GDT: 6/12/09 - DET (33-27) AT PIT (28-32) - 7:05 p.m. ET

CHICAGO -- Jim Leyland is going to keep away from the Red Wings and Penguins. He has his own Detroit-Pittsburgh rivalry to worry about.

While the NHL's Stanley Cup Finals come down to a deciding Game 7 on Friday, the Tigers and Pirates will have Game 1 of their three-game set at PNC Park. And Leyland, who manages a Detroit team but lives and once worked in Pittsburgh, is staying diplomatic about his loyalties.

"[Tigers] owner Mike Ilitch owns the Red Wings, and he signs my checks," Leyland told a Chicago radio station Thursday. "But I live in Pittsburgh. I'll let you figure it out."

He won't have much problem keeping his focus on baseball as the Tigers continue their 11-day, 11-game road trip. After winning three out of five at Chicago -- their first series win against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field since September 2006 -- the Tigers have some much-needed momentum entering an Interleague stretch they usually dominate. And they have a slew of pitchers who aren't just holding their own on the mound, but have the potential to dominate at the plate.

Rick Porcello isn't going to advertise his hitting game, even though he was a high school hitter just two years ago.

"Porcello's moving up the list," pitching coach Rick Knapp said. "He doesn't have his man muscles yet, but he's hitting the ball out of the park."

That's fine for the Tigers, but they'd rather see Porcello make his mark on the mound.

While most American League teams can treat pitchers hitting as a curiosity, the Tigers have their share of skillful hitters. Dontrelle Willis was regarded by many as one of the game's best hitting pitchers during his days with the Florida Marlins. He's scheduled to start Sunday's series finale against the Pirates.

"He'd better pitch well," Leyland said jokingly, "because I want to see him hit."

Edwin Jackson, who won't start until next week at St. Louis, entered pro ball as a gifted outfielder before converting to the mound in the Dodgers' farm system. Justin Verlander takes a particular interest in hitting, even if he doesn't have the track record for it.

Then there's Porcello, who was a shortstop at New Jersey's Seton Hall Prep on days when he wasn't on the mound. He doesn't want to build up his ability at the plate, but others will.

"It's a lot different trying to hit a 95-mph fastball," Porcello said.

Porcello should know about nasty stuff, considering the way he has thrown so far in his rookie season. His breakout May, when he won AL Rookie of the Month honors with a 5-0 record and five starts of at least six innings with two runs or less allowed, has been tempered somewhat by his June struggles with a loss against the Red Sox and a five-inning no-decision last Sunday against the Angels.

His ERA has risen half a run over his past couple outings. Still, his potential for effectiveness has not.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Rick Porcello (6-4, 3.98 ERA)
Most expect a 20-year-old breaking into a Major League rotation to have his ups and downs, and after being up for all of May, Porcello has slowed down a bit, although not much. In his past two starts, Porcello is 0-1, having allowed seven earned runs in 9 1/3 innings. Leyland cited some control problems in his most recent outing, but the rookie has still been impressive 11 starts into his career.

PIT: RHP Ian Snell (1-6, 5.54 ERA)
Snell pitched well in six innings against the Astros in his last start, scattering eight hits and giving up three runs but receiving a no-decision. Snell is now winless in his past nine outings. He has faced the Tigers once in his career, giving up four runs on seven hits in a loss during the 2006 season.

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Tidbits

...The Tigers will welcome utility man Donnie Kelly to the club when they get to Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old is from western Pennsylvania, having grown up in Butler. He earned the call to the Tigers on Thursday with a solid two months with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. He's expected to start in left field Friday.
... Six of the Tigers' past eight games have been decided by one run, during which the Tigers are 5-3.
... Curtis Granderson is batting .333 (23-for-69) with three doubles, a triple, three homers and 11 RBIs in his past 18 games.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Saturday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 3-6, 5.19 ERA) at Pirates (Zach Duke, 6-4, 3.07 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Tigers (Dontrelle Willis, 1-3, 6.60 ERA) at Pirates (Ross Ohlendorf, 5-5, 4.82 ERA), 1:35 p.m. ET
• Monday: Off-day

Starting Lineups:

Detroit AVG
Granderson, CF .267
Polanco, 2B .249
Kelly, LF .000
Cabrera, M, 1B .329
Ordonez, RF .279
Inge, 3B .273
Laird, C .221
Santiago, SS .287
Porcello, P .000

Pittsburgh AVG
McCutchen, A, CF .316
Morgan, LF .266
Sanchez, F, 2B .309
LaRoche, Ad, 1B .240
LaRoche, An, 3B .298
Moss, RF .248
Jaramillo, J, C .269
Wilson, Ja, SS .253
Snell, P .182

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson pops out to third baseman Andy LaRoche in foul territory.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco doubles (17) on a line drive to left fielder Nyjer Morgan.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Don Kelly flies out to center fielder Andrew McCutchen.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Brandon Moss.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Andrew McCutchen grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Nyjer Morgan grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Freddy Sanchez grounds out, pitcher Rick Porcello to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brandon Moss.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Nyjer Morgan.

