GDT: 5/5/09 - DET (13-12) VS MIN (13-13) - 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- Rick Porcello proved to the Tigers in Spring Training that he has the stuff to pitch in the Major Leagues. Now comes the question of making the adjustments.

Tigers coaches didn't make big changes to Porcello's game after he struggled against the Yankees in his last start, or even significant tweaks for that matter. The point of emphasis in his side work was to shore up his mechanics and get him pitching downward more consistently, while also slowing down his mechanics so that he isn't rushing through his pitches.

The latter is a concern the Tigers have had of Justin Verlander in the past, though that hasn't been a big issue in recent weeks. With Porcello, it's arguably a concern of youthful adrenaline.

The secondary pitches are a minor concern, but he's had the misfortune of having two ill-placed offspeed offerings come back to haunt him. He had a breaking ball run high and outside in his Major League debut April 9 against Toronto, allowing Adam Lind to center it for a go-ahead solo homer. Then last start, an offspeed pitch to Nick Swisher sailed up and out, and Swisher took it deep to left for a two-run homer that opened up a seven-run fourth inning.

Though Porcello has had his ups and downs over the course of his four starts, last Wednesday's loss to the Yankees was the first time he hadn't lasted at least five innings. New York knocked him out with two outs in the aforementioned fourth. A deep, productive start would be a welcome result for him to get back in his form.

That he has to make some of adjustments a month into the season isn't a surprise. When Tigers coaches and front-office officials deemed him ready to make the jump from Class A ball to the big leagues at the end of Spring Training, they knew he'd have to do that. The question they had to answer was whether Porcello could learn and adapt while going through the rigors of a Major League season and trying to win.

It isn't easy for anyone, let alone someone with Porcello's competitive fire, despite his maturity.

"It's a never-ending process up here," manager Jim Leyland said.

In that sense, Porcello is in the same situation as fellow rookie and former first-round Draft pick Ryan Perry, who Leyland discussed over the weekend. But while Leyland can pick and choose his situations with Perry, such as the final 1 2/3 innings of Monday's 7-2 loss to the Twins, Porcello is a different matter.

"Keep working and grooming guys, and try to keep getting them better," Leyland said. "Can we do that on-the-job training? We all believe we can. We believe we can get that done."

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Rick Porcello (1-3, 6.23 ERA)
The Tigers put Porcello in their season-opening rotation fully expecting he would struggle at times, and his last start hit the mark. He struggled to get his sinker down and his curveball on the corners, and the Yankees pounced, roughing him up for six runs on six hits over 3 2/3 innings. He isn't going anywhere, but look for the Tigers to work with the youngster on adjustments as he prepares for a Twins lineup that could pick him apart if he can't locate.

MIN: RHP Nick Blackburn (2-1, 4.02 ERA)
The right-hander delivered his second straight seven-inning outing his last time out on the mound against the Rays. He held Tampa Bay to just two runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out three. The sinkerball pitcher was able to get plenty of groundouts despite the fact that he was feeling light-headed and a little wobbly for most of his outing. After a little bit of a shaky start to the season, Blackburn is now 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in his past two starts. Against the Tigers at Comerica Park, he is 0-2 with a 6.14 ERA in three appearances (two starts).

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Tidbits

... The Tigers have yet to win a game on a Tuesday this season, losing three times.
... Brandon Inge didn't reach base safely Monday for the first time this season, ending his 24-game streak.
... The Tigers made a procedural move Monday, transferring catcher Matt Treanor's assignment from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. The shift opens a spot on Detroit's 40-man roster.
... Miguel Cabrera has an eight-game hitting streak, during which he's batting 11-for-27.
... Gerald Laird is batting 1-for-20 this homestand.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Wednesday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 3-1, 3.07 ERA) AT. White Sox (Mark Buehrle, 4-0, 3.30 ERA), 8:11 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Tigers (Zach Miner, 2-1, 6.75 ERA) at White Sox (Jose Contreras, 0-4, 8.31 ERA), 8:11 p.m. ET
• Friday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 2-2, 5.66 ERA) at Indians (Cliff Lee, 1-4, 3.92 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

Starting Lineups:

MIN:
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Joe Crede, 3B
7. Michael Cuddyer, RF
8. Delmon Young, LF
9. Nick Punto, SS

Starting pitcher: Nick Blackburn, RHP

DET:
1. Josh Anderson, LF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Clete Thomas, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Curtis Granderson, CF
6. Magglio Ordonez, DH
7. Brandon Inge, 3B
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Ramon Santiago, SS

Starting pitcher: Rick Porcello

Inning 1
Top Half

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

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Alexi Casilla swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Joe Mauer swinging.

