GDT: 7/17/10 GM 2- DET (48-40) AT CLE (36-54) - 7:05 p.m. ET

All-Star hurlers kick off twin bill in Cleveland

By Alex DiFilippo / MLB.com

If the Tigers are going to remain a contender for the American League Central crown, manager Jim Leyland said his club must improve in two aspects.

"To me this is real simple," Leyland said. "There are two things we have to do if we want to stay in this thing in the hunt until the end. We have to play better on the road in the second half and we have to play better in our division. If we do that, we will be in the hunt. But it's going to be no day at the beach the second half."

On Friday, the Tigers had an opportunity to accomplish both on the road against their divisional foe, yet came up empty handed in an 8-2 loss to the Indians.

Detroit will get another chance on Saturday. Actually they will get two chances -- as the teams will play a day-night doubleheader to make up for a May 7 postponement.

The afternoon game will feature a battle between AL All-Star pitchers. Justin Verlander (11-5, 3.82 ERA) and Fausto Carmona (8-7, 3.64 ERA) will square off in the makeup game and look to build off a strong first half of the season.

But the main talking point coming out of Saturday will likely come from the pitching battle in the nightcap.

Starting for the Tigers will be Rick Porcello, who will throw his first game in the bigs since being optioned to Triple-A Toledo on June 20. He posted a 4-7 record with a 6.14 ERA in 13 starts for the Tigers before being sent down to Toledo, and went 1-2 with a 3.21 ERA in four outings for the Mud Hens.

His numbers for Toledo were far from sparkling, but in his last start he tossed seven shutout innings, yet received a no-decision. A lot will ride on the start for Porcello. Leyland wouldn't say if the 21-year-old would stay in the rotation or not, but a good start certainly wouldn't hurt his chances.

"He's got to be on top of his game," Leyland said. "We want to see improvement from his secondary stuff, a better changeup and breaking ball."

Like Porcello, Indians starter Mitch Talbot will be looking to get back on track. Talbot (8-8, 3.99 ERA) has been impressive for Cleveland this season, but has lost his last two starts and four of his last five. However, Talbot hasn't received much run support from his teammates, as he's only surrendered six combined earned runs in his last two starts.

"It's part of baseball," Talbot said when asked about his lack of run support. "You have to learn to work through that."

In three career starts, Talbot has struggled against the Tigers. He holds a 1-1 record with a 9.49 ERA against Detroit.

Tigers: Cabrera still rolling
Slugger Miguel Cabrera upped his hitting streak to a career-high 20 games on Friday. He also recorded an RBI single to stay atop the Major League leader boards with 78 RBIs.

For his efforts, Cabrera was awarded the American League Player of the Week for July 5-11. He batted .435 with three doubles, a triple, two home runs and eight RBIs in six games during the week.

The opposing manager even acknowledged how special of a talent Cabrera has become.

"He's gifted as a hitter," Indians skipper Manny Acta said. "The first thing that comes to mind was the World Series, when he hit an opposite field home run off [Roger] Clemens. He threw one up and in, and the kid went down, dusted himself off, then hit it out. That makes the beginnings of a great hitter. All he's done since he got up here is hit."

Indians: Peralta likely to return on Saturday
Jhonny Peralta was out of the lineup in Friday's win against the Tigers. Peralta was battling a bad case of the flu and Acta opted to give him Friday off to try and get over the illness.

"He couldn't work out [Thursday]," Acta said. "For precautionary reasons, we're giving him the day off, and he'll go through the [pregame] workout today."

Peralta was available for a late-game situation on Friday, but wasn't used. The third baseman is hitting .252 with six home runs and 39 RBIs for the Indians this season.

Worth noting
With Friday's loss, Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer is now 0-6 against AL Central opponents this season.

... The Tigers are 20-7 against the Indians since the start of the 2009 season.

... The Indians released veteran catcher Mike Redmond on Friday.

... David Huff may be the leading candidate for a spot start on Sunday against the Tigers.

... Outfielder David Brantley snapped an 0-for-18 hitting drought entering Friday's game, going 1-for-5 in the victory.

... The Indians lead the Major Leagues with 111 double plays turned, which includes one twisted against the Tigers on Friday.



Pitching matchup

TIGERS: RHP Rick Porcello (4-7, 6.14 ERA)
Porcello hasn't been posting great numbers in Triple-A Toledo, but manager Jim Leyland decided to recall the right-hander for the nightcap of the doubleheader. Porcello was sent down to the Minors to work on his sinker, which was hanging up in the strike zone.


INDIANS: RHP Mitch Talbot (8-8, 3.99 ERA)
Talbot, who has been a welcome surprise for the Indians so far this season, will look to get back on track after losing his last two starts and four of his last five. The righty is tied for the team lead with eight wins in his first full season as a Major League starter.


From MLB Tigers Game Notes



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 (non-displaced fracture of the olecranon, 60-day DL on June 29).


