GDT: 7/5/10 - DET (43-37) VS BAL (25-56) - 1:05 p.m. ET

Facing O's, Tigers' Oliver seeks first victory

By Steve Gartner / MLB.com

Tigers lefty Andrew Oliver hasn't found that elusive first career win in his first two starts, but he has certainly pitched well enough to earn that first victory.

Oliver hopes the the third time will be the charm as he faces the Orioles on Monday in his first start at Comerica Park. In his debut June 25 against the Braves, Oliver gave up just two earned runs. In his second start, he did the same, allowing just earned two runs against the Twins in another loss.

The young hurler said he made adjustments with his slider between starts and they paid off as he had six strikeouts in his second start. After a leadoff walk, Oliver retired nine consecutive batters and had a 1-0 lead entering the fourth inning.

But that's when Oliver finally made a mistake. He gave up a leadoff single to Orlando Hudson and followed that with a fastball over the plate to Justin Morneau, who hit it to center to score Hudson.

"I was struggling to get ahead in the first couple innings there," Oliver said after his start. "They probably wanted to sit on a strike. The second at-bat, he hit a fastball away."

That second at-bat was another home run by Morneau.

Oliver's not the only starter hungry for a win. After starting the season 0-8, Orioles veteran righty Kevin Millwood will look for his third win in four starts. He only pitched five innings his previous outing and earned a no-decision against Oakland, giving up five earned runs. Millwood threw 108 pitches in Baltimore's 9-6 comeback win.

"We finally feel like if we get down a couple runs we still have a chance," Millwood said. "Guys are going out there and swinging the bats really well. and I think that gives everybody confidence."

Tigers: Dominant at home
Detroit has won 12 of 14 home games dating back to June 2. For the season, the club is 27-12 at Comerica Park, best in the American League. Their 27-11 start at home before Sunday's loss was their best since 1968. That team won the next game to improve to 28-11.

... The Tigers' dominant pitching has been one reason for their success at home. Before Sunday's game, Detroit's pitchers had a 3.28 ERA with opponents hitting just .236.

Orioles: Matusz finally gets a win
Starter Brian Matusz earned his first win since April 18 on Sunday in a 6-1 win against the Red Sox. Before that victory, the Orioles had scored just one run or been shut out in eight of his sixteen starts.

... Interim manager Juan Samuel was ejected for the first time Saturday against the Red Sox in the bottom of the eighth inning for arguing balls and strikes.

... Cory Patterson extended his hitting streak to 10 games Sunday. Patterson is hitting .432 (16-of-37) over the streak.

Worth noting
In eight road starts, Millwood is 1-5 with 5.04 ERA. He is 4-5 with a 3.65 ERA against the Tigers.

... According to the Elias Sports Bureau, O's All-Star Ty Wigginton is the only player to homer at three different infield positions. Wigginton has 11 as a second baseman, two as a third baseman and one as a first baseman.

... In 80 games, Baltimore has been shut out or scored one run 21 times and have scored three or fewer runs 46 times.




Pitching matchup

TIGERS: LHP Andrew Oliver (0-2, 3.00 ERA)
Oliver will make his home debut for the Tigers in his third Major League start with a chance to pick up his first win. His combination of mid-90s fastball and hard slider gave Detroit a chance to win twice on the road trip, but the run support didn't return the favor.


ORIOLES: RHP Kevin Millwood (2-8, 5.40 ERA)
All six runs charged to Millwood on Wednesday against Oakland came in a poorly defended fourth inning. That was all the damage he allowed in five innings. He is 4-5 with a 3.65 ERA in 13 career starts against the Tigers and 2-2 with a 2.83 ERA in five starts at Comerica.


