GDT: 7/4/10 - DET (43-36) VS SEA (33-47) - 1:05 p.m. ET

Mariners' Lee seeks fourth straight CG

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com

Cliff Lee continues to solidify his reputation as complete pitcher.

The Mariners starter has thrown three complete games in a row and will be hoping for his fourth when he takes the hill against Jeremy Bonderman and the Tigers in the series finale on Sunday.

Randy Johnson was the last Seattle pitcher to accomplish the feat, going the distance three straight times in 1998. Bill Swift threw four complete games in a row for the Mariners in '88.

"[Lee] does a lot of different things with his fastball," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He's a perfect example of what Curt Schilling was talking about. Sometimes you can do four or five different things with your fastball. He mixes in enough breaking balls to keep you honest."

Overall, Lee, who is the subject of trade speculation with the Trade Deadline looming, has five complete games this season. Fellow Mariners starter Felix Hernandez gone the distance three times.

Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu, a former catcher, is fully aware of the toll complete games can take on a pitcher.

"You're always looking at the long-term effects, but there's going to be opportunities when we have to take them out if the pitch count gets too high," Wakamatsu said. "As we go forward, it's critical that we get our bullpen throwing well, where maybe you do take him out in the eighth when they've thrown 105 after they've thrown 130 the game before. We're accountable for winning games, but it's always in the back of your mind: How do I get these guys through the year healthy?"

As for Bonderman, he gave up four runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings in a win against the Twins in his last start. He walked three and did not strike out a batter.

"Luck was on my side, I guess," Bonderman said. "I definitely didn't deserve to win, and they probably should've scored a bunch of runs."

The Tigers will be ready for Lee. Or will they?

"I haven't found anybody that wants to play so far. -- I'm just kidding," Leyland said. "I'm going to go with most of the normal guys."

Mariners: Starters seeing things through
Despite the 4 1/3-inning start by Jason Vargas on Saturday, the Mariners are among the American League leaders with 19 starts of at least eight innings. They are also second with 37 starts of seven or more innings pitched.

... Chone Figgins stole at least one base in each of seven straight games starting on June 23, which, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, is a Mariners record. He has seven straight seasons of 20-plus stolen bases to become the 11th active player with 300 or more stolen bases.

... Russell Branyan, who was riding a career-best 11-game hitting streak, was not in the starting lineup on Saturday, but struck out as a pinch-hitter in the seventh.

Tigers: Cabrera gets back to action
Miguel Cabrera returned to the Tigers' lineup on Saturday after missing Friday's series opener against Seattle with lower back tightness caused by a kidney infection. He went 1-for-2 with two walks.

... Hitting coach Lloyd McClendon said on Saturday they worked to bring back Brandon Inge's old leg kick and get him to reach more pitches. Inge said they tried to eliminate some unnecessary movement.

... Outfielder Brennan Boesch and closer Jose Valverde were voted by media as the Tigers' Player and Pitcher of the Month for June.

... The Tigers are flipping rookie Andy Oliver and Armando Galarraga in the rotation next week. Oliver will pitch Monday against the Orioles and Galarraga will face Baltimore on Tuesday.

Worth noting
Lee's control has been practically perfect. He's issued five walks in 96 2/3 innings.

... Speaking of Lee, the Mariners recorded six complete games in June, the most since recording six in July 1998. It's only the second time over last 20 seasons the team racked up as many as six complete games in a calendar month.

... After sitting out Saturday against Vargas, Johnny Damon will be out of Detroit's starting lineup on Sunday against fellow lefty Lee

... FSN Northwest, the Seattle Mariners and DirecTV will deliver the first regional Major League Baseball telecasts in 3D live from Safeco Field on July 10 and July 11, when the Mariners face the New York Yankees.




Pitching matchup

TIGERS: RHP Jeremy Bonderman (4-5, 4.36 ERA)
Bonderman was brutally honest about his last outing, saying he escaped Minnesota with a win by luck. He owns quality starts in his last five home outings despite inducing more flyouts than groundouts each time, but he has won only one of those starts.


MARINERS: LHP Cliff Lee (7-3, 2.45 ERA)
With the clock ticking toward the non-waiver Trade Deadline, Lee, a potential free agent, begins a new month in pursuit of his fourth consecutive complete game and sixth of the season in 13 starts. His control has been practically perfect -- five walks in 96 2/3


From MLB Tigers Game Notes

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers knocked off the Mariners 6-1 last night at Comerica Park. Justin Verlander (10-5) fanned 10 batters as he limited Seattle to one run in seven innings of work to earn the win. Brandon Inge finished with two hits and three RBI for Detroit, while Carlos Guillen added two hits and an RBI. The Tigers continue a nine-game homestand with the final game of a three-game series versus Seattle this afternoon. The homestand continues with a three-game series against both Baltimore and Minnesota.

WINNING WAYS AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers enter today’s game versus the Mariners having won 12 of the club’s last 13 games at home dating back to June 2. For the season, Detroit has compiled a 27-11 record at Comerica Park and is tops among all American League clubs with a .711 winning percentage at home in 2010.

