GDT: 6/8/09 GM 2 - DET (30-25) AT CWS (26-30) - 8:11 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- Marcus Thames saw the 81-mph fastballs blow by him and knew he needed some work.

A couple of games into a Minor League rehab assignment while he recovered from a strained rib cage, Thames found himself completely out of sync at the plate. He started the assignment 3-for-25 in his first six games.

"I was like, 'No, no, no, that's not me,'" said Thames, the Tigers' power-hitting outfielder. "I needed some more at-bats, and once I started getting it going, I was eager to get back and help the ballclub."

After not playing for a good portion of Spring Training, along with more than a month while he nursed his ribcage, there was more than a bit of rust in Thames' swing. It was mostly his timing, Thames said, which would explain why he couldn't catch up to an 81-mph fastball.

But that changed quickly. Thames finished the final six games of the rehab stint 11-for-24 (.458), and found himself back with the Tigers on Sunday for the first time since April 19. Thames flew to Detroit from North Carolina on Sunday morning, getting to the park around 11:30 a.m. ET. He batted fifth in the lineup, and hit two of the first three pitches he saw into the outfield for singles. He finished the game 2-for-5 with a run scored.

"It helped me out a lot," Thames said of his rehab stint. "I knew I was going to need some at-bats because of how much time I missed during Spring Training and how much time I missed during the season, so it was good for me to go down and get that many at-bats."

Manager Jim Leyland said Thames' return will be helpful for a few reasons: The Tigers are scheduled to face three left-handed starters in five games against Chicago this week, making Thames' right-handed power bat even more necessary. And Detroit id currently in a bit of a power drought: one home run, six doubles and two triples in the last six games. Thames, who hit 25 home runs in 316 at-bats last year, should help with that.

The other new but familiar face with the Tigers in Chicago will be starting pitcher Jeremy Bonderman, who will pitch for Detroit for the first time in over a year after recovering from surgery to fix a blood clot. Bonderman is scheduled to pitch the second game of the doubleheader. His role on the Tigers' staff after Monday isn't set in stone, and he will be judged Monday, as any pitcher is, on "his ability to get big league hitters out," Leyland said.

Bonderman's return means room will have to be made on the roster, meaning either a member of Detroit's pitching staff, which currently leads the AL in ERA, will have to go, or the team will part with another position player. The team will likely not announce the roster move, Leyland said, until between games of Monday's doubleheader.

"We've got a little bit of a dilemma," Leyland said. "Hopefully it's a good dilemma."

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

Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Jeremy Bonderman (3-6, 5.31 ERA)
Bonderman is making his first start since June 1, 2008 after spending more than a year on the disabled list following surgery to correct a blood clot. After four rehab starts, his velocity hasn't returned to where it was before his injury -- his fastball is topping out at 90 when it used to hit 95, so Bonderman said he expects to throw more changeups than ever before. Before the injury, Bonderman had a career 59-66 record and a 4.22 ERA in five-plus seasons with the Tigers, mostly as a starter. Leyland has said his role past Monday is still up in the air.

CWS: RHP Jose Contreras (0-5, 8.19)
Contreras struggled early in the season and opted to be sent down to Triple-A Charlotte last month rather than head to the White Sox bullpen so he could hone his pitches and return to the starting rotation at a later date. Contreras last pitched for the White Sox on May 8 in a 6-0 loss to the Rangers. In that game, he threw 3 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and five runs (three earned). On the season, Contreras is 0-5 with an 8.19 ERA. Over the last month in Triple-A, however, Contreras went 3-1 with a 2.73 ERA in five starts. He struck out 27 batters while walking 16.

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

Tidbits

... Leyland said he's unsure whether first baseman Miguel Cabrera will be available to start during Monday's doubleheader. Cabrera had missed two days with a strained hamstring. He started Sunday, but was pulled from the game in the fourth inning after Leyland sensed he wasn't 100 percent.
... Placido Polanco is hitting .406 (13-for-32) against Mark Buehrle.
... Paul Konerko is 3-for-5 with two doubles against Galarraga.
... The last time the Tigers' played a five-game regular season series was also at U.S. Cellular Field, from July 23-26, 2007. The Tigers went 2-3.

