GDT: 8/21/11 - DET (67-58) VS CLE (62-60) - 1:05 p.m. ET ---
VS ---
Detroit Tigers VS Cleveland IndiansSunday, August 21, 2011
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Game Time - 1:05 p.m. EDT REMEMBERING SPARKYThe Tigers are wearing a patch on their right
sleeves this season in the shape of a home
plate emblazoned with the name SPARKY, to
honor Hall of Fame manager Sparky
Anderson who passed away on November 4,
2010. Anderson’s number 11 was retired
in a pre-game ceremony on June 26.
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Preview Tigers aiming to make statement with sweep of TribeBy Spencer Fordin / MLB.com | 8/20/2011 11:21 PM ET
The Tigers have made their statement, defending their home field and their lead in the American League Central against their closest division rival. Now, Cleveland can issue a response of its own in Sunday's series finale, a game that could sound a rallying cry in the contentious A.L. Central.
The Tigers have won the first two games to propel themselves to a 3.5-game lead over the Indians, but there's still a little less than a quarter of the season to play. The Indians, having played in the postseason once in the past 10 seasons, find themselves relying on the veterans with postseason experience.
"It's staying simple," said reliever Chad Durbin. "That's what I've seen on teams that have won. Nobody gets caught up in all the outside stuff. They let the talking heads do what they're supposed to do, which is hype the game. That's good for the game, but you just can't get caught up in that."
Cleveland, which will play division rivals in 28 of its remaining 40 games, will send prized deadline acquisition Ubaldo Jimenez to the mound on Sunday. Jimenez has been spotty in his three starts with the Indians, but he pitched eight strong innings in a victory over Detroit last week.
Detroit will counter with right-hander Rick Porcello, who gave up 14 runs over his last two starts. Porcello's ERA rose by nearly a half-run -- from 4.49 to 4.98 -- over his last two games, but he had won five straight decisions before that skid. Now, he's trying to find an answer.
"I've been off the mound much more than normal, trying to iron out my mechanics," he said, "Just trying to create muscle memory again and create some consistency with my mechanics."
The Indians have been outscored 14-2 in the first two games of this series, but they'll leave Detroit with the knowledge that they play the Tigers six more times before the season's over. That's why Durbin and the team's cooler heads are stressing patience and positivity.
"Cliches are cliche, but a lot of times they're true," he said. "You can't necessarily win a pennant at this time of year, but you can lose it. There are no must-win games, but there's a need to stay afloat."
Indians: Ubaldo looking for repeat performance against TigersJimenez has been knocked around to the tune of at least four earned runs in two of his three Cleveland starts, but he'll be able to take confidence from last week's gem against the Tigers. The right-hander allowed just five hits in that game -- three for extra bases -- and exited with a seven-run lead.
There's that piece of trivia, and then there's also his career history in Detroit. Jimenez has gone 0-2 with a 5.73 ERA in two career starts at Comerica Park, both of those coming when he was with the Rockies. Jimenez also beat the Tigers earlier in the season while with Colorado.
Tigers: Unlikely anniversary for IngeBrandon Inge completed a surprise return to Detroit with a home run in Saturday's one-sided victory, and his star turn helped signal an unusual anniversary. Inge, who also doubled in the win, hadn't had two extra-base hits in a game since August 20 of 2010, exactly a year ago.
Inge, who had been hitting .177 last month when he was designated for assignment, went down to Triple-A Toledo and got his game together. The third baseman batted .287 with a .389 on-base percentage and .519 slugging percentage in 29 games for Toledo before getting recalled to Detroit.
Worth noting•
The Indians have lost 12 of their last 14 games on the road against Detroit.• The Tigers are 50-19 when they score first, but just 17-39 when their opponent manages to score the game's first run.
• Detroit is 29-18 against division rivals this season, while Cleveland is 22-22 against teams from the Central.
• The Indians have issued just 326 walks this year, the fewest among all AL teams.
Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (11-8, 4.98 ERA)The last time Porcello faced the Indians two starts ago, they tied his career high with eight runs on a season-high 11 hits over 3 2/3 innings. Add in his loss to Minnesota, and he has allowed 20 hits in his last 9 2/3 innings.
Indians: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (7-9, 4.48 ERA)For the second straight road start, Jimenez struggled with his command and departed early. The right-hander allowed five runs (four earned) and nine hits in just 4 2/3 innings of Tuesday's 14-inning loss to the White Sox.
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Tiger's MLB Game Notes
Game InformationRESCHEDULED GAMES: The following is the information on the rescheduled Tigers games postponed at Comerica Park this season:
-
Thursday, September 1 versus Kansas City at 1:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 15)
INJURY UPDATE: •
INF Carlos Guillen (sore left wrist,
15-day disabled list on August 13),
•
RHP Al Alburquerque (concussion,
7-day disabled list on August 12).
•
RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery,
60-day disabled list on March 30).
•
LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation,
60-day DL on May 11)
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To track MLB play-by-play, to help post GDT outcomes: http://m.mlb.com/scores/On the Internet MLB.TV Gameday Audio•
Gameday•
Official Press Pass game notesOn television •
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Direct TV Extra Innings ScheduleOn radio•
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XM Channel Schedule______________________________________
Up next (Probable Pitchers) • Monday, August 22: Tigers (RHP
Justin Verlander (18-5, 2.31 ERA))
AT Rays (RHP
Jeff Niemann (8-4, 3.29 ERA)),
7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)• Tuesday, August 23: Tigers (RHP
Brad Penny (8-9, 4.97 ERA))
AT Rays (LHP
David Price (11-10, 3.59 ERA)),
7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)• Wednesday, August 24: Tigers (RHP
Max Scherzer (13-7, 4.23 ERA))
AT Rays (RHP
Wade Davis (8-7, 4.43 ERA ERA)),
7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)