From MLB Tigers Game Notes

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers suffered an 8-1 loss to the Mariners at Comerica Park yesterday afternoon. Jeremy Bonderman (4-6) took the loss for Detroit after allowing seven runs in five innings of work. Brennan Boesch led the Tigers with two hits, while Miguel Cabrera added a run-scoring single. The Tigers continue a nine-game homestand with the first game of a three-game series versus Baltimore this afternoon. Following an off day on Thursday, the homestand concludes with a three-game series against Minnesota beginning on Friday night.

CABRERA, VALVERDE NAMED TO ALL-STAR SQUAD: Major League Baseball announced yesterday that both Miguel Cabrera and Jose Valverde have been selected to the American League’s all-star squad. It marks the fifth time Cabrera has been named to an all-star team, while it is the second time Valverde has been selected to an all-star team.

WINNING WAYS AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers enter today’s game versus the Orioles having won 12 of the club’s last 14 games at home dating back to June 2. For the season, Detroit has compiled a 27-12 record at Comerica Park and is tops among all American League clubs with a .692 winning percentage at home in 2010.

RECENT SUCCESS AGAINST ORIOLES AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers enter this afternoon’s game versus Baltimore having won nine of the club’s last 13 games over the Orioles at Comerica Park dating back to the start of the 2006 season.

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 batting average against, while he is tied for fifth with 18 saves.

DAMON HEADS TOWARDS 2,500 HITS: Johnny Damon enters today’s game versus the Orioles 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.

BOESCH FINDS HIS GROOVE AT COMERICA PARK: Brennan Boesch finished with two hits yesterday against the Mariners and he has now hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games at Comerica Park dating back to June 2. During the 14-game stretch, he is hitting .418 (23x55) with 11 runs scored, a double, triple, three home runs and eight RBI.

CABRERA RIDING 13-GAME HITTING STREAK: Miguel Cabrera singled and drove in a run yesterday versus the Mariners to extend his season-best hitting streak to 13 games. Over the course of the 13-game hitting streak, he is batting .383 (18x47) with 11 runs scored, five doubles, a home run and 10 RBI.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled a 16-7 record and 3.30 ERA (237.1IP/87ER) through the club’s first 80 games this season. Tigers relievers are second in the American League with 16 victories, while the club is fourth with a 3.30 ERA.

HOME IS WHERE THE MOUND IS: Tigers pitchers have compiled a 3.40 ERA (355.0IP/134ER) through the club’s first 39 games at home, while they have limited opponents to a .240 batting average (321x1338). The Tigers are fourth in the American League with a 3.40 ERA at home this season, while the club is fifth with a .240 batting average against.

ORDONEZ ON THE OFFENSIVE: Magglio Ordonez is batting .345 (48x139) with 25 runs scored, seven doubles, a triple, six home runs and 27 RBI over his last 36 games dating back to May 13. He is fourth among all American League players with a .345 batting average during that stretch, while he is 10th with a .399 on-base percentage.

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 47 runs scored and 89 hits, while he is second with a .305 batting average. Boesch is tops among all league rookies with a .345 batting average, 12 home runs and 46 RBI, while he is second with 77 hits.

BOESCH PROVIDES EXTRA-BASE POP: Brennan Boesch is leading all major league rookies with 46 RBI and 31 extra-base hits this season, while he is tied for the lead with 12 home runs. His 46 RBI and 31 extra-base hits mark the most by a Tigers player in his first 59 career games since at least 1952, while his 12 home runs are tied for the most along with Gabe Kapler in 1999.

DIALED IN DURING THE DAY: The Tigers enter this afternoon’s game versus Baltimore with a 22-14 record during the day this season. Tigers pitchers have compiled a 3.54 ERA (315.0IP/124ER) during the club’s 36 day games.

ZUMAYA UPDATE: Joel Zumaya will have a screw inserted to stabilize the non-displaced fracture of the olecranon, a procedure that will be performed by Dr. Stephen Lemos at the Detroit Medical Center on July 12.

