GDT: 4/28/09 - DET (11-8) VS NYY (9-10) - 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- On a team that features the reigning American League home run champion, a recent Major League batting champion, and one of the current AL home run contenders, is it possible for a speedster to be a player to watch?

When it's a team that has desperately needed an injection of baserunning speed for the past two years, yes. With Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes facing the Tigers on Tuesday night, the middle game of this three-game series might be outfielder Josh Anderson's chance.

Anderson went into the final weeks of Spring Training battling for the starting center-field job with the Braves. He came out of camp as a reserve outfielder with Detroit, having been abruptly traded when Jordan Schafer beat him out in Atlanta. Now with Marcus Thames on the disabled list and Carlos Guillen kept out of left field for the past few games to rest his sore Achilles tendon, Anderson is getting his shot and running with it.

With six stolen bases already this season, Anderson has the highest opening-month total for a Tigers player since Roger Cedeno swiped six in 2001. No one has topped that total since Juan Encarnacion stole seven in 1999, but with two more games left in April, Anderson could well match it if he gets on base.

From a team standpoint, his total is almost irrelevant. The important part from the Tigers' perspective is that he has added a dimension Detroit arguably hasn't had since Alex Sanchez and Nook Logan earlier this decade.

Though Curtis Granderson has his share of steals, including 26 out of 27 attempts in 2007, his totals have usually been a matter of deliberate aggressiveness, a willingness to run after finding a pitcher's tendency. Through three-plus weeks this season, Anderson seems to have little hesitation to take off if he senses the opportunity.

Anderson's track record shows his aggressiveness. He stole 52 bases in 60 tries last year between Atlanta and Triple-A Richmond, and no less than 41 in each of the three seasons before that. He was thrown out 19 times in 2005, yet still led the Texas League with 50 stolen bases at Corpus Christi.

By comparison, the Tigers stole just 63 bases all season in 2008, last in the league. Their 93 tries also trailed the pack. With Detroit's newfound running game, the Tigers have already found ways to manufacture runs with straight steals, hit-and-run plays and even squeeze bunts, going 2-for-3 in that category.

Anderson is at the top of the pack. No less than three of Anderson's stolen bases this year have set up runs, while a fourth preceded an extra-base hit that might have allowed him to score regardless.

While Anderson's track record proved his running acumen, so did his Minor League hitting numbers. Thus, while Anderson was expected to find most of his time as a pinch-runner, defensive replacement and occasional starter, he has hit his way into a bigger role.

"I think when a guy has hit consistently in the Minor Leagues halfway decent, he's got a chance to hit in the big leagues," Leyland said. "I've always believed that it's probably tougher to hit in the Minor Leagues. I realize the pitchers aren't as a good, but they're a lot more wild, the lights aren't as good, the travel's tough." Plus, Leyland said, "His legs are going to save him some, too. Where somebody that can't run goes 0-for-4, he might be able to get one hit, hitting the ball in the hole, beating it out."


Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Edwin Jackson (1-1, 2.77 ERA)
After two dominant starts and another solid one, Jackson finally battled his command in his fourth outing as a Tiger. After two bases-loaded walks erased an early lead and a Torii Hunter homer put him behind against the Angels, Jackson has seemingly recovered until two infield singles and two errors sank him in the sixth. It was still a decent demonstration in damage control, but it wasn't enough for the Tigers to overcome. Jackson will face a familiar challenge with the Yankees, who have given him a 5.72 ERA in 13 career outings but who have homered just five times in 50 1/3 innings against him.

NYY: RHP Phil Hughes, (0-0, -.-- ERA)
Hughes will be recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for Tuesday's start, remaining in the rotation for the foreseeable future as Chien-Ming Wang straightens out strength and mechanical issues. Hughes last pitched on Wednesday at Triple-A, improving to 3-0 with 7 2/3 innings of one-run, six-hit ball in a 6-1 victory over Buffalo, walking one and striking out seven in a 105-pitch start. In three International League starts, Hughes had a 1.86 ERA, allowing four runs on 17 hits in 19 1/3 innings, walking three and striking out 19. Hughes had a 2.19 ERA in four Grapefruit League games (three starts) with New York this spring.

