GDT: 5/15/09 - DET (17-16) VS OAK (13-18) - 7:05 p.m. ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Tigers came to Minnesota with the makings of a surprisingly strong bullpen capable of shutting down its opponent. A 24-hour stretch at the Metrodome sent them back to Detroit with a stunning reversal.

Now, as the Tigers return to Comerica Park for a nine-game, 10-day homestand that begins Friday against Oakland, they're hoping Edwin Jackson can help give their bullpen some rest and that some relievers can come back strong for the weekend.

"We've got a good bullpen, and the bullpen didn't do the job," manager Jim Leyland said after his team blew a 5-0 lead for a 6-5 loss to the Twins on Thursday.

To be fair, it was a depleted bullpen the Tigers had Thursday thanks to Wednesday's 13-inning loss. Joel Zumaya, Brandon Lyon and Ryan Perry all were on rest, and Zumaya and Lyon will likely sit again Friday after their 5 2/3 combined innings.

Aside from left-hander Luke French, just called up from Triple-A Toledo, about the only pitcher the Tigers had available that they didn't use Thursday was closer Fernando Rodney. Thanks to Minnesota's six-run seventh inning, they didn't need him to save a game in the ninth.

It was just a few days ago that Leyland needed to get some of his relievers some work after so many Tigers starters racked up deep outings, especially Jackson and Justin Verlander. The past two days showed how suddenly that can change and how important bullpen depth becomes in those stretches.

"I've stressed, ever since I've been here, the importance of every pitcher down there," Leyland said. "Every pitcher is going to have to get big outs for us, and some of them haven't been able to get them. Some of them have, some of them haven't. They're always concerned about their opportunities to pitch. Well, they're getting their opportunities, and some of them have performed very well, and some haven't."

The points of concern Thursday were more in the middle roles than on Zumaya and Rodney at the back end. Lefty specialist Bobby Seay, who gave up Denard Span's two-run triple in the sixth inning Wednesday, came back the next day and struggled against the lefty-heavy top half of Minnesota's lineup Thursday, retiring only one of the five batters he faced.

The one out Seay recorded Thursday, surprisingly, was red-hot Twins catcher Joe Mauer, and his ground ball required a solid play in the hole from Ramon Santiago to get the out at second base. Until that game, Seay had allowed left-handed hitters to go just 4-for-24 off him with five strikeouts.

"Bobby Seay has been fantastic, and the last two days, he's run into some issues," Leyland said.

Pitch execution, especially on his slider, was the issue that had Seay visibly concerned after Thursday's game.

"I hung a lot of pitches today -- just flat, no command," Seay said after Thursday's game. "It's a tough one to swallow."

Miner, just moved in from the rotation with Dontrelle Willis' return last weekend, wasn't charged with runs Thursday, but his two-run bloop single to Crede proved costly. He gave up two runs on a hit and two walks Wednesday night. Opponents are batting 5-for-16 with three walks in 19 plate appearances against Miner as a reliever this season.

Team officials believe Miner can be an effective reliever. For now, though, he has to make the adjustment to the bullpen.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Edwin Jackson (2-2, 2.60 ERA)
While Justin Verlander is the headline performer in the Tigers' rotation, Jackson is quietly blossoming into a frontline starter by keeping his team in low-scoring duels. He has entered the seventh inning with fewer than two runs allowed in four of his past five outings, though Detroit's offense has helped him to wins in just two of them. That includes last Saturday's win at Cleveland, in which he tossed seven scoreless innings. His ability to pound the strike zone is a big step forward from his days with the Rays, and it's allowing him to eat innings in Detroit.

OAK: LHP Dallas Braden (3-4, 2.79 ERA) DID NOT PITCH
In his previous start, Braden turned in another solid outing -- this time against the hot-hitting Blue Jays -- but he suffered another loss and was hit in his pitching hand by a first-inning line drive off the bat of Vernon Wells. Braden stayed in the game, allowing three runs and nine hits over six innings. X-rays of Braden's left hand were negative. The A's have been shut out in three of Braden's seven starts. He has received run support of one run or fewer in five starts.

OAK: LHP Brett Anderson (0-3, 5.79 ERA)

Anderson missed his May 9 start against Toronto because of a nagging blister on is his left index finger. While giving the blister time to heal, the rookie has continued throwing, but he has worn a protective covering over the blister. He last started on May 4 against Seattle. Anderson lasted just 4 2/3 innings, allowing nine hits and five earned runs in a 5-2 loss. Anderson didn't strike out a single batter, and for the second straight start he left the game while a trainer examined his injured finger.

