GDT: 5/2/09 - DET (11-11) VS CLE (9-14) - 3:40 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- Tigers manager Jim Leyland said it as far back as Spring Training: Zach Miner needs to pitch to get outs instead of pitching not to give up runs. He hasn't given up many runs lately, but that wasn't the point.

Leyland is pounding home the message that Miner needs to be more aggressive around the strike zone. To his credit, Leyland believes he's working on it. But after relatively early exits from starters in the Tigers' last two games, they could use an efficient, deep outing Saturday, when Detroit and Cleveland renew their regional rivalry on FOX Saturday Baseball.

Play-by-play man Thom Brennaman and analyst Rick Manning will call the action from Comerica Park as the Tigers try to get back over .500. A big key would be to avoid the early deficits that have marked their last few games.

The Indians made Armando Galarraga pay for not pitching to contact Friday night, knocking him out after five innings. They could do the same to Miner if he drops his sinker too far out to get Tribe hitters to swing.

"Do I think he's making a conscious effort? Yes, I do," Leyland said of Miner. "Do I think he's totally over the hump yet? No, but I think he's making a conscious effort."

Leyland's issue on that point really is on the staff in general. He has heard plenty about the ability of hitters to work the count, and he saw the Yankees and Angels do quite a bit of that over the last week and a half. But the other half of the equation belongs to the pitcher.

"In my opinion, it's pretty simple," Leyland said. "If you throw strikes, you can't work the count. The guys that can make you throw a few pitches are the guys that foul pitches off from time to time. But just by going up there and taking, you can't work the count if you throw strikes.

"That seems like it's common sense to me. But there's too many pitchers in the big leagues, in all the big leagues, that pitch away from contact. That's why you have all these walks, because they pitch away from contact. Nobody will make me believe any different."

He wasn't talking specifically about Miner in that instance, but it's clearly a key for him. When Miner's on, he can get it done, such as his season-opening victory at Toronto on April 8. His last start last Saturday at Kansas City saw him throw 42 of his 83 pitches for strikes, giving up as many walks as hits (three) over five innings of one-run ball as he escaped the big inning.

Tigers pitchers haven't been able to escape that rally in the last three games, which has had them playing catchup for most of this week. A big effort from Miner in that direction would be huge for them.

"You can't dig yourself into a hole night after night and expect to come back," Leyland said. "I think recently, with the exception of [Justin] Verlander and [Edwin] Jackson's outing, we've pitched a little defensive. And what happens when you pitch defensive, is you end up in the fifth inning with 95-100 pitches. We just can't do that."


Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Zach Miner (2-1, 6.00 ERA)
The Tigers used an off-day to shuffle their rotation so that Miner and similar sinkerballer Rick Porcello wouldn't be pitching on consecutive days, leaving Miner with six days of rest before he faces the Indians. It also allows Leyland a little more flexibility to go to his bullpen early if he sees signs of trouble in Miner. Miner threw five innings of one-run ball at Kansas City last Saturday, but also walked three Royals and threw just 42 of his 83 pitches for strikes. He has never started against Cleveland, but owns a 1-1 record and 5.02 ERA in nine relief meetings with the Indians, walking eight batters over 14 1/3 innings.

CLE: LHP Aaron Laffey (2-0, 2.41 ERA)
Called up because of an injury to Scott Lewis, Laffey has been a major sparkplug for the Tribe's rotation. The Indians are 3-0 in games he starts. His ERA would rank among the league's leaders if not for him falling one-third of an inning shy of qualification. Pitching with a chip on his shoulder after losing out in the bid for the last spot in the Tribe's rotation out of spring camp, Laffey has had strong command of his sinker, and he's also using his breaking ball with more effectiveness. He limited the Twins to a pair of runs on five hits over 6 1/3 innings in a victory on Sunday.

Tidbits

... Tigers players and coaches will hold an on-field instructional clinic on the field prior to the game, free to kids and adults with a ticket to the game. Third-base coach Gene Lamont will work with interested students on pitching and catching, while hitting coach Lloyd McClendon, infield coach Rafael Belliard and outfield coach Andy Van Slyke will teach in their respective areas. The clinic runs from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. ET.
... Brandon Inge has reached base safely in all 22 games for the Tigers this season, a feat last accomplished on the club by Alan Trammell in 1990. The last such streak longer in franchise history is the 30-game streak put together by Ron LeFlore to open the 1976 season.
... Jhonny Peralta is 3-for-7 lifetime off Miner. Grady Sizemore had two hits in as many at-bats against Miner last year.
... Willis pitched five innings in his latest rehab start Friday for Triple-A Toledo, holding Lehigh Valley to three runs on seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

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On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FOX

On radio
• WXYT 1270

Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Sunday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 1-2, 6.75 ERA) at Indians (Cliff Lee, 1-3, 3.94 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 1-1, 2.25 ERA) vs. Twins (LHP Francisco Liriano, (0-4, 6.04 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 1-3, 6.23 ERA) vs. Twins (Nick Blackburn, 2-1, 4.02 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Grady Sizemore grounds out softly, pitcher Zach Miner to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Asdrubal Cabrera grounds out sharply, pitcher Zach Miner to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Victor Martinez doubles (6) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Shin-Soo Choo grounds out softly, catcher Gerald Laird to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.
Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Curtis Granderson singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Grady Sizemore.

