GDT: 6/27/10 - DET (39-34) AT ATL (44-31) - 1:35 p.m. ET

Verlander, Hanson duel in battle of aces

By John Barone / MLB.com

Sunday afternoon can't come soon enough for Tommy Hanson and Justin Verlander.

Yes, Tuesday's starts were that forgettable for the hard-throwing right-handers.

Verlander didn't see the third inning in New York, at least not from the mound. The Mets blasted the Tigers ace to the tune of five runs on five hits over two frames before rain halted play at Citi Field.

Detroit manager Jim Leyland opted against returning the 6-foot-5 hurler to the hill after a 58-minute delay, leaving Verlander four long days to ponder his outing before Sunday's series finale at Turner Field, where the Braves have won seven straight games and 16 of their past 17.

"I just felt out of sync from the get-go," Verlander said. "I felt like I reverted to old form. Some of the stuff I've been working so hard to get back to -- throwing the ball where I want, especially my fastball -- wasn't there."

Hanson didn't fare much better in Chicago, as the White Sox blitzed him for career highs of nine runs and 13 hits in 3 2/3 innings.

"It was actually kind of embarrassing," Hanson said. "I just wasn't very good."

Braves manager Bobby Cox couldn't argue with Hanson's assessment.

"He just didn't have his location tonight," Cox said. "His slider was not Tommy Hanson's slider."

Tigers: Valverde automatic in the ninth
Closer Jose Valverde has converted each of his past 17 save opportunities dating back to April 9, the eighth-best single-season streak in franchise history. ... Reliever Ryan Perry, on the disabled list since June 7 with right shoulder bicipital tendinitis, joined Triple-A Toledo on Saturday to begin a rehabilitation assignment.

Braves: Diaz begins rehabbing right thumb
Left fielder Matt Diaz, out of action since May 14 after having right thumb surgery, began a rehab stint with Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday. ... Since 2006, catcher Brian McCann leads Major League backstops in home runs, extra-base hits, doubles, RBIs and game-winning RBIs.

Worth noting
Detroit leads the all-time series with Atlanta, 8-6. ... Cox is 32-34 lifetime against the Tigers.

... Four of the five Interleague series between Atlanta and Detroit have been played at Turner Field.



Pitching matchup

TIGERS: RHP Justin Verlander (8-5, 3.94 ERA)
While there wasn't much good news coming out of Verlander's drubbing by the Mets at Citi Field Tuesday, it's two-fold coming into Atlanta. First, he used up just 61 pitches before a 58-minute rain delay knocked him out with two runners on and nobody out in the third. Second, he'll be pitching on his standard four days of rest, which he says he actually prefers over an extra day because it fits his between-starts routine better. The stats support his point, especially this year: He's 5-1 with a 2.21 ERA on four days rest, 3-4 with a 5.20 ERA with any more rest than that. His 11-2 career record in Interleague Play includes seven innings of one-run ball against the Braves at Turner Field in 2007.



BRAVES: RHP Tommy Hanson (7-4, 4.17 ERA)
After starting the month of June in dominating fashion during his first three outings, Hanson allowed the most runs of his career on Tuesday against the White Sox. The right-hander will look to rebound from that forgettable 3 2/3 innings in which he surrendered nine runs.



From MLB Tigers Game Notes



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)

• Monday, June 28
TIGERS (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (3-5, 4.20 ERA)) at TWINS (LHP Francisco Liriano (6-5, 3.11 ERA)), 8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Tuesday, June 29
TIGERS (RHP Armando Galarraga (3-1, 3.68 ERA)) at TWINS (RHP Nick Blackburn (6-5, 6.10 ERA)), 8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Wednesday, June 30
TIGERS (LHP Andy Oliver (0-1, 3.00 ERA)) at TWINS (RHP Kevin Slowey (7-5, 4.79 ERA)), 1:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD 1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS
1. Jackson, CF
2. Santiago, SS
3. Damon, LF
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Boesch, RF
6. Guillen, 2B
7. Kelly, 3B
8. Laird, C
9. Verlander, P

BRAVES
1. Prado, 2B
2. Conrad, 3B
3. Hinske, LF
4. McCann, C
5. Glaus, 1B
6. Cabrera, Me, RF
7. Escobar, Y, SS
8. Blanco, G, CF
9. Hanson, P

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Austin Jackson singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Eric Hinske, deflected by third baseman Brooks Conrad.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
With Ramon Santiago batting, throwing error by Tommy Hanson on the pickoff attempt, Austin Jackson to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to right fielder Melky Cabrera. Austin Jackson scores.

