GDT: 5/19/09 - DET (20-16) VS TEX (23-14) - 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- This is what Dontrelle Willis worked so hard to reach. It isn't merely the first start back he wanted, but the next one.

He wanted to get back into the routine, to be back in the rotation and counted on every five games rather than having every focus on one. And as the Tigers turn their focus to the red-hot Rangers, winners of seven straight, Willis has his chance to fall into place.

All the focus on Willis' return to the Majors can wrap up. He has another outing to ponder.

"Now that I'm up here, I'm not content," Willis said. "I want to continue to play, get myself settled in, what have you."

Or as he later said, "It ain't a milestone. This is where I want to be."

Making too much out of one outing, one pitch, one moment, was part of the anxiety that landed Willis on the disabled list in the first place. The key to getting back, he said last week, was to get past that mindset, to be able to move on when bad things happen.

His outing in the Metrodome wasn't bad. Despite four runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings, leaving after 87 pitches, he accomplished the main goal of keeping his team in the game. From a pure pitching standpoint, he showed a grasp of his game plan, changing speeds and working both sides of the plate, including some quality pitches to go inside to right-handed hitters. When he missed, he usually missed close off the corners.

"My mindset is just simplified, going out there and really just thinking about myself and not really caring about anybody else as far as what they think," Willis said. I'm not going out there and [pitching under pressure but rather] instead of just going out there and having fun. You make a pitch, and if you don't [execute] it, go on to the next one."

As manager Jim Leyland would say, he was competing.

"I thought he was OK the other day," Leyland said. "I was kind of encouraged, to be honest with you. Now, we'll see how it goes."

Will it work against the Rangers? Willis performed well against them last September during his late-season stint. And as the lone left-hander in the Tigers rotation, he has a chance to neutralize Texas' left-handed strength behind Josh Hamilton, Chris Davis, David Murphy and Hank Blalock. Hamilton went 0-for-3 against Willis last year, while Blalock struck out in both of his appearances.

For that matter, none of the current Rangers had a hit off of Willis last season.

Wrapping around some interesting pitching matchups for this series -- Willis against old Tigers nemesis Brandon McCarthy in Tuesday's series opener, then Justin Verlander versus Matt Harrison on Wednesday in a battle of two of baseball's hottest pitchers -- is the meeting of two American League division leaders performing above expectations. The Rangers hit the road with a seven-game winning streak, having just finished off a three-game sweep of the Angels in Arlington.

In that sense, it's somewhat reminiscent of their opening-week meeting, when the Rangers came to Comerica Park off their sweep of Cleveland. The Tigers took three straight that weekend to knock them down a peg. If the Rangers can flip that, they'll be challenging for the best record in the American League. A repeat performance from the Tigers could help them establish some separation in the AL Central, where Detroit and Kansas City have formed a lead pack a game apart from each other.

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Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Dontrelle Willis (0-0, 7.71 ERA)
The statistics from Willis' return to the big leagues weren't encouraging, with four runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Twins last Wednesday at the Metrodome. The actual pitching was better than that, and it gave the Tigers a chance to win. He threw 53 of his 87 pitches for strikes, and both of his walks came on 3-2 counts with close calls. He not only changed speeds, but showed an ability to bust pitches inside on right-handed hitters with a fastball that consistently hit the low 90s. He picked up a no-decision last September at Texas, where he gave up three runs on two hits over five innings with five walks.

TEX: RHP Brandon McCarthy (3-1, 5.92 ERA)
McCarthy is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts in May. He went seven innings in his last start, his longest of the season, and the Rangers won, 6-5, in extra innings. He is 1-1 with an 8.40 ERA on the road with opponents hitting .355 off him. Overall, for the season, left-handed hitters are batting .315 off him while right-handed hitters are batting .219. He is 1-2 with a 5.11 ERA in 11 games, including four starts, in his career against the Tigers.

