GDT: 6/7/09 - DET (29-25) VS LAA (28-26) - 1:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- To Curtis Granderson, his spot in the lineup is just a number.

A recent move from the leadoff spot, which he has occupied for the last three years, to the five-spot, which he has occupied for 10 of the last 11 games, hasn't changed his approach to hitting. And it hasn't changed how opposing teams are pitching to him. According to Granderson, it hasn't changed much of anything.

"It's just a spot in the lineup, and it only affects one time throughout the course of the game," Granderson said. "Usually, the way it's been happening, I'm usually either leading off an inning so far or one guy's batting ahead of me, so it hasn't really been a traditional fifth spot because it's so far removed from the first spot."

One thing that has changed, though, is Granderson's production. As a leadoff hitter, Granderson hit .249 with 10 homers and 26 RBIs in 41 games. It's only been 12 games batting fifth, but he has a .349 average, with seven RBIs and two homers in 41 at-bats in the new spot.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he has no immediate plans to move Granderson back to the spot he has occupied for 80 percent of his games as a Tiger.

"He was good up there because he set the tone for us, but I think he's done a real good job down in the order," Leyland said. "I like what he's done down there."

From 2004-08, Granderson hit .280, averaging 23 home runs and 72 RBIs. This season, through 54 games, Granderson's average is slightly off, at .271, but his power numbers have surged: 13 home runs and 33 RBIs. He's nearly on pace for a 40-homer, 100-RBI season.

Part of the reason Granderson gives little thought to the move is the fact that, even though most Tigers fans know him solely as a leadoff hitter, that's hardly been his normal spot throughout his entire career.

"I never even thought about it," Granderson said. "I led off for the first time ever in the big leagues. I didn't lead off in the Minors much, I batted second. I did lead off on the occasional day when our leadoff guy was out. So when I finally got up here, even the first two years, I didn't really lead off."

Leyland said he has long thought Granderson would develop into a middle of the order hitter. Leyland even raised the idea that, at some point in the future, Granderson could bat between Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez.

But even if Leyland has a long-term plan for his centerfielder, Granderson himself hasn't put much thought into it.

"I really don't know where I envisioned myself hitting," Granderson said. "Just somewhere one through nine."

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Rick Porcello (6-4, 3.70 ERA)
Porcello descended from the stratosphere he occupied throughout May when he threw 4 1/3 innings in his last outing Tuesday, giving up seven hits and three earned runs. Before that, Porcello had won five straight starts, earning a 1.50 ERA over 30 innings. It wasn't a bad outing Tuesday, but Porcello said he struggled keeping the ball down in the zone, and he will look for better command of his sinker against the Angels.

LAA: LHP Joe Saunders (6-4, 3.77 ERA)
Facing the Blue Jays in his last outing, Saunders endured a rocky start. The left-hander yielded six runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings. He picked up the loss, which was his second straight and third in four outings. Saunders is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in four career starts against the Tigers, and he has a 2.63 ERA in two outings without a decision at Comerica Park.

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Tidbits

... Marcus Thames will rejoin the Tigers on Sunday after spending nearly two months on the disabled list with a strained ribcage. Thames hit 25 home runs and batted .241 in 103 games last year. He hit .245 with two homers and six RBIs in 12 rehab starts with Triple-A Toledo. The team optioned infielder Jeff Larish to Toledo following Friday's game to make room for Thames.
... Granderson is 4-for-9 (.444) against Saunders. Magglio Ordonez is 6-for-15. (.400).
... The Tigers are scheduled to face four left-handed starters in the next five games.
... New Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz will throw out the first pitch Sunday.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Monday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 3-6, 5.31 ERA) at White Sox (Mark Buehrle, 6-2, 2.91 ERA), 2:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Tigers (Jeremy Bonderman, 2009 debut) at White Sox (Clayton Richard, 2-1, 3.97 ERA), 8:11 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Tigers (Dontrelle Willis, 1-3, 6.84 ERA) at White Sox (TBD), 8:11 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS
Curtis Granderson, CF
Placido Polanco, 2B
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Marcus Thames, DH
Brandon Inge, 3B
Ryan Raburn, LF
Gerald Laird, C
Adam Everett, SS

Inning 1
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Chone Figgins homers (1) on a line drive to right field.