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

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)

• Tuesday: Tigers (Dontrelle Willis, 1-3, 6.84 ERA) at White Sox (Mark Buehrle, 6-2, 2.91 ERA), 8:11 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 6-2, 3.26 ERA) at White Sox (John Danks, 4-4, 5.10 ERA), 8:11 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 6-3, 2.16 ERA) at White Sox (Gavin Floyd, 4-5, 5.35 ERA), 2:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Anderson, J, LF .269
Polanco, 2B .252
Thomas, RF .248
Cabrera, M, DH .345
Granderson, CF .262
Inge, 3B .282
Raburn, 1B .250
Laird, C .234
Santiago, SS .295

Chi White Sox AVG
Podsednik, LF .305
Ramirez, SS .251
Dye, RF .278
Thome, DH .243
Konerko, 1B .297
Beckham, 3B .000
Getz, 2B .248
Anderson, B, CF .243
Castro, R, C .235

30 percent chance of showers before Midnight; otherwise mostly cloudy


Low 58 degrees

West Winds 10mph



GO TIGERS!

Go

Inning 1
Top Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Josh Anderson grounds out to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco pops out to shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Clete Thomas hits a ground-rule double (6) on a line drive to left-center field.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Scott Podsednik flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Alexei Ramirez homers (5) on a fly ball to left field.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Jermaine Dye doubles (6) on a line drive to left fielder Josh Anderson.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Jim Thome walks.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Paul Konerko flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Jermaine Dye to 3rd.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Gordon Beckham walks. Jim Thome to 2nd.

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

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Chris Getz pops out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

CWS 1-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to center fielder Brian Anderson.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge grounds out sharply, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

CWS 1-0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Brian Anderson grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Ramon Castro swinging.

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

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Alexei Ramirez grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Ryan Raburn.

CWS 2-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird flies out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, pitcher Jose Contreras to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Paul Konerko.


CWS 2-0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Jermaine Dye singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.


B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Jim Thome homers (10) on a fly ball to left center field. Jermaine Dye scores.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Paul Konerko grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Ryan Raburn.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Gordon Beckham flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Chris Getz grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Ryan Raburn.

CWS 4-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Clete Thomas swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko.

CWS 4-0 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Brian Anderson lines out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Ramon Castro walks.

B:2 S:1 O:3 - Scott Podsednik grounds into double
play, second baseman Placido Polanco to shortstop Ramon Santiago to
first baseman Ryan Raburn. Ramon Castro out at 2nd.

CWS 4-0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.

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

B:2 S:0 O:2 - Ryan Raburn grounds into a force out,
second baseman Chris Getz to shortstop Alexei Ramirez. Brandon Inge out
at 2nd. Ryan Raburn to 1st.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Gerald Laird flies out to left fielder Scott Podsednik.

CWS 4-0 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

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

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Jermaine Dye singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Josh Anderson. Alexei Ramirez to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Jim Thome singles on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas. Alexei Ramirez scores. Jermaine Dye to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Zach Miner replaces Jeremy Bonderman.


B:1 S:1 O:1 - Paul Konerko singles on a fly ball to
right fielder Clete Thomas. Jermaine Dye scores. Jim Thome out at 3rd
on the throw, right fielder Clete Thomas to third baseman Brandon Inge.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Gordon Beckham pops out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Chris Getz flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

CWS 6-0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago on foul tip.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Josh Anderson pops out to shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Paul Konerko.

CWS 6-0 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

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

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Ramon Castro pops out to catcher Gerald Laird in foul territory.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Scott Podsednik swinging.

CWS 6-0 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Clete Thomas flies out to left fielder Scott Podsednik.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to right fielder Jermaine Dye.

CWS 6-0 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

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


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

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Jermaine Dye swinging.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Jim Thome called out on .

