GDT: 7/3/10 - DET (42-36) VS SEA (33-46) - 7:05 p.m. ET
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Detroit Tigers VS Seattle MarinersSaturday, July 3, 2010Comerica Park, Detroit, MIGame Time - 7:05 p.m. EDT
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Tigers aim for series win vs. hot VargasBy Didier Morais / MLB.com
Extra rest hasn't served Justin Verlander very well throughout his career. In fact, it's appeared to be a hindrance for the Tigers' ace.
Each time Verlander has pitched with extra rest, the righty has struggled on the mound, tallying a lifetime 24-24 record with a 4.34 ERA. It's a far cry from the 44-19 record and 3.64 ERA he boasts with the typical four days off.
"It's always tough for me on an extra day's rest to kind of keep that feeling going, especially with a day off right before my start and not getting to throw," Verlander said. "But it's something that I know personally I have to get better at and be able to go out there and repeat my delivery on an extra day's rest. It's to the point where I'm kind of tweaking what I'm doing between starts and trying to figure out how to get where I need to be."
And the additional tweaking has subsequently caused Verlander problems with his mechanics. In his previous start with extra rest, he experienced the second-shortest outing of his career, lasting only two innings while allowing five runs.
"I just felt out of sync from the get-go," Verlander said referring to his previous start on extra rest. "I kind of felt like I reverted back to old form. Some of the stuff I've been working so hard to get back -- throwing the ball where I wanted, especially my fastball -- really felt like that wasn't there tonight."
Verlander will try to rectify the problem and overcome the routine barriers again versus the Mariners on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, Seattle starter Jason Vargas has recently enjoyed more consistent performances. The southpaw, who owns a 6-3 record with a 2.80 ERA, has registered quality starts in eight of his past 10 starts and hasn't allowed more than three runs in 14 consecutive starts.
"He's confident, even-tempered, and positive. Those are the three things that come to mind," Mariners skipper Don Wakamatsu said. "He's a very level-headed kid. He's very consistent emotionally. He's mature for his age, and his work ethic is outstanding."
Mariners: Bedard ready to return to MajorsPitcher Erik Bedard, who hasn't pitched in the Majors in nearly a year and had shoulder surgery this past August, started for Triple-A Tacoma Thursday, allowing three hits and no earned runs while fanning three in a no-decision. If all goes according to plan, he will make his return to the Major Leagues on Tuesday against the Royals.
Tigers: Schlereth called up from Triple-AThe Tigers called up left-hander Daniel Schlereth from Triple-A Toledo on Friday morning, optioning left-hander Fu-Te Ni to the Minors after Wednesday's game.
Schlereth was acquired as part of the three-team deal that sent Edwin Jackson to the D-backs and Curtis Granderson to the Yankees. The 24-year-old posted a 2.83 ERA, struck out 45 and walked 26 batters in 35 innings over 28 relief outings for the Mud Hens.
Worth notingThe Mariners have played 12 consecutive sub-three hour games outside of an extra-inning loss to the Cubs on June 24. The club hasn't played a nine-inning game over three hours since June 6. Ichiro Suzuki will return to right field on Saturday after his second game this season as the designated hitter.
... The Mariners and DIRECTV will showcase the first-ever telecast of a Major League game in 3D from Safeco Field on July 10.
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Pitching matchup
TIGERS: RHP Justin Verlander (9-5, 4.02 ERA)An extra day of rest has usually meant extra trouble for Verlander this year, and he'll face that again this time around. He talked last week about changing up his routine and learning to keep his arm fresh, but this will be his first time trying to put that into practice.
MARINERS: LHP Jason Vargas (6-3, 2.80 ERA) Vargas allowed a series of baserunners in the fifth inning of his last start, in Milwaukee, leading to a pair of runs and ending his day earlier than any other June start. Still, his streak of three earned runs or fewer extended to 14 starts.
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From MLB Tigers Game NotesRECENT RESULTS: The Tigers knocked off the Mariners 7-1 last night at Comerica Park. Max Scherzer (5-6) fanned seven batters as he limited the Mariners to one run in eight innings of work to earn the win. Brennan Boesch led the Tigers with three hits, while Austin Jackson, Johnny Damon and Don Kelly all drove in two runs apiece. The Tigers continue a nine-game homestand with the second game of a three-game series versus Seattle this evening. The homestand continues with a three-game series against both Baltimore and Minnesota.
