GDT: 5/22/09 - DET (23-16) VS COL (16-24) - 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- Interleague Play is usually the time when the Tigers start playing their best ball. They can't cite a firm reason for it, whether it's the summer warmup in Michigan, the way their team matches up with the National League, or simple dumb luck, but the past three years have all shown it.

Whether it's the weekend preview in May or the long stretch in June, Interleague Play has been the time when the Tigers make their move. This year, they head into it already with a headwind.

The Rockies came into town last June and lost a pair of one-run decisions in a three-game sweep that pushed the Tigers over .500 for the first time all year, completing Detroit's 13-5 Interleague stretch.

That followed the Tigers' 14-4 Interleague record in 2007, including the June stretch that pushed them into first place, and the 15-3 Interleague mark in 2006.

This time, the Tigers enter Interleague Play with a chance to take command of the American League Central. But they won't be overlooking the Rockies, not after last season.

"They play a completely different style of game," leadoff man Curtis Granderson said. "We've got to be ready to jump after these guys. We played them well last year. They're going to sure remember that, come back looking for revenge this time around."

Miguel Cabrera won one game with a walk-off two-run double after Todd Jones allowed four runs in the ninth to blow the save. One day later, Dane Sardinha's first Major League hit was a two-run triple that pulled the Tigers ahead for the sweep.

The Tigers remember those. They also remember the many times this season that they've had the makings of a defining move, only to fall back. They seemed to be breaking out during a three-game series in Cleveland two weeks ago, only to suffer a three-game sweep in Minnesota. They haven't lost since.

Their six-game winning streak is the second-longest in the American League, and they've created some much-needed separation from the Royals in the AL Central standings with a three-game lead entering Friday. They just swept what had been baseball's hottest team, the Rangers, and their starting pitching allowed just four runs on 11 hits over 20 1/3 innings in the three victories.

In short, they're playing the kind of baseball Justin Verlander felt they were capable of reaching.

"I think there's a uniform feeling around this team that we haven't played our best baseball," Justin Verlander said going into the week. "We haven't really put it all together. We've played good series, but we haven't really put a stretch together where we're consistently hitting, pitching and defending. I think it's just a matter of time, and I think when we do, it's going to be a scary thing."

Whether they're even doing it now is up for question, but they're right about there.

"We've felt the same all year, I think," Brandon Inge said. "We've had some bad games, pitched well some games, didn't hit well some games. I think now, we're talking about a feeling where we're putting it all together. This is where I think we can be on a consistent basis."

This will mark the fifth meeting between the Tigers and Rockies, who faced each other in Interleague Play three straight seasons from 2003-05. Colorado leads the series, 9-6, but are 2-4 all-time at Comerica Park.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Rick Porcello (4-3, 3.86 ERA)
The learning curve that Tigers manager Jim Leyland has talked about all season is starting to take shape for Porcello. The right-hander has won his last three starts after a six-inning, one-run performance Saturday, which Leyland called the rookie's best outing of the year. During that time, Porcello has given up only two runs in 18 innings, while striking out 13 and walking seven batters. Seven starts into his career, the 20-year-old Porcello said he's learning how to utilize his breaking ball and not always try to blow his fastball past batters.


COL: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (3-4, 4.30 ERA)
Jimenez's last start, Sunday against the Pirates, was less efficient than his recent work, but it's hard to argue with one run and seven strikeouts in six innings of work. It all was washed away when his bullpen and defense managed to give up 10 runs in the seventh inning. Nonetheless, the start was significant. Being tested because he didn't have his best fastball, Jimenez pitched off his secondary pitches and threw enough good fastballs in strikeout situations. He is 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA in his last four starts.