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Tidbits

... The Tigers hope to have Carlos Guillen back doing baseball activities on Friday. Guillen, on the disabled list for the past week and a half with a sore left shoulder, spent the Tigers' road trip back in Detroit working with a physical therapist.
... The Tigers will know Friday whether reliever Juan Rincon, who was designated for assignment Tuesday, will accept a Minor League assignment in their farm system or go to another club. Teams have until the end of business hours Friday to claim Rincon on waivers. If he goes unclaimed, he has the right to accept an assignment to Triple-A Toledo or become a free agent. Rincon's agent, Ed Setlik, said any decision from Rincon will probably go to the deadline.
... Magglio Ordonez is 3-for-7 with two homers and four RBIs for his career against Braden.
... Jason Giambi is 5-for-13 with a homer and five RBIs lifetime off Jackson.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Saturday: Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello, 3-3, 4.28 ERA), vs. Athletics (Trevor Cahill, 2-2, 3.69 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 3-3, 4.61 ERA) vs. Athletics (Brett Anderson, 0-3, 5.79 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Off-day

delay

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Orlando Cabrera pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Kurt Suzuki singles on a ground ball to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Jason Giambi swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Matt Holliday singles on a ground ball to right fielder Clete Thomas. Kurt Suzuki to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Jack Cust flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

0-0

Bottom Half

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

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco reaches on missed catch error by first baseman Jason Giambi, assist to shortstop Orlando Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:2 - Clete Thomas grounds into a force out,
pitcher Brett Anderson to shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Placido Polanco
out at 2nd. Clete Thomas to 1st.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera reaches on fielding error by third baseman Bobby Crosby. Clete Thomas to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Clete Thomas scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge hit by pitch. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn hits a grand slam (1) to left field. Miguel Cabrera scores. Magglio Ordonez scores. Brandon Inge scores.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, shortstop Orlando Cabrera to first baseman Jason Giambi.

5-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

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

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Kennedy flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Bobby Crosby lines out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

5-0

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Adam Everett swinging.

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

B:1 S:1 O:2 - Placido Polanco grounds into a force
out, pitcher Brett Anderson to shortstop Orlando Cabrera to second
baseman Adam Kennedy. Curtis Granderson out at 2nd. Placido Polanco
advances to 2nd, on throwing error by second baseman Adam Kennedy.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Clete Thomas grounds out, shortstop Orlando Cabrera to first baseman Jason Giambi.

5-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Aaron Cunningham lines out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Orlando Cabrera flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Kurt Suzuki singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Jason Giambi flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

5-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Jack Hannahan replaces third baseman Bobby Crosby, batting 8th, playing third base.

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a sharp line drive to center fielder Ryan Sweeney.

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Ryan Sweeney. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:1 - Brandon Inge grounds into a force out,
second baseman Adam Kennedy to shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Miguel
Cabrera to 3rd. Magglio Ordonez out at 2nd. Brandon Inge to 1st.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn reaches on fielding error by shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Miguel Cabrera scores. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

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

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

B:0 S:2 O:2 - Adam Everett grounds into a force out,
shortstop Orlando Cabrera to second baseman Adam Kennedy. Brandon Inge
scores. Ryan Raburn to 3rd. Gerald Laird out at 2nd. Adam Everett to
1st.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson lines out to right fielder Aaron Cunningham.

7-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Matt Holliday doubles (5) on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn, deflected by third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Jack Cust flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Sweeney grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Matt Holliday to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Adam Kennedy singles on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas. Matt Holliday scores.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
With Jack Hannahan batting, Adam Kennedy steals (1) 2nd base.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Jack Hannahan called out on .

7-1

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco flies out to center fielder Ryan Sweeney.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Clete Thomas doubles (3) on a line drive to center fielder Ryan Sweeney.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera doubles (5) on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Holliday. Clete Thomas scores.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Dan Giese replaces Brett Anderson.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez doubles (3) on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Holliday. Miguel Cabrera scores.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Brandon Inge swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.

9-1 after 4 innings

rain delay

tarp is off the field, game to resume at 10:35 pm

all they need is 3 outs to qualify for a complete game.

Jackson warming up in bullpen... so he can get the win.

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Aaron Cunningham swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Orlando Cabrera flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Kurt Suzuki flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

9-1

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, shortstop Orlando Cabrera to first baseman Jason Giambi.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett grounds out, third baseman Jack Hannahan to first baseman Jason Giambi.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson swinging.

9-1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Jason Giambi lines out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Matt Holliday swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Jack Cust flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

9-1

Jackson at 80 pitches

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco grounds out sharply, second baseman Adam Kennedy to first baseman Jason Giambi.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Clete Thomas singles on a line drive to center fielder Ryan Sweeney.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Holliday. Clete Thomas to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez walks. Clete Thomas to 3rd. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:1 - Brandon Inge hits a grand slam (10) to
center field. Clete Thomas scores. Miguel Cabrera scores. Magglio
Ordonez scores.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out, shortstop Orlando Cabrera to first baseman Jason Giambi.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Gerald Laird flies out to right fielder Aaron Cunningham.

13-1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Jeff Larish replaces first baseman Miguel Cabrera, batting 4th, playing first base.

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Ryan Sweeney swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Adam Kennedy singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Jack Hannahan grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Jeff Larish. Adam Kennedy to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Aaron Cunningham swinging.

13-1

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Landon Powell replaces first baseman Jason Giambi, batting 3rd, playing first base.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Rajai Davis replaces left fielder Matt Holliday, batting 4th, playing center field.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from center field to right field for Ryan Sweeney.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from right field to left field for Aaron Cunningham.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Santiago Casilla replaces Dan Giese.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Everett grounds out, pitcher Santiago Casilla to first baseman Landon Powell.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Rajai Davis.

