GDT: 8/9/10 - DET (54-57) VS TB (67-44) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Tigers hoping to reverse fortunes against Rays

By Adam Berry / MLB.com

Detroit manager Jim Leyland isn't going to claim his Tigers are better than the Rays, but he made it perfectly clear he isn't going to concede their upcoming three-game series.

Tampa Bay is coming to Detroit with a 67-44 record, and the last time the two teams met, the Rays rolled to a four-game sweep in Tropicana Field that included Matt Garza's no-hitter. While Leyland is fully aware of the gap between the two, he won't let his team use it as an excuse this time around.

"I think honesty is the best policy," Leyland said. "I would look like a fool, in my opinion, right now to anybody that knows anything about baseball if I said, as we speak today, we are as good as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Some people say, 'If the players read that, they are going to think he's quitting.' It has nothing to do with that."

According to Rays manager Joe Maddon, however, the only edge either team will have this series comes from its starting pitching.

Tampa Bay, struggling in its own right following five straight losses and nearly finding itself on the wrong end of a no-hitter for the third time this season, will send David Price to the mound Monday with his 2.82 ERA and 14-5 record, still seeking his club-record 15th win this year. Detroit, meanwhile, will start the series with Armando Galarraga, followed by Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.

"I don't look at it all of a sudden like they're going to try and play any harder against us because we beat them a couple times," Maddon said. "We're going to see three good pitchers there: Galarraga, Scherzer and Verlander. That's what I look at -- I look at the pitchers. That's where you either have an advantage or disadvantage, with the starting pitching. And they're throwing three good ones at us."

While Leyland didn't explicitly say the Tigers would be playing any harder against the Rays than they would challenge any other opponent, he emphasized that his team is not about to back down from the challenge of facing one of the best teams in baseball.

And even if Leyland will readily admit the two teams aren't on the same level at this point of the season, he also knows his pitchers are capable of getting the job done on any given day.

"Are we going to try and beat them? You betcha. Are we going to be prepared? You betcha. Are we going to give everything we got to beat them? Yes, you betcha. But are we as good as they are right now? Probably not," Leyland said. "But that doesn't mean we don't think we can't beat them. It's a funny game. Who knows? You get a good pitching performance and you can beat them. If you can shut them down, you can beat them. If anybody in baseball says, 'Here are these two teams; pick the one you like,' I would assume that today, most people would pick the Tampa Bay Rays."

Rays: Niemann, Davis visit doctor due to shoulder soreness

Right-handers Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis left the team in Toronto on Sunday to see Dr. Koco Eaton in St. Petersburg, both struggling with soreness in the back of their shoulders. Maddon said the two pitchers should still make their next scheduled starts (Davis on Tuesday in Detroit, Niemann on Sunday at home), and the trip to the team doctor was simply precautionary. However, right-hander Jeremy Hellickson will be held back with Triple-A Durham just in case a spot start is needed.

"We don't think either one is a long-term situation of any kind, but we want to make sure before we put them back out there," Maddon said. "We'll just know more after they're both examined tomorrow, then we'll be able to make more definitive plans.

"These are two really valuable people and players for us. ... It's almost the same thing with both of them. They just need to be looked at, and we all need to know that we're not going to hurt them by pitching."

Tigers: Leyland remains proud of team's effort
Although Detroit has lost 21 of 26 entering Monday's game, falling nine games out of the American League Central lead, Tigers manager Jim Leyland said the team's struggles have nothing to do with a lack of effort. Instead, a rash of injuries and greater reliance on inexperienced players have kept the team off balance and struggling to run out a consistent lineup.

"There is nobody on this team in my opinion, not one guy, who is not giving everything they've got," Leyland said. "So what else can I ask for? That's just the way I look at it. There's not one coach not giving everything he's got. There's not a general manager that isn't giving everything he's got. Am I upset with the results? Sure. Am I upset because someone isn't trying to get results? No, because they are.

"It goes to show you how fragile things can be. Three weeks ago, we are in first place or tied for it or one game out. That fast you have things happen and now you are fighting for survival. That's just the way it is."

Worth Noting
Rays outfielder Carl Crawford returned to the starting lineup Sunday afternoon after two precautionary days of rest. The speedy left fielder went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

... Second baseman Carlos Guillen (strained calf) was in the Tigers' clubhouse before Sunday's game against the Angels and said he will be ready to play Monday, when his stint on the 15-day disabled list will be over.

