GDT: 6/6/09 - DET (28-25) VS LAA (28-25) - 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- It was only one game, but Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Angels was a microcosm of the Tigers' recent struggles.

Justin Verlander threw eight scoreless innings, but took a no-decision after Detroit's offense was unable to score while he was on the mound. The loss was the team's fourth straight, its longest slide of the year.

The Tigers have a strong chance of breaking that streak as Edwin Jackson takes the mound for Saturday's game against the Angels. In his last five starts, he is 4-1 (the loss was to Zack Greinke) with a 1.59 ERA, 29 strikeouts and eight walks.

Jackson will face off against Kelvim Escobar, who is making his first start since 2007 after an extended stay on the disabled list. But if he's anything like his old self, the Tigers could be in for a tough day. Escobar is 8-0 vs. Detroit in his career, with a 2.30 ERA.

The Tigers are batting a meager .217 during their recent skid, with only eight RBIs and zero home runs. But hitters say they know they're a better hitting ballclub than that.

"We've not clicked like we're capable of clicking yet," outfielder Josh Anderson said. "We need to start swinging the bats better as a group, but we're going to. This team's good, we've got a great offense here, and we're confident in what we can do. I believe that it's going to come around soon."

One of the bright spots has been center fielder Curtis Granderson, who has shined since moving from the leadoff spot to the No. 5 position. Granderson has hit in all nine games since the move, hitting .412 with two home runs, a triple, and six RBIs. That's compared to a .244 average in the 44 games before that.

Relief could be nearby, too, as Leyland has signaled that injured outfielder Marcus Thames could return to the lineup as soon as Sunday. Thames hit 25 home runs in only 316 at-bats in 2008.

That could go a long way toward breaking the Tigers out of their current funk and get them looking more like the first-place form the team exhibited during its seven-game win streak two weeks ago.

"We've missed some opportunities, which is part of the game," Anderson said. "We've missed opportunities to score runs."

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

Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Edwin Jackson (5-3, 2.30 ERA)
Jackson's career season is continuing in Detroit, where his 2.30 ERA is second in the American League behind Greinke. His last outing may have been his best of the season: eight innings, two hits against the Orioles. And Jackson continues to be an "innings eater," as Leyland calls him, going seven or more innings in four of his last five starts -- including his 132-pitch performance May 21 -- keeping the bullpen fresh for rookie Rick Porcello behind him in the rotation.

LAA: RHP Kelvim Escobar (Season debut)
Saturday has been a long time coming for Escobar, who underwent right shoulder surgery last year. It will mark the first time he has pitched in a Major League game since Sept. 29, 2007, when he defeated Oakland for his career-high-setting 18th win. In three Minor League rehab starts this year, Escobar has posted a 2.30 ERA across 15 2/3 innings.

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

Tidbits

... The Tigers have now scored in only one inning of each of their last eight losses.
... Magglio Ordonez is 10-for-24 (.417) career against Escobar. Brandon Inge is hitless in 10 at-bats.
... Chone Figgins is 5-for-9 (.556) with four RBIs against Jackson.. Gary Matthews is 6-for-10 (.600).
... Marcus Thames went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts with Triple-A Toledo in Durham.

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

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


On radio

• 
  
• XM Channel Schedule
  
  
• Extra Innings Schedule
  

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

Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• 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
• Monday: Tigers (Jeremy Bonderman, 3-4, 4.29 ERA in 2008) at White Sox (Mark Buehrle, 6-2, 2.91 ERA), 2:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Tigers (TBD) at White Sox (Clayton Richard, 2-1, 3.97 ERA), 8:11 p.m. ET

Starting Lineups:

LA Angels AVG
Figgins, 3B .302
Abreu, RF .295
Guerrero, DH .270
Hunter, CF .316
Morales, 1B .277
Rivera, LF .299
Izturis, M, SS .269
Napoli, C .270
Kendrick, 2B .229


Detroit AVG
Anderson, J, LF .269
Polanco, 2B .245
Thomas, RF .240
Ordonez, DH .280
Granderson, CF .271
Inge, 3B .277
Larish, 1B .214
Laird, C .226
Santiago, SS .306

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Chone Figgins singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Bobby Abreu doubles (10) on a fly ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Chone Figgins scores.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Vladimir Guerrero grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Jeff Larish.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Torii Hunter swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Kendry Morales grounds out, first baseman Jeff Larish to pitcher Edwin Jackson.

