GDT: 5/25/09 - DET (24-18) AT KC (22-22) - 2:10 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- Contrary to expectations, the Tigers and Royals have met plenty of times over the past several years with division hopes on the line. They've just never done so together.

Detroit's final-week charge in 2003 to avoid the historic 120-loss mark began with back-to-back wins in Kansas City, extinguishing what was left of the Royals' playoff hopes. They got their revenge in the final weekend of 2006 with a three-game sweep at Comerica Park, denying the Tigers the American League Central title on the final day of the regular season and sending them to New York as the Wild Card winners. Detroit's nightmare '08 season began with a three-game sweep to the Royals.

They've had meaningful games. They just haven't had common meaning like this.

Not since the Tigers joined the AL Central have the two teams met this far into the season with at least .500 records on both sides. The last time that happened was 1995, when the Tigers were still in the AL East. Kansas City's win at St. Louis on Sunday not only brought the Royals back to the break-even mark, but it whittled Detroit's lead in the division to three games.

It's still too early to call it a potential playoff race, but it would be too skeptical to call it another regular-season matchup. If the team matchups don't add something to the rivalry, the pitching matchups will.

The Memorial Day matinee features AL strikeout leader Justin Verlander -- unbeaten in his past six starts and dominant in his past five -- against Gil Meche, who dominated Detroit last season and is 8-4 against the Tigers in his career. The next night features two of the AL's top four ERAs when Zack Greinke meets Edwin Jackson. Then 20-year-old Rick Porcello will try to stretch his winning streak to six straight starts in Wednesday's series finale.

"It'll be a fun series," Verlander said.

It won't determine the division, everyone cautioned. But a series victory would do wonders to set a tone.

"I want to try to keep it going," manager Jim Leyland said of his team's start, "but it'll all be dictated by the pitching."

The last couple weeks have shown the Tigers have the pitching to match up against any club. The question going in will be whether their offense can muster some rallies after fizzling out at the tail end of their just-finished nine-game homestand.

The top third of the Tigers' batting order heads into the series in an 0-for-23 slump over the past two games. Leadoff man Curtis Granderson, who batted fifth Sunday, is in the midst of an 0-for-13 slump to drop his average on the season to .240. Clete Thomas, whose callup to the Tigers a few weeks ago gave the team a spark from the third spot in the order, is mired in an 0-for-12 slump. Josh Anderson is 0-for-10. Even Miguel Cabrera is 2-for-11.

It's an odd twist for a team that was supposed to be powered by its offense, not by its pitching and defense. But then, maybe it's fitting to have that heading into a series that nobody expected to have this kind of meaning.


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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Justin Verlander (4-2, 3.99 ERA)
His double-digit strikeout streak came to an end at three starts, but Verlander didn't have a bad game by any means in his last outing against Texas. His six-inning, one-run performance dropped his ERA below 4.00 for the first time since July 2008. In his past five outings, he's 4-1 with a 1.02 ERA. Verlander credits his turnaround to better control over his breaking ball and a more focused approach toward opposing hitters. "They're the enemy, and I'm focused in on that," Verlander said. "I'm going to do everything within my power to get these guys out and not let them beat us."

KC: RHP Gil Meche (2-4, 4.42 ERA)
There was some good news for Meche on Wednesday night. He went six innings against the Indians, left with a 4-2 lead, experienced no backache and finished with ample energy. His season had been dogged by intermittent back pain and then, on May 14 against the Orioles, by early game fatigue. Meche changed his workout routine, did more running and had more stamina against the Indians. Still, the Royals opted to lift him after 87 pitches to avoid risking a relapse. However, the bullpen couldn't maintain the lead, and the Royals lost, 6-5. This will be Meche's first turn against the Tigers this year; he's 8-4 against them in his career, and he was 2-0 against them last season in four starts.

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Tidbits

... Marcus Thames will stay behind and make the drive down Interstate 75 to Toledo, Ohio, where he'll start a Minor League rehab assignment with the Mud Hens on Monday.
... Magglio Ordonez has a 10-game hitting streak, during which he's batting .378 (14-for-37).
... The Tigers broke a nine-game errorless streak with Thomas' error Sunday. Their 18 errors entering Sunday ranked second lowest among AL clubs.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Tuesday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 4-2, 2.55 ERA) at Royals (Zack Greinke, 7-1, 0.82 ERA), 8:10 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 5-3, 3.55 ERA) at Royals (Kyle Davies, 2-3, 4.78 ERA), 2:10 p.m. ET• Thursday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 3-4, 5.74 ERA) at Orioles (Koji Uehara, 2-3, 4.09 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

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

P: Justin Verlander

ROYALS

1. Coco Crisp, CF
   
2. David DeJesus, LF
   
3. Billy Butler, 1B
   
4. Jose Guillen, RF
   
5. Mike Jacobs, DH
   
6. Mark Teahen, 3B
   
7. Alberto Callaspo, 2B
   
8. John Buck, C
   
9. Willie Bloomquist, SS
   

P: Gil Meche

73 degrees this afternoon

60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms;

East Winds around 10-15mph

one tenth to one quarter inch of rain expected with localized heavier amounts in some areas

Inning 1
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Curtis Granderson walks.