Tidbits

... Brandon Inge has reached base safely in each of Detroit's first 19 games, the longest such streak by a Tigers player since Inge did so in 21 straight games to open the 2005 season.
... Placido Polanco's nine doubles not only challenge for the Major League lead through Tuesday, they match his April total from 2005-08 combined.
... Magglio Ordonez has homered in two of Detroit's past three games.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Wednesday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 1-2, 4.50 ERA) vs. Yankees (Joba Chamberlain, 0-0, 3.94 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 3-0, 1.85 ERA) vs. Indians (Carl Pavano, 0-3, 9.50 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

Starting Lineups:

NY Yankees AVG
Jeter, SS .296
Damon, LF .292
Teixeira, 1B .220
Matsui, DH .278
Cano, 2B .380
Swisher, RF .284
Cabrera, M, CF .297
Molina, J, C .280
Pena, 3B .235

Detroit AVG
Granderson, CF .250
Polanco, 2B .269
Ordonez, RF .260
Cabrera, M, 1B .380
Guillen, DH .212
Laird, C .320
Inge, 3B .328
Anderson, J, LF .364
Everett, SS .256

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Derek Jeter lines out to shortstop Adam Everett.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Mark Teixeira flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson on foul tip.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Placido Polanco called out on .

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Ramiro Pena to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Hideki Matsui flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Robinson Cano pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Nick Swisher grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Johnny Damon.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out, second baseman Robinson Cano to first baseman Mark Teixeira. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Gerald Laird swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Nick Swisher.

0-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

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

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Jose Molina flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Ramiro Pena flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Derek Jeter singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Melky Cabrera to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
With Johnny Damon batting, Derek Jeter steals (4) 2nd base.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Johnny Damon flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Josh Anderson pops out to third baseman Ramiro Pena in foul territory.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Adam Everett swinging.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson walks.

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Placido Polanco flies out to left fielder Johnny Damon.

0-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

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

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Hideki Matsui pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Robinson Cano singles on a ground ball to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Nick Swisher walks. Robinson Cano to 2nd.

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

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Melky Cabrera swinging, catcher Gerald Laird to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez pops out to first baseman Mark Teixeira in foul territory.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera hit by pitch.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Injury Delay.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a line drive to left fielder Johnny Damon. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:2 - Gerald Laird reaches on a fielder's
choice out, pitcher Phil Hughes to shortstop Derek Jeter. Miguel
Cabrera to 3rd. Carlos Guillen out at 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge walks. Gerald Laird to 2nd.

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

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, second baseman Robinson Cano to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

0-0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Jose Molina grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Ramiro Pena swinging, catcher Gerald Laird to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Derek Jeter swinging.

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Adam Everett swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson lines out to second baseman Robinson Cano.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, third baseman Ramiro Pena to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

0-0 after 5 innings

Jackson at 90 pitches coming into this inning

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Mark Teixeira pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Hideki Matsui triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

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

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Robinson Cano swinging.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Robinson Cano to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to left fielder Johnny Damon.

0-0 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Edwin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Nick Swisher singles on a line drive to left fielder Josh Anderson.

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

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Melky Cabrera walks. Nick Swisher to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1 - Jose Molina out on a sacrifice bunt,
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Placido Polanco. Nick
Swisher to 3rd. Melky Cabrera to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jorge Posada replaces Ramiro Pena.

B:0 S:2 O:1 - Jorge Posada hits a sacrifice fly.
Fielding error by left fielder Josh Anderson. Nick Swisher scores.
Melky Cabrera scores. Jorge Posada to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Angel Berroa replaces Jorge Posada.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Derek Jeter walks.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Nate Robertson replaces Ryan Perry.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Johnny Damon singles on a fly ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Angel Berroa scores. Derek Jeter to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Mark Teixeira pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Hideki Matsui singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Derek Jeter scores. Johnny Damon to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Robinson Cano singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Johnny Damon scores. Hideki Matsui to 3rd.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Nick Swisher walks. Robinson Cano to 2nd.

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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon Lyon replaces Nate Robertson.

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

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Melky Cabrera walks. Hideki Matsui scores. Robinson Cano to 3rd. Nick Swisher to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Jose Molina hits a grand slam (1) to left field. Robinson Cano scores. Nick Swisher scores. Melky Cabrera scores.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Angel Berroa singles on a ground ball to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Derek Jeter grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


NYY 10-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Angel Berroa remains in the game as the third baseman.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Mark Melancon replaces Phil Hughes.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

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

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, second baseman Robinson Cano to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

NYY 10-0 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

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


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Johnny Damon pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.


B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Mark Teixeira walks.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Hideki Matsui grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Brandon Lyon. Mark Teixeira to 2nd.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Robinson Cano flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

NYY 10-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Edwar Ramirez replaces Mark Melancon.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Adam Everett pops out to second baseman Robinson Cano.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson pops out to shortstop Derek Jeter.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco doubles (10) on a ground ball to left fielder Johnny Damon.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Ramon Santiago replaces Placido Polanco.

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

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera pops out to first baseman Mark Teixeira in foul territory.

NYY 10-0 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago remains in the game as the second baseman.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Juan Rincon replaces Brandon Lyon.