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Tidbits

... Magglio Ordonez is expected to return to action after missing the three-game series against Texas to be with his wife for her surgery. The Tigers activated Ordonez from the family medical emergency list after Thursday's game and optioned outfield prospect Wilkin Ramirez to Triple-A Toledo.
... The Tigers are 15-3 during weekend series this season, including 12-0 on Saturdays and Sundays.
... Adam Everett is batting .383 (18-for-47) with eight runs scored over his past 14 games.
... Friday's game will be broadcast on AM 1270 only in Detroit in order to accommodate Game 3 of the NHL's Western Conference finals on 97.1 FM.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• 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
• Monday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 4-2, 3.99 ERA) at Royals (Gil Meche, 2-4, 4.42 ERA), 2:10 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

ROCKIES

1. Dexter Fowler, CF
   
2. Troy Tulowitzski, SS
   
3. Todd Helton, 1B
   
4. Brad Hawpe, RF
   
5. Ryan Spilborghs, LF
   
6. Seth Smith, DH
   
7. Chris Iannetta, C
   
8. Garrett Atkins, 3B
   
9. Clint Barmes, 2B
   

P: Ubaldo Jimenez

TIGERS

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

P: Rick Porcello

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Dexter Fowler strikes out swinging.

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

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Todd Helton singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Brad Hawpe flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, second baseman Clint Barmes to first baseman Todd Helton.

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

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

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ryan Spilborghs grounds out softly, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Seth Smith flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Chris Iannetta grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera called out on strikes.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Jeff Larish strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Brandon Inge pops out to second baseman Clint Barmes.

0-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Garrett Atkins grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Clint Barmes swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Dexter Fowler doubles (8) on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:1 S:0 O:3 - Troy Tulowitzki singles on a ground ball
to left fielder Josh Anderson. Dexter Fowler out at home on the throw,
left fielder Josh Anderson to catcher Gerald Laird.



0-0

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Josh Anderson flies out to left fielder Ryan Spilborghs.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird singles on a ground ball to center fielder Dexter Fowler.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to center fielder Dexter Fowler. Gerald Laird to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson pops out to second baseman Clint Barmes.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
With Placido Polanco batting, wild pitch by Ubaldo Jimenez, Gerald Laird scores. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to right fielder Brad Hawpe. Ramon Santiago scores.

B:0 S:0 O:3 - Clete Thomas grounds into a force out,
shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to second baseman Clint Barmes. Placido
Polanco out at 2nd.

2-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Todd Helton grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brad Hawpe lines out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Ryan Spilborghs swinging.



2-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Clint Barmes to first baseman Todd Helton.

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

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge (12) on a line drive to right field.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Josh Anderson called out on .

3-0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Seth Smith grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Chris Iannetta grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Garrett Atkins walks.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Clint Barmes singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Garrett Atkins to 3rd.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Dexter Fowler grounds out sharply, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

3-0

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, third baseman Garrett Atkins to first baseman Todd Helton.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Spilborghs.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson called out on .

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Placido Polanco flies out to center fielder Dexter Fowler.

3-0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Troy Tulowitzki walks.

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

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Todd Helton singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Troy Tulowitzki to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
With Brad Hawpe batting, Troy Tulowitzki advances to 3rd on a balk. Todd Helton advances to 2nd on a balk.

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Brad Hawpe singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Troy Tulowitzki scores. Todd Helton to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:2 - Ryan Spilborghs grounds into double
play, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to catcher Gerald Laird. Todd Helton
out at home. Brad Hawpe to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Seth Smith flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

3-1

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Clete Thomas grounds out, third baseman Garrett Atkins to first baseman Todd Helton.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to first baseman Todd Helton.

B:3 S:0 O:3 -
Jeff Larish grounds out, second baseman Clint Barmes to first baseman Todd Helton.

3-1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Rick Porcello.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Chris Iannetta pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Garrett Atkins flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Clint Barmes walks.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
With Dexter Fowler batting, Clint Barmes caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Laird to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

3-1

Bottom Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Brandon Inge called out on .

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Josh Anderson walks.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Dexter Fowler. Josh Anderson to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

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

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to center fielder Dexter Fowler.

3-1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Dexter Fowler lines out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Troy Tulowitzki swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Todd Helton flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.



3-1

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jason Grilli replaces Ubaldo Jimenez. (Grilli has pitched well after getting away from Chucky!)


B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to center fielder Dexter Fowler.

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Clete Thomas walks. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Manuel Corpas replaces Jason Grilli.

B:1 S:0 O:1 - Miguel Cabrera grounds into a force out,
fielded by third baseman Garrett Atkins. Placido Polanco out at 3rd.
Clete Thomas to 2nd. Miguel Cabrera to 1st.