... Following Sunday's one-hit loss to the Blue Jays, the Rays have now lost five straight -- their longest losing streak of the season -- after going 10-1 in their previous 11 games.



Pitching matchup

TIGERS: RHP Armando Galarraga (3-4, 4.32 ERA)
Galarraga needs to trust his stuff more, according to manager Jim Leyland, and pitch on the defensive less. He spent too much time on the outside corner against the White Sox, who homered three times in his 7 2/3 innings Wednesday at Comerica Park.

Rays: LHP David Price (14-5, 2.82 ERA)
Price pitched well enough to win Wednesday but came away with a no-decision against Minnesota despite allowing just one run in seven innings. Price is 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA in his career against Detroit; he is 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA at Comerica Park.




INJURY UPDATE:
• RHP Zach Miner (right elbow tendinitis, 60-day DL on March 26),
• OF Magglio Ordonez (right ankle fracture, 15-day DL on July 25),
• LHP Bobby Seay (left shoulder strain, 60-day DL on March 26),
• INF Danny Worth (bruised left heel, 15-day DL on August 4),
• RHP Joel Zumaya (non-displaced fracture of the olecranon, 60-day DL on June 29).


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Tuesday, August 10,
TIGERS (RHP Max Scherzer (7-8, 4.19 ERA)) VS RAYS (RHP Wade Davis (9-9, 4.45 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Wednesday, August 11,
TIGERS (RHP Justin Verlander (12-7, 3.81 ERA)) VS RAYS (RHP Matt Garza (11-6, 3.88 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Tampa Bay AVG
Jaso, J, C .267
Zobrist, 2B .264
Crawford, LF .299
Longoria, 3B .285
Aybar, W, DH .247
Johnson, D, 1B .214
Joyce, RF .204
Upton, B, CF .233
Bartlett, SS .238
Totals .250

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .307
Santiago, DH .278
Raburn, RF .216
Cabrera, M, 1B .343
Guillen, C, 2B .280
Peralta, J, SS .244
Inge, 3B .258
Frazier, LF .200
Laird, C .185
Totals .267

Current Conditions

Comerica Park

Cloudy 78 F

Humidity: 76 %

Wind: from the SW at 5 mph

Barometer: 29.95 in

last updated: 8/9/10 5:45 PM EDT

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
John Jaso doubles (13) on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Ben Zobrist reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by first baseman Miguel Cabrera. John Jaso to 3rd.


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Carl Crawford flies into double play,
left fielder Jeff Frazier to catcher Gerald Laird. John Jaso out at
home on the throw.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
With Evan Longoria batting, Ben Zobrist caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Laird to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

0-0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

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


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago called out on .


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to left fielder Carl Crawford.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Jason Bartlett to first baseman Dan Johnson.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Evan Longoria flies out to right fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Willy Aybar lines out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Dan Johnson grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Armando Galarraga.

0-0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

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


B:2 S:2 O:0 -
With Jhonny Peralta batting, passed ball by John Jaso, Carlos Guillen to 2nd.


B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Jhonny Peralta walks.


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


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Jeff Frazier out swinging.


B:2 S:2 O:2 - Gerald Laird doubles (7) on a line drive
to center fielder B. J. Upton. Carlos Guillen scores. Jhonny Peralta to
3rd.

DET 1, TB 0




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

DET 1, TB 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Matt Joyce homers (6) on a fly ball to right field.

TB 1, DET 1


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
B. J. Upton flies out to right fielder Ryan Raburn in foul territory.


B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Jason Bartlett walks.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
John Jaso singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Jason Bartlett to 3rd.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Ben Zobrist out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Austin Jackson. Jason Bartlett scores.

TB 2, DET 1

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Carl Crawford grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TB 2, DET 1 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago lines out to right fielder Matt Joyce.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to left fielder Carl Crawford.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera walks.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen out swinging.

TB 2, DET 1 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Evan Longoria singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Willy Aybar walks. Evan Longoria to 2nd.


B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Dan Johnson walks. Evan Longoria to 3rd. Willy Aybar to 2nd.


