GDT: 5/23/09 - DET (24-16) VS COL (16-25) - 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- The Tigers' perfect weekend record this season meets Armando Galarraga's imperfect May. Neither side gave in his last start Sunday, thanks to Detroit's comeback against Oakland. Both parties would prefer not to need another rally this time around.

Though Jeremy Bonderman is at least another rehab start away from rejoining the Tigers, Galarraga nonetheless is pitching with a spotlight on him. While the Tigers' rotation has risen to third in the Majors in ERA, Galarraga's struggles stand out -- and not in a good way. He's hoping his effort to turn his game around finally takes effect.

As Galarraga and others point out, it's not as if his entire season has been a struggle, or that last year should be considered an anomaly. He not only had three wins and a no-decision in April, his three victories came in outings of at least six innings with one run or none allowed. He was the Tigers' Pitcher of the Month for April, and he dominated opponents.

Now he's 0-3 with a 10.90 ERA in May, and he's working to make the change that gets him back not only to his early-season form, but his form of last year. It's about more than simply a mechanical tweak to get his body delivering directly to the plate instead of too far to the first-base side. It's about getting back the mind-set that lets him focus on opposing hitters instead of himself.

"Look and react," Galarraga described the mentality. "Don't get so troubled about my mechanics."

Most importantly, he said, "Don't stress out."

So far, the team is trying not to make it a stressful situation. But Galarraga's numbers are difficult to ignore. So was his first-inning exit in his last outing on Sunday against Oakland. It marked the first time since Andrew Miller in 2007 that manager Jim Leyland had to pull a pitcher in the opening inning for reasons other than injury, after Galarraga retired just two of the nine hitters he faced, walking three and falling a triple short of giving up the cycle.

The Tigers came back to beat the A's and complete the sweep, moving to 12-0 on Saturdays and Sundays. Still, it wasn't an easy win.

"I wouldn't say there's not a concern," Leyland said after that game, "but he's a fine Major League pitcher, and I think he'll be fine."

One problem Leyland noticed was that Galarraga's sinker was moving off the plate against left-handed hitters, likely a consequence of his delivery. Whatever the movement, he has struggled to throw it for strikes, and hitters have been able to wait him out for fastballs and sliders behind in the count that they can drive for big hits. When he has been in trouble this season, he has gone away from his sinker at times and more to his slider.

"We'll get him going," Leyland said. "He's a good Major League pitcher, and I don't think we'll have any problem getting him going."

With the rest of the rotation going swimmingly for now, they have the luxury to work with him. Still, for Galarraga's sake, now would be a great time to get back to his old form.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Armando Galarraga (3-3, 5.62 ERA)
While the three starters ahead of him surge, Galarraga continues to struggle in the No. 4 spot in the Tigers' rotation. He has now given up at least five runs in four straight starts. With Bonderman scheduled to make his second rehab start for Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, a rotation shakeup could be down the road. But Leyland hasn't set any timetable for Bonderman's return nor given any indication of when a change might happen.

COL: RHP Jason Marquis (5-3, 4.75 ERA)
Marquis is coming off his best outing of the season, an eight-inning effort in which he allowed just one run on five hits against the Braves on Monday. In that outing, Marquis threw 71 pitches through the first four innings, and then settled in to throw just 32 through the last five. That lower pitch count was due in part to the four double plays he induced from Braves hitters using an effective sinker. Marquis hasn't faced Detroit since 2002, when he was pitching for Atlanta.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tidbits

... The Tigers' eight-game home winning streak is their longest since they won 10 in a row from June 15-July 15 in 2006.
... Friday's win improves the Tigers to 43-12 in Interleague Play since 2006, the best such mark in the Majors.
... Ramon Santiago's single Friday pushed his hitting streak to eight games, tying a career high. He's batting .483 (14-for-29) over the stretch.
... Brandon Inge's next start will be his 634th at third base, moving him past George Moriarty for ninth place in franchise history for games played at third.
... The Tigers announced Friday that they'll make up their rainout against the White Sox from May 6 with a day-night doubleheader June 8 at Chicago. The first game will start at 2:05 p.m. ET, with the nightcap at the regular start time of 8:11.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

To track MLB play-by-play, to help post GDT outcomes: http://m.mlb.com/scores/

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

On television
• FS-D HD

On radio
• WXYT 1270 AM / 97.1 FM

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• 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
• Tuesday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 4-2, 2.55 ERA) at Royals (Zack Greinke, 7-1, 0.82 ERA), 8:10 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

ROCKIES

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

P: Jason Marquis


TIGERS

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

P: Armando Galarraga

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Dexter Fowler triples (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Troy Tulowitzki out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Clete Thomas. Dexter Fowler scores.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Todd Helton called out on .