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Tidbits

... The Tigers will be without right fielder and run producer Magglio Ordonez, who will miss at least the first two games of the series on the bereavement list to be with his wife during surgery. Detroit will call up a player prior to Tuesday's game. Josh Anderson and Ryan Raburn are expected to help fill in while he's away.
... While the Tigers are 12-0 on weekends, they're just 1-4 on Tuesdays.
... Marcus Thames, currently on the 15-day disabled list with a left rib cage strain, is expected to start taking full batting practice this week. He could be ready for a Minor League rehab stint soon.
... Tuesday's game will only be on AM 1270 in Detroit to accommodate Game 2 of the NHL's Western Conference finals on 97.1 FM.

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On the Internet
MLB.TV
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• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FS-D HD

On radio
• WXYT 1270 AM

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Tigers (Dontrelle Willis, 0-0, 7.71 ERA) vs. Rangers (Brandon McCarthy, 3-1, 5.92 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 3-2, 4.29 ERA) vs. Rangers (Matt Harrison, 4-2, 4.23 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 3-2, 2.42) vs. Rangers (Kevin Millwood, 4-3, 2.93), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Friday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 4-3, 3.86) vs. Rockies (TBD), 7:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

Texas
Kinsler, 2B
Andrus, El, SS
Young, 3B
Jones, A, DH
Byrd, CF
Murphy, LF
Cruz, N, RF
Davis, C, 1B
Saltalamacchia, C

Detroit
Granderson, CF
Polanco, 2B
Thomas, RF
Cabrera, M, 1B
Larish, DH
Inge, 3B
Anderson, J, LF
Laird, C
Santiago, SS

76 degrees at Game Time

Mostly Cloudy

Winds South at 14mph

GO TIGERS!

Let's hope D-Train shows up today... No D-Railed allowed!

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Ian Kinsler grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Elvis Andrus flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Michael Young doubles (15) on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Andruw Jones walks.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Marlon Byrd flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Curtis Granderson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:0 S:1 O:1 - With Placido Polanco batting, Curtis
Granderson caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to
shortstop Elvis Andrus.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Placido Polanco walks.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Clete Thomas reaches on force attempt, throwing error by pitcher Brandon McCarthy. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder David Murphy. Placido Polanco to 3rd. Clete Thomas to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Jeff Larish out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Placido Polanco scores. Clete Thomas to 3rd.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Chris Davis.

1-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
David Murphy called out on .

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Nelson Cruz swinging.

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

1-0

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Gerald Laird called out on .

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago hits a ground-rule double (4) on a ground ball down the right-field line, on fan interference.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson singles on a ground ball to shortstop Elvis Andrus. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco singles on a ground ball to left fielder David Murphy. Ramon Santiago scores. Curtis Granderson to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Clete Thomas swinging.

2-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Jarrod Saltalamacchia flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas in foul territory.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Ian Kinsler grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Elvis Andrus grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

2-0

Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Jeff Larish flies out to center fielder Marlon Byrd.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to left fielder David Murphy. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Josh Anderson singles on a fly ball to left fielder David Murphy. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

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

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird out on a RBI sacrifice fly to center fielder Marlon Byrd. Miguel Cabrera scores.

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

3-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Michael Young grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Andruw Jones called out on .

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Marlon Byrd grounds out, pitcher Dontrelle Willis to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

3-0

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Clete Thomas pops out to second baseman Ian Kinsler.

3-0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
David Murphy grounds out, catcher Gerald Laird to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Nelson Cruz lines out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Chris Davis lines out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

13 IN A ROW RETIRED BY D-TRAIN

3-0

Bottom Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

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

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Marlon Byrd.

3-0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Jarrod Saltalamacchia swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Ian Kinsler grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Elvis Andrus flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

16 STRAIGHT RETIRED!

3-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Josh Anderson grounds out to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, third baseman Michael Young to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago lines out to center fielder Marlon Byrd.