B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Bobby Abreu doubles (11) on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Vladimir Guerrero called out on strikes.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Kendry Morales grounds out softly, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Bobby Abreu to 3rd.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Juan Rivera homers (6) on a fly ball to left field. Bobby Abreu scores.


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


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Gary MatthewsJr. grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


Bottom Half

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


B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Placido Polanco walks.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to right fielder Bobby Abreu. Placido Polanco to 2nd.


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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Marcus Thames singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Rivera. Placido Polanco to 3rd. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.


B:0 S:1 O:2 - Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to
right fielder Bobby Abreu. Placido Polanco scores. Magglio Ordonez
scores. Marcus Thames to 3rd.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn grounds into a force out, shortstop Erick Aybar to second baseman Howard Kendrick. Brandon Inge out at 2nd.

LAA 3-2 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Erick Aybar bunt grounds out, pitcher Rick Porcello to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Jeff Mathis walks.

B:0 S:1 O:3 - Howard Kendrick grounds into double
play, second baseman Placido Polanco to shortstop Adam Everett to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jeff Mathis out at 2nd.

Bottom Half

B:3 S:1 O:0 -
Gerald Laird singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Rivera.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Adam Everett pops out to second baseman Howard Kendrick.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to left fielder Juan Rivera.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to center fielder Gary MatthewsJr. Gerald Laird to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, pitcher Joe Saunders to second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Kendry Morales.

LAA 3-2 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Chone Figgins grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Bobby Abreu walks.


B:0 S:2 O:1 -
With Vladimir Guerrero batting, throwing error by Rick Porcello on the pickoff attempt, Bobby Abreu to 3rd.


B:0 S:2 O:2 - Vladimir Guerrero reaches on a fielder's
choice out, shortstop Adam Everett to catcher Gerald Laird. Bobby Abreu
out at home.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Kendry Morales flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

LAA 3-2 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Marcus Thames singles on a line drive to center fielder Gary MatthewsJr. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn lines out sharply to left fielder Juan Rivera.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Gerald Laird walks. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Marcus Thames to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Adam Everett singles on a line drive to
center fielder Gary MatthewsJr. Miguel Cabrera scores. Marcus Thames
scores. Gerald Laird to 3rd.

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

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

4-3 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Juan Rivera doubles (9) on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Gary MatthewsJr. flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Erick Aybar grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Juan Rivera to 3rd.

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

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Howard Kendrick grounds out, pitcher Rick Porcello to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

4-3 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Chone Figgins to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Clete Thomas replaces Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Marcus Thames flies out to center fielder Gary MatthewsJr.

4-3 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Clete Thomas remains in the game as the left fielder.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from left field to first base for Ryan Raburn.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Chone Figgins flies out to left fielder Clete Thomas.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Bobby Abreu grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Vladimir Guerrero strikes out swinging.

4-3 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, third baseman Chone Figgins to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to center fielder Gary MatthewsJr.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Adam Everett pops out to first baseman Kendry Morales in foul territory.