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)


• 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:

ORIOLES

1. Corey Patterson, LF
   
2. Miguel Tejada, 3B
   
3. Nick Markakis, RF
   
4. Ty Wigginton, DH
   
5. Adam Jones, CF
   
6. Matt Weiters, C
   
7. Jake Fox, 1B
   
8. Julio Lugo, 2B
   
9. Cesar Izturis, SS
   

P: Kevin Millwood

TIGERS

1. Jackson, CF
   
2. Damon, DH
   
3. Ordonez, RF
   
4. Cabrera, 1B
   
5. Boesch, LF
   
6. Guillen, 2B
   
7. Inge, 3B
   
8. Avila, C
   
9. Santiago, SS
   

P: Andy Oliver

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 - Corey Patterson reaches on fielding error by right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Corey Patterson to 2nd.


B:1 S:1 O:0 - With Miguel Tejada batting, Corey Patterson steals (16) 3rd base.


B:2 S:1 O:1 - Miguel Tejada grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Corey Patterson scores.

BAL 1, DET 0


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Nick Markakis grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:1 O:2 - Ty Wigginton hit by pitch.


B:0 S:3 O:3 - Adam Jones swinging.

BAL 1, DET 0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 - Austin Jackson lines out to second baseman Julio Lugo.

B:2 S:1 O:1 - Johnny Damon singles on a line drive to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:4 S:2 O:1 - Magglio Ordonez walks. Johnny Damon to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1 - Miguel Cabrera doubles (25) on a fly
ball to center fielder Adam Jones. Johnny Damon scores. Magglio Ordonez
scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd on the throw.

DET 2, BAL 1


B:4 S:2 O:1 - Brennan Boesch walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1 - Carlos Guillen singles on a line drive to center fielder Adam Jones. Miguel Cabrera scores. Brennan Boesch to 3rd.

DET 3, BAL 1


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

B:1 S:2 O:1 - Brandon Inge hits a ground-rule double (20) on a fly ball down the right-field line. Brennan Boesch scores. Carlos Guillen to 3rd.

DET 4, BAL 1


B:3 S:2 O:2 - Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Julio Lugo to first baseman Jake Fox. Carlos Guillen scores. Brandon Inge to 3rd.

DET 5, BAL 1


B:1 S:3 O:3 - Ramon Santiago called out on .

DET 5, BAL 1 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 - Matt Wieters flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez in foul territory.

B:2 S:0 O:1 - Jake Fox singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:3 S:1 O:1 - Julio Lugo triples (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Jake Fox scores.

DET 5, BAL 2


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


B:0 S:2 O:1 - Cesar Izturis singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Julio Lugo scores.

DET 5, BAL 3


B:0 S:1 O:2 - Corey Patterson grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Cesar Izturis to 2nd.


B:3 S:2 O:2 - Miguel Tejada singles on a ground ball to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Cesar Izturis scores. Throwing error by second baseman Carlos Guillen.

DET 5, BAL 4


B:4 S:1 O:2 - Nick Markakis walks. Miguel Tejada to 2nd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Pitcher Change: Eddie Bonine replaces Andrew Oliver.

B:2 S:2 O:2 - Ty Wigginton doubles (13) on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Miguel Tejada scores. Nick Markakis to 3rd.

BAL 5, DET 5


B:2 S:2 O:2 - With Adam Jones batting, wild pitch by Eddie Bonine, Nick Markakis scores. Ty Wigginton to 3rd.

BAL 6, DET 5


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

BAL 6, DET 5 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Mark Hendrickson replaces Kevin Millwood.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Miguel Tejada to first baseman Jake Fox.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon singles on a ground ball to center fielder Adam Jones.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera doubles (26) on a line drive to left fielder Corey Patterson. Johnny Damon to 3rd.



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


B:3 S:1 O:2 - Carlos Guillen singles on a ground ball
to left fielder Corey Patterson. Johnny Damon scores. Miguel Cabrera
scores. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

DET 7, BAL 6




B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to right fielder Nick Markakis. Brennan Boesch scores. Carlos Guillen to 2nd.