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Placido Polanco grounds into double
play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Ryan Garko. Curtis
Granderson out at 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez called out on strikes.

0-0

Inning 2
Top Half

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

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
David Dellucci strikes out swinging.
Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Grady Sizemore.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen pops out to third baseman Mark DeRosa.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Gerald Laird walks.

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

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn walks. Gerald Laird to 3rd. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

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

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Adam Everett grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Ryan Garko.

0-0

Inning 3
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Ryan Garko grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ben Francisco grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Grady Sizemore singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
With Asdrubal Cabrera batting, Grady Sizemore steals (5) 2nd base.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Asdrubal Cabrera flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.
Bottom Half

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Ryan Garko.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco singles on a ground ball to left fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:2 S:1 O:3 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into double
play, third baseman Mark DeRosa to second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera to
first baseman Ryan Garko. Placido Polanco out at 2nd.

0-0

Inning 4
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Victor Martinez walks.

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Shin-Soo Choo strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:1 O:3 - Mark DeRosa grounds into double play,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Placido Polanco to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Victor Martinez out at 2nd.
Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to right fielder Ben Francisco.

B:1 S:1 O:1 - Gerald Laird singles on a ground ball to
left fielder Shin-Soo Choo, deflected by shortstop Jhonny Peralta.
Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ben Francisco. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Gerald Laird to 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn walks. Miguel Cabrera scores. Gerald Laird to 3rd. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

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

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Everett hits a grand slam (1) to left field. Gerald Laird scores. Brandon Inge scores. Ryan Raburn scores.

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

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Vinnie Chulk replaces Aaron Laffey.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Placido Polanco strikes out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez walks. Curtis Granderson to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out sharply to left fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

5-0

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Jhonny Peralta called out on .

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
David Dellucci singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
With Ryan Garko batting, wild pitch by Zach Miner, David Dellucci to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Ryan Garko walks.

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

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ben Francisco singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. David Dellucci to 3rd. Ryan Garko to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Grady Sizemore swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:2 - Asdrubal Cabrera doubles (6) on a fly
ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn. David Dellucci scores. Ryan Garko
scores. Ben Francisco scores.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Victor Martinez walks.


B:3 S:2 O:2 - Shin-Soo Choo triples (1) on a line
drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson, deflected by right fielder
Magglio Ordonez. Asdrubal Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez scores.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Mark DeRosa called out on .

Tied 5-5

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to center fielder Grady Sizemore.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Ryan Garko.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, third baseman Mark DeRosa to first baseman Ryan Garko.

Tied 5-5 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon Lyon replaces Zach Miner.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
David Dellucci singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ryan Garko singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn. David Dellucci to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:3 - Ben Francisco grounds into double play,
shortstop Adam Everett to second baseman Placido Polanco to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Ryan Garko out at 2nd.

Tied 5-5

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Mark DeRosa.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Adam Everett out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Vinnie Chulk to second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out softly, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Ryan Garko. Ryan Raburn to 3rd.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Placido Polanco walks.

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

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to right fielder Ben Francisco. Ryan Raburn scores. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

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

6-5 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Bobby Seay replaces Brandon Lyon.

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Grady Sizemore doubles (6) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Asdrubal Cabrera out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Bobby Seay to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Grady Sizemore to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Victor Martinez doubles (7) on a broken bat ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Grady Sizemore scores.

tied 6-6

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
With Shin-Soo Choo batting, wild pitch by Bobby Seay, Victor Martinez to 3rd.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Shin-Soo Choo walks.


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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Bobby Seay.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Mark DeRosa out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Ryan Raburn. Victor Martinez scores.

CLE 7-6

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Jhonny Peralta grounds out softly, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CLE 7-6

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Tony Sipp replaces Vinnie Chulk.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to left fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird walks.

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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Rafael Betancourt replaces Tony Sipp.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Grady Sizemore.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn strikes out swinging.

CLE 7-6 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
David Dellucci lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Ryan Garko flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Ben Francisco singles on a ground ball to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Grady Sizemore called out on strikes.

CLE 7-6

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Josh Anderson replaces Adam Everett.

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Josh Anderson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ben Francisco.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Curtis Granderson homers (8) on a fly ball to right field. Josh Anderson scores.

B:1 S:0 O:0 - Placido Polanco singles on a ground ball
to second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera. Placido Polanco advances to 2nd, on
throwing error by second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:1 - Magglio Ordonez grounds out, first
baseman Ryan Garko to second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera to pitcher Rafael
Betancourt. Placido Polanco to 3rd.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Rafael Betancourt intentionally walks Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Shin-Soo Choo. Placido Polanco scores.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Gerald Laird pops out to first baseman Ryan Garko in foul territory.

