GDT: 4/22/12 - DET (10-5) VS TEX (12-3) - 1:10 p.m. ET

Lewis, Smyly bring poise, confidence to series finale

By John Schlegel / MLB.com | 4/22/2012 12:24 AM ET

Poise and confidence have been trademarks of Colby Lewis' resurgence with the Rangers over the last few years, and on Sunday he'll be facing a pitcher who has used those qualities to fuel a meteoric rise to the Majors.

When 23-year-old left-hander Drew Smyly makes his third Major League start, he'll be trying to help the Tigers earn a draw in the four-game series between last year's American League Championship Series foes.

The rookie hasn't won a game in the Majors, but he already knows what he needs to do in order to do his job every five days. His second start was as impressive as his first, even if he came out with a no-decision in a game the Tigers won over the Royals.

"I was able to get deep into the game," Smyly said. "Six innings, one run. I'll be happy with that all year."

So will the Tigers, who breathed a sigh of relief when the second-round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft was struck in the back by a liner in his most recent start, finishing out his quality outing.

"He doesn't rattle much," manager Jim Leyland said. "He's poised for a young kid."

Lewis, meanwhile, pitches for the Rangers against the Tigers for the first time since taking the loss in Game 3 of the ALCS, his only defeat in five postseason decisions, covering eight starts. His success in October comes for the same reason he has made it back to the Majors after several rough years that wound up with him pitching in Japan.

"My mind-set never changes -- just go out and give quality starts," Lewis said. "Right now I've just been able to do damage control in certain innings, and those have been game-changers."

So far, Lewis has been spot on. He is 2-0 with a 1.83 ERA, and he has pitched 19 2/3 innings and walked just one batter. Opponents are 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position off him.

"When he is hitting his spots and [has] his breaking ball working and his changeup going, he is as good as anybody out there," manager Ron Washington said. "So far he has been able to do that. He is not the overpowering pitcher he was when he signed, but he's got a sharp wit about him.

"One thing about Colby, he doesn't beat himself. He'll throw it over the plate, and if you beat him, you beat him. But he'll never beat himself."

Rangers: Beltre still sidelined

Adrian Beltre, out with a strained left hamstring, will not play in Sunday's finale. Michael Young will play third base, as he did for much of the time last season when Beltre missed five weeks with a hamstring strain.

"It bothers you to lose Beltre, but we still have to play baseball," Washington said.

• Mike Napoli struck out as a pinch-hitter in Game 2 on Saturday after having homered in five straight games. The club record is seven, set by Kevin Mench in 2006.

• The Yankees are going to Arlington for the first time this season, and as of Saturday night, there were 1,000 seats for Monday, 4,500 for Tuesday and 4,000 for Wednesday available.

Tigers: Dirks working way back

Andy Dirks, who has served as the designated hitter a team-high six times this season, was unavailable for Saturday's doubleheader because of an injury to his left hamstring, but he might be ready for pinch-hitting duties on Sunday.

Said Leyland: "The prognosis is [that] after Monday, he'll be full-go."

Brennan Boesch and Miguel Cabrera each took a turn in the DH spot on Saturday. It's likely that Prince Fielder will be the DH on Sunday for the first time since signing with the Tigers.

• As a team, the Tigers have combined to bat .348 off of Lewis in his career, and have saddled him with an 0-1 record and 15.95 ERA in two starts, his highest ERA against any team.

Cabrera is 5-for-12, Alex Avila is 3-for-9 with two home runs and Austin Jackson is 6-for-15 with a home run against Lewis.

Worth noting

• After going 3-for-8 with two runs, two RBIs and a homer in Saturday's doubleheader, Cabrera continues to mash against the Rangers. He leads all active Major Leaguers with a .369 average against Texas, with nine homers and 47 RBIs in 45 games.

• While the Rangers head home to take on the Yankees for three games after Sunday's finale, the Tigers will have an off-day at home before hosting the Mariners for three.





Tigers: LHP Drew Smyly (0-0, 0.90 ERA)

Smyly allowed just one run over six innings in his last start at Kansas City, and that run was unearned. Smyly was hit in the back by an Alcides Escobar line drive, but the ball caught Smyly in the muscle area and he was not injured.


Rangers: RHP Colby Lewis (2-0, 1.83 ERA)

Lewis beat the Red Sox on Tuesday by allowing two runs in seven innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out seven. He is 2-3 with a 7.52 ERA in six starts -- regular season and playoffs -- against the Tigers since his return from Japan.







