GDT: 5/30/10 - DET (25-23) VS OAK (27-23) - 1:05 p.m. ET
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Detroit Tigers vs Oakland AthleticsSunrday, May 30, 2010Comerica Park, Detroit, MIGame Time - 1:05 p.m. EDT
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A's Braden set to test ankle, Tigers By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com
The A's are not worried about Dallas Braden's arm, mental toughness or desire to win.
However, the starter's left ankle sprain could be a point of concern when he takes the mound against the Tigers in the series finale Sunday.
Braden, who pitched a perfect game on Mother's Day, left his last start in Baltimore on Tuesday with a left ankle sprain. He originally tweaked his ankle while running the steps in Texas before a game against the Rangers.
"He's ready to go," Oakland manager Bob Geren said. "No doubt. He's starting."
Any sign that the ankle is still tender could put Braden in line for another early exit and Vin Mazzaro, who has been in the bullpen, on the mound. Mazzaro was expected to be the one optioned to the Minors on Saturday when Brett Anderson was activated, but the fact that he's still with the club could indicate that the A's are not completely sure of Braden's status. Tyson Ross is an option for long relief.
The Tigers will recall Max Scherzer, who was acquired this winter from Arizona, from Triple-A Toledo to the Tigers' rotation after a pair of dominant starts for the Mud Hens. He allowed a run on four hits over 15 combined innings, racking up 17 strikeouts against just two walks.
In his last big league start, Scherzer gave up three home runs to the Red Sox in five innings at Comerica Park on May 14.
Braden will be ready. He has been ready for almost a week.
"It's something that's been there, it's been a lingering issue -- like a paper cut," Braden said after his last start. "See you in five days."
Tigers: Willis designated for assignmentThe Tigers designated veteran pitcher Dontrelle Willis for assignment following Saturday's game. ... Reliever Zach Miner has successfully undergone season-ending Tommy John surgery, head athletic director Kevin Rand said Saturday. ... Scherzer gave up 27 runs on 33 hits over 18 innings in his last four big league starts before being sent down to Toledo.
A's: Duchscherer out for seasonJustin Duchscherer will undergo season-ending surgery on the left hip that limited him to five starts this year. ... Andrew Bailey, who on Friday night recorded his 36th career save, boasts a 1.37 ERA, good for fourth-lowest among American League relievers.
Worth notingThe Tigers Foundation will present nearly $250,000 in grants to 18 organizations during a pre-game ceremony Sunday.
... The Tigers have won six of the last 10 meetings between the two clubs dating to Aug. 9, 2008.
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Pitching matchupDET: Max Scherzer, RHP (1-4, 7.29 ERA)The Tigers will recall Scherzer from Triple-A Toledo to return to the Tigers' rotation after a pair of dominant starts for the Mud Hens suggested he has made the adjustments in arm angle and delivery he was trying to find for the better part of a month in Detroit. He allowed a run on four hits over 15 combined innings, racking up 17 strikeouts in the process against just two walks. He was last seen on a Major League mound at Comerica Park on May 14, when he gave up three Red Sox home runs, two to David Ortiz, over five innings of six-run ball.
Athletics: Dallas Braden, LHP (4-4, 3.23 ERA) Braden, who pitched a perfect game on Mother's Day, left his last start in Baltimore on Tuesday with a left ankle sprain. Four innings into the 1-1 game, pitching coach Curt Young and manager Bob Geren had seen enough of Braden favoring the injury, which resulted in uncharacteristic back-to-back walks and more pitches up in the strike zone than Braden usually throws. Since then, Braden has been receiving treatment and spent a couple of days off his feet and away from baseball activities. Assuming Braden is good to go in Motown, he will pitch. But any sign that the ankle is still tender and Braden might be in line for another early exit.
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From MLB Tigers Game NotesRECENT RESULTS: The Tigers suffered a 6-0 loss to Oakland last night at Comerica Park. Rick Porcello (4-5) took the loss for Detroit after allowing two runs in 6.1 innings of work. Austin Jackson and Johnny Damon both finished with two hits to lead the Tigers. The Tigers continue a seven-game homestand with the third game of four-game series this afternoon against Oakland. The homestand concludes with a three-game series versus Cleveland beginning on Tuesday.