9-7 AFTER 8 INNINGS

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Ramon Santiago replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 3rd, playing shortstop.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Josh Anderson remains in the game as the right fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Joel Zumaya.

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Asdrubal Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Victor Martinez flies out to right fielder Josh Anderson.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Shin-Soo Choo singles on a line drive to right fielder Josh Anderson. Asdrubal Cabrera to 3rd.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Mark DeRosa swinging.

WIN 9-7

May 2, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Cleveland	0	0	0	0	5	0	2	0	0		7	13	1
Detroit	0	0	0	5	0	1	0	3	X		9	11	1

Cleveland AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Sizemore, CF 5 1 2 0 0 2 4 .250 Cabrera, 2B 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .321 Martinez, C 3 2 2 1 2 0 1 .394 Choo, LF 4 0 2 2 1 1 2 .268 DeRosa, 3B 4 0 0 1 0 2 4 .235 Peralta, SS 5 0 0 0 0 2 3 .209 Dellucci, DH 4 1 2 0 0 1 0 .667 Garko, 1B 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 .293 Francisco, RF 4 1 2 0 0 0 2 .239 Totals 36 7 12 4 4 8 17 BATTING 2B: Martinez 2 (7, Miner, Seay), Sizemore (6, Seay). 3B: Choo (1, Miner). TB: Sizemore 3; Cabrera; Martinez 4; Choo 4; Dellucci 2; Garko; Francisco 2. RBI: Choo 2 (12), Martinez (13), DeRosa (19). 2-out RBI: Choo 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Choo; Cabrera; DeRosa; Peralta. S: Cabrera. SF: DeRosa. GIDP: DeRosa; Francisco. Team RISP: 3-for-11. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING SB: Sizemore (5, 2nd base off Miner/Laird). FIELDING E: Cabrera (1, throw). DP: 2 (DeRosa-Cabrera-Garko, Peralta-Garko).		Detroit AB- R-- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Granderson, CF 4 1 2 2 1 0 1 .263 Polanco, 2B 4 1 2 0 1 1 2 .266 Ordonez, RF 4 0 1 1 1 1 2 .241 --Santiago, SS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .257 Cabrera, M, 1B 4 1 1 0 1 1 4 .376 Guillen, DH 4 0 0 1 0 0 1 .207 Laird, C 3 1 1 0 2 0 1 .270 Inge, 3B 3 1 1 0 1 0 1 .316 Raburn, LF 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 .143 Everett, SS 2 1 1 4 0 0 3 .250 --a-Anderson, J, PH-RF 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .326 Totals 31 9 11 9 9 4 16 a-Singled for Everett in the 8th. BATTING HR: Everett (1, 4th inning off Laffey, 3 on, 1 out), Granderson (8, 8th inning off Betancourt, 1 on, 0 out). TB: Granderson 5; Polanco 2; Ordonez; Cabrera, M; Laird; Inge; Raburn; Everett 4; Anderson, J. RBI: Raburn (1), Everett 4 (10), Ordonez (10), Granderson 2 (17), Guillen (6). 2-out RBI: Ordonez. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Everett 2; Cabrera, M 2. S: Everett. SF: Guillen. GIDP: Polanco; Ordonez. Team RISP: 3-for-8. Team LOB: 9. FIELDING E: Raburn (1, fielding). DP: 2 (Inge-Polanco-Cabrera, M, Everett-Polanco-Cabrera, M).
Cleveland IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Laffey 3.1 6 5 5 5 1 1 4.09 Chulk 2.2 2 1 1 2 2 0 2.25 Sipp (H, 2) 0.1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.00 Betancourt (BS, 1)(L, 0-1) 1.2 3 3 2 1 1 1 6.00		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Miner 5.0 5 5 0 3 5 0 4.50 Lyon 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4.50 Seay (BS, 1) 0.1 2 2 2 1 0 0 2.35 Zumaya (W, 1-0) 1.2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 Rodney (S, 5) 1.0 2 0 0 0 2 0 5.00
WP: Miner, Seay. IBB: Cabrera, M (by Betancourt). Pitches-strikes: Laffey 76-39, Chulk 46-29, Sipp 9-3, Betancourt 26-16, Miner 97-51, Lyon 18-10, Seay 14-8, Zumaya 19-14, Rodney 19-15. Groundouts-flyouts: Laffey 6-3, Chulk 4-2, Sipp 0-1, Betancourt 1-3, Miner 9-1, Lyon 3-0, Seay 1-0, Zumaya 1-3, Rodney 0-1. Batters faced: Laffey 19, Chulk 12, Sipp 2, Betancourt 9, Miner 23, Lyon 4, Seay 4, Zumaya 6, Rodney 5. Inherited runners-scored: Chulk 1-0, Betancourt 1-0, Zumaya 2-1. Umpires: HP: Laz Diaz. 1B: Scott Barry. 2B: Eric Cooper. 3B: Mike Reilly. Weather: 61 degrees, sunny. Wind: 16 mph, Out to LF. T: 3:19. Att: 34,646. May 2, 2009 Box score official statistics approved by Major League Baseball Office of the Commissioner