3-0 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Michael Young flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Injury Delay.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Andruw Jones walks.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon Lyon replaces Dontrelle Willis.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Marlon Byrd swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Bobby Seay replaces Brandon Lyon.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
David Murphy pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

3-0

GREAT JOB D-TRAIN

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz in foul territory.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Clete Thomas singles on a ground ball to center fielder Marlon Byrd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera doubles (8) on a fly ball to center fielder Marlon Byrd. Clete Thomas scores.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Jeff Larish walks.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, third baseman Michael Young to first baseman Chris Davis.

4-0 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Bobby Seay.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Nelson Cruz pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Chris Davis swinging.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Jarrod Saltalamacchia swinging.

4-0

great job Zoom

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Kris Benson replaces Brandon McCarthy.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird singles on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to center fielder Marlon Byrd.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

4-0 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Joel Zumaya.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ian Kinsler grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Elvis Andrus grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Michael Young grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

WIN 4-0

May 19, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Texas	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	1	1
Detroit	1	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	X		4	10	0

Texas AB -R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Kinsler, 2B 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .306 Andrus, El, SS 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .266 Young, 3B 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .349 Jones, A, DH 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 .292 Byrd, CF 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .302 Murphy, LF 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .194 Cruz, N, RF 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .265 Davis, C, 1B 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .221 Saltalamacchia, C 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .260 Totals 28 0 1 0 2 8 4 BATTING 2B: Young (15, Willis). TB: Young 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Byrd. Team RISP: 0-for-1. Team LOB: 3. FIELDING E: McCarthy (1, throw).		Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Granderson, CF 5 0 2 0 0 0 1 .263 Polanco, 2B 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 .266 Thomas, RF 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 .306 Cabrera, M, 1B 3 1 2 1 1 0 0 .381 Larish, DH 2 0 0 1 1 1 1 .263 Inge, 3B 4 0 1 0 0 0 4 .278 Anderson, J, LF 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .294 Laird, C 3 0 1 1 0 1 0 .222 Santiago, SS 4 1 1 0 0 1 3 .345 Totals 32 4 10 4 3 4 11 BATTING 2B: Santiago (4, McCarthy), Cabrera, M (8, McCarthy). TB: Granderson 2; Polanco; Thomas; Cabrera, M 3; Inge; Anderson, J; Laird; Santiago 2. RBI: Larish (6), Polanco (16), Laird (10), Cabrera, M (31). 2-out RBI: Polanco; Cabrera, M. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Inge 2; Thomas; Santiago. SF: Larish; Laird. Team RISP: 4-for-8. Team LOB: 9. BASERUNNING CS: Granderson (2, 2nd base by McCarthy/Saltalamacchia).
Texas IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA McCarthy (L, 3-2) 7.0 9 4 3 3 4 0 5.60 Benson 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7.80		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Willis (W, 1-0) 6.1 1 0 0 2 5 0 3.27 Lyon (H, 1) 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 6.75 Seay (H, 9) 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.25 Zumaya 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.59 Rodney 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.94
Pitches-strikes: McCarthy 118-72, Benson 10-6, Willis 100-61, Lyon 6-5, Seay 6-4, Zumaya 11-8, Rodney 10-7. Groundouts-flyouts: McCarthy 7-9, Benson 1-2, Willis 7-7, Lyon 0-0, Seay 0-1, Zumaya 0-1, Rodney 3-0. Batters faced: McCarthy 33, Benson 4, Willis 22, Lyon 1, Seay 1, Zumaya 3, Rodney 3. Inherited runners-scored: Lyon 1-0, Seay 1-0. Umpires: HP: Tim Welke. 1B: Scott Barry. 2B: Angel Hernandez. 3B: Bill Welke. Weather: 74 degrees, clear. Wind: 15 mph, R to L. T: 2:20. Att: 23,756. May 19, 2009

23,756 attendance


More people need to start showing up at Comerica Park

gs78 wrote:

23,756 attendance


More people need to start showing up at Comerica Park

I agree, even though they lowered many prices, and the Tigers are in 1st place, the attendance sucks. But it cost so much for parking, food and such, many people stay home and watch on tv.