DET 1, ATL 0




B:1 S:0 O:1 - Johnny Damon grounds into a force out,
first baseman Troy Glaus to shortstop Yunel Escobar. Ramon Santiago out
at 2nd. Johnny Damon to 1st.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera swinging. Johnny Damon steals (6) 2nd base.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch pops out to second baseman Martin Prado.

DET 1, ATL 0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Martin Prado singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Brooks Conrad swinging.


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


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
With Brian McCann batting, Martin Prado steals (3) 2nd base.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
With Brian McCann batting, wild pitch by Justin Verlander, Martin Prado to 3rd.


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

DET 1, ATL 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a soft ground ball to left fielder Eric Hinske.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Don Kelly lines out to left fielder Eric Hinske.


B:1 S:0 O:3 - Gerald Laird grounds into double play,
third baseman Brooks Conrad to second baseman Martin Prado to first
baseman Troy Glaus. Carlos Guillen out at 2nd.

DET 1, ATL 0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Troy Glaus flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Melky Cabrera flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Yunel Escobar flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.

DET 1, ATL 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Justin Verlander swinging.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Austin Jackson called out on .


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

DET 1, ATL 0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Gregor Blanco swinging.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Tommy Hanson swinging.


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

DET 1, ATL 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 - Johnny Damon singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Gregor Blanco.

B:0 S:1 O:0 - With Miguel Cabrera batting, Johnny Damon steals (7) 2nd base.

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

B:0 S:0 O:0 - Brennan Boesch singles on a line drive to center fielder Gregor Blanco. Johnny Damon scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

DET 2, ATL 0


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

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


B:1 S:2 O:0 - Don Kelly singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Melky Cabrera. Miguel Cabrera scores. Brennan Boesch to 3rd. Carlos Guillen to 2nd.

DET 3, ATL 0


B:3 S:2 O:0 - Gerald Laird singles on a line drive to center fielder Gregor Blanco. Brennan Boesch scores. Carlos Guillen to 3rd. Don Kelly to 2nd.

DET 4, ATL 0

B:0 S:1 O:2
- Justin Verlander grounds into double play, shortstop Yunel Escobar to
catcher Brian McCann to first baseman Troy Glaus. Carlos Guillen out at
home. Don Kelly to 3rd. Gerald Laird to 2nd.


B:0 S:1 O:2 - On-field Delay.

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland ejected by 1B umpire Fieldin Culbreth.


B:0 S:1 O:2 - Austin Jackson singles on a fly ball to left fielder Eric Hinske. Don Kelly scores. Gerald Laird scores.

DET 6, ATL 0


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


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Pitcher Change: Cristhian Martinez replaces Tommy Hanson, batting 9th.


B:2 S:1 O:3 - With Ramon Santiago batting, Austin Jackson caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Brian McCann to shortstop Yunel Escobar.

DET 6, ATL 0 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Brooks Conrad singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
With Eric Hinske batting, Brooks Conrad steals (4) 2nd base.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Eric Hinske flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch. Brooks Conrad to 3rd.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Brian McCann walks.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Troy Glaus doubles (12) on a line drive to left fielder Johnny Damon. Brooks Conrad scores. Brian McCann to 3rd.

DET 6, ATL 1



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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Melky Cabrera out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Brennan Boesch. Brian McCann scores. Troy Glaus to 3rd.

DET 6, ATL 2



B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Yunel Escobar walks.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Gregor Blanco grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 6, ATL 2 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out softly, pitcher Cristhian Martinez to first baseman Troy Glaus.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon lines out sharply to first baseman Troy Glaus.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Melky Cabrera.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch homers (12) on a fly ball to right center field. Miguel Cabrera scores.

