GDT: 4/25/12 - DET (10-7) VS SEA (8-10) - 7:05 p.m. ET 
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Detroit Tigers VS Seattle MarinersWednesday, April 25, 2012
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Game Time - 7:05 p.m. EDT ______________________________________
Preview King Felix always happy to pitch in Comerica ParkHernandez made his Major League debut in Detroit in 2005By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | 4/24/2012 11:38 PM ET
Every time Seattle's Felix Hernandez pitches in Comerica Park, he makes sure he has the same locker -- the one he used in August 2005, when he made his Major League debut, against Detroit.
"It all started over here. Right here," Hernandez said on Tuesday from the first locker on the left through the visitors' clubhouse doors. "It's fun to be here."
Now a veteran, an American League Cy Young Award winner and a two-time All-Star, the right-hander gets the ball on Wednesday, when the Mariners face the Tigers in the second game of a three-game set. He'll be opposed by lefty Adam Wilk.
Hernandez didn't get the win to show for it, but he pitched his best game of the season his last time out, against Cleveland. On Wednesday he'll be looking to build on those eight shutout innings.
"[I'll be] trying to have a good game and pitch to my strengths, and I'll be OK," Hernandez said of facing the powerful Tigers lineup. "I know they're pretty good hitters, but I've just got to throw my pitches."
The Tigers have won only one of their last nine matchups against Hernandez, and he took a no-decision in that game after pitching seven innings of one-run ball. They've scored more than three earned runs in a game off him only once, in 2007, and the Mariners still won that one.
"He's obviously one of the best in the business," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "Not only does he have excellent stuff, he's got a good feel for what to do with it. I'm sure he's figured out a way to attack the hitters a little bit more. He still relies on good stuff, but he's not just some guy who rears back and throws it. He knows what he's doing. He's really good."
Had former Mariner Doug Fister not gone down with a muscle strain in his rib cage, it's likely Hernandez would be making the start against his ex-teammate. But with Fister on the disabled list, Wilk gets the call for the Tigers.
Wilk is 0-2 with a 4.00 ERA in his two starts this season. And although he hasn't given the Tigers much length in regard to innings pitched per game, he's allowed just four earned runs in those two starts.
Mariners: Homecoming for Furbush and WellsCharlie Furbush and Casper Wells made their first return to Detroit after being traded to Seattle last year at the non-waiver Trade Deadline in the deal that sent Fister to Detroit.
Both Wells and Furbush were drafted by the Tigers, and they spent all their time in the Detroit system before being dealt.
"This is where it all started for me," Furbush said. "It's kind of hard to explain, but it's pretty cool being back, for sure."
• The Mariners have posted 10 quality starts this season, four fewer than the Rangers, who lead the league.
• With Tuesday's win, Seattle improved from a season-high three games below .500.
Tigers: Timetable unclear for FisterWhen Fister will return remains uncertain, though he appears ready to throw again.
"He came in [on Monday], got treated, did some really tough exercise and passed that with flying colors," Leyland said. "I really don't have any timetable."
• Miguel Cabrera's home run on Tuesday gave him 997 career RBIs. With three more, he will become the 21st active player with at least 1,000.
• Tigers relievers have a 6-1 mark this season.
Worth noting• Cabrera is hitting .355 with five home runs and 21 RBIs in 38 games against the Mariners.
• Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak has hit safely in eight straight games against the Tigers. He homered in four of his six games against Detroit in 2011.
Tigers: LHP Adam Wilk (0-2, 4.00 ERA)Wilk gave up the hit total expected from a contact pitcher facing the Rangers, but practiced damage control to hold Texas to two runs on 10 hits through four innings before paying for a leadoff walk in the fifth. The M's lineup could prove kinder.
Mariners: RHP Felix Hernandez (1-1, 2.76 ERA)Hernandez is coming off his best start of the season last Thursday, when he held the Indians to five hits in eight innings while striking out 12. But the Tribe rallied in the ninth inning, costing Hernandez from earning his second win of the season.
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Tiger's MLB Game Notes
RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers suffered a 7-4 loss to the Mariners last night, Detroit’s fourth loss in the club’s last five games. Max Scherzer (1-2) took the loss for Detroit after allowing five runs in five innings of work. Miguel Cabrera led the Tigers with two hits, including a solo home run, and Alex Avila added a two-run home run. The Tigers continue a seven-game homestand with the second game of a three-game series versus Seattle this evening. Following tomorrow afternoon’s game, the Tigers head to New York for a threegame weekend series before returning back to Detroit for a six-game homestand with Kansas City and Chicago beginning on Monday.
