GDT: 6/20/10 - DET (37-30) VS ARI (27-42) - 1:05 p.m. ET
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Detroit Tigers VS Arizona DiamondbacksSunday, June 20, 2010Comerica Park, Detroit, MIGame Time - 1:05 p.m. EDT
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Kennedy, Scherzer reunited as foes in finale By Jocelyn Syrstad / MLB.com
When Ian Kennedy and Max Scherzer step onto the mound in Sunday's series finale between Arizona and Detroit, they won't be unfamiliar enemies, but rather friendly foes.
The two pitchers were teammates in 2005 when they played for Team USA, and they've had some time this weekend to catch up.
"It will be fun facing Max after playing with him one summer," Kennedy said. "It's fun to compete against your friends. I haven't seen him in forever. He's a really nice guy. It's just fun, it adds a little more to the game."
The familiarity between the two clubs doesn't stop there. Both Scherzer and Kennedy were involved in a three-team blockbuster trade during the offseason that involved Detroit, Arizona and the Yankees.
The Tigers' Scherzer, who is in his third season in the league, spent his first two years playing for Arizona. It will be his first time facing his former team since being traded.
Kennedy spent three seasons playing in New York before being traded to Arizona this past winter. The Tigers' Johnny Damon, who became familiar with Kennedy during his eight years in both Boston and New York, said his teammates need to be prepared for what the pitcher can bring to the game.
"He's a guy who pitches on the corners," Damon said of Kennedy. "At times he has a plus-fastball. We are hoping he doesn't. But he has great control and he knows how to pitch. He's pitched in some tough situations in his career so far. Him being out of New York, he has another lease on life. Hopefully he won't be that good tomorrow."
Arizona: A new lease on road lifeWith the D-backs' 6-5 win on Saturday, they are looking for wins in back-to-back road games for only the second time this season. If they win Sunday, it will be the first time since they won two consecutive in Houston. Saturday's win snapped a 14-game road losing streak. The win kept Arizona from tying the record for the longest road losing streak since 2000, 15, set by both the Mariners ('04) and the Indians ('09).
Detroit: Runs not generally a problemSaturday's 6-5 loss marked the first game since June 13 where the Tigers didn't produce at least seven runs. They scored only four last Sunday against Pittsburgh, but had scored seven or eight in the four games prior to Saturday's loss.
... First baseman Miguel Cabrera recorded his 60th RBI on Saturday, making him the first player in the Major Leagues to reach the mark this season.
... Right fielder Magglio Ordonez extended his season-high hit streak to nine games Saturday. He's batting .545 in his past five games after missing six games from June 8-16.
Worth notingWith Scherzer facing his former team for the first time, the two clubs continue their series of reunions. Former Tigers hurlers Dontrelle Willis (Friday) and Edwin Jackson (Saturday) have already made starts in this series for the D-backs.
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Pitching matchupTIGERS: RHP Max Scherzer (3-6, 6.14 ERA)To say Scherzer's last start was a battle would be an understatement. Scherzer struggled from the get-go on Tuesday against the Nationals. He found himself falling behind in counts and threw 81 pitches through four innings. Scherzer admitted he didn't have good command early in the game, but after allowing three earned runs through the first four innings, he settled in as it progressed and made it through the sixth inning to earn his first win since striking out 14 batters in 5 2/3 innings on May 30 against Oakland. He still showed his ability to fan batters on Tuesday, striking nine Nationals.
D-BACKS: RHP Ian Kennedy (3-4, 3.57 ERA) Kennedy will face off against Max Scherzer. The pair were part of the three-team trade that also sent Edwin Jackson to the D-backs. The right-hander has been the club's most consistent starter this season. Last time out against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, though, he did not have his best stuff and Boston wound up hitting him for six runs on nine hits over six innings. In his start prior to that, he allowed just three hits in seven shutout innings against the Braves, but came away with a no-decision in Arizona's 2-1 win.
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From MLB Tigers Game NotesRECENT RESULTS: The Tigers suffered a 6-5 loss to the Diamondbacks last night at Comerica Park, snapping the club’s seven-game winning streak. Rick Porcello (4-7) took the loss for Detroit after allowing five runs (four earned) in 5.1 innings of work. Magglio Ordonez and Alex Avila both finished with two hits and two RBI for the Tigers, while Miguel Cabrera added a single and an RBI. The Tigers conclude a nine-game homestand with the final game of a three-game series versus Arizona this afternoon. Following an off day tomorrow, the club hits the road for a nine-game trip to New York, Atlanta and Minnesota.