INJURY UPDATE:
• RHP Al Alburquerque (right elbow surgery, 15-day disabled list on April 4).
• RHP Doug Fister (left costochondral strain, 15-day disabled list on April 7),
• RHP Luis Marte (strained left hamstring, 15-day disabled list on April 4).
• C Victor Martinez (left knee surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 12).







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• MONDAY, April 23: OFF DAY


• TUESDAY, April 24:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (1-1, 7.98 ERA)) VS Mariners (LHP Jason Vargas (2-1, 2.84 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FSD HD, / 1270 AM & 97.1 FM)


• WEDNESDAY, April 25:
Tigers (LHP Adam Wilk (0-2, 4.00 ERA)) VS Mariners (RHP Felix Hernandez (1-1, 2.76 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FSD HD, / 1270 AM & 97.1 FM)


• THURSDAY, April 26:
Tigers (?HP TBA (TBA ERA)) VS Mariners (?HP TBA (TBA ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FSD HD, / 1270 AM & 97.1 FM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

RANGERS

Ian Kinsler, 2B
Elvis Andrus, SS
Josh Hamilton, LF
Michael Young, DH
Nelson Cruz, RF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Yorbit Torrealba, C
Alberto Gonzalez, 3B
Craig Gentry, CF

P: Colby Lewis


TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF
Brennan Boesch, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 3B
Prince Fielder, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Alex Avila, C
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Don Kelly, 1B
Ramon Santiago, 2B

P: Drew Smyly

TEX - Top 1st
B:3 S:2 O:1
Ian Kinsler grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Elvis Andrus grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Josh Hamilton homers (7) on a fly ball to right field.
TEX 1 - 0

B:1 S:2 O:2
Michael Young singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Nelson Cruz out swinging.


DET - Bot 1st
B:2 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson doubles (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Brennan Boesch out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Alberto Gonzalez to first baseman Mike Napoli. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds out to first baseman Mike Napoli.

TEX 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

TEX - Top 2nd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Mike Napoli out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Yorvit Torrealba out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Alberto Gonzalez doubles (1) on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Craig Gentry grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Don Kelly.


DET - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:1 O:1
Delmon Young pops out to catcher Yorvit Torrealba in foul territory.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Don Kelly pops out to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

TEX 1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

TEX - Top 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Ian Kinsler grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Elvis Andrus out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Josh Hamilton singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Michael Young grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ramon Santiago. Josh Hamilton out at 2nd.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:0
Ramon Santiago triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, pitcher Colby Lewis to first baseman Mike Napoli.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Brennan Boesch out swinging.

With Miguel Cabrera batting, wild pitch by Colby Lewis, Ramon Santiago scores.
TIED 1 - 1

B:2 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera singles on a fly ball to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd, right fielder Nelson Cruz to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

TEX - Top 4th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Nelson Cruz walks.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Mike Napoli out swinging.

With Yorvit Torrealba batting, Nelson Cruz caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Alex Avila to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Yorvit Torrealba grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Don Kelly.


DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Prince Fielder lines out sharply to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Delmon Young lines out to left fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Mike Napoli.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

TEX - Top 5th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Alberto Gonzalez out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Craig Gentry flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Ian Kinsler walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Elvis Andrus grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ramon Santiago. Ian Kinsler out at 2nd.


DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Craig Gentry.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Don Kelly grounds out to first baseman Mike Napoli.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Ramon Santiago lines out to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

TEX - Top 6th
B:1 S:0 O:0
Josh Hamilton singles on a line drive to right fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Michael Young grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Don Kelly. Josh Hamilton to 2nd.

Josh Hamilton advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Alex Avila.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Nelson Cruz called out on .

B:1 S:1 O:3
Mike Napoli flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


DET - Bot 6th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Craig Gentry.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Brennan Boesch homers (2) on a fly ball to right field.
2 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Craig Gentry.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to center fielder Craig Gentry.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Delmon Young singles on a sharp ground ball to shortstop Elvis Andrus. Prince Fielder to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Josh Hamilton.

2 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

TEX - Top 7th
Pitcher Change: Octavio Dotel replaces Drew Smyly.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Yorvit Torrealba grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Alberto Gonzalez flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter David Murphy replaces Craig Gentry.

B:4 S:2 O:2
David Murphy walks.

B:2 S:0 O:3
With Ian Kinsler batting, David Murphy caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Alex Avila to second baseman Ramon Santiago.


DET - Bot 7th
Defensive switch from left field to center field for Josh Hamilton.