B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Nick Swisher homers (5) on a fly ball to right field.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Melky Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Jose Molina flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:2 S:0 O:3 - Angel Berroa grounds into double play,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Ramon Santiago to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Melky Cabrera out at 2nd.

NYY 11-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Brett Gardner replaces left fielder Johnny Damon, batting 2nd, playing center field.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from right field to left field for Nick Swisher.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from center field to right field for Melky Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jose Veras replaces Edwar Ramirez.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen pops out to third baseman Angel Berroa in foul territory.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge hit by pitch.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Josh Anderson singles on a line drive to right fielder Melky Cabrera. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Adam Everett flies out to left fielder Nick Swisher.

Tigers LOSE 0-11

April 28, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
NY Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	0	1		11	12	0
Detroit	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	4	1

NY Yankees AB- R-- H-- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Jeter, SS 4 1 1 0 1 1 1 .294 Damon, LF 5 1 1 1 0 0 2 .286 --Gardner, CF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .220 Teixeira, 1B 4 0 0 0 1 0 2 .206 Matsui, DH 5 1 2 1 0 0 1 .288 Cano, 2B 5 1 2 1 0 1 2 .381 Swisher, RF-LF 3 3 2 1 2 0 0 .300 Cabrera, M, CF-RF 3 2 2 1 2 1 2 .325 Molina, J, C 4 1 1 4 0 0 2 .276 Pena, 3B 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .211 --a-Posada, PH 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 .279 --1-Berroa, PR-3B 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 .250 Totals 37 11 12 10 6 4 14 a-Hit a sacrifice fly for Pena in the 7th. 1-Ran for Posada in the 7th. BATTING 3B: Matsui (1, Jackson). HR: Molina, J (1, 7th inning off Lyon, 3 on, 2 out), Swisher (5, 9th inning off Rincon, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Jeter; Damon; Matsui 4; Cano 2; Swisher 5; Cabrera, M 2; Molina, J 4; Berroa. RBI: Posada (14), Damon (8), Matsui (5), Cano (16), Cabrera, M (8), Molina, J 4 (5), Swisher (15). 2-out RBI: Matsui; Cano; Cabrera, M; Molina, J 4. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Damon 2; Cabrera, M; Cano 2. S: Molina, J. SF: Posada. GIDP: Berroa. Team RISP: 4-for-9. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING SB: Jeter (4, 2nd base off Jackson/Laird).		Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Granderson, CF 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 .241 Polanco, 2B 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .268 --1-Santiago, PR-2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250 Ordonez, RF 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .250 --Raburn, RF 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000 Cabrera, M, 1B 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .378 Guillen, DH 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .214 Laird, C 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .296 Inge, 3B 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 .318 Anderson, J, LF 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .351 Everett, SS 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .233 Totals 31 0 4 0 3 7 13 1-Ran for Polanco in the 8th. BATTING 2B: Polanco (10, Ramirez, E). TB: Polanco 2; Cabrera, M; Guillen; Anderson, J. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Inge; Anderson, J 2; Cabrera, M; Everett. Team RISP: 0-for-6. Team LOB: 9. FIELDING E: Anderson, J (1, fielding). DP: (Inge-Santiago-Cabrera, M).
NY Yankees IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Hughes, P (W, 1-0) 6.0 2 0 0 2 6 0 0.00 Melancon 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 Ramirez, E 1.0 1 0 0 1 0 0 6.48 Veras 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5.73		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Jackson 6.0 4 0 0 1 4 0 2.25 Perry (L, 0-1) 0.1 1 4 2 2 0 0 4.05 Robertson 0.1 3 4 4 1 0 0 9.00 Lyon 1.1 2 2 2 2 0 1 4.91 Rincon 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 1 6.48
HBP: Cabrera, M (by Hughes, P), Inge (by Veras). Pitches-strikes: Hughes, P 99-58, Melancon 11-7, Ramirez, E 17-9, Veras 23-15, Jackson 117-76, Perry 18-8, Robertson 23-12, Lyon 33-19, Rincon 9-4. Groundouts-flyouts: Hughes, P 6-6, Melancon 2-0, Ramirez, E 0-3, Veras 1-2, Jackson 4-10, Perry 1-0, Robertson 0-1, Lyon 2-2, Rincon 2-1. Batters faced: Hughes, P 23, Melancon 3, Ramirez, E 5, Veras 5, Jackson 23, Perry 5, Robertson 5, Lyon 8, Rincon 4. Inherited runners-scored: Robertson 2-2, Lyon 3-3. Umpires: HP: Derryl Cousins. 1B: Brian Runge. 2B: Brian Knight. 3B: Jim Joyce. Weather: 53 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 13 mph, L to R. T: 3:23. Att: 25,519. April 28, 2009