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Paul Konerko flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

CWS 6-0 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Dewayne Wise replaces right fielder Jermaine Dye, batting 3rd, playing right field.

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

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to left fielder Scott Podsednik.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Gerald Laird flies out to center fielder Brian Anderson.

CWS 6-0 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon Lyon replaces Nate Robertson.

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

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Chris Getz grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Brian Anderson grounds out softly, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Ryan Raburn.

Great play Inge!

CWS 6-0 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Matt Thornton replaces Jose Contreras.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago pops out to third baseman Gordon Beckham.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Marcus Thames replaces Josh Anderson.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Marcus Thames homers (1) on a fly ball to left field.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Placido Polanco pops out to shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Clete Thomas flies out to left fielder Scott Podsednik.

Tigers lose 1-6

June 8, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Detroit	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1		1	2	0
Chi White Sox	1	1	2	0	2	0	0	0	X		6	10	0

Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Anderson, J, LF 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261 --a-Thames, PH 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .296 Polanco, 2B 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .248 Thomas, RF 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .248 Cabrera, M, DH 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .340 Granderson, CF 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .259 Inge, 3B 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .279 Raburn, 1B 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .237 Laird, C 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .229 Santiago, SS 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .286 Totals 29 1 2 1 1 3 3 a-Homered for Anderson, J in the 9th. BATTING 2B: Thomas (6, Contreras). HR: Thames (1, 9th inning off Thornton, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Thames 4; Thomas 2. RBI: Thames (3). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cabrera, M. Team RISP: 0-for-1. Team LOB: 2. FIELDING Outfield assists: Thomas (Thome at 3rd base). DP: (Polanco-Santiago-Raburn).		Chi White Sox AB- R-- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Podsednik, LF 4 1 1 1 0 1 1 .304 Ramirez, SS 4 2 3 1 0 0 0 .261 Dye, RF 4 2 3 0 0 1 1 .288 --Wise, RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .150 Thome, DH 3 1 2 3 1 1 1 .252 Konerko, 1B 4 0 1 1 0 0 3 .296 Beckham, 3B 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .000 Getz, 2B 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .242 Anderson, B, CF 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .234 Castro, R, C 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .230 Totals 32 6 10 6 3 4 11 BATTING 2B: Dye (6, Bonderman). HR: Ramirez (5, 1st inning off Bonderman, 0 on, 1 out), Podsednik (1, 2nd inning off Bonderman, 0 on, 2 out), Thome (10, 3rd inning off Bonderman, 1 on, 0 out). TB: Podsednik 4; Ramirez 6; Dye 4; Thome 5; Konerko. RBI: Ramirez (27), Podsednik (10), Thome 3 (35), Konerko (37). 2-out RBI: Podsednik. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Getz 2. GIDP: Podsednik. Team RISP: 2-for-4. Team LOB: 5.
Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR-- ERA Bonderman (L, 0-1) 4.0 8 6 6 3 1 3 13.50 Miner 2.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 5.00 Robertson 1.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 4.86 Lyon 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.47		Chi White Sox IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Contreras (W, 1-5) 8.0 1 0 0 1 3 0 6.45 Thornton 1.0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1.93
Bonderman pitched to 3 batters in the 5th. Pitches-strikes: Bonderman 85-52, Miner 21-13, Robertson 24-15, Lyon 10-7, Contreras 115-69, Thornton 13-9. Groundouts-flyouts: Bonderman 6-5, Miner 0-4, Robertson 0-1, Lyon 3-0, Contreras 11-10, Thornton 0-3. Batters faced: Bonderman 22, Miner 6, Robertson 4, Lyon 3, Contreras 26, Thornton 4. Inherited runners-scored: Miner 2-1. Umpires: HP: D.J. Reyburn. 1B: Brian Runge. 2B: Derryl Cousins. 3B: Jim Joyce. Weather: 76 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 15 mph, R to L. T: 2:18. Att: 30,809. June 8, 2009