David Murphy remains in the game as the left fielder.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Alberto Gonzalez to first baseman Mike Napoli.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder David Murphy.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Ramon Santiago pops out to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

2 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

TEX - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Octavio Dotel.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Ian Kinsler grounds out softly, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Elvis Andrus walks.

Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Joaquin Benoit.

Coaching visit to mound.

With Josh Hamilton batting, wild pitch by Phil Coke, . Elvis Andrus advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Alex Avila.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Josh Hamilton out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Brennan Boesch. Elvis Andrus scores.
TIED 2 - 2

B:4 S:2 O:2
Michael Young walks.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Nelson Cruz grounds out sharply, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Don Kelly.


DET - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Alexi Ogando replaces Colby Lewis.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Brennan Boesch out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera called out on .

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

TEX - Top 9th
B:2 S:0 O:0
Mike Napoli singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Yorvit Torrealba out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Phil Coke to second baseman Ramon Santiago. Mike Napoli to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Alberto Gonzalez out swinging.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brandon Snyder replaces David Murphy.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Brandon Snyder grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Don Kelly.


DET - Bot 9th
Brandon Snyder remains in the game as the left fielder.

Pitcher Change: Mike Adams replaces Alexi Ogando.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Delmon Young out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Mike Napoli.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 9 INNINGS

TEX - Top 10th
Defensive Substitution: Ryan Raburn replaces left fielder Delmon Young, batting 5th, playing left field.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Phil Coke.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ian Kinsler pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Elvis Andrus grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Josh Hamilton walks.

With Michael Young batting, Josh Hamilton steals (1) 2nd base.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Michael Young grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Don Kelly.


DET - Bot 10th
Pitcher Change: Robbie Ross replaces Mike Adams.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Mike Napoli.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brandon Inge replaces Don Kelly.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Brandon Inge grounds out, third baseman Alberto Gonzalez to first baseman Mike Napoli.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Ramon Santiago flies out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.


TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 10 INNINGS

TEX - Top 11th
Defensive switch from third base to first base for Miguel Cabrera.

Brandon Inge remains in the game as the third baseman.

Pitcher Change: Thad Weber replaces Jose Valverde.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Nelson Cruz walks.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Mike Napoli singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn. Nelson Cruz to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Yorvit Torrealba singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn. Nelson Cruz to 3rd. Mike Napoli to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Alberto Gonzalez singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Thad Weber. Nelson Cruz scores. Mike Napoli to 3rd. Yorvit Torrealba to 2nd. (GONZALES BUNT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A DEAD BALL SINCE IT HIT HIS LEG AFTER HITTING HIS BAT, BLOWN CALL BY UMP!)
TEX 3 - 2

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Mitch Moreland replaces Brandon Snyder.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Mitch Moreland grounds into double play, third baseman Brandon Inge to catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Mike Napoli out at home. Yorvit Torrealba to 3rd. Alberto Gonzalez to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Ian Kinsler grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


DET - Bot 11th
Defensive switch from right field to left field for Nelson Cruz.

Mitch Moreland remains in the game as the right fielder.

Pitcher Change: Joe Nathan replaces Robbie Ross.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Mitch Moreland.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Brennan Boesch grounds out to first baseman Mike Napoli.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Prince Fielder flies out to right fielder Mitch Moreland in foul territory.

DET LOSES 2-3 IN 11 INNINGS

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE



WP: Ross (3-0, 3.38)
LP: Weber (0-1, 9.00)
SV: Nathan (4)

Game Info



WP: Lewis, C, Coke.
Pitches-strikes:
Lewis, C 98-64, Ogando 18-12, Adams, M 11-8, Ross 13-7, Nathan 9-7,
Smyly 100-65, Dotel 12-6, Benoit 14-7, Coke 28-18, Valverde 16-11, Weber
23-13.
Groundouts-flyouts: Lewis, C 6-6, Ogando 0-1, Adams, M 1-1, Ross 2-1, Nathan 1-2, Smyly 8-2, Dotel 1-1, Benoit 1-0, Coke 3-1, Valverde 2-0, Weber 2-0.
Batters faced: Lewis, C 27, Ogando 3, Adams, M 3, Ross 3, Nathan 4, Smyly 24, Dotel 3, Benoit 2, Coke 7, Valverde 4, Weber 6.
Inherited runners-scored: Coke 1-1.
Umpires: HP: Tim Welke. 1B: Mike Estabrook. 2B: Mike Everitt. 3B: Paul Schrieber.
Weather: 48 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 15 mph, L to R.
T: 3:38.
Att: 36,255.