GDT: 5/21/09 - DET (22-16) VS TEX (23-16) - 1:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- The stats show that Edwin Jackson figures to be a key cog if the Tigers want to collect their fifth win in as many tries against the Rangers this year. Just don't tell him that.

Jackson, Detroit's starter for Thursday's game, doesn't look at his split stats, or many stats at all for that matter. So he didn't know that Rangers batters are hitting only .210 in his five career appearances against them, the lowest of any team he's faced with at least 100 plate appearances vs. the righty.

Pitching is simpler for him.

"Just go out and leave it on the field," Jackson said of his approach. "And whatever's the case after that, it is. I don't know the numbers, I don't know nothing but to just go out and pitch."

While Wednesday's matchup between Justin Verlander and Matt Harrison featured two of the hottest pitchers in baseball, Thursday afternoon will showcase two of the most consistent this season. Jackson, whose 2.42 ERA is second only to Zack Greinke in the American League, faces off against Kevin Millwood, eighth in the league with a 2.93 mark.

The Tigers, meanwhile, will be going for their sixth consecutive win, which would be the team's longest win streak since June 25-30, 2008. They will also look to sweep their second consecutive series and third in their past four.

Each of Thursday's starters has had considerable success against the opponent lately. The last time Millwood pitched at Comerica Park on April 12, he threw seven scoreless innings, while giving up only four hits. Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he's not sure how he'll put together his lineup, but he could go with a slew of right-handed hitters, given the fact that left-handed batters are hitting only .194 against Millwood this year, while righties are hitting .283.

So Leyland is happy not to have to worry about his starter, whom he has praised as an "innings eater" this year. Jackson is averaging 6 1/2 innings per start, and has had only one outing shorter than six innings. Jackson's success and consistency have allowed Leyland to protect 20-year-old rookie Rick Porcello behind him.

Jackson has become the second part of a Tigers trifecta that over the last two times through the rotation has given up a total of five earned runs during 40 1/3 innings pitched. And while Jackson admits that strong pitching around him does help, just like the opposing team stats, he doesn't think about it too much when he takes the mound.

"It's contagious," Jackson said of other starters playing well. "But regardless of what the pitcher in front of you does, you have to go out and pitch your game. It's always good when you can feed off each other, but if the guy in front of you doesn't get the job done, you still have to go do your part."

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Edwin Jackson (3-2, 2.42 ERA)
In the wake of Justin Verlander's four-start tear, Edwin Jackson has been turning in some quality performances of his own. Jackson has now worked seven innings in consecutive starts, giving up only one run during the stretch. In his last start on Friday, he stayed loose through a one hour, 13-minute rain delay after the fourth inning to complete a seven inning, one run performance. The start before that, at Cleveland on May 4, Jackson pitched seven innings of shutout ball, striking out seven. He's now made it through the seventh inning in half of his eight starts, and his 2.42 ERA is the lowest of all Tigers starters.

TEX: RHP Kevin Millwood (4-3, 2.93 ERA)
Millwood is 3-1 with a 3.81 ERA in his past four starts. He is 1-2 with a 3.81 ERA in four starts on the road. That includes a start in Detroit in the first weekend of the season when he threw seven scoreless innings against the Tigers before they rallied for six runs in the eighth inning against the bullpen. He is 4-4 with a 3.56 ERA in 12 career starts against the Tigers, including 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA in four starts at Comerican Park.

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Tidbits

... Nate Robertson will come off the disabled list for Thursday's game. Robertson has been on the 15-day DL with a strained muscle in his lower back. Luke French was optioned to Triple-A Toledo after Wednesday's game to make room.
... Magglio Ordonez will likely not be back in time for Thursday's game, Leyland said Wednesday. Ordonez has been on the family medical emergency list since Tuesday while his wife undergoes surgery.
... Jeremy Bonderman is making his second rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Toledo at Gwinnett.
... The Tigers are 0-4 in Thursday games this season.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• 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
• Sunday: Tigers (Dontrelle Willis, 1-0, 3.27 ERA) vs. Rockies (Jason Hammel, 0-3, 4.60 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

RANGERS

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. David Murphy, LF
3. Michael Young, 3B
4. Hank Blalock, DH
5. Marlon Byrd, CF
6. Nelson Cruz, RF
7. Chris Davis, 1B
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
9. Elvis Andrus, SS

P: Kevin Millwood

TIGERS

1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Thomas, RF
4. Cabrera, DH
5. Larish, 1B
6. Inge, 3B
7. Anderson, LF
8. Everett, SS
9. Sardinha, C

P: Edwin Jackson

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Ian Kinsler pops out to catcher Dane Sardinha in foul territory.


