GDT: 8/24/10 - DET (62-63) VS KC (53-72) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Porcello gets call for streaking Tigers

By Gina Mizell / MLB.com

Two starting pitchers will try to break out of recent droughts when the Royals and Tigers meet in the second of a three-game series at Comerica Park on Tuesday.

Kyle Davies and Rick Porcello have tallied three wins in their last 25 starts combined, and both righties have an ERA above 5.00. But, in a way, something has to give on Tuesday.

Porcello will be aiming to lead Detroit to a series victory and bounce back from his last outing against the Yankees, where he surrendered six earned runs on six hits over five innings.

"It's definitely frustrating," Porcello said after that game, "because I felt like I had good stuff and today was a pretty good day for me to go out there and compete against those guys. A couple stupid mistakes, and that's what ends up costing you."

Davies was solid in his last start, tossing 7 1/3 innings and allowing three earned runs on seven hits and no walks. Still, he did not factor into the decision and has one win in his last five outings.

The Tigers and Royals have split their 10 matchups so far this season.

Royals: Betemit's numbers soar
Despite an 0-for-3 performance in Monday's game against the Tigers, Wilson Betemit has continued to swing a hot bat for the Royals this season and now could be dubbed as a bit of a late bloomer. The eight-year veteran hit .412 (14-for-34) during Kansas City's most recent nine-game homestand with four home runs, nine RBIs and six walks. The switch-hitter is posting a .340 overall average this season, which includes a .348 clip against left-handers.

"He's been a talented player ever since he came to the big leagues," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "But there's an aspect to the game, the mental aspect and the preparation and the approach aspect that sometimes takes guys longer to understand and become successful. Some guys never get it. That's where the frustration comes in, when you see a guy with a lot of talent that never understands the mental side and you just see them spinning their wheels. But Wilson is a kid who looks to me that he finally has it figured out."

Tigers: Damon's decision looms
Johnny Damon has a big decision to make by Wednesday afternoon, as the Red Sox put in a waiver claim for the outfielder on Monday. Damon spent four seasons in Boston and helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2004, but there still appears to be some hard feelings about the way his tenure with the organization ended when he signed with the Yankees after the 2005 season. Because of a no-trade clause in his contract, Damon has the right to accept or decline any move to the Red Sox, who entering Monday sat 6 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the AL East and 5 1/2 games back of the Rays in the Wild Card race.

"At this moment, I'm not sure I want to leave Detroit for that," Damon said. "I enjoy playing here. I enjoy the kids I'm playing for, the coaching staff. But obviously, [Red Sox manager] Terry Francona is amazing. But it's something that I'm going to have to think long and hard over."

Worth noting
The Royals have played 47 one-run games this season, which are the most in the Majors.

... Joakim Soria has coverted 28 consecutive save opportunities.

... Royals manager Ned Yost has tallied 998 career victories.

... Entering Monday, Yuniesky Betancourt ranked in the top five among Major League shortstops in RBI (second, 61), home runs (fourth, 13) and doubles (fourth, 24).

... Miguel Cabrera has feasted on Royals pitching throughout his career, batting .350 (64-for-183) with nine doubles, 14 home runs and 42 RBIs in 47 games. His average was the fourth-best against the Royals among active players entering Monday.

... Will Rhymes' four-hit performance on Sunday marked the fourth time a rookie has accomplished that feat for the Tigers this season, which is the most since the 1954 club had a first-year player tally four hits in a game six times.

... Brandon Inge has 999 career hits and with one more would become the 29th player to reach the 1,000-hit milestone with the Tigers.

... Jose Valverde has converted 24 consecutive save opportunities, which is the third-longest single-season streak in club history.



Pitching matchup

TIGERS: RHP Rick Porcello (5-11, 5.76 ERA)
If Porcello continues to alternate good losses with bad, he should be due for a quality outing here. But the Tigers need to support their struggling sophomore, who has won once in his last 11 starts. He took a no-decision against the Royals in April.

ROYALS: RHP Kyle Davies (6-7, 5.14 ERA)
Davies had one of his finest efforts last Thursday night at the Indians, holding them scoreless on three hits through the seventh. He ran into trouble in the eighth, charged with three runs and had no decision.


RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers defeated the Kansas City Royals 12-3 last night at Comerica Park, the club’s seventh win in the last 10 games. Jeremy Bonderman (7-9) started for the Tigers and earned the victory after limiting the Royals to two runs on eight hits in six innings. Brandon Inge, Jhonny Peralta and Ryan Raburn each collected three RBI, while Johnny Damon and Will Rhymes both finished with two hits. The Tigers continue a six-game homestand with the second game of a three-game series against Kansas City this evening. Following the series against the Royals the club hits the road for 10 games, featuring stops in Toronto, Minnesota and Kansas City.

