GDT: 5/28/10 - DET (25-21) VS OAK (25-23) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Sheets, Willis building new identities in AL

By Tim Britton / MLB.com

It wasn't all that long ago that a matchup of Ben Sheets and Dontrelle Willis would have been as good as any in the National League. Now, with different teams and in a different league, Sheets and Willis are both trying to prove there's still plenty left in their respective tanks.

In the middle of the decade, Sheets and Willis were two of the league's frontline starters. But Sheets missed all of 2009 and Willis made just 14 starts in the past two seasons.

In 2010, both of them are finding their rhythm as consistent starters every fifth day. And the results are starting to come.

Sheets is coming off his best start with the A's, shutting out the Giants on a mere two hits over six innings Sunday. He struck out eight for the third time in four starts. After a rocky start to the season, Sheets has a 2.52 ERA in his past four outings -- three of which have resulted in Oakland victories.

"The big thing he's happy with is the fastball, it seems to be jumping on the hitters a little more, a little more explosiveness to it," manager Bob Geren said of Sheets. "He's getting more swings and misses on it."

Willis, on the other hand, remains more of a wild card in the Detroit rotation. The left-hander was excellent for most of April but has labored a bit through May. Willis did not complete six innings in any of his three starts so far this month, and he's allowed 11 earned runs in 14 innings.

It appeared as if Willis had his A-game his last time out against the Dodgers on Friday when he retired 11 of the first 12 men he faced, with only one ball getting past the infield. But things fell apart for the southpaw after that, and he ended up surrendering four runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings and took his second loss of the season.

"I'm not OK with that," Willis said. "You have to finish out games. You have to finish out innings, and I didn't do that. But it's one of those things where you have to continue to build and get better. From the last outing I had, I felt like I did that. But still, we've got to win ballgames, especially when ballgames are close like this."

The Tigers have looked closely at Willis' delivery, to determine whether there are any mechanical issues when he pitches from the stretch. Opponents are hitting .343 off Willis with men on, as compared to .203 with the bases empty. Willis' unorthodox delivery has not made it easy for pitching coach Rick Knapp to diagnose a flaw.

Athletics: Looking to reverse a trend
Oakland hopes to carry some momentum from its series win in Baltimore to the Motor City. The Athletics snapped a six-game road losing streak on Wednesday, before rallying on Thursday night in the rubber game to beat the Orioles. The two wins in two days equaled Oakland's total in its previous 15 road contests. The A's have won two of every three home games this season, but have lost two of every three on the road. They were swept by the Tigers in their lone trip to Comerica Park in 2009 by a combined score of 34-9.

Tigers: Late leads are generally safe
Wednesday marked the first time this season the Tigers had lost a game they had led after seven innings. Detroit lost a 4-1 lead when the bullpen allowed a four-spot in the bottom of the eighth to the Mariners, spoiling an excellent effort from Jeremy Bonderman. The Tigers were 19-0 when leading after seven and had not, in fact, lost a game in which they led after five in 15 tries before Wednesday.

Worth noting
With Wednesday's loss to the Mariners, Detroit fell to 32-22 against the American League West since the start of the 2009 season. It's still the second-best percentage against the division in the AL, trailing only the Yankees during that time. The Tigers are 7-4 against the Athletics since the beginning of last year, including a two-game sweep in Oakland last week. Detroit is one of only two teams to win a series in Oakland this season, again joining the Yankees.

... Magglio Ordonez's two-run homer on Wednesday was his second long ball at Safeco Field this season but just his fifth in the Seattle ballpark in his career.

... Sheets has gotten progressively more swinging strikes this season. Sheets has induced at least nine swings and misses in each of his last four starts after not reaching that mark in any of his first six outings.



Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Dontrelle Willis (1-2, 4.97 ERA)
Willis' last start seemed like two different outings in one, which is a big reason why it's so difficult to judge where the D-Train stands with his pitching at this point in the season. He not only allowed one hit among the first 12 batters he faced, but that hit was the only ball the Dodgers put in play past the infield in that span against him. Once Matt Kemp singled, however, Willis allowed five hits and three walks among the final 13 hitters he faced, along with two wild pitches and a hit batter. One suspicion was that Willis ran into serious mechanical issues pitching out of the stretch, something they might work on between starts.