B:0 S:0 O:3 - Placido Polanco grounds into double
play, shortstop Orlando Cabrera to second baseman Adam Kennedy to first
baseman Landon Powell. Curtis Granderson out at 2nd.

13-1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Edwin Jackson.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Orlando Cabrera swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Kurt Suzuki flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Landon Powell singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Rajai Davis swinging.

13-1

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brad Ziegler replaces Santiago Casilla.

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Clete Thomas singles on a ground ball to center fielder Rajai Davis.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Jeff Larish grounds out, first baseman Landon Powell to pitcher Brad Ziegler. Clete Thomas to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Josh Anderson replaces Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, third baseman Jack Hannahan to first baseman Landon Powell.

B:3 S:2 O:2 - Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to
left fielder Aaron Cunningham, deflected by shortstop Orlando Cabrera.
Clete Thomas scores.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out, third baseman Jack Hannahan to first baseman Landon Powell.

14-1 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Josh Anderson remains in the game as the designated hitter.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Lucas French replaces Ryan Perry.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Jack Cust grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Jeff Larish.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Sweeney grounds out, pitcher Lucas French to second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Jeff Larish.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Adam Kennedy swinging.

WIN 14-1

May 15, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Oakland	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0		1	7	4
Detroit	5	0	2	2	0	4	0	1	X		14	13	0

Oakland AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Cabrera, SS 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .230 Suzuki, C 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 .331 Giambi, 1B 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .208 --Powell, 1B 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .200 Holliday, LF 3 1 2 0 0 1 0 .250 --Davis, CF 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .185 Cust, DH 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 .281 Sweeney, R, CF-RF 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .241 Kennedy, 2B 4 0 2 1 0 1 0 .333 Crosby, 3B 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .246 --Hannahan, 3B 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .154 Cunningham, RF-LF 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .000 Totals 34 1 7 1 0 9 10 BATTING 2B: Holliday (5, Jackson). TB: Suzuki 2; Powell; Holliday 3; Kennedy 2. RBI: Kennedy (2). 2-out RBI: Kennedy. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cust; Hannahan; Cunningham. Team RISP: 1-for-6. Team LOB: 6. BASERUNNING SB: Kennedy (1, 2nd base off Jackson/Laird). FIELDING E: Giambi (3, missed catch), Crosby (5, fielding), Kennedy (1, throw), Cabrera (5, fielding). DP: (Cabrera-Kennedy-Powell).		Detroit AB- R-- H-- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Granderson, CF 4 0 1 0 1 1 2 .257 Polanco, 2B 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 .252 Thomas, RF 5 4 3 0 0 0 2 .368 Cabrera, M, 1B 4 4 3 1 0 0 0 .378 --Larish, 1B 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .242 Ordonez, DH 3 2 3 2 1 0 0 .258 --a-Anderson, J, PH-DH 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .305 Inge, 3B 4 3 2 5 0 1 3 .291 Raburn, LF 5 1 1 5 0 1 2 .115 Laird, C 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .195 Everett, SS 4 0 0 1 0 1 2 .282 Totals 39 14 13 14 3 4 15 a-Grounded out for Ordonez in the 8th. BATTING 2B: Thomas (3, Anderson), Cabrera, M (5, Anderson), Ordonez (3, Giese). HR: Raburn (1, 1st inning off Anderson, 3 on, 2 out), Inge (10, 6th inning off Giese, 3 on, 1 out). TB: Granderson; Thomas 4; Cabrera, M 4; Ordonez 4; Inge 5; Raburn 4. RBI: Ordonez 2 (16), Raburn 5 (6), Everett (15), Cabrera, M (26), Inge 5 (27). 2-out RBI: Ordonez; Raburn 4; Inge. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Thomas; Granderson; Raburn. GIDP: Polanco. Team RISP: 6-for-14. Team LOB: 5.
Oakland IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Anderson (L, 0-4) 3.1 6 9 3 2 1 1 6.03 Giese 2.2 4 4 4 1 3 1 5.32 Casilla 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.46 Ziegler 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 0 4.40		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Jackson (W, 3-2) 7.0 6 1 1 0 6 0 2.42 Perry 1.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 2.93 French 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00
HBP: Inge (by Anderson). Pitches-strikes: Anderson 87-55, Giese 41-27, Casilla 8-6, Ziegler 23-14, Jackson 97-69, Perry 15-10, French 13-8. Groundouts-flyouts: Anderson 6-3, Giese 4-1, Casilla 3-0, Ziegler 3-0, Jackson 3-12, Perry 0-1, French 2-0. Batters faced: Anderson 22, Giese 13, Casilla 3, Ziegler 5, Jackson 27, Perry 4, French 3. Inherited runners-scored: Giese 1-1. Umpires: HP: Jerry Crawford. 1B: Phil Cuzzi. 2B: Todd Tichenor. 3B: Tom Hallion. Weather: 60 degrees, drizzle. Wind: 4 mph, L to R. T: 2:27 (2:14 delay). Att: 26,770. May 15, 2009