GDT: 4/29/09 - DET (11-9) VS NYY (10-10) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Let the Tigers' offense be defined by Miguel Cabrera's early tear, Brandon Inge's power surge and Josh Anderson's speedy April. Placido Polanco is quietly off to what might be quite a contract year.

But then, that's how Polanco does a lot of his hitting. And while he doesn't like to talk about his hitting, his manager does.

"Polanco's the perfect example of a guy that even when he looks bad, he looks good," Jim Leyland said, "because he grinds it out every at-bat. He does not give away at-bats. So even the days that he struggles, you feel good about Polanco, because he's going to grind it out."

Polanco hasn't had many struggling days. He has gone hitless just twice since Opening Day, going 22-for-78 in that span. More impressive, 10 of those hits have been doubles, vaulting him into the American League lead. He would need three doubles in Wednesday's series finale against the Yankees to tie the team record in April, but he'll settle for more hits and runs.

Only Magglio Ordonez has doubled more times in the opening month of a season since 1954, hitting 13 of them in 2007. Curtis Granderson had 10 in that same year. But Polanco isn't the same kind of hitter, at least not for power.

His doubles have been of nearly every variety, from line drives into the gaps and inside the foul lines to ground balls just inside the bag. His two-bagger in Tuesday's 11-0 loss against the Yanks hit third base and bounced up, landing in short left field as Polanco motored around.

Polanco said he isn't doing anything different at the plate. The only difference he can cite is his work in Spring Training to become a quicker runner, earning him an extra step or two and a more aggressive baserunning approach as he rounds first base.

"Maybe my legs feel better," Polanco said. "Maybe I'm thinking double out of the box. Maybe it's subconscious. I'm not thinking it."

In other words, he's going on instinct and reaction, which is how he has always played. And his instincts and reactions have served him well over the years.

"He's got the right approach to the game," Leyland continued. "He takes a personal challenge with the pitcher each at-bat. I really believe that. It's overused, the ultimate professional, but if you watch Polanco, he's like an old shoe. He does the same thing every single day. He's real comfortable.

"He prepares every day, takes his ground balls. He works the same. He goes through his routine. He gets ready to hit. He presents himself with a challenge to the pitcher each day. So even when he's struggling, you feel good about him, because you know that if anybody can flare one into right or get a runner over to third, it's him. He never gives in."


Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Rick Porcello (1-2, 4.50 ERA)
Porcello took the loss in his last outing in Kansas City, but he showed signs of progress with his offspeed pitches. After surrendering two early homers to the Royals, Porcello settled down and used all of his pitches effectively to keep the hitters off balance. He wound up allowing four earned runs in six innings with a performance that Leyland applauded. Leyland went so far as to say he liked what Porcello did in the loss in Kansas City better than what he did in his win in Seattle.

NYY: RHP Joba Chamberlain (0-0, 3.94 ERA)
Chamberlain allowed two runs (one earned) over 5 1/3 innings in his last start for New York, allowing a career-high nine hits to the Red Sox at Fenway Park, but he dodged bullets all game by inducing three inning-ending double plays. Chamberlain struck out only two, matching a career low, but he has held opponents to three earned runs or fewer in 13 of his 15 career starts. Chamberlain pitched one scoreless inning against the Tigers last year in relief, and he has logged four career innings in four appearances against Detroit, though this will mark his first start and third appearance at Comerica Park.

Tidbits

... Inge has reached base safely in each of the Tigers' first 20 games this season. If he reaches again Wednesday, he would tie the 21-game streak he had to open the 2005 season. According to research on baseball-reference.com and retrosheet.org, that's the longest streak by a Tiger since at least 1954.

... Current Tigers hitters are a combined 2-for-11 in their careers against Chamberlain, with singles from Gerald Laird and Ordonez.

... Outfielder Marcus Thames said he could begin physical activity by the end of the Tigers' homestand early next week. He went on the 15-day disabled list last week with a strained left rib-cage muscle, which is expected to sideline him for a month or more.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• 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
• Saturday: Tigers (Zach Miner, 2-1, 6.00 ERA) vs. Indians (Aaron Laffey, 2-0, 2.41 ERA), 3:40 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

NY Yankees - AVG
Jeter, SS ----- .294
Damon, LF ---- .286
Teixeira, 1B --- .206
Matsui, DH ---- .288
Cano, 2B ------ .381
Posada, C ----- .279
Swisher, RF ---- .300
Cabrera, M, CF - .325
Pena, 3B .211

Detroit --------- AVG
Granderson, CF - .241
Polanco, 2B ----- .268
Ordonez, RF ----- .250
Cabrera, M, 1B --- .378
Guillen, DH ------- .214
Laird, C ---------- .296
Inge, 3B ---------- .318
Anderson, J, LF --- .351
Santiago, SS ----- .250

Inning 1
Top Half

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

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon singles on a ground ball to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Hideki Matsui walks.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Robinson Cano grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Rick Porcello.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, third baseman Ramiro Pena to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Nick Swisher.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Jorge Posada walks.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Nick Swisher pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:2 S:1 O:2 - Melky Cabrera grounds into a force out,
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Ramon Santiago. Jorge Posada
out at 2nd. Melky Cabrera to 1st.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Ramiro Pena flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to shortstop Derek Jeter.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen lines out to left fielder Johnny Damon.