LAA 1-0

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Placido Polanco singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Torii Hunter.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Clete Thomas walks. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Bobby Abreu. Placido Polanco scores. Clete Thomas to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:2 - Curtis Granderson out on a sacrifice fly
to center fielder Torii Hunter. Clete Thomas scores. Magglio Ordonez to
2nd on the throw.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge walks.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Jeff Larish called out on .

2-1 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Juan Rivera pops out to first baseman Jeff Larish in foul territory.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Maicer Izturis grounds out sharply to first baseman Jeff Larish.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Mike Napoli swinging.

2-1 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Gerald Laird singles on a fly ball to right fielder Bobby Abreu.

B:0 S:0 O:1 - Ramon Santiago grounds into a force out,
second baseman Howard Kendrick to shortstop Maicer Izturis. Gerald
Laird out at 2nd. Ramon Santiago to 1st.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Josh Anderson swinging and Ramon Santiago caught stealing 2nd, catcher Mike Napoli to shortstop Maicer Izturis.

2-1 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Howard Kendrick lines out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Chone Figgins flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Bobby Abreu flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

2-1 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:0 -
Placido Polanco hit by pitch.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Clete Thomas strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
With Magglio Ordonez batting, Placido Polanco steals (1) 2nd base.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Maicer Izturis to first baseman Kendry Morales. Placido Polanco to 3rd.

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

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
With Brandon Inge batting, Curtis Granderson steals (10) 2nd base.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Brandon Inge lines out to center fielder Torii Hunter.

2-1 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Vladimir Guerrero flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Torii Hunter doubles (13) on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Kendry Morales grounds out to first baseman Jeff Larish. Torii Hunter to 3rd.


B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Juan Rivera pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

Bottom Half

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Jeff Larish flies out to center fielder Torii Hunter.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Gerald Laird flies out to right fielder Bobby Abreu.


B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago strikes out swinging, catcher Mike Napoli to first baseman Kendry Morales.

2-1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Maicer Izturis grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Jeff Larish.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Mike Napoli flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Howard Kendrick flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

2-1 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, first baseman Kendry Morales to pitcher Kelvim Escobar.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco singles on a ground ball to center fielder Torii Hunter.

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

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez walks. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, first baseman Kendry Morales to pitcher Kelvim Escobar.

2-1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Chone Figgins singles on a line drive to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
With Bobby Abreu batting, Chone Figgins caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Laird to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Bobby Abreu grounds out sharply, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Jeff Larish.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Vladimir Guerrero grounds out softly, catcher Gerald Laird to first baseman Jeff Larish.

2-1 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jason Bulger replaces Kelvim Escobar.

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

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Injury Delay.(ump hit by ball)


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


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Jeff Larish doubles (3) on a ground ball to right fielder Bobby Abreu.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, third baseman Chone Figgins to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago swinging, catcher Mike Napoli to first baseman Kendry Morales.

2-1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Torii Hunter flies out to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Kendry Morales lines out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Juan Rivera pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

2-1 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Darren Oliver replaces Jason Bulger.

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Josh Anderson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco out on a sacrifice bunt to first baseman Kendry Morales. Josh Anderson to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Clete Thomas singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Chone Figgins. Josh Anderson to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:3 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into double
play, third baseman Chone Figgins to second baseman Howard Kendrick to
first baseman Kendry Morales. Clete Thomas out at 2nd.