Athletics: RHP Ben Sheets (2-3, 5.04)
Monday's off-day allows Sheets to pitch on normal rest while the A's decide if the injured Brett Anderson can go Saturday. The ERA may look unsightly, but Sheets has sliced more than two runs off his ERA since nine runs in 3 1/3 innings against Toronto in his first May start raised him to a season-high mark of 7.12. In four starts since then, he's failed to go fewer than six innings. His most recent outing, Sunday against San Francisco, was his best of the season -- six innings of two-hit shutout ball and eight strikeouts to match a season high. If Sheets has turned a corner, it couldn't come at a better time for the A's, who could use his veteran presence in their rotation.


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Saturday, May 29
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (4-4, 5.58 ERA)) VS Athletics (To be announced ), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Sunday, May 30
Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga (1-1, 5.23) ERA)) VS Athletics (LHP Dallas Braden (4-4, 3.23 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Monday, May 31
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (5-3, 3.74 ERA)) VS Athletics (RHP Trevor Cahill (2-2, 3.68 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Oakland AVG
Davis, R, CF .252
Barton, D, 1B .278
Suzuki, K, DH .250
Kouzmanoff, 3B .260
Rosales, A, SS .282
Fox, J, LF .203
Ellis, M, 2B .234
Gross, RF .275
Powell, C .231
Totals .253

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .335
Damon, DH .276
Ordonez, RF .327
Cabrera, M, 1B .331
Boesch, LF 0 .343
Guillen, C, 2B .311
Inge, 3B .218
Avila, C .159
Everett, SS .203
Totals .269

Inning 1
Top Half

B:3 S:1 O:0 -
Rajai Davis doubles (7) on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Daric Barton out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Dontrelle Willis to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Rajai Davis to 3rd.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Kurt Suzuki singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Rajai Davis scores.

OAK 1, DET 0




B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Kevin Kouzmanoff walks. Kurt Suzuki to 2nd.


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


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Adam Rosales walks. Kurt Suzuki to 3rd. Kevin Kouzmanoff to 2nd.


B:1 S:2 O:3 - Jake Fox grounds into double play,
second baseman Carlos Guillen to shortstop Adam Everett to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Adam Rosales out at 2nd.

OAK 1, DET 0 AFTER .5 INNING

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Gabe Gross.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon pops out to third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Adam Rosales.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (11) on a line drive to right center field. Magglio Ordonez scores.

DET 2, OAK 1


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
On-field Delay.


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


DET 2, OAK 1 AFTER 1 INNING

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Mark Ellis singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:2 S:3 O:0 -
Gabe Gross reaches on catcher interference by Alex Avila. Mark Ellis to 2nd. Gabe Gross to 1st. (THE CATCHERS MITT HIT THE HITTERS BAT, OTHERWISE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DOUBLE PLAY)

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Landon Powell swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2 - Rajai Davis grounds into a force out,
second baseman Carlos Guillen to shortstop Adam Everett. Mark Ellis to
3rd. Gabe Gross out at 2nd. Rajai Davis to 1st. (ALMOST A DP)


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Daric Barton grounds out sharply to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 2, OAK 1 AFTER 1.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Carlos Guillen walks.


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Brandon Inge swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3 - Alex Avila grounds into double play,
first baseman Daric Barton to shortstop Adam Rosales to pitcher Ben
Sheets. Carlos Guillen out at 2nd.

DET 2, OAK 1 AFTER 2 INNINGS

Inning 3
Top Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Kurt Suzuki walks.


B:1 S:1 O:0 -
With Kevin Kouzmanoff batting, wild pitch by Dontrelle Willis, Kurt Suzuki to 2nd.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Kevin Kouzmanoff grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Rosales grounds out softly, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Kurt Suzuki to 3rd.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Jake Fox singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Kurt Suzuki scores.

OAK 2, DET 2


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Mark Ellis singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Jake Fox to 3rd.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Gabe Gross swinging.

OAK 2, DET 2 AFTER 2.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Adam Everett grounds out, second baseman Mark Ellis to first baseman Daric Barton.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Austin Jackson grounds out, second baseman Mark Ellis to first baseman Daric Barton.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Johnny Damon flies out to left fielder Jake Fox.

OAK 2, DET 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

Inning 4
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Landon Powell homers (1) on a fly ball to left field.

