GDT: 6/22/10 - DET (38-30) AT NYM (39-30) - 7:10 p.m. ET

Spotlight shines on mound for Tigers, Mets duel

By Noah Rosenstein / MLB.com

The possible return of Tigers leadoff man Austin Jackson and the red-hot hitting of Mets counterpart Jose Reyes could get both offenses going right out of the gate in Tuesday's series opener at Citi Field.

But the starting pitchers certainly won't make it easy for them. Tigers ace Justin Verlander takes the mound after posting a season-high 11 strikeouts last time out against the Nationals. The Mets' Jon Niese opposes him looking to pick up his career-high fourth consecutive victory.

Before missing the last six games with back spasms, Jackson was making his case for American League Rookie of the Year. The center fielder leads AL rookies with 36 runs and 77 hits, and is second to teammate Brennan Boesch with a .308 batting average.

Detroit manager Jim Leyland hopes Jackson is back for Tuesday's game, but couldn't be sure when he discussed it on Saturday. "I'd be happy if he's ready for Tuesday, and I don't even know [if that will happen]," he said.

Reyes, meanwhile, was on an 11-game hitting streak -- tied for the longest by a Mets player this season -- before going 0-for-4 against CC Sabathia and the Yankees on Sunday. But he wasn't putting up lines like 1-for-4 with a single. He had multi-hit efforts in eight of those 11 games, and eight of his 21 hits in that stretch went for extra bases. Overall he was hitting .438 with 12 runs scored, three doubles, a triple, four homers and seven RBIs. In short, he was doing everything New York could need from a leadoff man. This season the Mets are 26-7 when Reyes scores, and since 2005 they are 274-111.

Both starters are facing brand new opponents, which won't make it easy for Jackson and Reyes to jumpstart their lineups. Verlander not only fanned his season high in his last outing, but he extended his streak of quality starts to a season-high four. Niese's three-game winning streak included his first career shutout on June 10 against San Diego.

Tigers: Porcello goes to Toledo
The Tigers announced Sunday the club will option the contract of starting pitcher Rick Porcello to Triple-A Toledo. Porcello (4-7) took the loss in Saturday's start after allowing four earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. He was skipped the last time through the Tigers' rotation, and his start on Saturday was his first since giving up eight earned runs through 3 1/3 innings June 9 against the White Sox. He will start for Toledo on Thursday with no timetable for his return. ... Relief pitcher Ryan Perry is expected to rejoin the team on Tuesday for the nine-game road trip. But he won't be eligible until Thursday, as he was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 9 with right biceps tendinitis.

Mets: Maine feels discomfort in rehab
The Mets are reevaluating the condition of starter John Maine, who wasn't feeling well after Friday's rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo. He needed 88 pitches to get through 4 1/3 innings but didn't mention any discomfort to the media during postgame interviews. He has been on the disabled list since May 21 with right rotator cuff tendinitis. ... Entering Sunday, New York pitchers have the fourth-lowest home ERA in the Majors at 2.73, averaging 2.88 runs allowed per game compared to 4.94 on the road. ... Entering Sunday, the Mets had posted the Majors' second-lowest Interleague ERA at 2.94 and the fifth-best Interleague batting average at .295.

Worth noting
David Wright is tied for second in the National League with 53 RBIs and needs one more to pass Ed Kranepool for fourth place on the Mets' all-time list. They are currently tied with 614. ... Magglio Ordonez entered Sunday third among active Major Leaguers with a .340 career batting average during Interleague Play. ... The Tigers lead the all-time series, 5-4, but the Mets are 3-0 at home. ... The Tigers and Mets are both 9-3 in Interleague Play this season. The Mets entered Sunday tied with the Red Sox and White Sox for the most Interleague wins this season and have a chance to eclipse their franchise record of 12 set in 1999.



Pitching matchup

TIGERS: RHP Justin Verlander (8-4, 3.54 ERA ERA)
The Tigers ace had lights-out stuff in his last start and struck out a season-high 11, thanks in large to his breaking ball. He weaved his offspeed pitches in and out of the strike zone in his last outing, a feat he struggled to accomplish in his previous starts this season. Couple his high-velocity fastball with his revamped curveball and changeup, and Verlander may be en route to surpassing his previous season-high total in strikeouts when he faces the Mets to kick off the Interleague Series.



