GDT: 6/10/10 - DET (30-28) at CWS (25-33) - 2:05 p.m. ET

Scherzer, Danks aim to stop personal slides

By Tim Britton / MLB.com

The rubber game between the Tigers and White Sox will feature a pair of starters hoping to recapture their April form.

Detroit's Max Scherzer and Chicago's John Danks each had strong opening months of the season, combining for a 4-1 record.

Since then, however, both have struggled to find the form that had made them two of the AL Central's most promising young arms.

Scherzer's decline has been precipitous. The right-hander surrendered six runs in his final start of April, and he's given up at least five in all but one start since. He was 1-1 with a 2.62 ERA through four starts; in his last six, Scherzer is 1-4 with a 10.05 ERA.

Manager Jim Leyland thinks Scherzer has to start using his slider more often to complement his high-octane fastball.

"He won't be a finished pitcher until he gets his slider going," Leyland said. "He'll be good, and on given nights, he'll overpower some people, but when he gets that slider going for sure, he'll be dynamite."

Scherzer, of course, was dynamite two starts ago, when he struck out 14 Athletics in 5 2/3 two-hit, scoreless innings for his second win of the season.

Danks' struggles have for the most part been less pronounced. The left-hander began the season 3-0, but he's 1-5 since the calendar turned to May. Some of that can be blamed on an offense that hasn't lent much support -- the White Sox have scored 10 total runs in Danks' five losses -- and some of it on Danks, whose worst two starts of the season have been his last two.

Danks hadn't allowed more than three earned runs in a contest until May 29, when the Rays pounded him for eight in four innings. Danks was better but not at his best last Friday against the Indians, surrendering four runs in 5 1/3 innings. After five shutout innings, Danks fell apart in a four-run sixth.

"I couldn't get an out there in the sixth inning," said Danks. "It's part of the game, but at the same time, it's getting old. This is probably the most frustrated I've been in a long time."

Tigers: Boesch goes extra mile
Brennan Boesch's second-inning home run off of Freddy Garcia on Wednesday gave him 23 extra-base hits in the first 37 games of his Major League career. Since 1952, only Jeff Francoeur in 2005 and Ryan Braun in 2007 collected 23 extra-base hits at the start of their career faster, doing so in 36 games. The homer also gave Boesch back-to-back games with a long ball for the first time in his brief career.

White Sox: A pair of sevens
The White Sox hadn't scored more than five runs in an inning all season before putting up two seven-spots on Wednesday night in the fourth and eighth innings. The South Siders, in fact, had only scored 27 runs in the first seven games of June; they plated over half that in Wednesday's 15-3 win. The 15 runs and 16 hits were season highs. The Sox hadn't scored 15 since a 17-3 win over the Angels on May 25, 2009.

Worth noting
White Sox backup catcher Ramon Castro doubled his RBI total for the season with four of them on Wednesday night. The backstop's career high is five, which he accumulated on Aug. 23, 2005, in Arizona while playing for the Mets.

... Dating back to last season, Chicago's last three wins over the Tigers have all been started by Freddy Garcia.

... Brent Lillibridge's pinch-hit, three-run homer in the eighth gave the infielder the first three-RBI game of his career. It was his second career homer and first off the bench.



Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Max Scherzer (2-5, 6.66 ERA)
Coming off his fifth loss of the season, Scherzer is looking to rebound from a shaky performance in Kansas City. Scherzer lasted just five-plus innings, allowing five earned runs on nine hits. Detroit manager Jim Leyland said that Scherzer would never become a complete pitcher until he perfects his slider -- something Scherzer is hoping to work on against Chicago. This is Scherzer's first career start against the White Sox.


White Sox: LHP John Danks (4-5, 3.60 ERA)
Danks struggled in his last start en route to earning a loss against the undermanned Cleveland Indians. Danks cruised through his first five innings, but he could not keep it going, eventually letting five of six Indians batters reach base in the sixth. Danks earned the loss on four earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. Jhonny Peralta's double provided the biggest blow to Danks' sixth. Lifetime against the Tigers, Danks is 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA in eight starts.


From MLB Tigers Game Notes

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers suffered a 15-3 loss to the White Sox last night. Rick Porcello (4-6) took the loss after allowing eight runs in 3.1 innings of work. Brennan Boesch and Miguel Cabrera both belted solo home runs for Detroit. The Tigers conclude a six-game road trip with the final game of a three-game series at Chicago this afternoon. Following this afternoon’s game at Chicago, the club heads home for a nine-game homestand with Pittsburgh, Washington and Arizona.