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Brad Hawpe grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Rockies 1-0

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, second baseman Clint Barmes to first baseman Todd Helton.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Clete Thomas grounds out, second baseman Clint Barmes to first baseman Todd Helton.

Rockies 1-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Chris Iannetta homers (8) on a fly ball to left field.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Seth Smith pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Garrett Atkins grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Ian Stewart flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

Rockies 2-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (9) on a line drive to left center field.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez called out on .

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, third baseman Ian Stewart to first baseman Todd Helton.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to first baseman Todd Helton.

Rockies 2-1 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Clint Barmes flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Dexter Fowler singles on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:2 S:1 O:1 - Troy Tulowitzki singles on a line drive
to right fielder Clete Thomas. Dexter Fowler to 3rd. Troy Tulowitzki to
2nd on the throw.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Todd Helton grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Dexter Fowler scores. Troy Tulowitzki to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Brad Hawpe flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

Rockies 3-1

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Gerald Laird singles on a ground ball to center fielder Dexter Fowler.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett grounds into double play, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to first baseman Todd Helton. Gerald Laird out at 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to right fielder Brad Hawpe.

Rockies 3-1 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

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

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Seth Smith walks.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Garrett Atkins pops out to pitcher Armando Galarraga.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Ian Stewart pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.
Bottom Half

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

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Clete Thomas grounds out, second baseman Clint Barmes to first baseman Todd Helton.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera swinging.

Rockies 3-1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Clint Barmes grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Dexter Fowler called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Troy Tulowitzki pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.


Rockies 3-1

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brad Hawpe.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge pops out to second baseman Clint Barmes.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to center fielder Dexter Fowler. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.


B:1 S:2 O:1 - With Gerald Laird batting, Magglio
Ordonez steals (1) 3rd base, Magglio Ordonez scores. Ryan Raburn steals
(1) 2nd base. Ryan Raburn advances to 3rd. Throwing error by catcher
Chris Iannetta.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird singles on a line drive to center fielder Dexter Fowler. Ryan Raburn scores.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Adam Everett pops out to second baseman Clint Barmes.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out softly, third baseman Ian Stewart to first baseman Todd Helton.

tied 3-3 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:3 S:0 O:0 -
Todd Helton homers (6) on a fly ball to right field.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Brad Hawpe lines out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Chris Iannetta doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Nate Robertson replaces Armando Galarraga.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Seth Smith flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

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

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Injury Delay.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Yorvit Torrealba replaces Chris Iannetta.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Ian Stewart grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Rockies 4-3

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Yorvit Torrealba remains in the game as the catcher.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, pitcher Jason Marquis to first baseman Todd Helton.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Clete Thomas flies out to left fielder Seth Smith.

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

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez swinging.

Rockies 4-3 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Clint Barmes walks.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Dexter Fowler out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Nate Robertson to second baseman Placido Polanco. Clint Barmes to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Troy Tulowitzki flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas. Clint Barmes to 3rd.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Todd Helton called out on .

Rockies 4-3

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge pops out to first baseman Todd Helton in foul territory.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn pops out to second baseman Clint Barmes.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Gerald Laird doubles (5) on a line drive to center fielder Dexter Fowler.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Adam Everett grounds out softly, pitcher Jason Marquis to first baseman Todd Helton.

Rockies 4-3 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Brad Hawpe lines out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon Lyon replaces Nate Robertson.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Colorado Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta left the game due to an injured leg.
(strained right hamstring)

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Yorvit Torrealba called out on .