HAPPY AT HOME: The Tigers have compiled a 159-95 record at Comerica Park since the beginning of the 2009 season, a .626 winning percentage. Detroit is second among all major league clubs with a .626 winning percentage at home during that stretch, trailing a .660 winning percentage at home by the New York Yankees.
MIGGY’S THE MAN AGAINST THE MARINERS: Miguel Cabrera enters tonight’s game versus Seattle hitting .355 (49x138) with 12 doubles, five home runs and 21 RBI in 38 games during his career against the club. He is second among all active major league players with a .355 batting average and .444 on-base percentage versus Seattle.
BOESCH BASHES VERSUS SEATTLE: Brennan Boesch enters this evening’s game against the Mariners having hit safely in 15 of his 16 games played versus the club during his career. He is hitting .435 (27x62) with eight doubles, a home run and seven RBI in 16 games versus the Mariners.
CABRERA ON COURSE AGAINST HERNANDEZ: Miguel Cabrera enters the game this evening versus Seattle hitting .500 (9x18) with two doubles and two RBI during his career against Felix Hernandez. Cabrera is tied for the lead among all active major league players with at least 15 plate appearances versus Hernandez with a .500 batting average against the pitcher, while he is second with a .591 on-base percentage and tied for seventh with a .611 slugging percentage.
BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relief pitchers have combined to compile a 6-1 record, 3.47 ERA (59.2IP/23ER) and 53 strikeouts this season. Club relievers are tops in the American League with six wins this season, while they are third with 53 strikeouts. Tigers relievers have posted a 2.25 ERA (20.0IP/5ER) over the club’s last four games.
PILING UP THE PUNCHOUTS: Tigers pitchers combined to fan nine batters last night versus Seattle, bringing the club’s season total to 140 strikeouts. Detroit is third among all American League clubs with 140 strikeouts this season.
CABRERA, FIELDER FORM POWERFUL COMBO: Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder are among the leaders in the major leagues in home runs and RBI since the start of the 2006 season. Fielder is third in the major leagues with 230 home runs during that stretch, while Cabrera is tied for sixth with 204 home runs. Cabrera is third in the major leagues with 707 RBI since the start of the 2006 season, while Fielder is seventh with 654 RBI.
MIGGY HEADED TOWARDS 1,000 RBI: Miguel Cabrera enters tonight’s game versus Seattle with 997 RBI during his major league career, three RBI shy of 1,000 in his career. He would become the 21st active major league player with at least 1,000 RBI.
THIS DAY IN TIGERS HISTORY: The Tigers played the first game in franchise history on April 25, 1901 versus Milwaukee at Bennett Park. Detroit trailed 13-4 heading to the bottom of the ninth inning before scoring 10 runs in the inning to rally for a 14-13 win.
INJURY UPDATE:•
RHP Al Alburquerque (right elbow surgery,
60-day disabled list on April 4).
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RHP Doug Fister (left costochondral strain,
15-day disabled list on April 7),
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RHP Luis Marte (strained left hamstring,
15-day disabled list on April 4).
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C Victor Martinez (left knee surgery,
60-day disabled list on March 12).
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XM Channel Schedule______________________________________
Up next (Probable Pitchers) (RHP
Rick Porcello (1-1, 6.32 ERA))
VS Mariners (RHP
Hector Noesi (1-2, 9.49 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FSD HD, / 1270 AM & 97.1 FM)• FRIDAY, April 27: Tigers (RHP
Justin Verlander (2-1, 1.72 ERA))
AT Yankees (RHP
Ivan Nova (3-0, 3.79 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FSD HD, / 1270 AM & 97.1 FM)• SATURDAY, April 28: Tigers (LHP
Drew Smyly (0-0, 1.13 ERA))
AT Yankees (RHP
Freddy Garcia (0-1, 9.75 ERA)),
4:05 p.m. ET (FSD HD, / 1270 AM & 97.1 FM)• SUNDAY, April 29: Tigers (RHP
Max Scherzer (1-2, 8.24 ERA))
AT Yankees (LHP
CC Sabathia (2-0, 5.27 ERA)),
1:10 p.m. ET (FSD HD, / 1270 AM & 97.1 FM)______________________________________
Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:36 am
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