4-3 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Kendry Morales doubles (14) on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Rick Porcello.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Juan Rivera grounds out, pitcher Ryan Perry to first baseman Ryan Raburn. Kendry Morales to 3rd.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Gary MatthewsJr. strikes out swinging, catcher Gerald Laird to first baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Erick Aybar singles on a line drive to left fielder Clete Thomas. Kendry Morales scores.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
With Jeff Mathis batting, Erick Aybar steals (2) 2nd base.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Jeff Mathis strikes out swinging.

tied 4-4 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, pitcher Joe Saunders to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez strikes out swinging.

tied 4-4 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Howard Kendrick singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Chone Figgins singles on a sharp line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Howard Kendrick to 2nd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Bobby Seay replaces Ryan Perry.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Bobby Abreu flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Howard Kendrick to 3rd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Bobby Seay

B:0 S:1 O:3 - Vladimir Guerrero grounds into double
play, shortstop Adam Everett to second baseman Placido Polanco to first
baseman Ryan Raburn. Chone Figgins out at 2nd.


tied 4-4 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jose Arredondo replaces Joe Saunders.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Clete Thomas pops out to shortstop Erick Aybar.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Injury Delay.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Marcus Thames strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Brandon Inge lines out to second baseman Howard Kendrick.


tied 4-4 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Kendry Morales walks.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Juan Rivera flies out to left fielder Clete Thomas.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Gary MatthewsJr. strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Erick Aybar hits a ground-rule double (10) on a line drive to right field. Kendry Morales to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Maicer Izturis replaces Jeff Mathis.

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Joel Zumaya intentionally walks Maicer Izturis.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Howard Kendrick walks. Kendry Morales scores. Erick Aybar to 3rd. Maicer Izturis to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Chone Figgins grounds out sharply to first baseman Ryan Raburn.

LAA 5-4 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Mike Napoli replaces Maicer Izturis, batting 8th, playing catcher.


B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn walks.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Kendry Morales to second baseman Howard Kendrick. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.


B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Adam Everett walks.


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Jason Bulger replaces Jose Arredondo.


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson walks. Ryan Raburn to 3rd. Adam Everett to 2nd.


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


B:1 S:2 O:2 - Placido Polanco flies out to center
fielder Gary MatthewsJr. Ryan Raburn scores. Adam Everett to 3rd.
Throwing error by center fielder Gary MatthewsJr.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez walks. Curtis Granderson to 2nd. Adam Everett to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:2 - Clete Thomas hits a grand slam (4) to
left field. Adam Everett scores. Curtis Granderson scores. Magglio
Ordonez scores.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Marcus Thames flies out to left fielder Juan Rivera.

9-5 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Josh Anderson replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 3rd, playing left field.


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: Fernando Rodney replaces Joel Zumaya.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Bobby Abreu grounds out, first baseman Ryan Raburn to pitcher Fernando Rodney.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Vladimir Guerrero singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
With Kendry Morales batting, Vladimir Guerrero advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Kendry Morales grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Ryan Raburn. Vladimir Guerrero to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Juan Rivera doubles (10) on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Vladimir Guerrero scores.

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

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Gary MatthewsJr. pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