DET 8, BAL 6




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


DET 8, BAL 6 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

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


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Jake Fox homers (4) on a fly ball to left center field.

DET 8, BAL 7




B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Julio Lugo singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:1 S:2 O:3 - Cesar Izturis grounds into double play,
second baseman Carlos Guillen to shortstop Ramon Santiago to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Julio Lugo out at 2nd.

DET 8, BAL 7 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to left fielder Corey Patterson.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Miguel Tejada to first baseman Jake Fox.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon doubles (20) on a line drive to right fielder Nick Markakis.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.

DET 8, BAL 7 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Corey Patterson doubles (9) on a fly ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:0 O:1 - Miguel Tejada reaches on a fielder's
choice out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Carlos Guillen
to third baseman Brandon Inge. Corey Patterson out at 3rd. Miguel
Tejada to 2nd on the throw.


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


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Ty Wigginton walks.


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


B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Adam Jones flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

DET 8, BAL 7 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch grounds out, second baseman Julio Lugo to first baseman Jake Fox.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen doubles (13) on a fly ball to center fielder Adam Jones.


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


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

DET 8, BAL 7 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Matt Wieters singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Jake Fox flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Julio Lugo singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Matt Wieters to 3rd.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.


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


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Cesar Izturis pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Corey Patterson lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

DET 8, BAL 7 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Koji Uehara replaces Mark Hendrickson.


B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a bunt pop to shortstop Cesar Izturis.


B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Austin Jackson triples (4) on a fly ball to right fielder Nick Markakis. Ramon Santiago scores.

DET 9, BAL 7


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, shortstop Cesar Izturis to first baseman Jake Fox.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Corey Patterson. Austin Jackson scores.

DET 10, BAL 7





B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to left fielder Corey Patterson.


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch walks. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.


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

DET 10, BAL 7 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Tejada grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


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


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Ty Wigginton grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 10, BAL 7 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Matt Albers replaces Koji Uehara.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Alex Avila singles on a ground ball to right fielder Nick Markakis.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to right fielder Nick Markakis. Alex Avila to 3rd.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Johnny Damon flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.


DET 10, BAL 7 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Brad Thomas.


B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Adam Jones singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


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


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Matt Wieters flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


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


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Julio Lugo called out on .

DET 10, BAL 7 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Corey Patterson.


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera swinging.


B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch walks. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: David Hernandez replaces Matt Albers.


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


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen walks. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.


B:1 S:1 O:1 - Brandon Inge doubles (21) on a line
drive to center fielder Adam Jones. Magglio Ordonez scores. Brennan
Boesch scores. Carlos Guillen to 3rd.

DET 12, BAL 7


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Corey Patterson.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago swinging.

DET 12, BAL 7 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 3rd, playing left field.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from left field to right field for Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Ryan Perry.


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Cesar Izturis called out on .


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Corey Patterson swinging.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Miguel Tejada pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

DET 12, BAL 7 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Austin Jackson swinging.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Johnny Damon reaches on fielding error by third baseman Miguel Tejada.


B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Don Kelly swinging.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

DET 12, BAL 7 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Phil Coke.


B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Nick Markakis walks.


B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Ty Wigginton singles on a line drive to right fielder Brennan Boesch. Nick Markakis to 2nd.


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 - Adam Jones grounds out, second baseman
Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Nick Markakis to 3rd.
Ty Wigginton to 2nd.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Matt Wieters singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Nick Markakis scores. Ty Wigginton scores.

DET 12, BAL 9





B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Jake Fox singles on a fly ball to right fielder Brennan Boesch. Matt Wieters to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Scott Moore replaces Julio Lugo.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Scott Moore grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Matt Wieters to 3rd. Jake Fox to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Cesar Izturis pops out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

DET 12, BAL 9 final box score > click here <