GDT: 6/15/10 - DET (33-29) VS WAS (31-33) - 7:05 p.m. ET
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Detroit Tigers VS Washington NationalsTuesday, June 15, 2010Comerica Park, Detroit, MIGame Time - 7:05 p.m. EDT
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Motown the next stage for hot-hitting NatsBy Zach Schonbrun / MLB.com
With the arrival of the phenom right-hander Stephen Strasburg and the emergence of a solid bullpen, the Nationals have been drawing attention with their pitching so far this season.
But the offense has had its moments, too. Washington pounded out 16 hits in support of Strasburg on Sunday, and the lineup looked as potent as just about any in the National League.
With a scorching hot Ryan Zimmerman, who is batting .370 with five home runs and 10 RBIs in his past 14 games, Washington has plenty of firepower. Adam Dunn hit his 14th home run of the year Sunday, Christian Guzman had three hits to raise his average to .304, and rookie shortstop Ian Desmond had two more RBIs to give him 33 on the year.
"It's an opportunity for people to realize there is some pretty good talent in Washington," Nats manager Jim Riggleman said. "You hope some of the guys get the national attention. People like Dunn, [Josh] Willingham and Zimmerman may get some recognition for it."
The Tigers may also start to get some recognition if they keep playing like they have. After a sweep of Pittsburgh, Detroit has won seven of its past 10 and is closing in on the Twins at the top of the American League Central.
Right-hander Max Scherzer has given up just eight runs in his past three starts since being brought back up from Triple-A Toledo, a brief demotion that looks to have been beneficial for the hard-throwing starter. He has 24 strikeouts in his past 18 innings of work.
The Tigers may be without their prime young center fielder Austin Jackson, after Jackson left Sunday's game with back spasms. The rookie is hitting .308 with 10 stolen bases this season. But more importantly, his defense has been sensational roaming the outfield for Detroit.
Tigers: Valverde's streak endsTigers closer Jose Valverde snapped a streak of 25 consecutive scoreless appearances on Sunday when he allowed a run in the ninth to Pittsburgh. He managed to shut the door and earn his 13th save of the season, however, and his ERA is now 0.66 on the year.
"You can't get by without a great closer," outfielder Johnny Damon said. "He seems to be one of the best out there.
Nationals: Morse makes most of startNats outfielder Michael Morse went 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI in a rare start in right field on Sunday, though the backup outfielder has made the most of his opportunities. He is 11-for-25 (.440) with four RBIs on the season and may be clamoring for more playing time.
Worth nothingTigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez and second baseman Carlos Guillen were each held out of the starting lineup Sunday to give them extra rest prior to Monday's scheduled off-day.
... Tigers manager Jim Leyland's son, Patrick, was expected to meet with the Detroit front office soon about a contract after the team selected him in the eighth round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.
... The Nats are 5-13 on the road since May 13.
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Pitching matchupDET: RHP Max Scherzer (2-6, 6.30 ERA)In his last start, Max Scherzer continued to show that his short stint in Triple-A Toledo was extremely beneficial. Unfortunately, in his three starts since being recalled, his win-loss record hasn't indicated how much improvement he's made. Scherzer has posted a 1-2 record, but has only given up a combined eight earned runs in three starts. In his last start, Scherzer allowed three runs on five hits in 7 1/3 innings, while fanning seven batters. But the Tigers' offense was unable to provide any run support to back a solid outing -- a problem many of the Tigers' starters have dealt with of late.
Nationals: LHP John Lannan (2-3, 5.00 ERA) A day after Stephen Strasburg's dominating performance, Lannan went to the mound and had one of his worst outings on Wednesday night. However, the bullpen and the position players helped the Nationals defeat the Pirates, 7-5, in front of 18,876 fans at Nationals Park. Lannan lasted 4 2/3 innings and allowed five runs -- four earned -- on 10 hits. He said he didn't feel any pressure following up Strasburg's huge performance.
