GDT: 5/20/09 - DET (21-16) VS TEX (23-15) - 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- Matt Harrison is starting to realize his potential. Justin Verlander has a chance to realize history.

At least one pitcher is probably going to be disappointed Wednesday night.

"Justin's phenomenal right now," said catcher Gerald Laird, who caught Harrison last year and Verlander this season. "It's something just fun to watch. I'm just glad he's on my team, and I don't have to face him."

If Dontrelle Willis was the challenge the Rangers didn't see coming Tuesday, Verlander is the pitcher opponents prepare for as soon as they see the probables. His outings are becoming events every time out, especially when he pitches at Comerica Park, and the statistics are something to marvel at. No longer is his comeback from a disappointing 2008 season much of a question; now it's how long he can keep this up?

Not since Mickey Lolich in 1971 had a Tiger struck out double-digit batters in three straight outings. Verlander hit three straight by fanning 13 Twins last Thursday at the Metrodome. If Verlander can do it again Wednesday, he'll extend his streak to four, something no Tigers pitcher has done since at least 1954.

He's already the first Major League pitcher in two years to have three straight games with at least 11 strikeouts. Another one, and he'll reach territory only Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling have hit in the past 15 years.

He's the only pitcher in the American League with more strikeouts than Zack Greinke, and he can stretch that lead with another strong outing on Wednesday. No Tigers pitcher has led the league in strikeouts since Jack Morris in 1983.

Less than a quarter of the way through the schedule, he's already better than a third of the way to what would be just the second 200-strikeout season from a Tigers pitcher since Morris in 1987. Jeremy Bonderman fanned 202 batters in 2006.

Verlander normally focuses more on his own game plan than on his opponent. The way he's pitching lately, spotting breaking balls with precision and riding his fastball into the upper 90s on radar guns with ease, no opponent has come up with a good game plan for him in the past month.

"From the get-go, I really don't worry about what the opposing hitters are doing or their approach," Verlander said Tuesday, "but I also watch and pay attention. I go out there with my game plan. If I need to tweak it during the game, if I notice things, then I do. I'm going to make them adjust to me before I adjust to them."

If he's on, the best hope might be to repeat what the Twins did last time out, make him use so many pitches on strikeouts and deep counts that he's out earlier than hoped, giving way to Detroit's bullpen. And after 122 pitches last time out, Verlander's pitch count could be a concern, even though he says he felt strong coming out of that performance.

"I've thrown 80 pitches before and felt achy and horrible the next few days," Verlander said. "This last time, I threw 120 and felt fine. It's how my body responds."

He will not be responding to how Harrison pitches, but it'll make for an entertaining matchup.

Laird remembers Harrison's potential from his time behind the plate with the Rangers last year. He knew Harrison had the chance to emerge as a quality young pitcher for a Texas squad that needed good arms, though back-to-back complete games and 23 innings of two-run ball over his past three starts might've been a little much to expect.

"This kid has good stuff," Laird said of the Tigers' opposing pitcher for Wednesday. "It's getting the confidence of getting it done every day in the big leagues. This year, it looks like he's made some adjustments.

"That's always been the thing over there. It's pitching and defense. "

On both sides, Wednesday will very much be about pitching.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Justin Verlander (3-2, 4.29 ERA)
Not since Mickey Lolich in 1971 had a Tiger racked up double-digit strikeouts in three straight starts until Verlander followed up back-to-back 11-strikeout games with a career-high 13 strikeouts Thursday at Minnesota, most by a Tiger in one game since 2004. But that's just the surface of Verlander's success this stretch. He has given up three runs on 16 hits over 29 1/3 innings in his last four starts while racking up 44 strikeouts, and he's poised to do more of the same against a free-swinging Rangers squad. He's 4-1 with a 2.23 ERA in six career outings against Texas, striking out 33 batters in 36 1/3 innings.

TEX: LHP Matt Harrison (4-2, 4.23 ERA)
Harrison has pitched two straight complete games and has won four straight starts with a 1.80 ERA. In those four games, he has pitched 30 innings while striking out 18 and walking two. He has allowed two earned runs in his last 28 innings, He made his first start of the season against the Tigers at Comerica Park and allowed four runs on nine hits and five walks over 52/3 innings in a 4-3 loss.

