GDT: 5/29/09 - DET (26-20) AT BAL (22-26) - 7:05 p.m. ET

BALTIMORE -- When left-hander Dontrelle Willis says he wants to keep on keeping on, he's doing more than spouting a cliche approach to extending his early season success.

Willis is so focused on his next assignment -- the second game of a four-game series at Camden Yards against the Orioles -- that he's barely aware that he'll likely welcome Baltimore's top prospect to the Majors. Catcher Matt Wieters, the switch-hitting slugger who was the fifth overall pick out of Georgia Tech in 2007, will be recalled to start Friday's game in what will be his Major League debut.

"Who?" Willis asked, interrupting a reporter's question about how he'd approach Wieters. "I don't keep up with anything about that."

Willis' focus these days is squarely on pitching well -- something he's done in three starts since being activated off the disabled list following treatment for an anxiety disorder. Wieters may be regarded as baseball's top prospect, but Willis won't approach him any differently than any other hitter.

"I try to pitch, attack everybody the same way," Willis said. "If he hits three home run offs me, I guess I'll have to make an adjustment. I just try to attack the strike zone. You have to throw strikes at everybody, keep the ball down and hope for the best."

The approach was endorsed by Tigers manager Jim Leyland, an old-school baseball guy who doesn't usually embrace newfangled thinking.

"He's pitched two very, very good ball games and we're just letting that flow," Leyland said. "He's throwing strikes, he's had movement, he's changing speeds. He got out of whack a couple of times, but he was able to correct himself and get right back in."

Whatever Willis figured out in the Minors -- a journey that began this year in Class A Lakeland before progressing to Triple-A Toledo -- has worked. Leyland doesn't figure to tinker with anything before Willis gives him reason to.

"I'm very tickled, very pleased. I'm just kind of letting it happen and not talking about it much because I don't want everybody's expectations so high that it bothers the guy," Leyland said.


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Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Dontrelle Willis (1-1, 3.57 ERA)
After many wondered going into the season -- with good reason -- whether Willis would pitch for the Tigers again, Willis has laid the foundation to become a potential go-to starter heading into the summer. While his last outing couldn't match his 6 1/3 scoreless innings from his season debut, his quality start -- three runs allowed over 6 2/3 innings -- gave the Tigers at least a chance at a victory, even though Detroit's struggling offense couldn't convert. Willis has allowed 16 hits over his 17 2/3 innings, including only one home run, and he's been hitting the corners of the strike zone with relative consistency.

BAL: RHP Brad Bergesen (1-2, 5.49 ERA)
Bergesen had another erratic start in his last outing, holding the Nationals scoreless through four innings and allowing two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings. And that trend holds true for the rookie: In his last five starts, Bergesen has allowed 11 total runs in the first five innings and seven in the sixth or later. Bergesen has allowed at least three earned runs in all but one of his outings.

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Tidbits

...Right fielder Magglio Ordonez extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a first-inning single Thursday night.
...Right-hander Armando Galarraga took the loss Thursday but recorded the Tigers' 12th quality start in 14 games.
...Center fielder Curtis Granderson went 2-for-3 Thursday night and is now hitting 6-for-14 (.428) on the road trip.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Saturday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 5-2, 3.55 ERA) at Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie, 4-4, 4.90 ERA), 7:05 p.m.
• Sunday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 4-3, 2.58 ERA) at Orioles (Jason Berken, 1-0, 3.60 ERA), 1:35 p.m. ET
• Monday: Off-day

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Anderson, J, LF .302
Polanco, 2B .263
Ordonez, DH .263
Cabrera, M, 1B .366
Granderson, CF .254
Inge, 3B .269
Thomas, RF .264
Laird, C .238
Everett, SS .297

Baltimore AVG
Roberts, 2B .306
Jones, CF .357
Markakis, RF .297
Huff, 1B .273
Mora, 3B .276
Scott, DH .318
Wieters, C .000
Reimold, N, LF .264
Izturis, C, SS .256

Current Conditions

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Rain 71 F

Humidity: 82 %

Wind: from the NW at 4 mph

Barometer: 29.70 in

last updated: 5/29/09 6:25 PM EDT

rain delay until at least 7:28

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Josh Anderson bunt grounds out, catcher Matt Wieters to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco flies out to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out softly to shortstop Cesar Izturis.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Brian Roberts walks.