INTERLEAGUE HAPPENINGS: Today’s contest against the Diamondbacks is Detroit’s 12th game of interleague play in 2010. Since interleague play started in 1997, the Tigers have compiled a 131-109 record. The Tigers are 64-34 in interleague games at Comerica Park. Detroit is 8-3 in interleague games during the 2010 season.
AMONG THE BEST SINCE 2006: The Tigers have compiled a 60-23 record, a .723 winning percentage, during interleague play since the start of the 2006 season. The .723 winning percentage during interleague action is the best among major league clubs during that stretch. The Red Sox and Twins are tied for second among all clubs with a 59-24 record, a .711 winning percentage, during interleague action over that stretch.
TIGERS PILE UP THE WINS IN INTERLEAGUE PLAY AT HOME: The Tigers have posted a 36-7 record, an .837 winning percentage, during interleague action over the club’s last 43 games at Comerica Park dating back to May 20, 2006.
MAGGLIO MASHES DURING INTERLEAGUE ACTION: Magglio Ordonez enters today’s game versus Arizona hitting .340 (221x650) with 43 doubles, three triples, 35 home runs and 146 RBI in 175 games during interleague action in his career. He is third among all active major league players with a .340 batting average during interleague action, while he is sixth with a .577 slugging percentage.
GUILLEN GETS IT GOING: Carlos Guillen enters today’s game versus Arizona having hit safely in 11 of his last 14 games dating back to June 3. During the 14-game stretch, he is batting .321 (17x53) with five doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI.
INGE IGNITES: Brandon Inge enters today’s game versus the Diamondbacks having hit safely in 16 of his last 18 games dating back to May 30. He is batting .394 (26x66) with four doubles, a triple, home run and six RBI over the 18-game stretch.
ORDONEZ ON THE OFFENSIVE: Magglio Ordonez is batting .412 (40x97) with 21 runs scored, five doubles, a triple, five home runs and 24 RBI over his last 25 games dating back to May 13. He is tops among all American League players with a .412 batting average during that stretch, while he is second with a .468 on-base percentage.
PAPA GRANDE POWERS THE PEN: Jose Valverde has converted each of his last 15 save opportunities for the Tigers, the 10th-longest such single-season streak in franchise history. Additionally, he has held opponents scoreless in 28 of his 30 outings this season. Valverde is tops among all American League relievers with a 0.61 ERA and .108 batting average against, while he is tied for seventh with 15 saves.
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 .339 batting average, nine home runs and 34 RBI, while he is second with 58 hits.
DIALED IN DURING THE DAY: The Tigers enter this afternoon’s game versus Arizona with a 20-11 record during the day this season. Tigers pitchers have compiled a 3.47 ERA (272.0IP/105ER) during the club’s 31 day games.
BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled a 16-6 record and 2.91 ERA (201.1IP/65ER) through the club’s first 67 games this season. Tigers relievers lead the American League with 16 victories, while the club is second with a 2.91 ERA.
HOME IS WHERE THE MOUND IS: Tigers pitchers have compiled a 3.47 ERA (319.0IP/123ER) through the club’s first 35 games at home, while they have limited opponents to a .241 batting average (290x1204). The Tigers are fourth in the American League with a 3.47 ERA at home this season, while the club is sixth with a .241 batting average against.
EXTRA, EXTRA: The Tigers have collected at least one extra-base hit in 62 of the club’s 67 games this season. Detroit is fifth among all American League clubs with 214 extrabase hits this season. Additionally, Detroit is fourth in the league with 143 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)• Monday, June 21OFF DAY• Tuesday, June 22Tigers (RHP
Justin Verlander (8-4, 3.54 ERA))
at METS (LHP
Jonathon Niese (4-2, 3.64 ERA)),
7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)• Wednesday, June 23Tigers (RHP
Jeremy Bonderman (3-4, 4.06))
at METS (RHP
R.A. Dickey (5-0, 2.82 ERA)),
7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)• Thursday, June 24Tigers (RHP
Armando Galarraga (2-1, 3.32))
at METS (LHP
Hisanori Takahashi (6-2, 3.13 ERA)),
7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)
Sat Jun 19, 2010 11:48 pm
swinging. 