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco walks.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Clete Thomas doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Placido Polanco to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Joe Crede to first baseman Justin Morneau. Placido Polanco scores.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, shortstop Nick Punto to first baseman Justin Morneau.

1-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Justin Morneau grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Rick Porcello.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Jason Kubel singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:1 O:3 - Joe Crede grounds into double play,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jason Kubel out at 2nd.

1-0

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, first baseman Justin Morneau to pitcher Nick Blackburn.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, shortstop Nick Punto to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird walks.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago doubles (2) on a line drive to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Gerald Laird scores.

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Josh Anderson singles on a fly ball to
left fielder Delmon Young. Ramon Santiago scores. Josh Anderson
advances to 2nd, on fielding error by left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco reaches on fielding error by second baseman Alexi Casilla. Josh Anderson to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:2 - Clete Thomas triples (1) on a line drive
to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Josh Anderson scores. Placido Polanco
scores.

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

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Clete Thomas scores.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out to first baseman Justin Morneau.

6-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Michael Cuddyer flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Delmon Young walks.

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

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Denard Span flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

6-0

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Nick Punto to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge reaches on fielding error by third baseman Joe Crede.

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

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

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, first baseman Justin Morneau to pitcher Nick Blackburn.

6-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Alexi Casilla swinging.

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

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Justin Morneau grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

6-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Clete Thomas singles on a line drive to center fielder Denard Span.

needs a homer for a cycle!



B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (7) on a fly ball to left field. Clete Thomas scores.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson homers (9) on a fly ball to right field.

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

9-0

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: R. A. Dickey replaces Nick Blackburn.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Brandon Inge strikes out swinging.

9-0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Jason Kubel singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Joe Crede pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:0 S:1 O:3 - Michael Cuddyer grounds into double
play, shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco to
first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jason Kubel out at 2nd.

9-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago strikes out on foul tip.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Josh Anderson singles on a ground ball to third baseman Joe Crede.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Placido Polanco grounds into a force out, second baseman Alexi Casilla to shortstop Nick Punto. Josh Anderson out at 2nd.

9-0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Delmon Young grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Denard Span grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

9-0

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Clete Thomas grounds out, second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera doubles (3) on a fly ball to center fielder Denard Span, deflected by right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:0 S:1 O:1 - With Curtis Granderson batting, passed ball by Joe Mauer, Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, catcher Joe Mauer to first baseman Justin Morneau.

9-0 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Alexi Casilla singles on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Mike Redmond replaces Joe Mauer.

B:1 S:0 O:2 - Mike Redmond grounds into double play,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Alexi Casilla out at 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brian Buscher replaces Justin Morneau.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Brian Buscher walks.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Jason Kubel singles on a fly ball to left fielder Josh Anderson. Brian Buscher to 2nd.

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

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Joe Crede walks. Brian Buscher to 3rd. Jason Kubel to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3 - Michael Cuddyer grounds into a force
out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco. Joe
Crede out at 2nd.

9-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Mike Redmond remains in the game as the catcher.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Brian Buscher remains in the game as the first baseman.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Brendan Harris replaces shortstop Nick Punto, batting 9th, playing shortstop.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jesse Crain replaces R. A. Dickey.

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Brandon Inge swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, third baseman Joe Crede to first baseman Brian Buscher.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, first baseman Brian Buscher to pitcher Jesse Crain.

9-0 after 7 nnings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Nate Robertson replaces Rick Porcello.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Delmon Young reaches on throwing error by shortstop Ramon Santiago. Delmon Young to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Brendan Harris flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas. Delmon Young to 3rd.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Denard Span walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Alexi Casilla pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Mike Redmond walks. Denard Span to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Brian Buscher grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

9-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Craig Breslow replaces Jesse Crain.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Josh Anderson swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Clete Thomas walks. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jeff Larish replaces Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Jeff Larish swinging.