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Sunday, July 18
TIGERS (LHP Andy Oliver (0-3, 6.38 ERA)) AT INDIANS (LHP David Huff (2-9, 6.04 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Monday, July 19
TIGERS (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (5-6, 4.79 ERA)) VS RANGERS (RHP Scott Feldman (5-8, 5.32 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Tuesday, July 20
TIGERS (RHP Armando Galarraga (3-2, 4.45 ERA)) VS RANGERS (RHP Tommy Hunter (6-0, 2.39 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Wednessday, July 21
TIGERS (RHP Max Scherzer (6-7, 4.74 ERA)) VS RANGERS (RHP Colby Lewis (9-5, 3.42 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

MUST WIN...MUST WIN...MUST WIN

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .302
Raburn, 2B .208
Ordonez, DH .312
Cabrera, M, 1B .343
Boesch, RF .332
Inge, 3B .265
Kelly, LF .220
Laird, C .192
Worth, SS .274
Totals .274

Cleveland AVG
Brantley, CF .143
Nix, J, 2B .198
Santana, C, DH .270
Kearns, RF .269
LaPorta, 1B .250
Crowe, LF .255
Marte, A, 3B .194
Gimenez, C .000
Hernandez, A, SS .228
Totals .246

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Austin Jackson doubles (22) on a line drive to left fielder Trevor Crowe.


B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn hit by pitch.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez walks. Austin Jackson to 3rd. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch pops out to first baseman Matt LaPorta on the infield fly rule.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds into a force out, third baseman Andy Marte to second baseman Jayson Nix. Magglio Ordonez out at 2nd.

0-0 AFTER .5 INNING

WHAT A WASTE! BASES LOADED, ZERO OUTS = NO RUNS.

Bottom Half

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


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Jayson Nix out swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Carlos Santana singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Austin Kearns grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Danny Worth. Carlos Santana out at 2nd.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Don Kelly doubles (3) on a sharp ground ball to first baseman Matt LaPorta.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Gerald Laird flies out to right fielder Austin Kearns. Don Kelly to 3rd.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Danny Worth reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Andy Marte to catcher Chris Gimenez. Don Kelly out at home.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Austin Kearns. Danny Worth to 2nd.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to center fielder Michael Brantley. Danny Worth scores. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

DET 1, CLE 0


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, second baseman Jayson Nix to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

DET 1, CLE 0 AFTER 1.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Matt LaPorta called out on .


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


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Andy Marte grounds out, shortstop Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 1, CLE 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

Inning 3
Top Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera out on foul tip.


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


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge pops out to shortstop Anderson Hernandez.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Don Kelly grounds out, second baseman Jayson Nix to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

DET 1, CLE 0 AFTER 2.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Chris Gimenez grounds out softly, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


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

Hernandez flies out.

Brantley flies out.

DET 1, CLE 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

Inning 4
Top Half

Laird flies out

Worth doubles

Jackson lines out

Raburn grounds out.

DET 1, CLE 0 AFTER 3.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

Nix grounds out

Santana homers

DET 1, CLE 1

Kearns out looking.

LaPorta out swinging.

DET 1, CLE 1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

Ordonez out looking.

Cabrera singles (did not run thinking it was a homer)

Boesch grounds into fielder's choice to 2nd, Cabrera out, Boesch on 1st.

Inge out swinging.

DET 1, CLE 1 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

Crowe grounds out.

Marte out swinging.

Gimenez singles to left.

Hernandez singles to center, Gimenez to 2nd.

Brantley grounds out.

DET 1, CLE 1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

Kelly out

Laird flies out to center

Worth grounds out

DET 1, CLE 1 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

Nix flies out.

Santana flies out

Kearns lines out to second.

DET 1, CLE 1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

Jackson out looking

Raburn pops out to 2nd.

Ordonez grounds out to 3rd.

DET 1, CLE 1 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half


B:0 S:2 O:0 -
Matt LaPorta singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Trevor Crowe grounds into double play,
pitcher Rick Porcello to shortstop Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel
Cabrera. Matt LaPorta out at 2nd.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Andy Marte pops out to catcher Gerald Laird in foul territory.



DET 1, CLE 1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Frank Herrmann replaces Jensen Lewis.


Cabrera out.

Boesch singles

Inge lines out

Kelly flies out to center.

DET 1, CLE 1 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Chris Gimenez strikes out swinging.

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

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Michael Brantley pops out to shortstop Danny Worth.

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

DET 1, CLE 1 after 8 innings

game resumes 11:20 pm

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Chris Perez replaces Frank Herrmann.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Johnny Damon replaces Gerald Laird.


B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Johnny Damon doubles (23) on a line drive to left fielder Trevor Crowe.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Danny Worth out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Andy Marte to first baseman Matt LaPorta. Johnny Damon to 3rd.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Carlos Guillen replaces Ryan Raburn.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to right fielder Austin Kearns.

DET 1, CLE 1 after 8.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Carlos Guillen remains in the game as the second baseman.


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


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Rick Porcello.


B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Carlos Santana walks.

B:2 S:2 O:2 - Austin Kearns grounds into double play,
shortstop Danny Worth to second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman
Miguel Cabrera. Carlos Santana out at 2nd.


B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Matt LaPorta grounds out, shortstop Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 1, CLE 1 after 9 innings

Inning 10
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joe Smith replaces Chris Perez.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out softly, catcher Chris Gimenez to first baseman Matt LaPorta.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Austin Kearns.


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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Rafael Perez replaces Joe Smith.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch singles on a ground ball to second baseman Jayson Nix.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Austin Kearns. (you suck today Inge... you left 7 runners on base!)

DET 1, CLE 1 after 9.5 innings

Bottom Half

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


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Trevor Crowe flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Andy Marte pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Chris Gimenez pops out to shortstop Danny Worth in foul territory.

DET 1, CLE 1 after 10 innings