B:2 S:1 O:0 - Placido Polanco reaches on force
attempt, fielding error by third baseman Mark Teahen. Curtis Granderson
to 3rd. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Mark Teahen to first baseman Billy Butler. Curtis Granderson scores.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Coco Crisp. Placido Polanco scores.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Jeff Larish walks. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Jose Guillen.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Clete Thomas flies out to right fielder Jose Guillen.

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Coco Crisp pops out to shortstop Ramon Santiago in foul territory.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
David DeJesus grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Billy Butler flies out to left fielder Clete Thomas.

2-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird flies out to center fielder Coco Crisp.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, third baseman Mark Teahen to first baseman Billy Butler.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Coco Crisp.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
With Placido Polanco batting, Curtis Granderson steals (6) 2nd base.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Placido Polanco lines out to first baseman Billy Butler.

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Jose Guillen pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Mike Jacobs swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Mark Teahen swinging.

2-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to right fielder Jose Guillen.


B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera doubles (9) on a line drive to right fielder Jose Guillen. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to left fielder David DeJesus. Magglio Ordonez scores. Miguel Cabrera scores.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Clete Thomas singles on a ground ball to center fielder Coco Crisp. Brandon Inge to 2nd.


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


B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird walks. Brandon Inge to 3rd. Clete Thomas to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Sidney Ponson replaces Gil Meche.


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


B:1 S:0 O:3 - Ramon Santiago grounds into double play,
second baseman Alberto Callaspo to shortstop Willie Bloomquist to first
baseman Billy Butler. Gerald Laird out at 2nd.


Bottom Half

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


B:3 S:3 O:2 -
John Buck swinging.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Willie Bloomquist swinging.

4-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

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


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco lines out to right fielder Jose Guillen.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out softly, pitcher Sidney Ponson to first baseman Billy Butler.


Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Coco Crisp singles on a line drive to left fielder Clete Thomas.


B:0 S:2 O:2 - David DeJesus grounds into double play,
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Ramon Santiago to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Coco Crisp out at 2nd.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Billy Butler singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Jose Guillen singles on a line drive to left fielder Clete Thomas. Billy Butler to 2nd.


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


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Mike Jacobs strikes out on foul tip.

4-0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Coco Crisp.

B:0 S:1 O:0 - Jeff Larish singles on a ground ball to
left fielder David DeJesus, deflected by shortstop Willie Bloomquist.
Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to left fielder David DeJesus. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Jeff Larish to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:0 - Clete Thomas singles on a ground ball to
right fielder Jose Guillen. Miguel Cabrera scores. Jeff Larish scores.
Brandon Inge to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird pops out to second baseman Alberto Callaspo.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Coco Crisp. Brandon Inge scores.

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

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Mark Teahen swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Alberto Callaspo singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
John Buck flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Willie Bloomquist swinging.

7-0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco flies out to center fielder Coco Crisp.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out softly, third baseman Mark Teahen to first baseman Billy Butler.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera pops out to shortstop Willie Bloomquist.
Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Coco Crisp grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
David DeJesus singles on a line drive to left fielder Clete Thomas.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Billy Butler flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Jose Guillen flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

7-0 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ron Mahay replaces Sidney Ponson.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Mitch Maier replaces center fielder Coco Crisp, batting 1st, playing center field.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Luis Hernandez replaces shortstop Willie Bloomquist, batting 9th, playing shortstop.

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Jeff Larish swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a soft line drive to left fielder David DeJesus.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Clete Thomas flies out to left fielder David DeJesus.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. Brandon Inge scores.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to center fielder Mitch Maier.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson doubles (5) on a line drive to right fielder Jose Guillen. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, third baseman Mark Teahen to first baseman Billy Butler.

9-0

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Mike Jacobs grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Luis Hernandez grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Justin Verlander.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Tug Hulett replaces Alberto Callaspo.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Tug Hulett swinging.

9-0 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Tug Hulett remains in the game as the second baseman.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Roman Colon replaces Ron Mahay.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez walks.

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

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Jeff Larish swinging.

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

9-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Josh Anderson remains in the game as the left fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from left field to right field for Clete Thomas.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Zach Miner replaces Justin Verlander.

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

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Willie Bloomquist called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
On-field Delay.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Kansas City Royals Manager Trey Hillman ejected by HP umpire Paul Emmel.

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

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
David DeJesus singles on a line drive to left fielder Josh Anderson. Mitch Maier scores.

B:0 S:0 O:3 - Billy Butler grounds into a force out,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco. David
DeJesus out at 2nd.

9-1 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jamey Wright replaces Roman Colon.