SCHERZER RECALLED, WILLIS DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT: The Tigers today recalled the contract of righthanded pitcher Max Scherzer from Triple A Toledo. To create room on the club’s 25-man roster, the Tigers today designated the contract of lefthanded pitcher Dontrelle Willis for assignment. In two starts with Toledo, Scherzer was 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA (15.0IP/1ER) and 17 strikeouts.
ON A ROLL OVER OAKLAND AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers have won six of the club’s last 10 games over Oakland at Comerica Park dating back to August 9, 2008. During the 10-game stretch, Detroit is hitting .297 (99x333) with 72 runs scored, 25 doubles, four triples and 18 home runs. Tigers pitchers have compiled a 3.90 ERA (90.0IP/39ER) during the 10 games versus Oakland.
WINNING OVER THE WEST: The Tigers have compiled a 32-24 record against clubs from the American League’s West Division since the start of the 2009 season. Detroit’s .571 winning percentage against the American League’s West Division is second-best among league clubs since the start of the 2009 season. The Yankees have compiled a 31-19 record, a .620 winning percentage, versus the American League’s West Division.
MIGGY AT HIS BEST AGAINST THE WEST: Miguel Cabrera enters this afternoon’s game versus the Athletics batting .352 (139x395) with 75 runs scored, 35 doubles, a triple, 24 home runs and 97 RBI in 102 games against clubs from the American League’s West Division during his career. He is tops among all active major league players with a .352 batting average and .628 slugging percentage versus the American League’s West Division.
PAPA GRANDE POWERS THE PEN: Jose Valverde has not allowed a run in his last 20 outings for the Tigers, tossing 19.2 scoreless innings. He is second among all American League relievers with a 0.44 ERA and .134 batting average against, while he is tied for sixth with 11 saves.
ORDONEZ ON THE OFFENSIVE: Magglio Ordonez is batting .435 (20x46) with 12 runs scored, a double, three home runs and nine RBI over his last 13 games dating back to May 13. He is tops among all American League players with a .435 batting average and .509 on-base percentage during that stretch.
BOESCH’S BOOST: Brennan Boesch is hitting .340 (32x94) with 10 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 21 RBI over his last 25 games dating back to April 28. He is tied for fifth among all American League players with 16 extra-base hits during that stretch, while he is 10th with a .617 slugging percentage and tied for 11th with a .340 batting average and 21 RBI.
LOOKING AT THE ROOKIE LEADERS: Austin Jackson and Brennan Boesch have both enjoyed success during their rookie campaigns. Jackson is tops among all American League rookies with a .332 batting average, 31 runs scored and 64 hits. Boesch is leading all league rookies with 22 RBI, while he is tied for the lead with four home runs and is second with a .330 batting average and 35 hits.
BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled an 11-6 record and 2.81 ERA (154.0IP/48ER) through the club’s first 48 games this season. Tigers relievers lead the American League a 2.81 ERA, while the club is second with 11 victories and third with 154.0 innings pitched.
EXTRA, EXTRA: The Tigers have collected at least one extra-base hit in 45 of the club’s 48 games this season. Detroit is tied for fourth among all American League clubs with 154 extra-base hits this season. Additionally, Detroit is third in the league with 107 doubles.
DETROIT TIGERS FOUNDATION AWARDS NEARLY $250,000 IN GRANTS: The Detroit Tigers Foundation will present nearly $250,000 in grants to 18 organizations during a pre-game ceremony prior to the game today. The grants will directly support extraordinary organizations that serve thousands of children and families throughout the state of Michigan. The grants are awarded with the mission of enhancing lives through the game of baseball with a focus on youth, education and recreation.
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Up next (Probable Pitchers)• Monday, May 31Tigers (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)
• Tuesday, June 1Tigers (RHP
Jeremy Bonderman (2-2, 3.78 ERA))
VS Indians (RHP
Jake Westbrook (2-3, 4.78 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)
• Wednesday, June 2Tigers (RHP
Armando Galarraga (1-1, 4.50 ERA))
VS Indians (RHP
Fausto Carmona (4-3, 3.69 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)
• Thursday, June 3Tigers (RHP
Rick Porcello (4-5, 5.27 ERA))
VS Indians (To be announced )),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)
Sun May 30, 2010 2:16 pm
swinging. Rajai Davis steals (20) 2nd base.