GDT: 6/25/10 - DET (39-32) AT ATL (42-31) - 7:35 p.m. ET

Detroit rookie faces tough first test in Atlanta

By Didier Morais / MLB.com

Detroit manager Jim Leyland is skipping Triple-A ball with Andrew Oliver and ushering the rookie pitcher straight from Double-A to the Majors. And a start against the Braves, who have tallied the eighth-highest RBI total this season, should prove to be an excellent test of the southpaw's resolve.

"We felt Oliver was the best candidate at this time," Leyland said. "That's what the organization decided, talking with a lot of different people. We didn't see him much [in Spring Training], but he's been pitching good. He's a prospect, and we're going to start him Friday night."

It'll be a change from the Erie competition he's faced recently. After struggling in his initial starts in April, Oliver showcased his true potential in May, logging six quality starts in his next 10 outings while posting a 3.12 ERA.

The Braves are also familiar with fast-learning rookies. In his first season in the Majors, 20-year-old Jason Heyward has hit 11 home runs and driven in 45 runs.

After watching the White Sox shut out the Braves, 2-0, on Thursday afternoon, Friday starter Kris Medlen can only hope that Heyward's bat will come alive against his fellow rookie.

Tigers: Draft signings
The Tigers have signed three more picks from this month's First-Year Player Draft: highly touted third-round pick Rob Brantly from Cal-Riverside, 20th-round pick Tyler White and 32nd-rounder Clay Jones, both from the University of Alabama. With those three signed, Detroit has now agreed to terms with 23 of its 2010 picks.

... Brennan Boesch is hitting .372 (29-for-78) with 15 runs scored, three doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 17 RBIs in 21 June games.

Braves: Diaz nearing rehab stint
After taking batting practice at U.S. Cellular Field the past three days, outfielder Matt Diaz appears closer to starting his Minor League rehab assignment. "[Tuesday] was the first day that I was able to really swing without worrying about my thumb," said Diaz, who has been sidelined since May 14 with a right thumb infection caused by a splintered piece of wood. The veteran outfielder will have to be evaluated by team doctors before being cleared to resume baseball activities. Once doctors give the green light, Diaz will likely participate in an eight- to 10-day rehab assignment.

Worth noting
Atlanta closer Billy Wagner remains one save shy of 400 for his career.

... The Braves, who have played the fewest home games in the Majors, own the highest home winning percentage (.774) this season.

... Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera enters Friday hitting .351 (46-for-131) with 10 doubles, 11 home runs and 34 RBIs in 33 games on the road this season.

... Detroit closer Jose Valverde has converted each of his past 17 save opportunities, moving into seventh place for single-season save streaks in franchise history. In addition, he has held opponents scoreless in 30 of his 32 outings this season.



Pitching matchup

TIGERS: LHP Andy Oliver (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
A year after Detroit selected Oliver in the second round of the Draft, and mere months after Oliver began his pro career in the Arizona Fall League, the Tigers will call up the 22-year-old lefty to take over just-demoted Rick Porcello's rotation spot. With a consistent mid-90s fastball and an improving slider, Oliver steadily improved as his Double-A season continued at Erie, where he went 6-4 with a 3.61 ERA and 70 strikeouts over 77 innings.



BRAVES: RHP Kris Medlen (4-1, 3.33 ERA)
The right-hander continues to impress and make the most of his time in the starting rotation with Jair Jurrjens out until late June with a hamstring injury. Medlen hasn't surrendered more than four earned runs -- which he did just once -- in eight of his starts this season. His past two outings were fairly respectable. In each the 24-year-old allowed three earned runs but pitched at least 6 1/3 innings, as well. Medlen is more of a contact pitcher, though during his last two starts, he did strike out five batters in each.



From MLB Tigers Game Notes


RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers knocked off the Mets the 6-5 last night at Citi Field. Armando Galarraga (3-1) picked up the win for Detroit, while Jose Valverde worked a perfect ninth inning for his 17th save. Ryan Raburn finished with three hits, including a solo home run, for the Tigers, while Magglio Ordonez added a single, home run and two RBI. Brennan Boesch added three hits for Detroit. The Tigers continue a nine-game road trip with the first game of a three-game series at Atlanta this evening. The trip concludes with a three-game series in Minnesota beginning on Monday.

OLIVER’S CONTRACT PURCHASED, SBORZ OPTIONED TO TOLEDO: The Tigers today purchased the contract of lefthanded pitcher Andy Oliver from Double A Erie. To create room on the club’s 25-man roster, the Tigers optioned the contract of righthanded pitcher Jay Sborz to Triple A Toledo following last night’s game at New York. Oliver made 14 starts for the SeaWolves, compiling a 6-4 record, 3.61 ERA (77.1IP/21) and 70 strikeouts.