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


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Matt Joyce out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Austin Jackson. Evan Longoria scores. Willy Aybar to 3rd.

TB 3, DET 1



B:3 S:3 O:2 -
B. J. Upton out swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:3 - Jason Bartlett grounds into a force out,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Dan
Johnson out at 2nd.

TB 3, DET 1 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, shortstop Jason Bartlett to first baseman Dan Johnson.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Matt Joyce.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Jeff Frazier singles on a ground ball to center fielder B. Upton.


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird walks. Jeff Frazier to 2nd.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder B. Upton.

TB 3, DET 1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
John Jaso pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.


B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Ben Zobrist walks.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Carl Crawford flies out to right fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Evan Longoria doubles (33) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Ben Zobrist scores.

TB 4, DET 1




B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Willy Aybar grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TB 4, DET 1 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to center fielder B. J. Upton.


B:2 S:2 O:0 -
With Ryan Raburn batting, wild pitch by David Price, Ramon Santiago to 2nd.


B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to center fielder B. J. Upton. Ramon Santiago scores.

TB 4, DET 2




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


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


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen out swinging.


B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.

TB 4, DET 2 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brad Thomas replaces Armando Galarraga.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Dan Johnson flies out to left fielder Jeff Frazier.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Matt Joyce flies out to left fielder Jeff Frazier.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
B. J. Upton grounds out, pitcher Brad Thomas to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TB 4, DET 2 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Chad Qualls replaces David Price.


B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Brandon Inge out swinging, catcher John Jaso to first baseman Dan Johnson.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brennan Boesch replaces Jeff Frazier.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch grounds out, pitcher Chad Qualls to first baseman Dan Johnson.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird singles on a line drive to left fielder Carl Crawford.


B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Austin Jackson grounds into a force out, shortstop Jason Bartlett to second baseman Ben Zobrist. Gerald Laird out at 2nd.

TB 4, DET 2 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

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


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Brennan Boesch remains in the game as the right fielder.


B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Jason Bartlett singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:0 O:1 - John Jaso ground bunts into a force out,
pitcher Brad Thomas to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Jason Bartlett out at
2nd. John Jaso to 1st.


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


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Carl Crawford out swinging.

TB 4, DET 2 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago walks.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Matt Joyce.


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


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Chad Qualls.


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


B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen pops out to third baseman Evan Longoria in foul territory.

TB 4, DET 2 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Brad Thomas.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Evan Longoria flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Willy Aybar hits a ground-rule double (11) on a fly ball to left-center field.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Sean Rodriguez replaces Dan Johnson.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Sean Rodriguez called out on


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


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Matt Joyce out swinging.

TB 4, DET 2 after 7.5 innings

Time to get a hitting home runs! we need 3 or 4 runs NOW!

BOOM BOOM BOESCH TIME

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from second base to first base for Ben Zobrist.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Sean Rodriguez remains in the game as the second baseman.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Jhonny Peralta lines out to third baseman Evan Longoria.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, shortstop Jason Bartlett to first baseman Ben Zobrist.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch homers (14) on a line drive to left field.

TB 4, DET 3




B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Johnny Damon replaces Gerald Laird.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Johnny Damon out swinging.

TB 4, DET 3 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Alex Avila replaces Johnny Damon, batting 9th, playing catcher.


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


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
B. J. Upton doubles (28) on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Jason Bartlett out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Carlos Guillen. B. Upton to 3rd.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
John Jaso singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. B. Upton scores.

TB 5, DET 3




B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Ben Zobrist singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brennan Boesch. John Jaso to 2nd.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
With Carl Crawford batting, passed ball by Alex Avila, John Jaso to 3rd. Ben Zobrist to 2nd.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Carl Crawford singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn. John Jaso scores. Ben Zobrist to 3rd.

TB 6, DET 3
B:0 S:1 O:3 - Evan Longoria grounds into double play,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Carlos Guillen to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Carl Crawford out at 2nd.

TB 6, DET 3 after 8.5 innings

PAPER TIGERS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Rafael Soriano replaces Joaquin Benoit.


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


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago lines out to left fielder Carl Crawford.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out, third baseman Evan Longoria to first baseman Ben Zobrist.

TB 6, DET 3 FINAL BOX SCORE > CLICK HERE <