BEST 38-GAME START AT HOME SINCE 1968: The Tigers defeated the Mariners 6-1 last night at Comerica Park to improve to 27-11 in the club’s first 38 games at home this season. The 27-11 record at home marks the best 38-game start by the Tigers club since the 1968 team also started 27-11. The 1968 Tigers won the club’s 39th game at Tiger Stadium that season to improve to 28-11.

WINNING OVER THE WEST: The Tigers have compiled a 35-25 record against clubs from the American League’s West Division since the start of the 2009 season. Detroit’s .583 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 afternoon’s game versus the Mariners batting .355 (144x406) with 78 runs scored, 36 doubles, a triple, 25 home runs and 101 RBI in 105 games against clubs from the American League’s West Division during his career. He is tops among all active major league players with a .355 batting average and .635 slugging percentage versus the American League’s West Division.

VERLANDER PICKS UP 10TH WIN: Justin Verlander fanned 10 batters as he limited Seattle to one run in seven innings of work to earn his 10th win of the season last night. It marks the fourth time during his career he has registered 10 wins before the break and it is the fifth straight season he has posted a double-digit win total. Prior to Verlander, the last Tigers pitcher to have at least five seasons with a double-digit win total was Frank Tanana, who did so in five straight seasons as well (1985-89).

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 33 of his 35 outings this season. Valverde is tops among all American League relievers with a 0.51 ERA and .099 battingaverage against, while he is tied for fifth with 18 saves.

DAMON HEADS TOWARDS 2,500 HITS: Johnny Damon enters today’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.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled a 16-7 record and 3.32 ERA (233.1IP/86ER) through the club’s first 79 games this season. Tigers relievers are second in the American League with 16 victories, while the club is fourth with a 3.32 ERA.

HOME IS WHERE THE MOUND IS: Tigers pitchers have compiled a 3.28 ERA (346.0IP/126ER) through the club’s first 38 games at home, while they have limited opponents to a .236 batting average (306x1297). The Tigers are third in the American League with a 3.28 ERA at home this season, while the club is fifth with a .236 batting average against.

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 46 runs scored and 88 hits, while he is second with a .306 batting average. Boesch is tops among all league rookies with a .342 batting average, 12 home runs and 46 RBI, while he is second with 75 hits.

DIALED IN DURING THE DAY: The Tigers enter this afternoon’s game versus Seattle with a 22-13 record during the day this season. Tigers pitchers have compiled a 3.41 ERA (306.0IP/116ER) during the club’s 35 day games.

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)


• Monday, July 5
TIGERS (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 6
TIGERS (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 7
TIGERS (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)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Seattle AVG
Suzuki, I, RF .330
Figgins, 2B .232
Branyan, DH .263
Lopez, J, 3B .240
Gutierrez, F, CF .275
Kotchman, 1B .194
Wilson, Jo, SS .271
Johnson, Ro, C .200
Saunders, LF .209
Totals .239

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .306
Damon, DH .269
Ordonez, RF .312
Cabrera, M, 1B .338
Boesch, LF .342
Raburn, 2B .221
Inge, 3B .259
Laird, C .190
Worth, SS .246
Totals .273

Current Conditions

Comerica Park

Sunny 87 F

Humidity: 39 %

Wind: from the W at 13 mph

Barometer: 30.02 in

last updated: 7/4/10 12:05 PM EDT

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Ichiro Suzuki grounds out, shortstop Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


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


B:2 S:1 O:3 - Russell Branyan grounds into double
play, second baseman Ryan Raburn to shortstop Danny Worth to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Chone Figgins out at 2nd.

0-0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Austin Jackson singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Jose Lopez.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon flies out to left fielder Michael Saunders.


B:2 S:1 O:1 - Magglio Ordonez singles on a sharp
ground ball to shortstop Josh Wilson, deflected by pitcher Cliff Lee.
Austin Jackson to 2nd.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Injury Delay.


B:0 S:0 O:1 - Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball
to center fielder Franklin Gutierrez. Austin Jackson scores. Magglio
Ordonez to 2nd.

DET 1, SEA 0




B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch pops out to third baseman Jose Lopez in foul territory.


B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn grounds into a force out, shortstop Josh Wilson to second baseman Chone Figgins. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.

DET 1, SEA 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Jose Lopez grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


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


B:1 S:0 O:1 - With Casey Kotchman batting, Franklin
Gutierrez steals (10) 2nd base, . Franklin Gutierrez advances to 3rd,
on throwing error by catcher Gerald Laird.


B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Casey Kotchman walks.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Josh Wilson swinging.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Rob Johnson swinging.

DET 1, SEA 0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Brandon Inge on foul tip.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird flies out to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.


B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Danny Worth called out on .

DET 1, SEA 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Michael Saunders singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Jeremy Bonderman.


B:1 S:0 O:1 - Ichiro Suzuki grounds into a force out,
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Danny Worth. Michael Saunders
out at 2nd. Ichiro Suzuki to 1st.


B:3 S:0 O:1 -
With Chone Figgins batting, Ichiro Suzuki steals (22) 2nd base.