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

B:0 S:2 O:2 - Brandon Inge grounds into a force out,
shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to second baseman Clint Barmes. Clete Thomas
scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Jeff Larish out at 2nd. Brandon Inge to
1st.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Alan Embree replaces Manuel Corpas.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Josh Anderson lines out to center fielder Dexter Fowler.

4-1 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Ryan Perry.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Brad Hawpe walks.

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

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Ryan Spilborghs swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
With Seth Smith batting, passed ball by Gerald Laird, Brad Hawpe to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Seth Smith homers (4) on a fly ball to right field. Brad Hawpe scores.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Chris Iannetta swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Garrett Atkins hit by pitch.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Omar Quintanilla replaces Garrett Atkins.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ian Stewart replaces Clint Barmes.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Ian Stewart singles on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas. Omar Quintanilla to 3rd.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Dexter Fowler swinging.

WIN 4-3

May 22, 2009

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

Colorado AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Fowler, CF 5 0 1 0 0 2 4 .252 Tulowitzki, SS 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 .237 Helton, 1B 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 .343 Hawpe, RF 3 1 1 1 1 0 1 .336 Spilborghs, LF 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .273 Smith, S, DH 4 1 1 2 0 0 1 .276 Iannetta, C 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .218 Atkins, 3B 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .187 --1-Quintanilla, PR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167 Barmes, 2B 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 .250 --a-Stewart, PH 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .196 Totals 32 3 8 3 4 7 9 a-Singled for Barmes in the 9th. 1-Ran for Atkins in the 9th. BATTING 2B: Fowler (8, Porcello). HR: Smith, S (4, 9th inning off Zumaya, 1 on, 1 out). TB: Fowler 2; Tulowitzki; Helton 2; Hawpe; Smith, S 4; Barmes; Stewart. RBI: Hawpe (34), Smith, S 2 (10). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Fowler 2; Smith, S. Team RISP: 3-for-7. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING CS: Barmes (1, 2nd base by Perry/Laird).		Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Granderson, CF 4 0 0 0 0 1 5 .252 Polanco, 2B 4 0 2 1 0 0 1 .271 Thomas, RF 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 .286 Cabrera, M, 1B 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .371 Larish, DH 3 0 0 0 1 2 0 .239 Inge, 3B 4 1 1 2 0 1 2 .279 Anderson, J, LF 3 0 0 0 1 1 2 .276 Laird, C 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 .226 Santiago, SS 3 1 2 0 0 1 2 .361 Totals 31 4 7 3 3 7 15 BATTING HR: Inge (12, 4th inning off Jimenez, 0 on, 2 out). TB: Polanco 2; Inge 4; Laird 2; Santiago 2. RBI: Polanco (17), Inge 2 (31). 2-out RBI: Polanco; Inge. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Granderson; Anderson, J. Team RISP: 1-for-7. Team LOB: 6. FIELDING PB: Laird (3). Outfield assists: Anderson, J (Fowler at home). DP: (Cabrera, M-Laird).
Colorado IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Jimenez (L, 3-5) 7.0 6 3 3 1 7 1 4.25 Grilli 0.0 1 1 1 1 0 0 3.21 Corpas 0.2 0 0 0 1 0 0 6.27 Embree 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.76		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Porcello (W, 5-3) 6.0 6 1 1 2 3 0 3.55 Perry (H, 4) 2.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2.45 Zumaya (S, 1) 1.0 2 2 2 1 3 1 3.38
Grilli pitched to 2 batters in the 8th. WP: Jimenez. Balk: Porcello. HBP: Atkins (by Zumaya). Pitches-strikes: Jimenez 104-66, Grilli 7-2, Corpas 9-4, Embree 3-3, Porcello 86-56, Perry 31-19, Zumaya 31-19. Groundouts-flyouts: Jimenez 8-6, Grilli 0-0, Corpas 2-0, Embree 0-1, Porcello 9-4, Perry 0-4, Zumaya 0-0. Batters faced: Jimenez 28, Grilli 2, Corpas 3, Embree 1, Porcello 24, Perry 6, Zumaya 7. Inherited runners-scored: Corpas 2-1, Embree 2-0. Umpires: HP: John Hirschbeck. 1B: Wally Bell. 2B: Marty Foster. 3B: D.J. Reyburn. Weather: 69 degrees, clear. Wind: 13 mph, L to R. T: 2:26. Att: 28,264. May 22, 2009