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Tidbits

... Look for Wilkin Ramirez to make his Major League debut Wednesday after the Tigers recalled their top outfield prospect from Triple-A Toledo Tuesday. It might be Ramirez's only appearance before rejoining the Mud Hens, possibly by the weekend if Magglio Ordonez returns Thursday or Friday as planned.
... Placido Polanco is 2-for-4 off Harrison; both hits were doubles.
... Marlon Byrd is 4-for-5 off Verlander.
... The Tigers have collected 10 or more hits in each of their past four games, all victories.
... Wednesday is Country Night at Comerica Park.
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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Thursday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 3-2, 2.42 ERA) vs. Rangers (Kevin Millwood, 4-3, 2.93 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Friday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 4-3, 3.86 ERA) vs. Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez, 3-4, 4.30 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 3-3, 5.62 ERA) vs. Rockies (Jason Marquis, 5-3, 4.75 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

Texas AVG
Kinsler, 2B .306
Murphy, LF .194
Young, 3B .349
Blalock, DH .237
Byrd, CF .302
Cruz, N, RF .265
Davis, C, 1B .221
Teagarden, C .206
Andrus, El, SS .266

Detroit AVG
Granderson, CF .263
Polanco, 2B .266
Ramirez, W, DH .000
Cabrera, M, 1B .381
Inge, 3B .278
Raburn, RF .167
Laird, C .222
Anderson, J, LF .294
Everett, SS .306

79 degrees at Game Time

Winds South 10-15mph

Mostly Clear Skies

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Ian Kinsler flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
David Murphy walks.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Michael Young flies out to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Hank Blalock swinging.

0-0

Bottom Half

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

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to left fielder David Murphy.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Wilkin Ramirez swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder David Murphy. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds into a force out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to shortstop Elvis Andrus. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Marlon Byrd flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Nelson Cruz swinging.

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



0-0

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn homers (3) on a fly ball to left center field.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, pitcher Matt Harrison to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Adam Everett singles on a ground ball to center fielder Marlon Byrd.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson swinging.

1-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Taylor Teagarden pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Elvis Andrus grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Ian Kinsler pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

1-0

Bottom Half

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, third baseman Michael Young to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Wilkin Ramirez swinging.

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

1-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
David Murphy swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Michael Young swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Hank Blalock swinging.

6 for

1-0

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Brandon Inge doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder David Murphy.

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn walks.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3 - Gerald Laird lines into a triple play,
second baseman Ian Kinsler to shortstop Elvis Andrus. Brandon Inge out
at 2nd. Ryan Raburn out at 1st.

1-0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Marlon Byrd singles on a ground ball to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Nelson Cruz singles on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Raburn. Marlon Byrd to 2nd.

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

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Taylor Teagarden singles on a line drive to left fielder Josh Anderson. Marlon Byrd scores. Nelson Cruz to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Elvis Andrus grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Ian Kinsler walks. bases loaded


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
David Murphy grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

tied 1-1

Bottom Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Josh Anderson walks.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Everett lines out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:0 S:1 O:1 - With Curtis Granderson batting, Josh
Anderson steals (7) 2nd base, . Josh Anderson advances to 3rd, on
throwing error by catcher Taylor Teagarden.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson pops out to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Placido Polanco lines out to left fielder David Murphy.

tied 1-1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Michael Young called out on .

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Hank Blalock flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Marlon Byrd grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

114 pitches for

tied 1-1

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Wilkin Ramirez (1) on a fly ball to left center field.

B:3 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder David Murphy.

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

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Brandon Inge (11) on a fly ball to left field. Miguel Cabrera scores.

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to center fielder Marlon Byrd.


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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jason Jennings replaces Matt Harrison.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird pops out to second baseman Ian Kinsler.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Josh Anderson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Marlon Byrd. Ryan Raburn to 3rd.


B:1 S:2 O:1 - With Adam Everett batting, Josh Anderson
steals (8) 2nd base, Josh Anderson to 3rd. Wild pitch by pitcher Jason
Jennings. Ryan Raburn scores. Josh Anderson to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:2 - Adam Everett reaches on a fielder's
choice out, pitcher Jason Jennings to catcher Taylor Teagarden to third
baseman Michael Young. Josh Anderson out at home. Adam Everett to 2nd.

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

5-1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon Lyon replaces Justin Verlander.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Nelson Cruz homers (8) on a line drive to left center field.

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

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Taylor Teagarden called out on .

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Elvis Andrus triples (4) on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Ian Kinsler flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

5-2

Bottom Half

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jeff Larish replaces Wilkin Ramirez.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Jeff Larish grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Chris Davis.

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

5-2 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Jeff Larish remains in the game as the designated hitter.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Brandon Lyon.

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
David Murphy singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Michael Young singles on a ground ball to left fielder Josh Anderson. David Murphy to 2nd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Hank Blalock singles on a line drive to left fielder Josh Anderson. David Murphy to 3rd. Michael Young to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:1 - Marlon Byrd grounds into a force out,
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Adam Everett. David Murphy
scores. Michael Young to 3rd. Hank Blalock out at 2nd. Marlon Byrd to
1st.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Nelson Cruz swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Chris Davis swinging.