B:1 S:1 O:1 - Adam Jones grounds into a force out,
pitcher Dontrelle Willis to second baseman Placido Polanco. Brian
Roberts out at 2nd. Adam Jones to 1st.


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Nick Markakis grounds into a force out,
second baseman Placido Polanco to shortstop Adam Everett. Adam Jones
out at 2nd. Nick Markakis to 1st.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Aubrey Huff pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, second baseman Brian Roberts to first baseman Aubrey Huff.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Brandon Inge strikes out swinging.


B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Clete Thomas grounds out, third baseman Melvin Mora to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Melvin Mora walks.

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Luke Scott singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Clete Thomas. Melvin Mora to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:2 - Matt Wieters flies into double play,
right fielder Clete Thomas to third baseman Brandon Inge. Melvin Mora
out at 3rd on the throw.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Nolan Reimold strikes out swinging.

0-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Gerald Laird strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Adam Everett flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, second baseman Brian Roberts to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

0-0

Bottom Half

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

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Brian Roberts singles on a ground ball to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Jones singles on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas. Brian Roberts to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Nick Markakis singles on a ground ball to right fielder Clete Thomas. Brian Roberts scores. Adam Jones to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:2 - Aubrey Huff reaches on a fielder's
choice out, third baseman Brandon Inge to catcher Gerald Laird. Adam
Jones out at home. Nick Markakis to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Melvin Mora singles on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas. Nick Markakis to 3rd. Aubrey Huff to 2nd.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Luke Scott hits a grand slam (9) to right field. Nick Markakis scores. Aubrey Huff scores. Melvin Mora scores.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Matt Wieters grounds out, pitcher Dontrelle Willis to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

O's 5-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, pitcher Brad Bergesen to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Melvin Mora to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

O's 5-0 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Nolan Reimold doubles (2) on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Cesar Izturis singles on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas. Nolan Reimold to 3rd.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Brian Roberts out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Clete Thomas. Nolan Reimold scores.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Adam Jones singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Cesar Izturis to 2nd.

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

B:1 S:1 O:3 - Nick Markakis grounds into double play,
second baseman Placido Polanco to shortstop Adam Everett to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Adam Jones out at 2nd.

O's 6-0 AFTER 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, second baseman Brian Roberts to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, shortstop Cesar Izturis to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Clete Thomas singles on a line drive to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Gerald Laird flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.

O's 6-0 AFTER 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Aubrey Huff grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Melvin Mora grounds out, pitcher Dontrelle Willis to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Luke Scott homers (10) on a fly ball to right field.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Matt Wieters grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


O's 7-0 AFTER 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Everett grounds out, shortstop Cesar Izturis to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, pitcher Brad Bergesen to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Placido Polanco strikes out swinging.

O's 7-0 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Zach Miner replaces Dontrelle Willis.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Nolan Reimold pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

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

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Brian Roberts strikes out swinging.

great job Zach!!!

O's 7-0 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

B:0 S:1 O:0 - Miguel Cabrera doubles (11) on a fly
ball to center fielder Adam Jones, deflected by right fielder Nick
Markakis. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Curtis Granderson singles on a line drive to left fielder Nolan Reimold. Magglio Ordonez scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

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

B:0 S:2 O:2 - Brandon Inge grounds into double play,
shortstop Cesar Izturis to second baseman Brian Roberts to first
baseman Aubrey Huff. Miguel Cabrera scores. Curtis Granderson out at
2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Clete Thomas lines out to right fielder Nick Markakis.

O's 7-2 after 6.2 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Adam Jones grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Nate Robertson replaces Zach Miner.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Nick Markakis flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Aubrey Huff singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Melvin Mora grounds out, pitcher Nate Robertson to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

O's 7-2 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, third baseman Melvin Mora to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Adam Everett flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Josh Anderson pops out to shortstop Cesar Izturis.

