GDT: 6/4/09 - DET (28-23) VS BOS (31-22) - 1:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- For now, the Tigers have done just fine riding the hot hitting of their younger players. The team has a 3 1/2-game lead in the American League Central heading into Thursday's matchup against the Red Sox.

But if his club wants to hold on to that lead as the middle of the season approaches, manager Jim Leyland knows the key will be increased production from veteran hitters combined with the output of the younger guys.

"If our proven hitters hit close to what they're capable of hitting, with our kids, we'll be good enough," Leyland said.

The Tigers lead the American League in ERA, but they are ninth in team batting average at .268. They have one player with an average over .300, with Miguel Cabrera hitting .351. Besides that, other key veterans have had relatively quiet bats thus far such as Magglio Ordonez (.276, 19 RBIs), Curtis Granderson (.272) and Placido Polanco (.251, one home run).

For a team that was expected to have plenty of offensive firepower, Leyland is surprised to see the numbers where they are.

"I'm kind of surprised that we haven't done a little better offensively," Leyland said Wednesday afternoon, before his team went hitless through 6 2/3 innings in a 10-5 loss.

The Tigers have gotten by with the success of younger players, some of whom are filling in for injured veterans. Clete Thomas has been the team's leadoff hitter for the past four games and is hitting .258 on the year. Shortstop tandem Ramon Santiago and Adam Everett have combined for 37 RBIs, with Santiago hitting .296.

But while Leyland has enjoyed seeing the success of his younger players in the early going, the stretch run will be on the shoulders of the veterans.

"They won't be able to carry us," Leyland said of his team's younger players. "That won't happen."

Younger players have been forced into key roles, as outfielders Carlos Guillen and Marcus Thames have spent most of the season on the disabled list. Leyland hopes Thames can rejoin the team over the weekend, in time to face a tough stretch of lefties against the Angels and White Sox. Thames had one of the best home run-per-at-bat ratios in the Majors last year, but he has been on the DL with a strained rib cage since April 19.

Left-hander Dontrelle Willis gets the start Thursday for the Tigers. Willis went seven innings and gave up two runs in his only career appearance against Boston in 2006. He'll face Red Sox starter Tim Wakefield, who has a 5.70 ERA on the road this year.

The knuckleballer Wakefield presents a rare challenge for Tigers hitters, but it also gives them a chance to go back to basics.

"For me, it's kind of taking everything you know about hitting and throwing it out the window," center fielder Curtis Granderson said of facing Wakefield. "Try and treat it like it's backyard baseball growing up. See it and hit it."

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Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Dontrelle Willis (1-2, 5.56 ERA)
The Tigers are wondering which version of Willis will show up -- the somewhat effective lefty who compiled a 3.57 ERA through three starts after he was activated from the 15-day disabled list after being treated for an anxiety disorder, or the guy who threw batting practice to the Orioles on Friday. In a disastrous outing at Camden Yards, Willis surrendered seven runs on 10 hits over five innings and his ERA jumped almost two runs a game. Willis is at his best when his herky-jerky delivery makes it difficult for hitters to pick up pitches. But that only works when he has command of his pitches, something that deserted him against Baltimore.

BOS: RHP Tim Wakefield (6-3, 4.55 ERA)
He was Boston's best starting pitcher for the first six weeks of the season. However, Wakefield has taken a downturn of late. The veteran knuckleballer has surrendered five runs or more in three of his past four starts. Most recently, Wakefield gave up nine hits and six runs over 4 2/3 innings in a loss to the Blue Jays. Wakefield has struggled on the road this season, going 2-3 with a 5.70 ERA. Lifetime at Comerica Park, Wakefield is 3-3 with a 10.21 ERA in 10 appearances. Against the Tigers in his career, Wakefield is 15-10 with a 4.20 ERA.

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Tidbits

... Polanco has just one hit in 15 career at bats against Wakefield. Ordonez is 15-for-38 with five doubles and two home runs.
... After going 2-for-4 Wednesday, Granderson is hitting .394 in nine games batting in the fifth-spot. He collected his second triple of the season in the eighth inning Wednesday.
... The Tigers are now 4-9 against the AL East, compared to 12-3 against the AL West and 11-9 against the AL Central

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Friday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 6-2, 3.63 ERA) vs. Angels (Matt Palmer, 5-0, 4.06 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 5-3, 2.30 ERA) vs. Angels (Kelvim Escobar, 2009 debut), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 6-4, 3.70 ERA) vs. Angels (Joe Saunders, 6-4, 3.77 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

Boston AVG
Pedroia, 2B .327
Drew, DH .255
Youkilis, 1B .365
Bay, LF .285
Lowell, 3B .298
Baldelli, RF .261
Ellsbury, CF .308
Lugo, SS .276
Kottaras, G, C .205

Detroit AVG
Thomas, RF .258
Santiago, 2B .296
Ordonez, DH .276
Cabrera, M, 1B .351
Granderson, CF .272
Inge, 3B .270
Raburn, LF .267
Everett, SS .274
Sardinha, D, C .083

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Dustin Pedroia grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
J. D. Drew strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Kevin Youkilis grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Clete Thomas flies out to left fielder Jason Bay.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to left fielder Jason Bay.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Rocco Baldelli.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Jason Bay swinging.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Mike Lowell walks.