Tigers WIN 9-6

June 7, 2009

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

LA Angels AB- R-- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Figgins, 3B 5 1 2 1 0 0 3 .308 Abreu, RF 4 1 1 0 1 0 2 .293 Guerrero, DH 5 1 1 0 0 2 4 .253 Morales, 1B 4 2 1 0 1 0 3 .273 Rivera, LF 5 1 3 3 0 0 2 .303 Matthews, CF 5 0 0 0 0 2 4 .246 Aybar, E, SS 4 0 2 1 0 0 1 .283 Mathis, C 1 0 0 0 2 1 1 .218 --a-Izturis, M, PH 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .261 --Napoli, C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .264 Kendrick, 2B 3 0 1 1 1 0 3 .229 Totals 36 6 11 6 6 5 23 a-Intentionally walked for Mathis in the 8th. BATTING 2B: Abreu (11, Porcello), Rivera 2 (10, Porcello, Rodney), Morales (14, Porcello), Aybar, E (10, Zumaya). HR: Figgins (1, 1st inning off Porcello, 0 on, 0 out), Rivera (6, 1st inning off Porcello, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Figgins 5; Abreu 2; Guerrero; Morales 2; Rivera 8; Aybar, E 3; Kendrick. RBI: Figgins (15), Rivera 3 (25), Aybar, E (14), Kendrick (22). 2-out RBI: Rivera 3; Aybar, E; Kendrick. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Kendrick; Mathis; Figgins 2; Matthews. GIDP: Kendrick; Guerrero. Team RISP: 3-for-17. Team LOB: 9. BASERUNNING SB: Aybar, E (2, 2nd base off Perry/Laird). FIELDING E: Matthews (3, throw).		Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Granderson, CF 4 1 0 0 1 2 3 .264 Polanco, 2B 4 1 1 0 1 0 2 .252 Ordonez, RF 4 2 1 0 1 1 2 .280 --Anderson, J, LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .269 Cabrera, M, 1B 1 1 0 0 2 1 2 .352 --1-Thomas, PR-LF-RF 2 1 1 4 0 0 0 .248 Thames, DH 5 1 2 0 0 1 1 .261 Inge, 3B 4 0 1 2 0 1 2 .277 Raburn, LF-1B 3 1 0 0 1 0 4 .250 Laird, C 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 .234 Everett, SS 3 1 1 2 1 0 2 .264 Totals 31 9 8 8 9 6 18 1-Ran for Cabrera, M in the 4th. BATTING HR: Thomas (4, 8th inning off Bulger, 3 on, 2 out). TB: Polanco; Ordonez; Thomas 4; Thames 2; Inge; Laird; Everett. RBI: Inge 2 (37), Everett 2 (20), Thomas 4 (17). 2-out RBI: Inge 2; Everett 2; Thomas 4. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Raburn; Ordonez; Granderson. S: Laird. Team RISP: 4-for-11. Team LOB: 8. FIELDING E: Porcello (1, pickoff). DP: 2 (Polanco-Everett-Cabrera, M, Everett-Polanco-Raburn).
LA Angels IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Saunders 6.0 7 4 4 5 5 0 3.94 Arredondo (L, 1-3) 1.1 0 2 2 2 1 0 5.55 Bulger (BS, 2) 0.2 1 3 3 2 0 1 5.25		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Porcello 5.0 5 4 4 3 2 2 3.98 Perry (BS, 1) 1.0 3 0 0 0 2 0 3.13 Seay 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.06 Zumaya (W, 2-0) 1.2 1 1 1 3 1 0 2.89 Rodney 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 0 3.75
Porcello pitched to 1 batter in the 6th. Perry pitched to 2 batters in the 7th. IBB: Izturis, M (by Zumaya). Pitches-strikes: Saunders 112-67, Arredondo 24-11, Bulger 21-10, Porcello 84-53, Perry 24-18, Seay 5-4, Zumaya 31-16, Rodney 23-13. Groundouts-flyouts: Saunders 7-6, Arredondo 1-2, Bulger 0-2, Porcello 10-3, Perry 1-0, Seay 0-1, Zumaya 3-1, Rodney 2-1. Batters faced: Saunders 30, Arredondo 6, Bulger 5, Porcello 22, Perry 6, Seay 1, Zumaya 8, Rodney 5. Inherited runners-scored: Bulger 2-2, Perry 1-1, Seay 2-0, Zumaya 2-0. Umpires: HP: Jerry Crawford. 1B: Dan Bellino. 2B: Phil Cuzzi. 3B: Tom Hallion. Weather: 71 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 5 mph, Varies. T: 3:11. Att: 32,074. June 7, 2009

71 muggy degrees

It hit 77 by the ninth inning; and there was a lot of sun; especially the last two or three innings, making it feel even hotter and muggier



76 degrees and cloudy all afternoon [ the forecast according to weather channel before I left the game]


Yeah Right!


Then again; I should have sat in back of the mezzainne; There was room in Section 211 and 212


I thought it was gonna be cloudy all afternoon

Got sunburned again the bleachers


Twice on this homestand



Probably be three time the next homestand 3 out 6 are day games; including a Thursday Afternoon game against the Cubs; And I doubt there will be an empty seat then