O's 7-2 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Luke Scott walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Felix Pie replaces Luke Scott.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Matt Wieters called out on .

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Nolan Reimold walks. Felix Pie to 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:2 - Cesar Izturis grounds into a force out,
shortstop Adam Everett to third baseman Brandon Inge. Felix Pie out at
3rd. Nolan Reimold to 2nd. Cesar Izturis to 1st.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Brian Roberts called out on .


O's 7-2 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Felix Pie remains in the game as the designated hitter.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Placido Polanco doubles (15) on a line drive to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

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

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Nolan Reimold. Placido Polanco to 3rd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jim Johnson replaces Brad Bergesen.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge pops out to shortstop Cesar Izturis.

O's win 7-2

May 29, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Detroit	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0		2	7	0
Baltimore	0	0	5	1	1	0	0	0	X		7	11	0

Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Anderson, J, LF 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .289 Polanco, 2B 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .262 Ordonez, DH 4 1 3 0 0 0 0 .275 Cabrera, M, 1B 4 1 1 0 0 0 3 .363 Granderson, CF 4 0 1 1 0 1 2 .254 Inge, 3B 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .262 Thomas, RF 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .267 Laird, C 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .232 Everett, SS 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .288 Totals 33 2 7 1 0 4 9 BATTING 2B: Cabrera, M (11, Bergesen), Polanco (15, Bergesen). TB: Polanco 2; Ordonez 3; Cabrera, M 2; Granderson; Thomas. RBI: Granderson (28). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Inge. GIDP: Inge. Team RISP: 2-for-6. Team LOB: 4. FIELDING Outfield assists: Thomas (Mora at 3rd base). DP: 2 (Thomas-Inge, Polanco-Everett-Cabrera, M).		Baltimore AB- R- -H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Roberts, 2B 3 1 1 1 1 2 2 .307 Jones, CF 4 0 2 0 0 0 1 .360 Markakis, RF 4 1 1 1 0 0 3 .296 Huff, 1B 4 1 1 0 0 0 3 .273 Mora, 3B 3 1 1 0 1 0 1 .277 Scott, DH 3 2 3 5 1 0 0 .336 --1-Pie, PR-DH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .195 Wieters, C 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .000 Reimold, N, LF 3 1 1 0 1 1 1 .268 Izturis, C, SS 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .255 Totals 32 7 11 7 4 4 16 1-Ran for Scott in the 8th. BATTING 2B: Reimold, N (2, Willis). HR: Scott 2 (10, 3rd inning off Willis, 3 on, 2 out; 5th inning off Willis, 0 on, 2 out). TB: Roberts; Jones 2; Markakis; Huff; Mora; Scott 9; Reimold, N 2; Izturis, C. RBI: Markakis (40), Scott 5 (27), Roberts (22). 2-out RBI: Scott 5. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Roberts. SF: Roberts. GIDP: Markakis. Team RISP: 4-for-9. Team LOB: 6. FIELDING DP: (Izturis, C-Roberts-Huff).
Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Willis (L, 1-2) 5.0 10 7 7 2 1 2 5.56 Miner 1.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.55 Robertson 1.2 1 0 0 2 2 0 4.50		Baltimore IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Bergesen (W, 2-2) 8.0 7 2 2 0 3 0 4.94 Johnson 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.16
Bergesen pitched to 2 batters in the 9th. Pitches-strikes: Willis 77-48, Miner 14-8, Robertson 32-15, Bergesen 105-76, Johnson 9-8. Groundouts-flyouts: Willis 10-3, Miner 2-1, Robertson 2-1, Bergesen 13-8, Johnson 0-2. Batters faced: Willis 25, Miner 4, Robertson 8, Bergesen 30, Johnson 3. Inherited runners-scored: Johnson 2-0. Umpires: HP: Larry Vanover. 1B: Dan Iassogna. 2B: Sam Holbrook. 3B: Adrian Johnson. Weather: 68 degrees, cloudy. Wind: 2 mph, L to R. T: 2:12 (:26 delay). Att: 42,704. May 29, 2009