PERRY TO JOIN TOLEDO ON SATURDAY: Ryan Perry is slated to join Triple A Toledo on Saturday at Indianapolis to begin an injury rehabilitation assignment. Perry has been sidelined since June 7 with right shoulder bicipital tendinitis.

MINER TRANSFERRED TO 60-DAY DL: The Tigers today have transferred righthanded pitcher Zach Miner to the 60-day disabled list.

INTERLEAGUE HAPPENINGS: Tonight’s contest against the Braves is Detroit’s 16th game of interleague play in 2010. Since interleague play started in 1997, the Tigers have compiled a 133-111 record. The Tigers are 65-34 in interleague games at Comerica Park. Detroit is 10-5 in interleague games during the 2010 season.

AMONG THE BEST SINCE 2006: The Tigers have compiled a 62-25 record, a .713 winning percentage, during interleague play since the start of the 2006 season. The .713 winning percentage during interleague action is the best among major league clubs during that stretch. The Red Sox are second among all clubs with a 61-26 record, a .701 winning percentage, during interleague action over that stretch.

MAGGLIO MASHES DURING INTERLEAGUE ACTION: Magglio Ordonez enters tonight’s game versus Atlanta hitting .337 (225x667) with 44 doubles, three triples, 36 home runs and 148 RBI in 179 games during interleague action in his career. He is third among all active major league players with a .337 batting average during interleague action, while he is sixth with a .574 slugging percentage.

CABRERA’S A ROAD WARRIOR: Miguel Cabrera enters tonight’s game at Atlanta hitting .351 (46x131) with 10 doubles, 11 home runs and 35 RBI in 33 games on the road this season. He is tied for the lead among all American League players with 35 RBI on the road this season, while he is second with 11 home runs and a .679 slugging percentage and fourth with a .351 batting average.

BOESCH BASHING DURING JUNE: Brennan Boesch is hitting .372 (29x78) with 15 runs scored, three doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 17 RBI in 21 games during June. He is second among all American League players with a .705 slugging percentage during the month, while he is third with seven home runs and tied for ninth with 17 RBI.

ORDONEZ BELTS 100TH HOME RUN WITH TIGERS: Magglio Ordonez connected for the 100th home run of his career with the Tigers last night at Citi Field against the Mets, a two-run blast in the third inning. After hitting 187 home runs during his career with the White Sox, Ordonez is one of six active players to hit at least 100 home runs with at least two American League teams. He joins Alex Rodriguez (Mariners, Rangers, Yankees), Jason Giambi (Athletics, Yankees), Manny Ramirez (Indians, Red Sox), Miguel Tejada (Athletics, Orioles) and Jim Thome (Indians, White Sox). (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)

INGE CLOSING IN ON KELL ON ALL-TIME LIST: Brandon Inge enters tonight’s game at Atlanta with 823 games played at third base during his Tigers career, three games shy of tying George Kell for fifth place in franchise history with 826 games played at third base.

ORDONEZ ON THE OFFENSIVE: Magglio Ordonez is batting .386 (44x114) with 23 runs scored, six doubles, a triple, six home runs and 26 RBI over his last 29 games dating back to May 13. He is second among all American League players with a .441 on-base percentage during that stretch, while he is third with a .386 batting average.

PAPA GRANDE POWERS THE PEN: Jose Valverde has converted each of his last 17 save opportunities for the Tigers, the eighth-longest such single-season streak in franchise history. Additionally, he has held opponents scoreless in 30 of his 32 outings this season. Valverde is tops among all American League relievers with a 0.57 ERA and .101 battingaverage against, while he is tied for third with 17 saves.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled a 16-6 record and 3.19 ERA (214.1IP/76ER) through the club’s first 71 games this season. Tigers relievers are second in the American League with 16 victories, while the club is third with a 3.19 ERA.

INJURY UPDATE:
RHP Zach Miner (right elbow tendinitis, 60-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)


• Saturday, June 26
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (4-6, 5.67 ERA)) at BRAVES (RHP Kenshin Kawakami (0-9, 4.78 ERA)), 4:00 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Sunday, June 27
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (8-5, 3.94 ERA)) at BRAVES (RHP Tommy Hanson (7-4, 4.17 ERA)), 1:35 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1) & TBS

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Damon, CF .273
Santiago, SS .260
Ordonez, RF .328
Cabrera, M, 1B .328
Boesch, LF .346
Guillen, C, 2B .284
Inge, 3B .265
Avila, C .239
Oliver, P .000
Totals .273

Atlanta AVG
Prado, 2B .331
Heyward, RF .255
Jones, C, 3B .250
Glaus, 1B .274
McCann, C .259
Escobar, Y, SS .250
Infante, LF .300
Cabrera, Me, CF .266
Medlen, P .250
Totals .262

Current Conditions

Turner Field

Partly Cloudy 87 F

Humidity: 61 %

Wind: from the WNW at 11 mph

Barometer: 30.02 in

last updated: 6/25/10 6:05 PM EDT

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Johnny Damon swinging.