5-3

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Warner Madrigal replaces Jason Jennings.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Clete Thomas replaces Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Clete Thomas lines out to center fielder Marlon Byrd.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Gerald Laird flies out to center fielder Marlon Byrd.

5-3 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Clete Thomas remains in the game as the right fielder.

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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Omar Vizquel replaces Taylor Teagarden.

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Omar Vizquel swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Josh Hamilton replaces Elvis Andrus.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Josh Hamilton flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Ian Kinsler grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

WIN 5-3

May 20, 2009

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

Texas AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Kinsler, 2B 4 0 0 0 1 0 1 .298 Murphy, LF 3 1 1 0 1 1 2 .200 Young, 3B 4 0 1 0 0 2 1 .346 Blalock, DH 4 0 1 0 0 2 1 .237 Byrd, CF 4 1 1 1 0 0 2 .300 Cruz, N, RF 4 1 2 1 0 2 2 .271 Davis, C, 1B 4 0 0 0 0 3 4 .215 Teagarden, C 3 0 1 1 0 1 0 .216 --a-Vizquel, PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .368 Andrus, El, SS 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .268 --b-Hamilton, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .239 Totals 35 3 8 3 2 12 15 a-Struck out for Teagarden in the 9th. b-Flied out for Andrus, El in the 9th. BATTING 3B: Andrus, El (4, Lyon). HR: Cruz, N (8, 7th inning off Lyon, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Murphy; Young; Blalock; Byrd; Cruz, N 5; Teagarden; Andrus, El 3. RBI: Teagarden (4), Cruz, N (23), Byrd (18). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Murphy; Kinsler; Davis, C. Team RISP: 2-for-9. Team LOB: 6. FIELDING E: Teagarden (1, throw). TP: (Kinsler-Andrus, El).		Detroit AB- R-- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Granderson, CF 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .256 Polanco, 2B 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .265 Ramirez, W, DH 3 1 1 1 0 2 1 .333 --a-Larish, PH-DH 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .256 Cabrera, M, 1B 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .385 Inge, 3B 4 1 2 2 0 1 2 .285 Raburn, RF 2 2 2 1 1 0 0 .219 --b-Thomas, PH-RF 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300 Laird, C 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 .214 Anderson, J, LF 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 .300 Everett, SS 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .307 Totals 32 5 10 4 2 4 12 a-Grounded out for Ramirez, W in the 7th. b-Lined out for Raburn in the 8th. BATTING 2B: Inge (5, Harrison, M). HR: Raburn (3, 2nd inning off Harrison, M, 0 on, 0 out), Ramirez, W (1, 6th inning off Harrison, M, 0 on, 0 out), Inge (11, 6th inning off Harrison, M, 1 on, 0 out). TB: Polanco; Ramirez, W 4; Cabrera, M 2; Inge 6; Raburn 5; Anderson, J; Everett. RBI: Raburn (10), Ramirez, W (1), Inge 2 (29). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Inge; Polanco; Granderson. Team RISP: 0-for-6. Team LOB: 5. BASERUNNING SB: Anderson, J 2 (8, 2nd base off Jennings/Teagarden, 2nd base off Harrison, M/Teagarden).
Texas IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Harrison, M (L, 4-3) 5.0 9 5 5 2 3 3 4.71 Jennings 2.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.89 Madrigal 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 9.82		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Verlander (W, 4-2) 6.0 3 1 1 2 8 0 3.99 Lyon 1.0 2 1 1 0 1 1 6.88 Zumaya (H, 2) 1.0 3 1 1 0 2 0 2.19 Rodney (S, 7) 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.71
Harrison, M pitched to 4 batters in the 6th. WP: Jennings. Pitches-strikes: Harrison, M 94-55, Jennings 28-15, Madrigal 14-8, Verlander 114-74, Lyon 21-14, Zumaya 15-11, Rodney 19-12. Groundouts-flyouts: Harrison, M 5-5, Jennings 4-2, Madrigal 0-2, Verlander 4-6, Lyon 1-1, Zumaya 1-0, Rodney 1-1. Batters faced: Harrison, M 24, Jennings 7, Madrigal 3, Verlander 23, Lyon 5, Zumaya 6, Rodney 3. Inherited runners-scored: Jennings 1-1. Umpires: HP: Scott Barry. 1B: Angel Hernandez. 2B: Bill Welke. 3B: Tim Welke. Weather: 81 degrees, clear. Wind: 15 mph, In from RF. T: 2:35. Att: 23,417. May 20, 2009