9-0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Jeff Larish remains in the game as the first baseman.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Juan Rincon replaces Nate Robertson.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Jason Kubel lines out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Joe Crede grounds out, pitcher Juan Rincon to first baseman Jeff Larish.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Michael Cuddyer singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Delmon Young swinging.

WIN 9-0

May 5, 2009

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

Minnesota AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Span, CF 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .314 Casilla, 2B 4 0 1 0 0 2 2 .167 Mauer, C 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .412 --a-Redmond, PH-C 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 .219 Morneau, 1B 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .318 --b-Buscher, PH-1B 1 0 0 0 1 0 3 .179 Kubel, DH 4 0 3 0 0 0 0 .315 Crede, 3B 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .218 Cuddyer, RF 4 0 1 0 0 0 4 .266 Young, LF 3 0 0 0 1 1 1 .254 Punto, SS 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .205 --Harris, SS 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .320 Totals 30 0 5 0 5 4 16 a-Grounded into a double play for Mauer in the 7th. b-Walked for Morneau in the 7th. BATTING TB: Casilla; Kubel 3; Cuddyer. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cuddyer 2; Buscher 2. GIDP: Crede; Cuddyer; Redmond. Team RISP: 0-for-4. Team LOB: 8. FIELDING E: Young (2, fielding), Casilla (3, fielding), Crede (1, fielding). PB: Mauer (1).		Detroit AB- R- H-- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Anderson, J, LF 5 1 2 1 0 1 2 .333 Polanco, 2B 4 2 1 0 1 0 1 .264 Thomas, RF 4 2 3 2 1 0 0 .750 Cabrera, M, 1B 4 1 3 4 0 0 1 .406 --a-Larish, PH-1B 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .167 Granderson, CF 5 1 1 1 0 1 5 .259 Ordonez, DH 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .232 Inge, 3B 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .287 Laird, C 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 .246 Santiago, SS 4 1 1 1 0 2 2 .256 Totals 37 9 11 9 4 7 14 a-Struck out for Cabrera, M in the 8th. BATTING 2B: Thomas (1, Blackburn), Santiago (2, Blackburn), Cabrera, M (3, Dickey). 3B: Thomas (1, Blackburn). HR: Cabrera, M (7, 4th inning off Blackburn, 1 on, 1 out), Granderson (9, 4th inning off Blackburn, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Anderson, J 2; Polanco; Thomas 6; Cabrera, M 7; Granderson 4; Santiago 2. RBI: Cabrera, M 4 (22), Santiago (12), Anderson, J (7), Thomas 2 (2), Granderson (19). 2-out RBI: Santiago; Anderson, J; Thomas 2; Cabrera, M. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Granderson 2; Anderson, J. Team RISP: 3-for-10. Team LOB: 8. FIELDING E: Santiago (2, throw). DP: 3 (Santiago-Polanco-Cabrera, M 3).
Minnesota IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Blackburn (L, 2-2)_ 3.1 8 9 6 3 1 2 5.19 Dickey 2.2 2 0 0 0 3 0 4.96 Crain 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 6.43 Breslow 1.0 1 0 0 1 2 0 7.04		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Porcello (W, 2-3) 7.0 4 0 0 3 3 0 4.71 Robertson 1.0 0 0 0 2 0 0 6.30 Rincon 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 5.23
Pitches-strikes: Blackburn 77-46, Dickey 37-27, Crain 14-8, Breslow 16-10, Porcello 87-52, Robertson 18-8, Rincon 16-11. Groundouts-flyouts: Blackburn 8-1, Dickey 5-0, Crain 2-0, Breslow 0-1, Porcello 14-4, Robertson 1-2, Rincon 1-1. Batters faced: Blackburn 23, Dickey 10, Crain 3, Breslow 5, Porcello 25, Robertson 6, Rincon 4. Umpires: HP: CB Bucknor. 1B: Mike Everitt. 2B: Gerry Davis. 3B: Brian Gorman. Weather: 66 degrees, clear. Wind: 6 mph, In from LF. T: 2:24. Att: 23,754. May 5, 2009 Box score official statistics approved by Major League Baseball Office of the Commissioner