DET 8, ATL 2


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a line drive to left fielder Eric Hinske.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder Eric Hinske.


DET 8, ATL 2 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Cristhian Martinez swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Martin Prado doubles (23) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Brooks Conrad hit by pitch.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Eric Hinske singles on a line drive to left fielder Johnny Damon. Martin Prado scores. Brooks Conrad to 3rd.

DET 8, ATL 3


B:2 S:1 O:1 - Brian McCann doubles (12) on a sharp
line drive to right fielder Brennan Boesch. Brooks Conrad scores. Eric
Hinske to 3rd.

DET 8, ATL 4



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


B:2 S:1 O:2 - Troy Glaus reaches on a fielder's choice
out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to catcher Gerald Laird. Eric Hinske
out at home. Brian McCann to 3rd.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Melky Cabrera flies out to left fielder Johnny Damon.

DET 8, ATL 4 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Gerald Laird singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Justin Verlander on foul bunt.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
With Austin Jackson batting, Gerald Laird steals (2) 2nd base.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Austin Jackson singles on a soft ground ball to pitcher Cristhian Martinez. Gerald Laird to 3rd.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Gregor Blanco. Gerald Laird scores.

DET 9, ATL 4




B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon walks. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Eric Hinske. Austin Jackson scores. Johnny Damon to 2nd.

DET 10, ATL 4



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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Jesse Chavez replaces Cristhian Martinez, batting 6th.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Defensive Substitution: Omar Infante replaces pitcher Melky Cabrera, batting 9th, playing right field.



B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch flies out to right fielder Omar Infante.

DET 10, ATL 4 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Yunel Escobar flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Gregor Blanco called out on .


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Omar Infante lines out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

DET 10, ATL 4 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Eric Hinske.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Don Kelly flies out to right fielder Omar Infante.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird singles on a line drive to right fielder Omar Infante. Carlos Guillen to 2nd.



B:1 S:2 O:2 - Justin Verlander out on a sacrifice
bunt, pitcher Jesse Chavez to second baseman Martin Prado. Carlos
Guillen to 3rd. Gerald Laird to 2nd.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Austin Jackson called out on .

DET 10, ATL 4 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Martin Prado hit by pitch.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Brooks Conrad lines out softly to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

B:2 S:2 O:3 - Eric Hinske grounds into double play,
pitcher Justin Verlander to shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman
Miguel Cabrera. Martin Prado out at 2nd.

DET 10, ATL 4 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: David Ross replaces catcher Brian McCann, batting 4th, playing catcher.


B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago pops out softly to second baseman Martin Prado.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, second baseman Martin Prado to first baseman Troy Glaus.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Omar Infante.

DET 10, ATL 4 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Justin Verlander, batting 3rd, replacing left fielder Johnny Damon.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Brandon Inge replaces second baseman Carlos Guillen, batting 6th, playing third base.


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


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Danny Worth replaces pitcher Justin Verlander, batting 9th, playing second base.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
David Ross flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brandon Hicks replaces Jesse Chavez.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Hicks walks.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Yunel Escobar grounds out softly, second baseman Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 10, ATL 4 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from second base to first base for Martin Prado.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from third base to second base for Brooks Conrad.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Eric O'Flaherty replaces Jesse Chavez, batting 5th, replacing first baseman Troy Glaus.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Brandon Hicks remains in the game as the third baseman.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch grounds out sharply, second baseman Brooks Conrad to first baseman Martin Prado.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Gregor Blanco.


B:0 S:2 O:2 - Don Kelly grounds into a force out,
pitcher Eric O'Flaherty to shortstop Yunel Escobar. Brandon Inge out at
2nd. Don Kelly to 1st.


B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Gerald Laird grounds out softly, second baseman Brooks Conrad to first baseman Martin Prado.

DET 10, ATL 4 after 8.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Phil Coke, batting 3rd.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Gregor Blanco grounds out, second baseman Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Omar Infante singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Martin Prado pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Brooks Conrad swinging.

DET 10, ATL 4 final box score > click here <