2-1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Maicer Izturis pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Mike Napoli pops out to first baseman Jeff Larish in foul territory.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Howard Kendrick walks.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Chone Figgins grounds out sharply to first baseman Jeff Larish.

2-1 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson strikes out on foul tip.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to center fielder Torii Hunter.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Jeff Larish strikes out swinging and Brandon Inge caught stealing 2nd, catcher Mike Napoli to shortstop Maicer Izturis.

2-1 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Bobby Abreu called out on .

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Vladimir Guerrero swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Torii Hunter swinging.


Tigers WIN 2-1 in a complete game for Jackson!!!

June 6, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
LA Angels	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		1	4	0
Detroit	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	X		2	8	0

LA Angels AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Figgins, 3B 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .306 Abreu, RF 4 0 1 1 0 1 0 .294 Guerrero, DH 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .256 Hunter, CF 4 0 1 0 0 2 1 .314 Morales, 1B 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .273 Rivera, LF 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .294 Izturis, M, SS 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261 Napoli, C 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .264 Kendrick, 2B 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .227 Totals 30 1 4 1 1 5 6 BATTING 2B: Abreu (10, Jackson), Hunter (13, Jackson). TB: Figgins 2; Abreu 2; Hunter 2. RBI: Abreu (26). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Morales; Rivera. Team RISP: 0-for-5. Team LOB: 3. BASERUNNING CS: Figgins (5, 2nd base by Jackson/Laird). FIELDING DP: 3 (Napoli-Izturis, M 2, Figgins-Kendrick-Morales).		Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Anderson, J, LF 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .269 Polanco, 2B 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 .252 Thomas, RF 3 1 1 0 1 2 2 .243 Ordonez, DH 3 0 1 1 1 0 3 .281 Granderson, CF 2 0 0 1 1 1 2 .269 Inge, 3B 3 0 1 0 1 1 2 .278 Larish, 1B 4 0 1 0 0 2 3 .216 Laird, C 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .229 Santiago, SS 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .295 Totals 27 2 8 2 4 9 16 BATTING 2B: Larish (3, Bulger). TB: Anderson, J; Polanco 2; Thomas; Ordonez; Inge; Larish 2; Laird. RBI: Ordonez (21), Granderson (34). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Larish; Inge 2; Granderson; Santiago. S: Polanco. SF: Granderson. GIDP: Ordonez. Team RISP: 2-for-9. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING SB: Polanco (1, 2nd base off Escobar/Napoli), Granderson (10, 2nd base off Escobar/Napoli). CS: Inge (4, 2nd base by Oliver/Napoli), Santiago (2, 2nd base by Escobar/Napoli).
LA Angels IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Escobar (L, 0-1) 5.0 4 2 2 4 5 0 3.60 Bulger 1.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 4.24 Oliver 2.0 3 0 0 0 2 0 2.92		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Jackson (W, 6-3) 9.0 4 1 1 1 5 0 2.16
HBP: Polanco (by Escobar). Pitches-strikes: Escobar 92-51, Bulger 19-12, Oliver 21-16, Jackson 109-67. Groundouts-flyouts: Escobar 5-4, Bulger 1-0, Oliver 3-0, Jackson 8-13. Batters faced: Escobar 23, Bulger 4, Oliver 7, Jackson 31. Umpires: HP: Tom Hallion. 1B: Jerry Crawford. 2B: Dan Bellino. 3B: Phil Cuzzi. Weather: 64 degrees, cloudy. Wind: 10 mph, L to R. T: 2:25. Att: 32,367. June 6, 2009

57 degrees by the ninth inning; I should have worn my Tigers Jackets or Fleece instead of my Kaline jersey

I didn't think it get that cool

Was only supposed to drop to 59 for a low [ it dropped to 53 early Sunday AM] Saturday Night


It was 59 by 8:45pm

Jeez!