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

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Gerald Laird walks.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a fly ball to center fielder Mitch Maier. Gerald Laird to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson singles on a line drive to center fielder Mitch Maier. Gerald Laird scores. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:1 - Placido Polanco singles on a ground ball
to center fielder Mitch Maier. Ramon Santiago scores. Curtis Granderson
to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:1 - Josh Anderson singles on a soft ground
ball to third baseman Willie Bloomquist. Curtis Granderson to 3rd.
Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:1 - Miguel Cabrera doubles (10) on a line
drive to left fielder David DeJesus. Curtis Granderson scores. Placido
Polanco scores. Josh Anderson to 3rd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Ryan Raburn replaces Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Jose Guillen.

13-1

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn remains in the game as the first baseman.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Zach Miner.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Jose Guillen walks.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Mike Jacobs flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Luis Hernandez swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Tug Hulett grounds out to first baseman Ryan Raburn.

WIN 13-1

May 25, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Detroit	2	0	2	0	3	0	2	0	4		13	19	0
Kansas City	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0		1	7	1

Detroit AB-- R-- H-- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Granderson, CF 5 2 3 1 1 2 1 .250 Polanco, 2B 6 2 1 1 0 0 3 .259 Ordonez, RF 4 1 1 1 1 0 1 .266 --1-Anderson, J, PR-LF 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .272 Cabrera, M, 1B 6 2 4 3 0 1 1 .378 --2-Raburn, PR-1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222 Larish, DH 5 1 1 0 1 4 5 .235 Inge, 3B 6 2 3 2 0 1 5 .280 Thomas, LF-RF 5 0 2 2 0 1 3 .269 Laird, C 3 2 1 2 2 0 2 .246 Santiago, SS 4 1 2 1 0 0 3 .348 Totals 45 13 19 13 5 9 24 1-Ran for Ordonez in the 8th. 2-Ran for Cabrera, M in the 9th. BATTING 2B: Cabrera, M 2 (10, Meche, Wright, J), Granderson (5, Mahay). HR: Laird (2, 7th inning off Mahay, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Granderson 4; Polanco; Ordonez; Anderson, J; Cabrera, M 6; Larish; Inge 3; Thomas 2; Laird 4; Santiago 2. RBI: Ordonez (18), Cabrera, M 3 (36), Inge 2 (33), Thomas 2 (8), Santiago (20), Laird 2 (13), Granderson (27), Polanco (18). 2-out RBI: Laird 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Thomas; Polanco 3; Inge 2. SF: Santiago. GIDP: Santiago. Team RISP: 8-for-18. Team LOB: 11. BASERUNNING SB: Granderson (6, 2nd base off Meche/Buck). FIELDING DP: (Cabrera, M-Santiago-Cabrera, M).		Kansas City AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Crisp, CF 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .236 --Maier, CF 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .314 DeJesus, D, LF 4 0 2 1 0 0 1 .242 Butler, 1B 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .285 Guillen, RF 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 .291 Jacobs, DH 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .261 Teahen, 3B 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 .261 --Hernandez, L, SS 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .125 Callaspo, 2B 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .309 --a-Hulett, PH-2B 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 Buck, C 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .235 Bloomquist, SS-3B 3 0 0 0 0 3 1 .298 Totals 33 1 7 1 1 10 11 a-Struck out for Callaspo in the 7th. BATTING 3B: Maier (1, Miner). TB: Crisp; Maier 3; DeJesus, D 2; Butler; Guillen; Callaspo. RBI: DeJesus, D (18). 2-out RBI: DeJesus, D. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Jacobs. GIDP: DeJesus, D. Team RISP: 1-for-2. Team LOB: 6. FIELDING E: Teahen (2, fielding). DP: (Callaspo-Bloomquist-Butler).
Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Verlander (W, 5-2) 7.0 5 0 0 0 8 0 3.55 Miner 1.0 2 1 1 0 1 0 4.76 Perry 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2.33		Kansas City IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Meche (L, 2-5) 2.1 6 4 2 3 1 0 4.55 Ponson 3.2 4 3 3 0 2 0 6.49 Mahay 1.0 4 2 2 0 1 1 4.32 Colon 1.0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0.00 Wright, J 1.0 5 4 4 1 2 0 3.86
Pitches-strikes: Verlander 96-66, Miner 11-8, Perry 17-10, Meche 73-40, Ponson 47-30, Mahay 22-14, Colon 21-14, Wright, J 31-19. Groundouts-flyouts: Verlander 7-6, Miner 2-0, Perry 1-1, Meche 2-4, Ponson 4-5, Mahay 1-1, Colon 0-0, Wright, J 0-1. Batters faced: Verlander 25, Miner 5, Perry 4, Meche 17, Ponson 14, Mahay 7, Colon 4, Wright, J 9. Inherited runners-scored: Ponson 3-0. EjectionsKansas City Royals Manager Trey Hillman ejected by HP umpire Paul Emmel. (8th). Umpires: HP: Paul Emmel. 1B: Angel Campos. 2B: Bill Hohn. 3B: Bruce Dreckman. Weather: 69 degrees, cloudy. Wind: 10 mph, In from RF. T: 2:52. Att: 34,524. May 25, 2009