B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to left fielder Omar Infante.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out sharply to right fielder Jason Heyward.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Heyward. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.



B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Heyward. Ramon Santiago scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

DET 1, ATL 0





B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

DET 1, ATL 0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Martin Prado singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:0 O:1 - Jason Heyward grounds into a force out,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Martin Prado
out at 2nd. Jason Heyward to 1st.


B:2 S:2 O:3 - Chipper Jones grounds into double play,
second baseman Carlos Guillen to shortstop Ramon Santiago to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jason Heyward out at 2nd.

DET 1, ATL 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Omar Infante.


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


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Andrew Oliver grounds out, pitcher Kris Medlen to first baseman Troy Glaus.

DET 1, ATL 0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Troy Glaus grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Brian McCann walks.


B:0 S:1 O:2 - Yunel Escobar grounds into a force out,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Brian
McCann out at 2nd. Yunel Escobar to 1st.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Omar Infante singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Yunel Escobar to 2nd.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Melky Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Johnny Damon. Yunel Escobar scores. Omar Infante to 3rd.

DET 1, ATL 1




B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Kris Medlen called out on .


DET 1, ATL 1 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, shortstop Yunel Escobar to first baseman Troy Glaus.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Martin Prado to first baseman Troy Glaus.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez swinging.

DET 1, ATL 1 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Martin Prado flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Jason Heyward on foul tip.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Chipper Jones pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

DET 1, ATL 1 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Melky Cabrera.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch lines out to first baseman Troy Glaus.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen doubles (12) on a line drive to left fielder Omar Infante.


B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, third baseman Chipper Jones to first baseman Troy Glaus.

DET 1, ATL 1 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Troy Glaus flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Brian McCann homers (9) on a fly ball to center field.

ATL 2, DET 1


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Yunel Escobar flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Omar Infante grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


ATL 2, DET 1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Alex Avila doubles (5) on a fly ball to center fielder Melky Cabrera.


B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Andrew Oliver on missed bunt.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon pops out to shortstop Yunel Escobar.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

ATL 2, DET 1 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Melky Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Kris Medlen swinging.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Martin Prado flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

ATL 2, DET 1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez swinging.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Omar Infante.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch flies out to left fielder Omar Infante.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out, pitcher Kris Medlen to first baseman Troy Glaus.

ATL 2, DET 1 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Jason Heyward grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Chipper Jones singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:1 S:0 O:2 - Troy Glaus grounds into a force out,
pitcher Andrew Oliver to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Chipper Jones
out at 2nd. Troy Glaus to 1st.


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


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
With Brian McCann batting, wild pitch by Andrew Oliver, Troy Glaus to 2nd.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Brian McCann swinging.

ATL 2, DET 1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Brandon Inge walks.


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Omar Infante.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ryan Raburn replaces Andrew Oliver.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn pops out to shortstop Yunel Escobar.


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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Eric O'Flaherty replaces Kris Medlen, batting 9th.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon walks. Brandon Inge to 2nd.


B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Martin Prado to first baseman Troy Glaus.


ATL 2, DET 1 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Eddie Bonine replaces Andrew Oliver, batting 1st, replacing center fielder Johnny Damon.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn remains in the game as the center fielder.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Yunel Escobar flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Omar Infante flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

ATL 2, DET 1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Peter Moylan replaces Eric O'Flaherty, batting 9th.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, second baseman Martin Prado to first baseman Troy Glaus.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Chipper Jones to first baseman Troy Glaus.


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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Jonny Venters replaces Peter Moylan, batting 9th.


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

ATL 2, DET 1 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brooks Conrad replaces Jonny Venters.


B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Brooks Conrad homers (4) on a fly ball to right field.

ATL 3, DET 1


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Martin Prado flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Brad Thomas replaces Eddie Bonine, batting 1st.



B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Jason Heyward pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Chipper Jones singles on a ground ball to shortstop Ramon Santiago.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Troy Glaus grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


ATL 3, DET 1 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Billy Wagner replaces Jonny Venters, batting 3rd, replacing third baseman Chipper Jones.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from left field to third base for Omar Infante.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from center field to left field for Melky Cabrera.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Gregor Blanco replaces Brooks Conrad, batting 9th, playing center field.


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


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Brandon Inge swinging, catcher Brian McCann to first baseman Troy Glaus.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Austin Jackson replaces Alex Avila.


B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Austin Jackson swinging.

ATL 3, DET 1 final box score > click here <