B:1 S:0 O:3 - Rocco Baldelli grounds into double play,
shortstop Adam Everett to second baseman Ramon Santiago to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Mike Lowell out at 2nd.

0-0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Rocco Baldelli.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Curtis Granderson singles on a line drive to right fielder Rocco Baldelli. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

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

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Brandon Inge doubles (8) on a line drive to left fielder Jason Bay. Miguel Cabrera scores. Curtis Granderson scores.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out, shortstop Julio Lugo to first baseman Kevin Youkilis. Brandon Inge to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett grounds out, shortstop Julio Lugo to first baseman Kevin Youkilis. Brandon Inge scores.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Dane Sardinha called out on strikes.

3-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Jeff Larish replaces first baseman Miguel Cabrera, batting 4th, playing first base.

B:0 S:2 O:0 -
Jacoby Ellsbury hit by pitch.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Julio Lugo walks. Jacoby Ellsbury to 2nd.

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

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
George Kottaras called out on strikes.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Dustin Pedroia walks. Jacoby Ellsbury to 3rd. Julio Lugo to 2nd.


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
J. D. Drew walks. Jacoby Ellsbury scores. Julio Lugo to 3rd. Dustin Pedroia to 2nd.


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Kevin Youkilis walks. Julio Lugo scores. Dustin Pedroia to 3rd. Drew to 2nd.


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Zach Miner replaces Dontrelle Willis.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera left the game due to an injured leg.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland ejected by HP umpire Jeff Nelson.


B:1 S:2 O:1 - Jason Bay doubles (14) on a line drive
to left fielder Ryan Raburn. Dustin Pedroia scores. J. Drew scores.
Kevin Youkilis to 3rd.


B:1 S:1 O:2 - Mike Lowell grounds out, third baseman
Brandon Inge to first baseman Jeff Larish. Kevin Youkilis scores. Jason
Bay to 3rd.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Rocco Baldelli singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn. Jason Bay scores.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Jacoby Ellsbury strikes out swinging.

Bos 6-3 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Clete Thomas grounds out, second baseman Dustin Pedroia to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Dustin Pedroia to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.


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


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Jeff Larish flies out to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

Bos 6-3 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Julio Lugo grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Jeff Larish.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
George Kottaras grounds out to first baseman Jeff Larish.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Dustin Pedroia singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
J. D. Drew walks. Dustin Pedroia to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Mark Kotsay replaces Kevin Youkilis.

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

Bos 6-3 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Mark Kotsay remains in the game as the first baseman.

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

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to pitcher Tim Wakefield.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
With Ryan Raburn batting, Brandon Inge caught stealing 2nd base, catcher George Kottaras to second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn strikes out swinging.

Bos 6-3 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis left the game due to an injured leg.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Jason Bay flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Mike Lowell singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

Bos 6-3 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Everett grounds out, shortstop Julio Lugo to first baseman Mark Kotsay.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Dane Sardinha singles on a line drive to left fielder Jason Bay.

B:0 S:0 O:3 - Clete Thomas grounds into double play,
second baseman Dustin Pedroia to first baseman Mark Kotsay. Dane
Sardinha out at 2nd.


Bos 6-3 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Jacoby Ellsbury pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Julio Lugo swinging.

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

Bos 6-3 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to left fielder Jason Bay.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Rocco Baldelli.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Play under review: foul ball.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Play reviewed and stands as called: foul ball.

B:1 S:1 O:3 - Jeff Larish grounds into double play,
pitcher Tim Wakefield to second baseman Dustin Pedroia to shortstop
Julio Lugo to first baseman Mark Kotsay. Ramon Santiago out at 2nd.

Bos 6-3 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

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

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
J. D. Drew walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
On-field Delay.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Zach Miner.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Mark Kotsay flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

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

Bos 6-3 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Detroit Tigers pitcher Zach Miner left the game due to an injured leg.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, shortstop Julio Lugo to first baseman Mark Kotsay.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Jason Bay.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Justin Masterson replaces Tim Wakefield.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Adam Everett strikes out swinging.

Bos 6-3 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

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


B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Mike Lowell singles on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Rocco Baldelli walks. Mike Lowell to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:0 -
Jacoby Ellsbury singles on a fly ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn. Mike Lowell to 3rd. Rocco Baldelli to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 - Julio Lugo grounds into a force out,
pitcher Joel Zumaya to catcher Dane Sardinha. Mike Lowell out at home.
Rocco Baldelli to 3rd. Jacoby Ellsbury to 2nd. Julio Lugo to 1st.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
George Kottaras called out on strikes.

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

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Dustin Pedroia grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Jeff Larish.

Bos 6-3 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Gerald Laird replaces Dane Sardinha.

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Gerald Laird called out on strikes.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Hideki Okajima replaces Justin Masterson.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Clete Thomas strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to shortstop Julio Lugo.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, pitcher Hideki Okajima to first baseman Mark Kotsay.


