GDT: 5/31/09 - DET (27-21) AT BAL (23-27) - 1:35 p.m. ET

BALTIMORE -- Watch the frozen rope unleashed by Clete Thomas on Friday night, a throw from right field that nabbed Baltimore's Melvin Mora at third base to complete a double play in rookie phenom Matt Wieters' first Major League at-bat, and it's obvious that Thomas possesses a gun for an arm.

Not bad for a 25-year-old still recovering from ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow. It was the second outfield assist of the season for Thomas, and the Tigers' ninth.

"God blessed me with a good arm. I had Tommy John surgery this offseason, and it's getting better. I don't think it's all the way [healed] yet, or that it's completely back yet, but it's getting there," Thomas said.

The potential that an already strong, accurate arm could be better makes Tigers manager Jim Leyland ponder how strong his outfield could be in the future.

"I don't think he's at full strength. I think he'll get better. It comes back. Whether it comes back all the way or not, you don't know," Leyland said.

What Leyland has now is plenty of flexibility in the outfield, thanks to shrewd roster construction that allows him to play three natural center fielders at the same time. Thomas is one of a trio of speedy outfielders -- Josh Anderson, 26, and Ryan Raburn, 27, are the others -- who have combined with regular center fielder Curtis Granderson to give Detroit defensive depth.

"We're pretty good in the outfield," Leyland said. "We've got some speed, some arm strength."

Fourteen times this season, that maneuverability has pushed right fielder Magglio Ordonez into the designated-hitter role. Lately, that flexibility has allowed Leyland to give cleanup hitter Miguel Cabrera added protection by moving Granderson from leadoff to fifth in the lineup, with either Anderson, acquired from Atlanta on March 30, or Thomas replacing him at the top of the order.

While Thomas understands Leyland's propensity to mix and match, depending on the opposing pitcher, he'd always prefer to be in the starting lineup. Considering he's still recovering from major surgery, Thomas is thrilled with the action he's been getting.

"[Leyland] plays the matchups -- if somebody has a history off somebody, and he feels somebody matches up better against a certain pitcher. He feels comfortable enough placing any of us in the outfield, because we're all great outfielders. He's not losing speed or defense. We're pretty much interchangeable," Thomas said. "It's a great problem for him. It [is tough] for us sometimes, because we all want to play every day. But he puts us in there in the right situations."

Thomas feels more comfortable in right than left, because that's the corner he's played more when not manning center. Before games, Thomas, Anderson and Rayburn spend time in the outfield working with coach Andy Van Slyke working on their positioning, throws and accuracy.

Van Slyke was a five-time Gold Glove center fielder for Pittsburgh in a 13-year Major League career. But Thomas said it's Van Slyke's ability to teach, coach and interact with the threesome that makes the relationship flourish.

"He coaches it very well. Somebody could have been a Hall of Famer, but if they can't coach it, get it across to you, it's kind of useless. He's good at what he does and he relates well to us," Thomas said.
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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Edwin Jackson (4-3, 2.58 ERA)
Jackson remains among the American League's top pitchers in terms of ERA, but a pair of wayward throws on his part set up two unearned runs that helped break up his duel with Zack Greinke on Tuesday in Kansas City. The three-run sixth inning overshadowed what was his fourth straight quality start, including 13 ground balls over 6 1/3 innings. Jackson generally did not fare well against the Orioles during his tenure with Tampa Bay, going 2-4 with a 5.44 ERA in eight starts and three relief appearances, including 17 hits over 8 2/3 career innings at Camden Yards.

BAL: RHP Jason Berken (1-0, 3.60 ERA)
Berken won his first start thanks to some timely home runs by the Baltimore hitters. The right-hander allowed runs in each of the first two innings but settled down as the game wore on and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth. Berken, who had been 2-0 with a 1.05 ERA at Triple-A Norfolk, will likely keep getting opportunities as long as he keeps his team in the game.

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Tidbits

... Radio broadcaster Dan Dickerson, recovering in Detroit from surgery to repair a ruptured quadriceps, is expected to be back behind the microphone when the Tigers open a three-game series against Boston at Comerica Park on Tuesday.
... Ordonez was 3-for-5 on Saturday night, extending his hitting streak to 16 games.
... Leyland plans to give second baseman Placido Polanco and first baseman Cabrera an off-day Sunday in the series finale at Camden Yards. Because the Tigers have a scheduled off-day Monday, the move will be equal to a two-day break for each starter.
... Justin Verlander was cheered on by 40 friends and family members Saturday night in Baltimore.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello, 6-3, 3.48 ERA) vs. Red Sox (Daisuke Matsuzaka, 0-3, 8.82 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 3-5, 5.50 ERA) vs. Red Sox (Josh Beckett, 5-2, 4.60 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Clete Thomas pops out to shortstop Robert Andino.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Ty Wigginton to first baseman Aubrey Huff.
Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Brian Roberts flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Adam Jones swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Nick Markakis flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

0-0

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson pops out to second baseman Brian Roberts.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to left fielder Luke Scott.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, second baseman Brian Roberts to first baseman Aubrey Huff.
Bottom Half

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Ty Wigginton grounds out sharply, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Jeff Larish.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Luke Scott swinging.