PERRY LANDS ON DISABLED LIST, GONZALEZ HAS CONTRACT PURCHASED: The Tigers placed righthanded pitcher Ryan Perry on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 7 with right shoulder bicipital tendinitis. To take Perry’s spot on the club’s 25-man roster, the Tigers today purchased the contract of righthanded pitcher Enrique Gonzalez from Triple A Toledo. Gonzalez made 11 starts for the Mud Hens, posting a 4-5 record and 3.46 ERA (65.0IP/25ER).

ORDONEZ, GUILLEN ON THE OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE SOX: Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen both have enjoyed success during their respective careers versus the Chicago White Sox. Ordonez is hitting .336 (100x298) with 19 doubles, a triple, nine home runs and 42 RBI in 78 games during his career against the White Sox. Guillen is batting .327 (138x422) with 20 doubles, 10 triples, 12 home runs and 65 RBI in 118 games during his career versus the White Sox. Ordonez is fifth among all active major league players with a .336 batting average against the club, while Guillen is seventh with a .327 batting average.

MAGGLIO MASHES VERSUS DANKS: Magglio Ordonez enters today’s game at Chicago batting .609 (14x23) with four doubles, two home runs and seven RBI during his career against John Danks. He is tops among all active major league players with at least 20 plate appearances against Danks with a .609 batting average versus the pitcher.

CABRERA’S A ROAD WARRIOR: Miguel Cabrera enters today’s game at Chicago hitting .359 (42x117) with nine doubles, 11 home runs and 34 RBI in 29 games on the road this season. He is tops among all American League players with 34 RBI on the road this season, while he is tied for the lead with 11 home runs, is second with a .718 slugging percentage and fourth with a .359 batting average.

PAPA GRANDE POWERS THE PEN: Jose Valverde has not allowed a run in his last 23 outings for the Tigers, tossing 23.1 scoreless innings. He is tops among all American League relievers with a 0.37 ERA and .115 batting average against, while he is tied for eighth with 12 saves.

ORDONEZ ON THE OFFENSIVE: Magglio Ordonez is batting .373 (28x75) with 16 runs scored, two doubles, a triple, four home runs and 18 RBI over his last 20 games dating back to May 13. He is fifth among all American League players with a .373 batting average during that stretch, while he is tied for fifth with a .442 on-base percentage.

CABRERA PLAYING LONGBALL: Miguel Cabrera has connected for 10 home runs over his last 16 games dating back to May 20. During the 16-game stretch, he is hitting .359 (23x64) with 15 runs scored, three doubles and 17 RBI. Cabrera is tops among all American League players with 10 home runs and an .875 slugging percentage during that stretch, while he is seventh with a .359 batting average and tied for eighth with 17 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 36 runs scored and 75 hits, while he is second with a .316 batting average. Boesch is tops among all league rookies with a .348 batting average, seven home runs and 29 RBI, while he is second with 47 hits.

BOESCH’S EXTRA-BASE HIT TOTAL AMONG BEST SINCE AT LEAST 1952: Brennan Boesch has collected 23 extra-base hits in the first 37 games of his major league career with the Tigers. His 23 extra-base hits are tied for the most in a player’s first 37 career games since at least 1952, along with Albert Pujols (2001), Jeff Francoeur (2005) and Ryan Braun (2007).

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled a 13-6 record and 3.00 ERA (180.0IP/60ER) through the club’s first 58 games this season. Tigers relievers lead the American League with 13 victories, while the club is second with a 3.00 ERA and fourth with 180.0 innings pitched.

EXTRA, EXTRA: The Tigers have collected at least one extra-base hit in 54 of the club’s 58 games this season. Detroit is sixth among all American League clubs with 188 extrabase hits this season. Additionally, Detroit is third in the league with 126 doubles.

INJURY UPDATE:
RHP Zach Miner (right elbow tendinitis, 15-day DL on March 26),
RHP Ryan Perry (right shoulder bicipital tendinitis, 15-day DL on June 7),
LHP Bobby Seay (left shoulder strain, 60-day DL on March 26).



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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Friday, June 11
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (6-4, 3.65 ERA)) VS Pirates (RHP Ross Ohlendorf (0-3, 4.30 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Saturday, June 12
Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (2-4, 4.40 ERA)) VS Pirates (LHP Paul Maholm (4-4, 3.80 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Sunday, June 13
Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga (2-1, 2.77 ERA)) VS Pirates (RHP Jeff Karstens (1-2, 4.81 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

As expected, Magglio Ordonez is back in the starting lineup today against John Danks, whom he has pounded for a 14-for-23 performance over his career. So is Gerald Laird, who's 3-for-4 off Danks.