Bos 6-3 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Gerald Laird remains in the game as the catcher.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Joel Zumaya.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
J. D. Drew walks.

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

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Jason Bay swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Mike Lowell pops out to first baseman Jeff Larish in foul territory.

Bos 6-3 after 8.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jonathan Papelbon replaces Hideki Okajima.

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

B:2 S:1 O:1 - Curtis Granderson grounds into a force
out, second baseman Dustin Pedroia to shortstop Julio Lugo. Jeff Larish
out at 2nd. Curtis Granderson to 1st.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to left fielder Jason Bay. Curtis Granderson to 2nd.

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

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn pops out to first baseman Mark Kotsay in foul territory.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Placido Polanco replaces Adam Everett.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Placido Polanco grounds into a force out, shortstop Julio Lugo to second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Brandon Inge out at 2nd.

TIGERS LOSE 3-6
BOSTON SWEEPS SERIES

June 4, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Boston	0	0	6	0	0	0	0	0	0		6	6	0
Detroit	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		3	10	0

Boston AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Pedroia, 2B 4 1 1 0 1 0 3 .325 Drew, DH 1 1 0 1 4 1 0 .253 Youkilis, 1B 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 .362 --a-Kotsay, PH-1B 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 .000 Bay, LF 5 1 1 2 0 2 2 .283 Lowell, 3B 4 0 2 1 1 0 2 .302 Baldelli, RF 3 0 1 1 1 0 2 .265 Ellsbury, CF 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 .308 Lugo, SS 3 1 0 0 1 1 3 .266 Kottaras, G, C 4 0 0 0 0 2 5 .188 Totals 31 6 6 6 9 7 22 a-Flied out for Youkilis in the 4th. BATTING 2B: Bay (14, Miner). TB: Pedroia; Bay 2; Lowell 2; Baldelli; Ellsbury. RBI: Drew (27), Youkilis (34), Bay 2 (53), Lowell (36), Baldelli (7). 2-out RBI: Baldelli. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Kotsay; Pedroia 2. GIDP: Baldelli 2. Team RISP: 3-for-9. Team LOB: 8. FIELDING DP: 2 (Pedroia-Kotsay, Wakefield-Pedroia-Lugo-Kotsay).		Detroit AB- R-- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Thomas, RF 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .247 Santiago, 2B 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 .306 Ordonez, DH 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .275 Cabrera, M, 1B 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .354 --Larish, 1B 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 .224 Granderson, CF 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .271 Inge, 3B 4 1 3 2 0 0 0 .280 Raburn, LF 4 0 1 0 0 1 3 .265 Everett, SS 3 0 0 1 0 1 1 .267 --b-Polanco, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .250 Sardinha, D, C 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 .115 --a-Laird, PH-C 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .224 Totals 34 3 10 3 1 6 12 a-Struck out for Sardinha, D in the 8th. b-Grounded into a forceout for Everett in the 9th. BATTING 2B: Inge (8, Wakefield), Raburn (2, Wakefield). TB: Santiago 2; Ordonez; Cabrera, M; Granderson; Inge 4; Raburn 2; Sardinha, D. RBI: Inge 2 (35), Everett (18). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Everett; Polanco. GIDP: Thomas; Larish. Team RISP: 1-for-6. Team LOB: 5. BASERUNNING CS: Inge (3, 2nd base by Wakefield/Kottaras, G). FIELDING DP: 2 (Inge-Santiago-Larish, Everett-Santiago-Cabrera, M).
Boston IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Wakefield (W, 7-3) 6.2 8 3 3 0 3 0 4.50 Masterson (H, 2) 0.2 0 0 0 0 2 0 4.20 Okajima (H, 9) 0.2 1 0 0 0 1 0 2.25 Papelbon (S, 14) 1.0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2.25		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Willis (L, 1-3) 2.1 0 5 5 5 3 0 6.84 Miner 4.0 4 1 1 2 2 0 5.29 Perry 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.27 Zumaya 1.0 2 0 0 1 1 0 2.65 Rodney 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2.86
HBP: Ellsbury (by Willis). Pitches-strikes: Wakefield 81-59, Masterson 11-8, Okajima 10-8, Papelbon 21-12, Willis 53-24, Miner 67-40, Perry 4-4, Zumaya 24-16, Rodney 24-12. Groundouts-flyouts: Wakefield 10-6, Masterson 0-0, Okajima 1-0, Papelbon 2-1, Willis 4-0, Miner 5-5, Perry 0-2, Zumaya 2-0, Rodney 0-2. Batters faced: Wakefield 25, Masterson 2, Okajima 3, Papelbon 5, Willis 12, Miner 17, Perry 2, Zumaya 6, Rodney 4. Inherited runners-scored: Masterson 1-0, Miner 3-3, Perry 1-0. EjectionsDetroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland ejected by HP umpire Jeff Nelson. (3rd). Umpires: HP: Jeff Nelson. 1B: Mark Carlson. 2B: Tim Tschida. 3B: Bob Davidson. Weather: 61 degrees, sunny. Wind: 13 mph, Out to RF. T: 2:53. Att: 31,353. June 4, 2009

Darn!

One frickn bad inning lost the game for the Tigers!