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

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to second baseman Freddy Sanchez. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Rick Porcello singles on a ground ball to left fielder Nyjer Morgan. Magglio Ordonez scores. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson swinging.

1-0 after 1.5 innings

Tigers get back the ball Porcello hit that gave him his first mahor league hit and RBI!

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Adam LaRoche singles on a line drive to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Andy LaRoche lines into unassisted double play, first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Adam LaRoche doubled off 1st.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Brandon Moss swinging.

1-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Placido Polanco doubles (18) on a line drive to left fielder Nyjer Morgan.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Don Kelly pops out to third baseman Andy LaRoche in foul territory.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Andrew McCutchen. Placido Polanco to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:3 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into double
play, third baseman Andy LaRoche to second baseman Freddy Sanchez to
first baseman Adam LaRoche. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.

1-0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Jason Jaramillo singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Jack Wilson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Jason Jaramillo to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ian Snell out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Gerald Laird to second baseman Placido Polanco. Jack Wilson to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:2 - Andrew McCutchen reaches on a fielder's
choice out, third baseman Brandon Inge to catcher Gerald Laird. Jason
Jaramillo out at home. Jack Wilson to 3rd. Andrew McCutchen to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Nyjer Morgan grounds out, pitcher Rick Porcello to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

1-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Brandon Moss.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, second baseman Freddy Sanchez to first baseman Adam LaRoche.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Freddy Sanchez to first baseman Adam LaRoche.

1-0 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Freddy Sanchez grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Adam LaRoche lines out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Andy LaRoche grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Rick Porcello.

1-0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Rick Porcello swinging.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to left fielder Nyjer Morgan.

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Don Kelly walks. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Jack Wilson to first baseman Adam LaRoche.

1-0 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Brandon Moss flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Jason Jaramillo singles on a line drive to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Jack Wilson pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Ian Snell swinging.

1-0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, second baseman Freddy Sanchez to first baseman Adam LaRoche.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Brandon Inge swinging, catcher Jason Jaramillo to first baseman Adam LaRoche.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird hits a ground-rule double (7) on a line drive down the left-field line.

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Ian Snell intentionally walks Ramon Santiago.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Rick Porcello singles on a line drive to right fielder Brandon Moss. Gerald Laird scores. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to left fielder Nyjer Morgan.

2-0 after 5.5 innings

has both RBI's!

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Andrew McCutchen flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Nyjer Morgan singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
With Freddy Sanchez batting, Nyjer Morgan steals (15) 2nd base.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Freddy Sanchez doubles (22) on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Nyjer Morgan scores.

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

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

B:1 S:1 O:3 - Andy LaRoche grounds into double play,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Adam LaRoche out at 2nd.

2 -1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to center fielder Andrew McCutchen. Polly is 4 for 4 tonight!


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Don Kelly out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Ian Snell to first baseman Adam LaRoche. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Jack Wilson to first baseman Adam LaRoche. Placido Polanco to 3rd.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Jack Wilson to first baseman Adam LaRoche.

2 -1 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Moss grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Jason Jaramillo grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Jack Wilson grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Porcello goes his longest so far -- 99 pitches!

2 -1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: John Grabow replaces Ian Snell, batting 9th.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Brandon Inge homers (14) on a fly ball to left field.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Gerald Laird swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago bunt grounds out, pitcher John Grabow to first baseman Adam LaRoche.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Marcus Thames replaces Rick Porcello.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Marcus Thames flies out to right fielder Brandon Moss.

3 -1 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Zach Miner replaces Rick Porcello, batting 9th.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Delwyn Young replaces John Grabow.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Delwyn Young grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Andrew McCutchen singles on a ground ball to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:0 O:3 - Nyjer Morgan grounds into double play,
second baseman Placido Polanco to shortstop Ramon Santiago to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Andrew McCutchen out at 2nd.


3 -1 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Sean Burnett replaces John Grabow, batting 9th.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Sean Burnett to first baseman Adam LaRoche. Curtis Granderson to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ryan Raburn replaces Don Kelly.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
With Ryan Raburn batting, passed ball by Jason Jaramillo, Curtis Granderson to 3rd.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.

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


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Steven Jackson replaces Sean Burnett, batting 9th.