A STREAK OF WINNING BIG: The Tigers have won the first four games of the current homestand by a margin of 31-6. It marks the first time since September 1968 that the Tigers have won each of the first four games of a homestand by an aggregate total of 25-or-more runs. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)

POSTING A DOUBLE-DIGIT HIT TOTAL: The Tigers finished with 12 hits last night against Kansas City, marking the 54th time during the 2010 season the club has finished with 10-or-more hits in a game. Detroit has compiled a 39-15 record in the 54 games with a double-digit hit total, including a 25-5 mark in 30 games at Comerica Park.

RHYMES ON A ROLL: Will Rhymes collected two hits last night against Kansas City and has collected multiple hits in five of his last six games. He is batting .520 (13x25) with three doubles and four RBI in the six games. Rhymes is batting .348 (16x46) with 11 runs scored, three doubles and five RBI in 12 games during the month of August. He leads all American League rookies with the .348 batting average, while he is third with a .388 onbase percentage and tied for third with 11 runs scored and 16 hits.

MIGGY MASHES AGAINST THE ROYALS: Miguel Cabrera enters tonight’s game versus the Kansas City Royals hitting .350 (64x183) with nine doubles, 14 home runs and 42 RBI in 47 games against the club. He is fourth among all active major league players with a .350 batting average against the Royals, while he is fifth with a .628 slugging percentage.

INGE HEADED TOWARDS 1,000 HITS: Brandon Inge enters tonight’s game with 999 hits during his major league career, one shy of reaching 1,000 hits. He would become the 29th player in Tigers history to collect 1,000 hits with the club.

PAPA GRANDE POWERS THE PEN: Jose Valverde has converted each of his last 24 save opportunities for the Tigers, the third-longest such single-season streak in club history. He is second among American League relievers with a .157 batting average against this season, while he is tied for seventh with 24 saves.

RABURN ON A ROLL: Ryan Raburn enters tonight’s game versus Kansas City hitting .333 (21x63) with six doubles, five home runs and 15 RBI over his last 17 games dating back to August 5. He is second in the American League with a .667 slugging percentage during that stretch, while he is tied for third with five home runs and 15 RBI.

JACKSON IN A RARE CLASS OF TIGERS ROOKIES: Austin Jackson enters tonight’s game versus Kansas City with 76 runs scored, 144 hits, 28 doubles, seven triples and 19 stolen bases for the Tigers this season. He is just the third player in Tigers history to reach those totals in those categories during his rookie season, joining Roy Johnson (1929) and Barney McCosky (1939) in accomplishing the feat.

COKE PROVIDES RELIEF: Phil Coke enters tonight’s game versus the Royals with a 4-2 record and 1.27 ERA (28.1IP/4ER) over his last 34 outings dating back to June 3. He is second among all American League relievers with seven wins this season.

AUSTIN ADDING UP THE HITS: Austin Jackson finished with two hits on Sunday versus the Indians to bring his season hit total to 144. His 144 hits mark the most in a single season by a Tigers rookie since Jake Wood collected 171 hits during the 1961 season.

LENNERTON EARNS WEEKLY HONORS: Single A Lakeland first baseman Jordan Lennerton was tabbed the Florida State League Player of the Week for August 16-22. Lennerton hit .406 (13x32) with seven runs scored, two doubles, five home runs and nine RBI in eight games during the week.

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 24,
TIGERS (RHP Rick Porcello (5-11, 5.76 ERA)) VS ROYALS (RHP Kyle Davies (6-7, 5.14 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD & / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Wednesday, August 25,
TIGERS (RHP Armando Galarraga (4-5, 4.21 ERA)) VS ROYALS (RHP Sean O’Sullivan (0-4, 6.75 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD & / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Kansas City AVG
Blanco, G, CF .291
Kendall, C .260
Ka'aihue, DH .159
Butler, 1B .310
Betemit, 3B .340
Gordon, A, LF .218
Maier, RF .255
Betancourt, Y, SS .270
Getz, 2B .230
Totals .275

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .307
Rhymes, 2B .320
Damon, DH .272
Cabrera, M, 1B .341
Raburn, LF .243
Peralta, J, SS .239
Inge, 3B .262
Boesch, RF .273
Avila, C .214
Totals .269

Inning 1
Top Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Gregor Blanco called out on .


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Jason Kendall grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Kila Ka'aihue pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

0-0 AFTER .5 INNING

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to second baseman Chris Getz.


B:1 S:1 O:0 -
With Will Rhymes batting, Austin Jackson steals (20) 2nd base.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Will Rhymes out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Billy Butler. Austin Jackson to 3rd.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Johnny Damon hit by pitch.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Mitch Maier. Austin Jackson scores.