METS: LHP Jonathon Niese (4-2, 3.64 ERA)
Pitching in front of scores of friends and family in his home state of Ohio, Niese was not nearly as sharp in Cleveland as he was during his one-hit shutout against the Padres one start earlier. But he was plenty sharp enough to win, holding the Indians to three runs on eight hits over seven innings. For his next outing, Niese will return to Citi Field, where he is 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA in six starts this season. He has never faced the Tigers.



From MLB Tigers Game Notes



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 23
Tigers (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 24
Tigers (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) & MLBN

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .308
Laird, C .180
Ordonez, RF .333
Cabrera, M, 1B .328
Boesch, LF .337
Guillen, C, 2B .295
Inge, 3B .261
Worth, SS .256
Verlander, P .000
Totals .274

NY Mets AVG
Reyes, Jo, SS .272
Pagan, CF .296
Wright, D, 3B .283
Davis, I, 1B .261
Bay, LF .278
Barajas, C .249
Francoeur, RF .267
Tejada, 2B .256
Niese, P .167
Totals .257

Current Conditions

Citi Field

Cloudy 75 F

Humidity: 65 %

Wind: from the ENE at 10 mph

Barometer: 30.03 in

last updated: 6/22/10 6:05 PM EDT

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Austin Jackson grounds out, second baseman Ruben Tejada to first baseman Ike Davis.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Gerald Laird pops out softly to second baseman Ruben Tejada.

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez walks.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera on foul tip.

0-0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Jose Reyes singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Brandon Inge.


B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Angel Pagan triples (5) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Jose Reyes scores.

NYM 1, DET 0




B:1 S:2 O:1 -
David Wright out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Angel Pagan scores.

NYM 2, DET 0


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Ike Davis swinging.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Jason Bay walks.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
With Rod Barajas batting, Jason Bay steals (10) 2nd base.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Rod Barajas walks.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Jeff Francoeur grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

NYM 2, DET 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Brennan Boesch walks.


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen swinging.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Brandon Inge pops out to first baseman Ike Davis.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Danny Worth lines out to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

NYM 2, DET 0 after 1.5 innings

Light rain falling

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Ruben Tejada singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Jon Niese called out on .


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Jose Reyes flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Angel Pagan grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

NYM 2, DET 0 after 2 innings

JV at 50 pitches after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Justin Verlander swinging.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Austin Jackson hit by pitch.


B:1 S:1 O:2 - With Gerald Laird batting, Austin
Jackson picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Jon Niese to
first baseman Ike Davis to second baseman Ruben Tejada.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Gerald Laird called out on .

NYM 2, DET 0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
David Wright walks.


B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Ike Davis singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. David Wright to 3rd.


B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Jason Bay doubles (17) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. David Wright scores. Ike Davis to 3rd.

NYM 3, DET 0

RAIN DELAY

B:0 S:0 O:0 - Pitcher Change: Jay Sborz replaces Justin Verlander, batting 9th.

B:1 S:2 O:0 - Rod Barajas hit by pitch.


B:0 S:0 O:0 - Francoeur hit by pitch. Ike Davis scores. Jason Bay to 3rd. Rod Barajas to 2nd.

NYM 4, DET 0


B:0 S:0 O:0 - Injury Delay.

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


B:2 S:1 O:1 - Ruben Tejada grounds into a force out,
fielded by third baseman Brandon Inge. Jason Bay scores. Rod Barajas
out at 3rd. Jeff Francoeur to 2nd. Ruben Tejada to 1st.

NYM 5, DET 0


B:3 S:3 O:2 - Jon Niese on foul bunt.

B:1 S:1 O:2 - Jose Reyes singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Jeff Francoeur scores. Ruben Tejada to 3rd.

NYM 6, DET 0


B:1 S:0 O:2 - With Angel Pagan batting, Jose Reyes steals (18) 2nd base.

B:1 S:2 O:2 - Angel Pagan singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Ruben Tejada scores. Jose Reyes scores.


NYM 8, DET 0


B:0 S:1 O:2 - David Wright singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Angel Pagan to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2 - Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Pitcher Change: Brad Thomas replaces Jay Sborz, batting 9th.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -Ike Davis doubles (14) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Angel Pagan scores. David Wright scores.

NYM 10, DET 0


B:4 S:2 O:2 - Jason Bay walks.

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

B:4 S:1 O:2 - Rod Barajas walks. Ike Davis to 3rd. Jason Bay to 2nd.


B:0 S:1 O:3 - Jeff Francoeur lines out sharply to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

NYM 10, DET 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out sharply, third baseman David Wright to first baseman Ike Davis.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera doubles (20) on a sharp 415 foot fly ball to center fielder Angel Pagan.


B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch homers (11) on a over 415 foot fly ball to right center field. Miguel Cabrera scores.

NYM 10, DET 2




B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out, second baseman Ruben Tejada to first baseman Ike Davis.



B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brandon Inge doubles (18) on a line drive to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Danny Worth flies out to left fielder Jason Bay.

NYM 10, DET 2 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Ruben Tejada walks.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Jon Niese out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Gerald Laird to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Ruben Tejada to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Jose Reyes singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Ruben Tejada to 3rd.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Angel Pagan doubles (14) on a sharp fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Ruben Tejada scores. Jose Reyes to 3rd.

NYM 11, DET 2




B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Brad Thomas intentionally walks David Wright.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Ike Davis swinging.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Jason Bay grounds into a force out, shortstop Danny Worth to second baseman Carlos Guillen. David Wright out at 2nd.

NYM 11, DET 2 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 - Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ryan Raburn replaces Brad Thomas.


B:1 S:1 O:0 - Ryan Raburn hit by pitch.


B:1 S:0 O:0 - Austin Jackson doubles (18) on a fly ball to center fielder Angel Pagan. Ryan Raburn scores.

NYM 11, DET 3


B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Gerald Laird singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Angel Pagan. Austin Jackson scores.

NYM 11, DET 4


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



B:2 S:2 O:1 - Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman David Wright to first baseman Ike Davis. Gerald Laird to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Gerald Laird to 3rd.


B:1 S:0 O:2 - Brennan Boesch singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Gerald Laird scores.

NYM 11, DET 5


B:1 S:2 O:2 - Carlos Guillen singles on a ground ball to pitcher Jon Niese. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.


B:4 S:0 O:2 - Brandon Inge walks. Brennan Boesch to 3rd. Carlos Guillen to 2nd.


B:4 S:0 O:2 - Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Pitcher Change: Fernando Nieve replaces Jon Niese, batting 9th.


B:1 S:2 O:2 - Danny Worth singles on a line drive to right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Brennan Boesch scores. Carlos Guillen to 3rd. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

NYM 11, DET 6

B:1 S:3 O:3 - Ryan Raburn called out on .

NYM 11, DET 6 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fu-Te Ni replaces Brad Thomas, batting 9th.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Rod Barajas flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Jeff Francoeur singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
With Ruben Tejada batting, Jeff Francoeur steals (7) 2nd base.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Injury Delay.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Ruben Tejada grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jeff Francoeur to 3rd.


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

NYM 11, DET 6 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Austin Jackson swinging.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Gerald Laird called out on .


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez swinging.

NYM 11, DET 6 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:0 - Jose Reyes strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Fu-Te Ni. Jose Reyes to 1st.

B:0 S:2 O:0 - Angel Pagan singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Jose Reyes to 2nd.


B:1 S:0 O:0 - David Wright doubles (19) on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Jose Reyes scores. Angel Pagan to 3rd.

NYM 12, DET 6


B:0 S:2 O:0 - Ike Davis singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Angel Pagan scores. David Wright to 3rd.

NYM 13, DET 6


B:2 S:0 O:1 - Jason Bay out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. David Wright scores. Ike Davis to 2nd.

NYM 14, DET 6


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


B:1 S:1 O:3 - Jeff Francoeur flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

NYM 14, DET 6 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

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


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch flies out to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

B:2 S:2 O:3 - Carlos Guillen grounds into double play,
shortstop Jose Reyes to second baseman Ruben Tejada to first baseman
Ike Davis. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.

NYM 14, DET 6 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Ruben Tejada pops out to shortstop Danny Worth.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Fernando Tatis replaces Fernando Nieve.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Fernando Tatis called out on .


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Jose Reyes pops out to catcher Gerald Laird in foul territory.

NYM 14, DET 6 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Bobby Parnell replaces Fernando Nieve, batting 9th.


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Brandon Inge swinging.


B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Danny Worth walks.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Don Kelly replaces Fu-Te Ni.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Don Kelly pops out to third baseman David Wright in foul territory.


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

NYM 14, DET 6 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Enrique Gonzalez replaces Fu-Te Ni, batting 9th.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Angel Pagan grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
David Wright singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Ike Davis grounds into double play, shortstop Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. David Wright out at 2nd.

NYM 14, DET 6 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryota Igarashi replaces Bobby Parnell, batting 9th.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, third baseman David Wright to first baseman Ike Davis.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out to first baseman Ike Davis.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

NYM 14, DET 6 final box score >> click here <<