singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Nick Green pops out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

DET 1, LAD 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Danny Worth grounds out to first baseman Ronnie Belliard.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Dontrelle Willis flies out to right fielder Reed Johnson.


B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Austin Jackson singles on a fly ball to right fielder Reed Johnson.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago walks. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Reed Johnson.

DET 1, LAD 0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
A. J. Ellis grounds out, second baseman Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Chad Billingsley called out on .


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Jamey Carroll swinging.

DET 1, LAD 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Reed Johnson.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch pops out to third baseman Casey Blake.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge doubles (13) on a fly ball to center fielder Matt Kemp.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Alex Avila walks.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Danny Worth grounds into a force out, shortstop Jamey Carroll to second baseman Nick Green. Alex Avila out at 2nd.

DET 1, LAD 0 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Manny Ramirez grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Matt Kemp singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:3 S:0 O:2 -
With Casey Blake batting, wild pitch by Dontrelle Willis, Matt Kemp to 2nd.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Casey Blake walks.


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

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Reed Johnson walks. Matt Kemp to 3rd. Casey Blake to 2nd.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Nick Green hit by pitch. Matt Kemp scores. Casey Blake to 3rd. Reed Johnson to 2nd.

DET 1, LAD 1




B:1 S:2 O:3 -
A. J. Ellis lines out to second baseman Danny Worth.

DET 1, LAD 1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Dontrelle Willis flies out to right fielder Reed Johnson.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Austin Jackson called out on .


B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to center fielder Matt Kemp

DET 1, LAD 1 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

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

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Jamey Carroll walks.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Ronnie Belliard doubles (5) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Jamey Carroll to 3rd.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
With Manny Ramirez batting, wild pitch by Dontrelle Willis, Jamey Carroll scores. Ronnie Belliard to 3rd.

LAD 2, DET 1


B:2 S:2 O:1 - Manny Ramirez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Ramon Santiago, deflected by third baseman Brandon Inge. Ronnie Belliard scores.


LAD 3, DET 1

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Matt Kemp grounds into double play, second baseman Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Manny Ramirez out at 2nd.

LAD 3, DET 1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Jamey Carroll to first baseman Ronnie Belliard.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Jamey Carroll to first baseman Ronnie Belliard.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch singles on a ground ball to center fielder Matt Kemp.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Brandon Inge called out on .

LAD 3, DET 1 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Casey Blake flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Reed Johnson singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Nick Green singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Reed Johnson to 2nd.


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Eddie Bonine replaces Dontrelle Willis, batting 9th.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
A. J. Ellis singles on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Reed Johnson scores. Nick Green to 2nd.

LAD 4, DET 1




B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Chad Billingsley bunt pops out to pitcher Eddie Bonine.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Jamey Carroll grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

LAD 4, DET 1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Nick Green to first baseman Ronnie Belliard.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Danny Worth grounds out, third baseman Casey Blake to first baseman Ronnie Belliard.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Don Kelly replaces Eddie Bonine.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Don Kelly swinging.

LAD 4, DET 1 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brad Thomas replaces Eddie Bonine, batting 9th.


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


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Manny Ramirez grounds out, second baseman Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Matt Kemp swinging.

LAD 4, DET 1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ronald Belisario replaces Chad Billingsley, batting 2nd, replacing first baseman Ronnie Belliard.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: James Loney replaces pitcher Chad Billingsley, batting 9th, playing first base.


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Austin Jackson swinging.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, first baseman James Loney to pitcher Ronald Belisario.


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


B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, pitcher Ronald Belisario to first baseman James Loney.

LAD 4, DET 1 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:0 -
Casey Blake hit by pitch.


B:0 S:2 O:0 -
On-field Delay.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Reed Johnson doubles (4) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Casey Blake to 3rd.


B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Nick Green swinging.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
A. J. Ellis lines out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
James Loney grounds out, second baseman Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

LAD 4, DET 1 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jonathan Broxton replaces Ronald Belisario, batting 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Xavier Paul replaces left fielder Manny Ramirez, batting 3rd, playing right field.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from right field to left field for Reed Johnson.


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch swinging, catcher A. J. Ellis to first baseman James Loney.


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


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Alex Avila swinging.

LAD 4, DET 1 final box score >>