DET 1, KC 0




B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Mitch Maier.

DET 1, KC 0 AFTER 1 INNING

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Billy Butler grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Wilson Betemit out swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Alex Gordon flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

DET 1, KC 0 AFTER 1.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Jhonny Peralta doubles (26) on a line drive to left fielder Alex Gordon.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Gregor Blanco.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch out swinging.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Alex Avila walks.


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

DET 1, KC 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Mitch Maier flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.


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


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Chris Getz bunt grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 1, KC 0 AFTER 2.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Will Rhymes singles on a ground ball to second baseman Chris Getz.


B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Johnny Damon singles on a ground ball to left fielder Alex Gordon. Will Rhymes to 2nd.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds into double play, second baseman Chris Getz to
shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to first baseman Billy Butler. Will
Rhymes to 3rd. Johnny Damon out at 2nd.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn walks.


B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Jhonny Peralta out on foul tip.

DET 1, KC 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

Inning 4
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Gregor Blanco flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Jason Kendall grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Kila Ka'aihue flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.

DET 1, KC 0 AFTER 3.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to left fielder Alex Gordon.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Brennan Boesch hits a ground-rule double (23) on a ground ball down the
right-field line, on fan interference. Brandon Inge scores.

DET 2, KC 0




B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Alex Avila doubles (9) on a ground ball to right fielder Mitch Maier. Brennan Boesch scores.

DET 3, KC 0




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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Will Rhymes lines out to first baseman Billy Butler.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon walks.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out to shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.

DET 3, KC 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Billy Butler singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Wilson Betemit out swinging.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Alex Gordon flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Mitch Maier flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

DET 3, KC 0 AFTER 4.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn homers (8) on a fly ball to left field.

DET 4, KC 0




B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to left fielder Alex Gordon.


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


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch singles on a line drive to right fielder Mitch Maier. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Alex Avila flies out to center fielder Gregor Blanco.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Austin Jackson doubles (29) on a line drive to right fielder Mitch Maier. Jhonny Peralta scores. Brennan Boesch to 3rd.

DET 5, KC 0




B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Will Rhymes doubles (6) on a ground ball to right fielder Mitch Maier. Brennan Boesch scores. Austin Jackson scores.

DET 7, KC 0




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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Kanekoa Texeira replaces Kyle Davies.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to first baseman Billy Butler.

DET 7, KC 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Yuniesky Betancourt grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


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


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Gregor Blanco walks. Chris Getz to 2nd.


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


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Jason Kendall grounds into double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to
second baseman Will Rhymes to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Gregor
Blanco out at 2nd.

DET 7, KC 0 AFTER 5.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Alex Gordon.


B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to right fielder Mitch Maier. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.


B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to pitcher Kanekoa Texeira. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.


B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Gregor Blanco. Miguel Cabrera scores. Ryan Raburn to 3rd.

DET 8, KC 0




B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch grounds into a force out, second baseman Chris Getz to
shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt. Ryan Raburn scores. Jhonny Peralta out
at 2nd. Brennan Boesch to 1st.

DET 9, KC 0




B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Alex Avila flies out to center fielder Gregor Blanco.

DET 9, KC 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Kila Ka'aihue flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Billy Butler out swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Wilson Betemit flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET 9, KC 0 AFTER 6.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

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


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Will Rhymes grounds out, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to first baseman Billy Butler.


B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Johnny Damon lines out to third baseman Wilson Betemit.

DET 9, KC 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Casper Wells replaces center fielder Austin Jackson, batting 1st, playing center field.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Daniel Schlereth replaces Rick Porcello.


B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Alex Gordon walks.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Mitch Maier pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Yuniesky Betancourt out swinging.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Chris Getz flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

DET 9, KC 0 AFTER 7.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Dusty Hughes replaces Kanekoa Texeira.


B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a fly ball to right fielder Mitch Maier.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Don Kelly replaces Miguel Cabrera.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
On-field Delay.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Jhonny Peralta flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.


B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon in foul territory.

DET 9, KC 0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Don Kelly remains in the game as the first baseman.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from shortstop to third base for Jhonny Peralta.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Ramon Santiago replaces third baseman Brandon Inge, batting 7th, playing shortstop.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Daniel Schlereth.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Gregor Blanco flies out to center fielder Casper Wells.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Jason Kendall grounds out, third baseman Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Don Kelly.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Kila Ka'aihue homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.

DET 9, KC 1

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Billy Butler grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Don Kelly.

DET 9, KC 1 FINAL >CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE<