GDT: 6/3/10 - DET (27-25) VS CLE (19-32) - 1:05 p.m. ET
We must win today! Me Really hissed about the stolen Perfect game yesterday! A Galarraga is our Perfect Pitcher at this point!
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Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland IndiansThursday, June 3, 2010Comerica Park, Detroit, MIGame Time - 1:05 p.m. EDT
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With buzz in air, Tigers go for series win By Bailey Stephens / MLB.com
Suddenly, the biggest story in Thursday's series finale between the Indians and Tigers in Detroit is who will be behind the plate. If nothing changes, that's scheduled to be none other than Jim Joyce.
Joyce, of course, is the umpire who created a buzz around the league on Wednesday when he made a highly controversial call, ruling that Indians rookie Jason Donald was safe on an infield hit, officially breaking up Armando Galarraga's bid for a perfect game with two outs in the ninth inning. After the game, Joyce admitted the call wasn't the right one.
"I just cost that kid a perfect game," Joyce said after the game. "I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay. It was the biggest call of my career."
And now Joyce has to return to Comerica Park to call balls and strikes. What kind of reaction will he get?
At least from those on the field, if Wednesday's reactions to the call are any indication, things should be business as usual on Thursday.
"That's the nature of the business -- that's just the way it is," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "The players are human, the umpires are human, the managers are human, the writers are human. We all make mistakes. It's a crying shame. Jimmy's a real good umpire, has been for a long time. He probably got it wrong."
For the Indians, Russell Branyan felt for Joyce.
"You never want that call in that situation, ever in your lifetime," Branyan said. "Jim saw it and called it like he saw it. He didn't let the nature of the game dictate how he was going to call it. You've got to respect that."
Indians: Huff makes courageous returnBefore Wednesday night's drama unfolded, the big story of Thursday's game was to be the return of David Huff. Huff will make the start without missing a turn, having been struck in the head on Saturday by a liner off the bat of Alex Rodriguez. All medical tests were negative, and Huff is making his regularly scheduled turn. The only question is how he will react. "He passed every test put in front of him," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "He threw his bullpen [session] and passed the neurological test. He's acting like it never happened. The only thing we'll be evaluating [on Thursday] is his performance."
Tigers: Porcello his own manRick Porcello will oppose Huff on Thursday night. While there are comparisons to be made between Porcello and fellow sinkerballer Jake Westbrook of the Indians, who shut down the Tigers earlier this week, Leyland doesn't think such comparisons are warranted. "I think Porcello is Porcello and Westbrook is Westbrook," Leyland said. "I think guys can get in trouble that way. I think it's important to say, 'Is there something that I see about [Westbrook] that he does that is pretty effective?' A lot of it is strike one. He comes right at you with that sinker."
Worth notingCloser Jose Valverde has not allowed a run in his past 20 outings for the Tigers, having tossed 19 2/3 scoreless innings. ... Had Galaragga completed a perfect game, it would have been the first in Tigers history and the third overall this season.
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Pitching matchupDET: RHP Rick Porcello (4-5, 5.27 ERA)Porcello has alternated wins and losses in his past seven outings, though he owns quality starts in three of his past four assignments. He gave up two runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings last Saturday against Oakland, taking the loss. Porcello beat the Indians in the Tigers' home opener back in April, adding to his success against the Indians. He's 4-0 with a 2.10 ERA in five career starts against Cleveland.
Indians: LHP David Huff (2-6, 5.54 ERA) Huff is making his next turn in the rotation, and that seems like a miracle to those who saw him whacked in the head by an Alex Rodriguez line drive in the third inning of his start against the Yankees on Saturday. Huff was taken off the field on a motorized cart and taken to a nearby hospital, where a CT scan showed no brain damage and doctors determined he had no signs of a concussion. Huff threw a bullpen session two days later and was confirmed to be making this start. The only question is whether he'll have any lingering fear of another lined shot.
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From MLB Tigers Game NotesRECENT RESULTS: The Tigers blanked the Indians 3-0 last night at Comerica Park. Armando Galarraga (2-1) blanked the Indians on one hit as he went the distance to earn the win for Detroit. Miguel Cabrera belted a solo home run for the Tigers, while Magglio Ordonez added a run-scoring single. The Tigers conclude a seven-game homestand with the final game of three-game series this afternoon against Cleveland. Following this afternoon’s game, the club hits the road for a six-game trip to Kansas City and Chicago.
RACKING UP THE WINS OVER CLEVELAND AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers have won 11 of the club’s last 13 games over the Indians at Comerica Park dating back to May 2, 2009, including eight of the last nine contests.
RECENT SUCCESS VERSUS THE INDIANS: Since the start of the 2009 season, the Tigers have compiled a 19-6 record against the Cleveland Indians. Detroit is second among all major league clubs with a 3.21 ERA (230.0IP/82ER) versus the Indians since the start of the 2009 season.
MIGGY MASHES AGAINST THE TRIBE: Since joining the Tigers in 2008, Miguel Cabrera is hitting .339 (59x174) with 12 home runs and 39 RBI in 43 games against the Cleveland Indians. He is tops among all active major league players with 12 home runs and 39 RBI versus the Indians during that stretch.
DIALED IN DURING THE DAY: The Tigers enter this afternoon’s game versus Cleveland with a 17-9 record during the day this season. Tigers pitchers have compiled a 3.38 ERA (229.0IP/86ER) during the club’s 26 day games.
GALARRAGA FIRES A ONE-HITTER: Armando Galarraga lost his bid for a perfect game with two outs in the ninth inning last night on an infield single by Cleveland’s Jason Donald. Over the last 20 seasons only two pitchers have gone that far without allowing a batter to reach base without completing the perfect game: Mike Mussina against the Red Sox in 2001 (broken up by Carl Everett’s single) and Pedro Martinez against the Padres in 1995 (broken up to start the 10th inning by Bip Roberts). The last Tigers pitcher to have a perfect game broken up with two outs in the ninth inning was Milt Wilcox at Comiskey Park on April 15, 1983 when Jerry Hairston singled. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)
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 tops among all American League relievers with a 0.44 ERA, while he is second with a .134 batting average against and tied for seventh with 11 saves.
ORDONEZ ON THE OFFENSIVE: Magglio Ordonez is batting .371 (23x62) with 13 runs scored, a double, three home runs and 12 RBI over his last 17 games dating back to May 13. He is seventh among all American League players with a .444 on-base percentage during that stretch, while he is ninth with a .371 batting average.
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, 34 runs scored and 69 hits. Boesch is tied for the lead among all league rookies with 22 RBI, while he is second with a .319 batting average, 36 hits and four home runs.
FOR STARTERS: Tigers starting pitchers have compiled a 3.24 ERA (128.1IP/46ER) over the club’s last 20 games, while limiting opponents to a .231 batting average (110x476). Club starting pitchers have posted 11 quality starts during the stretch.
BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled an 11-6 record and 2.86 ERA (160.1IP/50ER) through the club’s first 52 games this season. Tigers relievers lead the American League with a 2.86 ERA, while the club is second with 11 victories and tied for fourth with 160.1 innings pitched.
BOESCH SELECTED THE AMERICAN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Brennan Boesch was named the American League’s Rookie of the Month for May by Major League Baseball. He batted .345 (29x84) with eight doubles, two triples, three home runs and 15 RBI in 23 games during the month. Boesch led all major league rookies with a .345 batting average during May.
BOESCH JOINS JACKSON IN CAPTURING ROOKIE HONORS: Brennan Boesch was named the American League’s Rookie of the Month for May by Major League Baseball, following Austin Jackson who captured the honor for April. Jackson and Boesch are the first pair of teammates to win the award in April and May since Boston’s Hideki Okajima (April) and Dustin Pedroia (May) did so in 2007.
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Up next (Probable Pitchers)• Friday, June 4Tigers (RHP
Max Scherzer (2-4, 6.42 ERA))
at Royals (LHP
Bruce Chen (1-0, 2.70 ERA)),
8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)• Saturday, June 5Tigers (RHP
Justin Verlander (5-4, 3.75 ERA))
at Royals (RHP
Luke Hochevar (5-3, 5.10 ERA)),
7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)
• Sunday, June 6Tigers (RHP
Jeremy Bonderman (2-3, 3.72 ERA))
at Royals (RHP
Brian Bannister (5-3, 4.73 ERA)),
2:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)
Thu Jun 03, 2010 12:48 am
swinging.