PERRY REINSTATED FROM DL, FIEN OPTIONED: The Tigers today announced the club has recalled the injury rehabilitation assignment of righthanded pitcher Ryan Perry and reinstated him from the disabled list. To create room on the club’s 25-man roster,
the Tigers today optioned the contract of righthanded pitcher Casey Fien to Toledo. Perry had been sidelined since June 7 with right shoulder bicipital tendinitis and in three outings with Toledo, he allowed an unearned run on one hit in 3.2 innings of work as he allowed four walks and fanned four batters.
BOESCH, VALVERDE EARN TIGERS HONORS FOR JUNE: Brennan Boesch and Jose Valverde have been selected as the Tigers Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for June. Boesch hit .337 (35x104) with 17 runs scored, four doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 23 RBI in 27 games during the month. Valverde posted a 0.68 ERA (13.1IP/1ER), seven saves and 16 strikeouts in 12 outings during July.
WINNING WAYS AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers enter tonight’s game versus the Mariners having won 11 of the club’s last 12 games at home dating back to June 2. For the season, Detroit has compiled a 26-11 record at Comerica Park and is tops among all American League clubs with a .703 winning percentage at home in 2010.
WINNING OVER THE WEST: The Tigers have compiled a 34-25 record against clubs from the American League’s West Division since the start of the 2009 season. Detroit’s .576 winning percentage against the American League’s West Division is second-best among league clubs since the start of the 2009 season. The Yankees have compiled a 32-21 record, a .604 winning percentage, versus the American League’s West Division.
MIGGY AT HIS BEST AGAINST THE WEST: Miguel Cabrera enters this evening’s game versus the Mariners batting .354 (143x404) with 76 runs scored, 36 doubles, a triple, 25 home runs and 101 RBI in 104 games against clubs from the American League’s West Division during his career. He is tops among all active major league players with a .354 batting average and .634 slugging percentage versus the American League’s West Division.
SCHERZER MAKES CLUB HISTORY: Max Scherzer earned the win last night as he fanned seven batters while limiting Seattle to one run on three hits in eight innings of work.
It marked the third straight start in which Scherzer allowed as few as one run and four hits while fanning at least seven batters. Scherzer is the first pitcher in franchise history toaccomplish that feat in three straight starts in a season. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)
PAPA GRANDE POWERS THE PEN: Jose Valverde has converted each of his last 18 save opportunities for the Tigers, the eighth-longest such single-season streak in franchise history. Additionally, he has held opponents scoreless in 32 of his 34 outings this season. Valverde is tops among all American League relievers with a 0.53 ERA and .102 batting average against, while he is tied for fifth with 18 saves.
DAMON HEADS TOWARDS 2,500 HITS: Johnny Damon enters tonight’s game versus the Mariners with 2,496 hits during his major league career.
With four more hits, he will become the 92nd player in major league history to collect 2,500 hits during his career.
TIGERS MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE: Paul Sipiala, a nine-year-old boy from Hawaii plays little league baseball and has been a lifelong Tigers fan through family in Detroit. Paul has Synovial Sarcoma and through the generosity of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Detroit Tigers, and Frito Lay, Paul will be flown to Detroit from his native Hawaii to meet Miguel Cabrera and throw the ceremonial first pitch prior to tonight’s game.
TIGERS DON SPECIAL CAPS FOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND: The Tigers are wearing special “Stars & Stripes” caps this weekend, which have the American flag etched into the team’s logo and are off-white in color with a blue brim. MLB Properties will donate 100% of the proceeds it receives from the sale of the caps to Welcome Back Veterans, a program which addresses the needs of returning American Veterans and their families.
INJURY UPDATE: RHP Zach Miner(right elbow tendinitis, 60-day DL on March 26),
LHP Bobby Seay (left shoulder strain, 60-day DL on March 26),
RHP Joel Zumaya (injured right elbow, 15-day DL on June 29).
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Up next (Probable Pitchers)• Sunday, July 4TIGERS (RHP
Jeremy Bonderman (4-5, 4.36 ERA))
VS MARINERS (LHP
Cliff Lee (6-3, 2.39 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD 1270 & 97.1)• Monday, July 5TIGERS (LHP
Andrew Oliver (0-2, 3.00 ERA))
VS ORIOLES (RHP
Kevin Millwood (2-8, 5.40 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD 1270 & 97.1)• Tuesday, July 6TIGERS (RHP
Armando Galarraga (3-2, 4.50 ERA))
VS ORIOLES (RHP
Jake Arrieta (2-2, 5.81 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD 1270 & 97.1)• Wednesday, July 7TIGERS (RHP
Max Scherzer (5-6, 4.88 ERA))
VS ORIOLES (RHP
Brad Bergesen (3-5, 6.44 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD 1270 & 97.1)
Sat Jul 03, 2010 4:17 pm
swinging. 