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From MLB Tigers Game NotesRECENT RESULTS: The Tigers posted a 4-3 win over the Pirates on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park to complete a three-game sweep over the club. Brad Thomas (4-0) picked up the win in relief, while Jose Valverde closed out the game for his 13th save of the season. Miguel Cabrera belted a three-run home run for the Tigers, while Alex Avila added a solo home run. The Tigers continue a nine-game homestand with the first game of a three-game series versus Washington this evening. The homestand concludes with a three-game series against Arizona beginning on Friday night.
TIGERS ASK UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE WAIVERS ON EVERETT: The
Tigers today announced the club has asked unconditional release waivers on shortstop Adam Everett. Everett had his contract designated for assignment by the Tigers on June 8.
INTERLEAGUE HAPPENINGS: Tonight’s contest against the Nationals is Detroit’s seventh game of interleague play in 2010. Since interleague play started in 1997, the Tigers have compiled a 127-108 record. The Tigers are 60-33 in interleague games at Comerica Park. Detroit is 4-2 in interleague games during the 2010 season.
AMONG THE BEST SINCE 2006: The Tigers have compiled a 56-22 record, a .718 winning percentage, during interleague play since the start of the 2006 season. The .718 winning percentage during interleague action is tied for the best among major league clubs during that stretch. The Minnesota Twins are 56-22, a .718 winning percentage, during interleague action over that stretch as well.
TIGERS PILE UP THE WINS IN INTERLEAGUE PLAY AT HOME: The Tigers have posted a 32-6 record, an .842 winning percentage, during interleague action over the club’s last 38 games at Comerica Park dating back to May 20, 2006.
MAGGLIO MASHES DURING INTERLEAGUE ACTION: Magglio Ordonez enters tonight’s game versus Washington hitting .333 (209x628) with 40 doubles, three triples, 34 home runs and 140 RBI in 170 games during interleague action in his career. He is fourth among all active major league players with a .333 batting average during interleague action, while he is seventh with a .568 slugging percentage.
COKE, THOMAS BOTH START 4-0 FOR THE TIGERS: Brad Thomas earned the win on Sunday versus the Pirates to improve his record to 4-0, one day after Phil Coke improved his record to 4-0 as well. Thomas and Coke are the fourth pair of pitchers to begin a season 4-0 or better in their first year with the Tigers. Ed Siever and Emil Frisk did so in 1901, while Suds Sutherland and Bert Cole did so in 1921 and Doyle Alexander and Mike Henneman did so in 1987. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)
MIGGY MASHES AGAINST THE NATIONALS: Miguel Cabrera enters tonight’s game versus Washington hitting .362 (109x301) with 16 doubles, a triple, 21 home runs and 75 RBI in 82 games during his career against the club. He is third among all active major league players with a .362 batting average against the Nationals, while he is fifth with a .631 slugging percentage.
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 third among all American League players with a .442 on-base percentage during that stretch, while he is fourth with a .373 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 36 runs scored and 77 hits, while he is second with a .308 batting average. Boesch is tops among all league rookies with a .342 batting average, eight home runs and 30 RBI, while he is second with 52 hits.
BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled a 15-6 record and 2.98 ERA (187.0IP/62ER) through the club’s first 62 games this season.
Tigers relievers lead the American League with 15 victories, while the club is second with a 2.98 ERA and sixth with 187.0 innings pitched.
HOME IS WHERE THE MOUND IS: Tigers pitchers have compiled a 3.42 ERA (274.0IP/104ER) through the club’s first 30 games at home, while they have limited opponents to a .241 batting average (248x1031). The Tigers are third in the American League with a 3.42 ERA at home this season, while the club is fifth with a .241 batting average against.
EXTRA, EXTRA: The Tigers have collected at least one extra-base hit in 57 of the club’s 62 games this season. Detroit is sixth among all American League clubs with 197 extrabase hits this season. Additionally, Detroit is fourth in the league with 130 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)• Wednesday, June 16Tigers (RHP
Justin Verlander (7-4, 3.56 ERA))
VS Nationals (RHP
Livan Hernandez (5-3, 2.28 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)• Thursday, June 17Tigers (RHP
Jeremy Bonderman (2-4, 4.21 ERA))
VS Nationals (RHP
Luis Atilano (5-3, 4.34 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)
Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:34 am
swinging. 
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