OAK 3, DET 2




B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Rajai Davis flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Daric Barton swinging.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Kurt Suzuki grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

OAK 3, DET 2 AFTER 3.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez called out on .


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (12) on a fly ball to left field.

OAK 3, DET 3




B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch grounds out, second baseman Mark Ellis to first baseman Daric Barton.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to left fielder Jake Fox.

OAK 3, DET 3 AFTER 4 INNINGS

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Kevin Kouzmanoff grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Adam Rosales lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Jake Fox singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch, deflected by shortstop Adam Everett.


B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Mark Ellis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Jake Fox to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Gabe Gross called out on .

OAK 3, DET 3 AFTER 4.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to right fielder Gabe Gross.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Alex Avila grounds out softly, pitcher Ben Sheets to first baseman Daric Barton. Brandon Inge to 2nd.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett flies out to center fielder Rajai Davis. Brandon Inge to 3rd.


B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Austin Jackson grounds out sharply, second baseman Mark Ellis to first baseman Daric Barton.

OAK 3, DET 3 AFTER 5 INNINGS

Inning 6
Top Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Landon Powell walks.


B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Rajai Davis singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Landon Powell to 2nd.


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Daric Barton called out on .


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Armando Galarraga replaces Dontrelle Willis.


B:1 S:2 O:3 - Kurt Suzuki grounds into double play,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Carlos Guillen to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Rajai Davis out at 2nd.

OAK 3, DET 3 AFTER 5.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, second baseman Mark Ellis to first baseman Daric Barton.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez called out on .


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff to first baseman Daric Barton.

OAK 3, DET 3 AFTER 6 INNINGS

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Kevin Kouzmanoff flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Adam Rosales flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Jake Fox singles on a ground ball to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Eric Patterson replaces Jake Fox.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
With Mark Ellis batting, Eric Patterson steals (3) 2nd base.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
With Mark Ellis batting, wild pitch by Armando Galarraga, Eric Patterson to 3rd.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Mark Ellis grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

OAK 3, DET 3 AFTER 6.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Eric Patterson remains in the game as the left fielder.


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch swinging.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen hits a ground-rule double (6) on a fly ball to left field.


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


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Alex Avila grounds out softly to first baseman Daric Barton.

OAK 3, DET 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Armando Galarraga.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Gabe Gross lines out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Landon Powell singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Rajai Davis lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Daric Barton doubles (12) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Landon Powell to 3rd.


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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Phil Coke.




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

OAK 3, DET 3 AFTER 7.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brad Ziegler replaces Ben Sheets.


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


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to left fielder Eric Patterson.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Austin Jackson grounds out, second baseman Mark Ellis to first baseman Daric Barton.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Johnny Damon doubles (13) on a line drive to right fielder Gabe Gross.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff to first baseman Daric Barton.




OAK 3, DET 3 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 - Kevin Kouzmanoff lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:0 S:0 O:1 - Adam Rosales doubles (6) on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:0 S:0 O:1 - Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ryan Sweeney replaces Eric Patterson.


B:4 S:0 O:1 - Ryan Perry intentionally walks Ryan Sweeney.


B:0 S:0 O:1 - Mark Ellis hit by pitch. Adam Rosales to 3rd. Ryan Sweeney to 2nd.

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


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


B:1 S:1 O:1 - Gabe Gross singles on a ground ball to pitcher Fu-Te Ni. Adam Rosales scores. Ryan Sweeney to 3rd. Mark Ellis to 2nd.

OAK 4, DET 3


B:0 S:0 O:1 - Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Fu-Te Ni.


B:1 S:1 O:3 - Landon Powell flies into sacrifice double play, right fielder Magglio Ordonez to catcher Alex Avila to third baseman Brandon Inge. Ryan Sweeney scores. Mark Ellis out at 3rd on the throw.

OAK 5, DET 3

OAK 5, DET 3 AFTER 8.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Sweeney remains in the game as the right fielder.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from right field to left field for Gabe Gross.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Andrew Bailey replaces Brad Ziegler.


B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (13) on a fly ball to left field. (CABRERA'S FIRST 3 HOMER GAME OF HIS CAREER!)


OAK 5, DET 4




B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch lines out softly to second baseman Mark Ellis.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out to first baseman Daric Barton.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge pops out to second baseman Mark Ellis.

OAK 5, DET 4 FINAL BOX SCORE >>