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Seth Smith flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

Rockies 4-3

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Ryan Spilborghs replaces left fielder Seth Smith, batting 6th, playing left field.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, first baseman Todd Helton to pitcher Jason Marquis.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, second baseman Clint Barmes to first baseman Todd Helton.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Randy Flores replaces Jason Marquis.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Clete Thomas swinging.

Rockies 4-3 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Garrett Atkins flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Ian Stewart pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Clint Barmes swinging.

Rockies 4-3

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Huston Street replaces Randy Flores.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera pops out to second baseman Clint Barmes.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez walks.

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

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
With Brandon Inge batting, Josh Anderson steals (9) 2nd base.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jeff Larish replaces Ryan Raburn.

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

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Jeff Larish walks.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Gerald Laird swinging.

Tigers lose 3-4

May 23, 2009

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

Colorado AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Fowler, CF 3 2 2 0 0 1 0 .262 Tulowitzki, SS 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .239 Helton, 1B 4 1 1 2 0 2 2 .340 Hawpe, RF 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .326 Iannetta, C 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 .231 --1-Torrealba, PR-C 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .250 Smith, S, LF 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .266 --Spilborghs, LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273 Atkins, DH 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .188 Stewart, 3B 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 .188 Barmes, 2B 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 .243 Totals 32 4 7 4 2 5 9 1-Ran for Iannetta in the 6th. BATTING 2B: Iannetta (5, Galarraga). 3B: Fowler (2, Galarraga). HR: Iannetta (8, 2nd inning off Galarraga, 0 on, 0 out), Helton (6, 6th inning off Galarraga, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Fowler 4; Tulowitzki; Helton 4; Iannetta 6; Atkins. RBI: Tulowitzki (14), Iannetta (18), Helton 2 (29). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Hawpe; Stewart; Helton. S: Fowler. SF: Tulowitzki. Team RISP: 1-for-7. Team LOB: 5. FIELDING E: Iannetta (1, throw). DP: (Tulowitzki-Helton).		Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Granderson, CF 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .246 Polanco, 2B 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .264 Thomas, RF 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .267 Cabrera, M, 1B 3 1 1 1 1 1 0 .370 Ordonez, DH 3 1 1 0 1 2 1 .257 --1-Anderson, J, PR-DH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .276 Inge, 3B 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .271 Raburn, LF 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 .229 --a-Larish, PH 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .239 Laird, C 4 0 3 1 0 1 2 .245 Everett, SS 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 .301 Totals 32 3 6 2 3 7 9 a-Walked for Raburn in the 9th. 1-Ran for Ordonez in the 9th. BATTING 2B: Laird (5, Marquis). HR: Cabrera, M (9, 2nd inning off Marquis, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Cabrera, M 4; Ordonez; Raburn; Laird 4. RBI: Cabrera, M (33), Laird (11). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Everett; Laird. GIDP: Everett. Team RISP: 1-for-4. Team LOB: 5. BASERUNNING SB: Raburn (1, 2nd base off Marquis/Iannetta), Anderson, J (9, 2nd base off Street/Torrealba), Ordonez (1, 3rd base off Marquis/Iannetta).
Colorado IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Marquis (W, 6-3) 7.2 6 3 2 1 4 1 4.45 Flores, Ra (H, 1) 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 Street (S, 6) 1.0 0 0 0 2 2 0 3.63		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Galarraga (L, 3-4) 5.1 6 4 4 1 2 2 5.74 Robertson 2.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 5.25 Lyon 1.2 0 0 0 0 2 0 6.27
Pitches-strikes: Marquis 103-66, Flores, Ra 5-3, Street 19-10, Galarraga 79-48, Robertson 25-17, Lyon 27-16. Groundouts-flyouts: Marquis 13-6, Flores, Ra 0-0, Street 0-1, Galarraga 5-9, Robertson 2-3, Lyon 0-3. Batters faced: Marquis 29, Flores, Ra 1, Street 5, Galarraga 23, Robertson 8, Lyon 5. Inherited runners-scored: Robertson 1-0. Umpires: HP: Wally Bell. 1B: Marty Foster. 2B: D.J. Reyburn. 3B: John Hirschbeck. Weather: 78 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 8 mph, In from RF. T: 2:33. Att: 37,035. May 23, 2009