B:0 S:0 O:3 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into a force
out, third baseman Andy LaRoche to second baseman Freddy Sanchez.
Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.

3 -1 after 8.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn remains in the game as the right fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Zach Miner, batting 5th, replacing right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Josh Anderson replaces pitcher Zach Miner, batting 9th, playing left field.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Freddy Sanchez flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Adam LaRoche doubles (20) on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Andy LaRoche grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Fernando Rodney. Adam LaRoche to 3rd.

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

Tigers win 3-1

June 12, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Detroit	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	0		3	11	0
Pittsburgh	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0		1	8	0

Detroit AB- R-- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Granderson, CF 4 0 0 0 1 1 4 .262 Polanco, 2B 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 .262 Kelly, LF 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 .000 --b-Raburn, PH-RF 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .225 Cabrera, M, 1B 4 0 1 0 1 0 4 .327 Ordonez, RF 5 1 1 0 0 0 5 .277 --Rodney, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Inge, 3B 4 1 1 1 0 1 1 .273 Laird, C 4 1 1 0 0 2 1 .222 Santiago, SS 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .289 Porcello, P 3 0 2 2 0 1 0 .667 --a-Thames, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .289 --Miner, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 --Anderson, J, LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .252 Totals 35 3 11 3 4 6 18 a-Flied out for Porcello in the 8th. b-Struck out for Kelly in the 9th. BATTING 2B: Polanco 2 (18, Snell, Snell), Laird (7, Snell). HR: Inge (14, 8th inning off Grabow, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Polanco 6; Cabrera, M; Ordonez; Inge 4; Laird 2; Santiago; Porcello 2. RBI: Porcello 2 (2), Inge (41). 2-out RBI: Porcello 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cabrera, M 2; Granderson 2; Ordonez 2. S: Kelly; Polanco. GIDP: Ordonez. Team RISP: 4-for-16. Team LOB: 11. BASERUNNING SB: Ordonez (2, 2nd base off Snell/Jaramillo, J). FIELDING DP: 3 (Cabrera, M, Santiago-Polanco-Cabrera, M, Polanco-Santiago-Cabrera, M).		Pittsburgh AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG McCutchen, A, CF 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .310 Morgan, LF 4 1 1 0 0 0 3 .265 Sanchez, F, 2B 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 .308 LaRoche, Ad, 1B 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 .246 LaRoche, An, 3B 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .292 Moss, RF 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .243 Jaramillo, J, C 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 .280 Wilson, Ja, SS 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .255 Snell, P 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .174 --Grabow, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 --a-Young, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .329 --Burnett, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 --Jackson, S, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 31 1 8 1 1 3 12 a-Grounded out for Grabow in the 8th. BATTING 2B: Sanchez, F (22, Porcello), LaRoche, Ad (20, Rodney). TB: McCutchen, A; Morgan; Sanchez, F 2; LaRoche, Ad 3; Jaramillo, J 2; Wilson, Ja. RBI: Sanchez, F (20). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Morgan 2; Moss. S: Snell. GIDP: LaRoche, An; Morgan. Team RISP: 1-for-6. Team LOB: 5. BASERUNNING SB: Morgan (15, 2nd base off Porcello/Laird). FIELDING PB: Jaramillo, J (3). DP: (LaRoche, An-Sanchez, F-LaRoche, Ad).
Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Porcello (W, 7-4) 7.0 6 1 1 1 2 0 3.71 Miner (H, 1) 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.62 Rodney (S, 12) 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 4.50		Pittsburgh IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Snell (L, 1-7) 7.0 10 2 2 2 4 0 5.25 Grabow 1.0 1 1 1 0 1 1 3.86 Burnett 0.2 0 0 0 2 1 0 2.96 Jackson, S 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.26
IBB: Santiago (by Snell), Cabrera, M (by Burnett). Pitches-strikes: Porcello 99-61, Miner 12-6, Rodney 12-11, Snell 99-56, Grabow 12-10, Burnett 15-4, Jackson, S 1-1. Groundouts-flyouts: Porcello 13-5, Miner 3-0, Rodney 1-1, Snell 9-8, Grabow 1-1, Burnett 1-0, Jackson, S 1-0. Batters faced: Porcello 26, Miner 3, Rodney 4, Snell 32, Grabow 4, Burnett 4, Jackson, S 1. Inherited runners-scored: Jackson, S 2-0. Umpires: HP: CB Bucknor. 1B: Mike Everitt. 2B: Gerry Davis. 3B: James Hoye. Weather: 72 degrees, cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, Out to CF. T: 2:30. Att: 18,369. June 12, 2009

Porcello is the 1st rookie pitcher to hit multi RBI's in his first game batting in the DH time in the American League!