B:3 S:3 O:3 - Gerald Laird called out on strikes.
Miguel Cabrera caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Jorge Posada to second
baseman Robinson Cano.

0-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Derek Jeter called out on .

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Johnny Damon flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Mark Teixeira lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Brandon Inge walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Josh Anderson singles on a line drive to center fielder Melky Cabrera. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 - Ramon Santiago out on a sacrifice bunt,
pitcher Joba Chamberlain to second baseman Robinson Cano. Brandon Inge
to 3rd. Josh Anderson to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson walks.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Placido Polanco out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Melky Cabrera. Brandon Inge scores.

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

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez walks. Josh Anderson to 3rd. Curtis Granderson to 2nd.

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

1-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Hideki Matsui walks.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Robinson Cano lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Jorge Posada singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Hideki Matsui to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
With Nick Swisher batting, Jorge Posada steals (1) 2nd base.

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

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Nick Swisher homers (6) on a fly ball to left field. Hideki Matsui scores. Jorge Posada scores.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Melky Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Ramiro Pena singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Melky Cabrera to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Derek Jeter grounds into a force out,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco. Melky
Cabrera to 3rd. Ramiro Pena out at 2nd. Derek Jeter to 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Johnny Damon doubles (2) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Melky Cabrera scores. Derek Jeter to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Clay Rapada replaces Rick Porcello.

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

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Clay Rapada intentionally walks Mark Teixeira.

B:1 S:1 O:2 - Hideki Matsui doubles (5) on a fly ball
to left fielder Josh Anderson. Derek Jeter scores. Johnny Damon scores.
Mark Teixeira scores. Hideki Matsui to 3rd on the throw.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Robinson Cano lines out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

NYY 7-1

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen swinging.

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

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

NYY 7-1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Jorge Posada grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Nick Swisher homers (7) on a fly ball to left field.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Melky Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Ramiro Pena walks.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Derek Jeter grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

NYY 8-1

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Josh Anderson strikes out swinging.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago strikes out swinging.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to left fielder Johnny Damon.

NYY 8-1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Clay Rapada.

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Clay Rapada.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Johnny Damon called out on

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Mark Teixeira flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Hideki Matsui pops out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

NYY 8-1

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco bunt grounds out, pitcher Joba Chamberlain to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, second baseman Robinson Cano to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

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


NYY 8-1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Robinson Cano singles on a fly ball to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Jorge Posada pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Nick Swisher pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Melky Cabrera lines out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

NYY 8-1

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a ground ball to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Gerald Laird hit by pitch. Carlos Guillen to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge lines out to right fielder Nick Swisher.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Josh Anderson flies out to left fielder Johnny Damon.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago pops out to third baseman Ramiro Pena in foul territory.

NYY 8-1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Joel Zumaya.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ramiro Pena lines out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Derek Jeter grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Johnny Damon walks.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Mark Teixeira walks. Johnny Damon to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Hideki Matsui walks. Johnny Damon to 3rd. Mark Teixeira to 2nd.

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

B:2 S:2 O:3 - Robinson Cano grounds into a force out,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco. Hideki
Matsui out at 2nd.

NYY 8-1

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Joba Chamberlain.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson lines out to right fielder Nick Swisher.

FIRE ALARM - FALSE ALARM

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, third baseman Ramiro Pena to first baseman Mark Teixeira.

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

NYY 8-1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Juan Rincon replaces Ryan Perry.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Jorge Posada lines out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Nick Swisher flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Melky Cabrera lines out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

NYY 8-1

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Angel Berroa replaces shortstop Derek Jeter, batting 1st, playing third base.


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 center field to left field for Melky Cabrera.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from third base to shortstop for Ramiro Pena.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jonathan Albaladejo replaces Phil Coke.

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:3 S:1 O:0 -
Carlos Guillen doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Brett Gardner. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

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

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Gerald Laird out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Brett Gardner. Miguel Cabrera scores. Carlos Guillen to 3rd.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge hits a ground-rule double (3) on a line drive down the left-field line. Carlos Guillen scores.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Josh Anderson called out on strikes.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to left fielder Melky Cabrera. Brandon Inge to 3rd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Mariano Rivera replaces Jonathan Albaladejo.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
With Curtis Granderson batting, Ramon Santiago advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson homers (7) on a fly ball to center field. Brandon Inge scores. Ramon Santiago scores.

NYY 8-6

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Placido Polanco pops out to second baseman Robinson Cano.

TIGERS LOSE 6-8