TIGERS

1. Austin Jackson, CF
   
2. Johnny Damon, DH
   
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
   
5. Brennan Boesch, LF
   
6. Carlos Guillen, 2B
   
7. Brandon Inge, 3B
   
8. Gerald Laird, C
   
9. Danny Worth, SS
   

SP: Max Scherzer


WHITE SOX

1. Juan Pierre, LF
   
2. Omar Vizquel, 3B
   
3. Alex Rios, CF
   
4. Paul Konerko, DH
   
5. Carlos Quentin, RF
   
6. Mark Kotsay, 1B
   
7. A.J. Pierzynski, C
   
8. Alexei Ramirez, SS
   
9. Gordon Beckham, 2B
   

P: John Danks

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Austin Jackson grounds out sharply, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Mark Kotsay.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Mark Kotsay.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Carlos Quentin.

0-0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Juan Pierre swinging.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Omar Vizquel homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.

CWS 1, DET 0




B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Alex Rios swinging.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Paul Konerko swinging.

CWS 1, DET 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Mark Kotsay.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch pops out to shortstop Alexei Ramirez.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alex Rios.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, third baseman Omar Vizquel to first baseman Mark Kotsay.

CWS 1, DET 0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Carlos Quentin flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Mark Kotsay pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
A. J. Pierzynski grounds out softly, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Max Scherzer.

CWS 1, DET 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird flies out deep to center fielder Alex Rios.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Danny Worth grounds out, third baseman Omar Vizquel to first baseman Mark Kotsay.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Mark Kotsay.

CWS 1, DET 0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Alexei Ramirez grounds out softly, pitcher Max Scherzer to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Gordon Beckham flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Juan Pierre grounds out, shortstop Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CWS 1, DET 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Mark Kotsay.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn pops out to shortstop Alexei Ramirez in foul territory.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera walks.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Mark Kotsay.

CWS 1, DET 0 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Omar Vizquel grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Alex Rios flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Paul Konerko singles on a pop up to second baseman Carlos Guillen.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Carlos Quentin on foul tip.

CWS 1, DET 0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen called out on .


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


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Gerald Laird swinging.

CWS 1, DET 0 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Mark Kotsay grounds out, shortstop Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
A. J. Pierzynski swinging.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Alexei Ramirez singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
With Gordon Beckham batting, Alexei Ramirez caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Laird to second baseman Carlos Guillen.


CWS 1, DET 0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Danny Worth flies out to center fielder Alex Rios.


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


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


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to center fielder Alex Rios.

CWS 1, DET 0 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Gordon Beckham doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Juan Pierre out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Gordon Beckham to 3rd.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Omar Vizquel out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Gordon Beckham scores.

CWS 2, DET 0




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

CWS 2, DET 0 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera walks.


B:2 S:2 O:2 - Brennan Boesch grounds into double play,
second baseman Gordon Beckham to shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first
baseman Mark Kotsay. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.


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


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


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Alex Rios.

CWS 2, DET 0 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Paul Konerko grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Carlos Quentin pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Mark Kotsay swinging.

CWS 2, DET 0 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Sergio Santos replaces John Danks.


B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Gerald Laird singles on a line drive to center fielder Alex Rios.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ramon Santiago replaces Danny Worth.


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago swinging.


B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Austin Jackson walks. Gerald Laird to 2nd.


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

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon walks. Gerald Laird to 3rd. Austin Jackson to 2nd.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn pops out to first baseman Mark Kotsay in foul territory.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera swinging.

CWS 2, DET 0 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago remains in the game as the shortstop.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
A. J. Pierzynski homers (3) on a fly ball to right field.

CWS 3, DET 0


B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Alexei Ramirez walks.


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


B:0 S:1 O:1 - Gordon Beckham out on a sacrifice bunt,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Alexei
Ramirez to 2nd.


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Max Scherzer.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Juan Pierre flies out to left fielder Johnny Damon.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Omar Vizquel walks.


B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Alex Rios grounds into a force out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Omar Vizquel out at 2nd.

CWS 3, DET 0 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Bobby Jenks replaces Sergio Santos.


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


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out softly, pitcher Bobby Jenks to first baseman Mark Kotsay.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to left fielder Juan Pierre.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Mark Kotsay.

CWS 3, DET 0 final box score >>