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


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Michael Young grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Jeff Larish.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Hank Blalock grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Jeff Larish.

Texas 1-0

Bottom Half

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

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Clete Thomas homers (1) on a fly ball to center field.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, pitcher Kevin Millwood to first baseman Chris Davis.

Tied 1-1 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Marlon Byrd grounds out, pitcher Edwin Jackson to first baseman Jeff Larish.

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

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
With Chris Davis batting, Nelson Cruz steals (5) 2nd base.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Chris Davis walks.

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

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Jarrod Saltalamacchia walks. Nelson Cruz to 3rd. Chris Davis to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3 - Elvis Andrus flies into double play,
right fielder Clete Thomas to catcher Dane Sardinha. Nelson Cruz out at
home on the throw.

Tied 1-1

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Jeff Larish pops out to first baseman Chris Davis in foul territory.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge lines out to center fielder Marlon Byrd.


B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Chris Davis.

Tied 1-1 after 2 inning

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ian Kinsler pops out to first baseman Jeff Larish in foul territory.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
David Murphy singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

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

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Hank Blalock grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Jeff Larish.
Bottom Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Adam Everett walks.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Dane Sardinha called out on .

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson homers (11) on a fly ball to right field. Adam Everett scores.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Placido Polanco lines out to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Clete Thomas grounds out to first baseman Chris Davis.

3-1 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

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

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Nelson Cruz grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Jeff Larish.

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


Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera pops out to third baseman Michael Young in foul territory.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Jeff Larish singles on a line drive to center fielder Marlon Byrd.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
With Josh Anderson batting, Jeff Larish caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

3-1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Elvis Andrus flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Ian Kinsler singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
David Murphy walks. Ian Kinsler to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
With Michael Young batting, Ian Kinsler steals (10) 3rd base. David Murphy steals (2) 2nd base.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Michael Young pops out to first baseman Jeff Larish.

3-1

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Josh Anderson pops out to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

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

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Dane Sardinha strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
With Curtis Granderson batting, Adam Everett steals (3) 2nd base.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson walks.

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

3-1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Hank Blalock grounds out to first baseman Jeff Larish.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Marlon Byrd pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Nelson Cruz pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

3-1

Bottom Half

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera pops out to second baseman Ian Kinsler in foul territory.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Jeff Larish flies out to left fielder David Murphy.

3-1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

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

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

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Elvis Andrus doubles (3) on a line drive to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
With Ian Kinsler batting, Elvis Andrus steals (5) 3rd base.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Ian Kinsler swinging.

3-1

Bottom Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Brandon Inge walks.

B:2 S:2 O:1 - Josh Anderson grounds into a force out,
second baseman Ian Kinsler to shortstop Elvis Andrus. Brandon Inge out
at 2nd. Josh Anderson to 1st.

B:0 S:1 O:3 - Adam Everett grounds into double play,
second baseman Ian Kinsler to shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman
Chris Davis. Josh Anderson out at 2nd.

3-1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
David Murphy walks.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Michael Young flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Hank Blalock doubles (8) on a fly ball to right fielder Clete Thomas. David Murphy to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Marlon Byrd lines out to shortstop Adam Everett.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Nelson Cruz doubles (8) on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. David Murphy scores. Hank Blalock scores.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
With Chris Davis batting, Nelson Cruz steals (6) 3rd base.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Chris Davis walks.

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

tied 3-3

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Dane Sardinha swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to center fielder Marlon Byrd.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Clete Thomas walks. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Marlon Byrd. Placido Polanco scores. Clete Thomas to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Jeff Larish grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Chris Davis.