0-0

Inning 3
Top Half

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

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Adam Everett singles on a line drive to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Clete Thomas grounds out to first baseman Aubrey Huff. Adam Everett to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to left fielder Luke Scott in foul territory.
Bottom Half

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Matt Wieters pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Gregg Zaun swinging.

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

0-0

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson homers (13) on a fly ball to right center field.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Jeff Larish singles on a line drive to left fielder Luke Scott.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge hit by pitch. Jeff Larish to 2nd.

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

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Josh Anderson flies out to left fielder Luke Scott.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Gerald Laird grounds into a force out, shortstop Robert Andino to second baseman Brian Roberts. Brandon Inge out at 2nd.
Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Brian Roberts lines out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Adam Jones pops out to first baseman Jeff Larish.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Nick Markakis singles on a line drive to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Aubrey Huff swinging.

1-0

Inning 5
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Everett grounds out, second baseman Brian Roberts to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Clete Thomas grounds out, second baseman Brian Roberts to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, first baseman Aubrey Huff to pitcher Jason Berken.
Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Ty Wigginton pops out to first baseman Jeff Larish.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Luke Scott swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Matt Wieters swinging.

1-0

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson pops out softly to third baseman Ty Wigginton.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Brandon Inge pops out softly to shortstop Robert Andino.

1-0

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Gregg Zaun pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Robert Andino walks.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
With Brian Roberts batting, Robert Andino caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Laird to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Brian Roberts grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Jeff Larish.

1-0 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

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

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird walks.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Adam Everett flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Clete Thomas grounds out to catcher Gregg Zaun.

1-0

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Jones grounds out, pitcher Edwin Jackson to shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Jeff Larish.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Nick Markakis flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Aubrey Huff swinging.

1-0 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Danys Baez replaces Jason Berken.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

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

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Jeff Larish doubles (2) on a line drive to right fielder Nick Markakis. Magglio Ordonez scores.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Brandon Inge swinging.

2-0

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Ty Wigginton hits a ground-rule double (8) on a fly ball to right-center field.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Luke Scott lines out to first baseman Jeff Larish.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Gregg Zaun grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Jeff Larish.

2-0 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Mark Hendrickson replaces Danys Baez.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Josh Anderson lines out to left fielder Luke Scott.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, second baseman Brian Roberts to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett walks.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Clete Thomas doubles (5) on a line drive to center fielder Adam Jones. Adam Everett scores.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to left fielder Luke Scott.

3-0

Bottom Half

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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Cesar Izturis replaces Robert Andino.

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Cesar Izturis called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brian Roberts grounds out to first baseman Jeff Larish.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Jones walks.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
With Nick Markakis batting, Adam Jones advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Nick Markakis grounds out, pitcher Fernando Rodney to first baseman Jeff Larish.

WIN 3-0

May 31, 2009

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

Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Thomas, RF 5 0 1 1 0 0 2 .282 Santiago, 2B 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 .308 Ordonez, DH 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 .280 Granderson, CF 4 1 1 1 0 0 1 .258 Larish, 1B 3 0 2 1 1 1 0 .250 Inge, 3B 3 0 1 0 0 1 2 .269 Anderson, J, LF 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 .277 Laird, C 3 0 0 0 1 1 2 .225 Everett, SS 3 1 1 0 1 0 1 .284 Totals 33 3 6 3 4 3 13 BATTING 2B: Larish (2, Baez), Thomas (5, Hendrickson). HR: Granderson (13, 4th inning off Berken, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Thomas 2; Granderson 4; Larish 3; Inge; Everett. RBI: Granderson (30), Larish (7), Thomas (13). 2-out RBI: Larish; Thomas. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Santiago 2; Laird; Inge. Team RISP: 0-for-5. Team LOB: 8.		Baltimore AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Roberts, 2B 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300 Jones, CF 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 .344 Markakis, RF 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .298 Huff, 1B 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .268 Wigginton, 3B 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .226 Scott, LF 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .325 Wieters, DH 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .182 Zaun, C 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .203 Andino, SS 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .256 --a-Izturis, C, PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .261 Totals 28 0 2 0 2 8 5 a-Struck out for Andino in the 9th. BATTING 2B: Wigginton (8, Jackson). TB: Markakis; Wigginton 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Zaun; Markakis. Team RISP: 0-for-4. Team LOB: 3. BASERUNNING CS: Andino (1, 2nd base by Jackson/Laird).
Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Jackson (W, 5-3) 8.0 2 0 0 1 7 0 2.30 Rodney (S, 10) 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3.00		Baltimore IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Berken (L, 1-1) 7.0 4 1 1 2 2 1 2.25 Baez 1.0 1 1 1 1 1 0 3.77 Hendrickson 1.0 1 1 1 1 0 0 5.66
HBP: Inge (by Berken). Pitches-strikes: Jackson 101-64, Rodney 17-8, Berken 102-61, Baez 22-12, Hendrickson 12-6. Groundouts-flyouts: Jackson 6-10, Rodney 2-0, Berken 9-10, Baez 0-2, Hendrickson 1-2. Batters faced: Jackson 26, Rodney 4, Berken 28, Baez 5, Hendrickson 5. Umpires: HP: Sam Holbrook. 1B: Adrian Johnson. 2B: Larry Vanover. 3B: Dan Iassogna. Weather: 76 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 7 mph, Out to RF. T: 2:21. Att: 32,233. May 31, 2009