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Chone Figgins walks.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Russell Branyan homers (12) on a fly ball to right center field. Ichiro Suzuki scores. Chone Figgins scores.

SEA 3, DET 1




B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Jose Lopez lines out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Franklin Gutierrez flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

SEA 3, DET 1 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

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


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Johnny Damon flies out to left fielder Michael Saunders.


B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez pops out to second baseman Chone Figgins.

SEA 3, DET 1 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Casey Kotchman singles on a pop up to second baseman Ryan Raburn.


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Josh Wilson swinging.


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


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Michael Saunders pops out to shortstop Danny Worth.

SEA 3, DET 1 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

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


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Brennan Boesch singles on a ground ball to center fielder Franklin Gutierrez. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Brandon Inge swinging.


B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Gerald Laird called out on .

SEA 3, DET 1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Ichiro Suzuki called out on .


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Chone Figgins singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Russell Branyan singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Chone Figgins to 3rd.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Jose Lopez flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


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


B:2 S:2 O:2 - Franklin Gutierrez singles on a line
drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Chone Figgins scores. Russell
Branyan to 2nd.

SEA 4, DET 1




B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Casey Kotchman homers (4) on a line drive to right field. Russell Branyan scores. Franklin Gutierrez scores.

SEA 7, DET 1




B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Josh Wilson grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

SEA 7, DET 1 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Detroit Tigers pitcher Jeremy Bonderman ejected by HP umpire CB Bucknor.


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


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Detroit Tigers catcher Gerald Laird ejected by HP umpire CB Bucknor.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Danny Worth flies out to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Austin Jackson called out on .


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, second baseman Chone Figgins to first baseman Casey Kotchman.

SEA 7, DET 1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Alex Avila replaces catcher Gerald Laird, batting 8th, playing catcher.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brad Thomas replaces Jeremy Bonderman.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Rob Johnson grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Michael Saunders swinging.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ichiro Suzuki singles on a ground ball to second baseman Ryan Raburn.


B:1 S:0 O:3 - Chone Figgins grounds into a force out,
pitcher Brad Thomas to second baseman Ryan Raburn to shortstop Danny
Worth. Ichiro Suzuki out at 2nd.


SEA 7, DET 1 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez lines out to center fielder Franklin Gutierrez.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out sharply to center fielder Franklin Gutierrez.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch doubles (16) on a line drive to left fielder Michael Saunders.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.

SEA 7, DET 1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces first baseman Miguel Cabrera, batting 4th, playing first base.


B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Russell Branyan flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Jose Lopez doubles (14) on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Franklin Gutierrez grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Don Kelly.


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Eddie Bonine intentionally walks Casey Kotchman.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Josh Wilson grounds out, pitcher Eddie Bonine to first baseman Don Kelly.

SEA 7, DET 1 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.


B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Alex Avila singles on a ground ball to second baseman Chone Figgins. Brandon Inge to 2nd.


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Danny Worth swinging.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Austin Jackson swinging.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Johnny Damon grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Josh Wilson. Alex Avila out at 2nd.


SEA 7, DET 1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Ramon Santiago replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 3rd, playing second base.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from second base to right field for Ryan Raburn.


B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Rob Johnson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


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


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Daniel Schlereth replaces Eddie Bonine.


B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Michael Saunders walks. Rob Johnson to 2nd.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Ichiro Suzuki lines out to right fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:0 S:1 O:1 - Chone Figgins singles on a ground ball
to shortstop Danny Worth, deflected by third baseman Brandon Inge. Rob
Johnson to 3rd. Michael Saunders to 2nd.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Russell Branyan flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.



B:1 S:2 O:2 - Jose Lopez singles on a ground ball to
left fielder Brennan Boesch.Rob Johnson scores. Michael Saunders to
3rd. Chone Figgins to 2nd.

SEA 8, DET 1





B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Franklin Gutierrez flies out to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

SEA 8, DET 1 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Ryan Langerhans replaces right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, batting 1st, playing right field.


B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to center fielder Franklin Gutierrez.


B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Don Kelly singles on a ground ball to first baseman Casey Kotchman, deflected by pitcher Cliff Lee. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch lines out to left fielder Michael Saunders.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn called out on .


B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Brandon Inge swinging.

SEA 8, DET 1 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Enrique Gonzalez replaces Daniel Schlereth.


B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Casey Kotchman singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Josh Wilson flies out to right fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Rob Johnson swinging.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Michael Saunders lines out to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

SEA 8, DET 1 after 8.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon League replaces Cliff Lee.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Alex Avila grounds out sharply, second baseman Chone Figgins to first baseman Casey Kotchman.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Danny Worth doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Franklin Gutierrez.


B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Austin Jackson walks.


B:0 S:2 O:1 -
With Johnny Damon batting, wild pitch by Brandon League, Danny Worth to 3rd. Austin Jackson to 2nd.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, pitcher Brandon League to first baseman Casey Kotchman.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, shortstop Josh Wilson to first baseman Casey Kotchman.

SEA 8, DET 1 final box score > click here <