4-3 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Edwin Jackson.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Elvis Andrus walks.

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

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Ian Kinsler swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
David Murphy singles on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas. Elvis Andrus to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:3 - Michael Young grounds into double play,
second baseman Placido Polanco to shortstop Adam Everett to first
baseman Jeff Larish. David Murphy out at 2nd.

TIGERS WIN 4-3

May 21, 2009

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

Texas AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Kinsler, 2B 5 0 1 0 0 2 2 .295 Murphy, LF 3 2 3 1 2 0 0 .233 Young, 3B 5 0 0 0 0 1 6 .335 Blalock, DH 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .237 Byrd, CF 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .291 Cruz, N, RF 4 0 2 2 0 0 0 .278 Davis, C, 1B 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 .212 Saltalamacchia, C 3 0 0 0 1 3 2 .252 Andrus, El, SS 3 0 1 0 1 0 3 .270 Totals 33 3 8 3 6 8 16 BATTING 2B: Andrus, El (3, Jackson), Blalock (8, Jackson), Cruz, N (8, Jackson). HR: Murphy (2, 1st inning off Jackson, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Kinsler; Murphy 6; Blalock 2; Cruz, N 3; Andrus, El 2. RBI: Murphy (9), Cruz, N 2 (25). 2-out RBI: Cruz, N 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Young 2; Kinsler; Saltalamacchia. GIDP: Young. Team RISP: 1-for-7. Team LOB: 9. BASERUNNING SB: Murphy (2, 2nd base off Jackson/Sardinha, D), Cruz, N 2 (6, 2nd base off Jackson/Sardinha, D, 3rd base off Jackson/Sardinha, D), Andrus, El (5, 3rd base off Jackson/Sardinha, D), Kinsler (10, 3rd base off Jackson/Sardinha, D). FIELDING DP: (Kinsler-Andrus, El-Davis, C).		Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Granderson, CF 3 1 1 2 1 0 0 .258 Polanco, 2B 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 .265 Thomas, RF 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 .302 Cabrera, M, DH 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 .381 Larish, 1B 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .256 Inge, 3B 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 .280 Anderson, J, LF 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .288 Everett, SS 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 .311 Sardinha, D, C 3 0 0 0 0 3 2 .053 Totals 28 4 6 4 4 3 9 BATTING HR: Thomas (1, 1st inning off Millwood, 0 on, 2 out), Granderson (11, 3rd inning off Millwood, 1 on, 1 out). TB: Granderson 4; Polanco; Thomas 4; Cabrera, M; Larish; Everett. RBI: Thomas (6), Granderson 2 (26), Cabrera, M (32). 2-out RBI: Thomas; Cabrera, M. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Polanco; Larish. GIDP: Everett. Team RISP: 1-for-3. Team LOB: 4. BASERUNNING SB: Everett (3, 2nd base off Millwood/Saltalamacchia). CS: Larish (1, 2nd base by Millwood/Saltalamacchia). FIELDING Outfield assists: Thomas (Cruz, N at home). DP: 2 (Polanco-Everett-Larish, Thomas-Sardinha, D).
Texas IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Millwood (L, 4-4) 8.0 6 4 4 4 3 2 3.12		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Jackson (W, 4-2) 8.0 7 3 3 5 7 1 2.55 Rodney (S, 8) 1.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 3.50
Pitches-strikes: Millwood 121-73, Jackson 132-78, Rodney 21-12. Groundouts-flyouts: Millwood 10-10, Jackson 6-10, Rodney 2-0. Batters faced: Millwood 32, Jackson 35, Rodney 4. Umpires: HP: Angel Hernandez. 1B: Bill Welke. 2B: Tim Welke. 3B: Scott Barry. Weather: 79 degrees, sunny. Wind: 16 mph, R to L. T: 2:40. Att: 34,356. May 21, 2009

I had to sit in Section 338; last row; The Mezzainne was too crowded; A lot of kids at Comerica Park today


GO TIGERS!

And the umpires wore their light blue shirts for the first time this season at Comerica Park



Not surprised though


It was very hot

83 degrees on the scoreboard when the game ended

Felt even hotter walking back to my car after the game