GDT: 6/20/09 - DET (36-31) vs MIL (37-30) - 4:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- The Tigers could've traded Alfredo Figaro over the winter to help remake their big league club. They didn't. They couldn't have figured he'd be part of their present so soon.

Not only will Figaro make his Major League debut when the Tigers take on the Brewers Saturday afternoon at Comerica Park, he'll be making his first appearance above Double-A ball. If that isn't enough, it'll come on a FOX Saturday Game of the Week between the two Central Division leaders.

Welcome to the big leagues.

"He's a talented kid," manager Jim Leyland said of Figaro. "Is he ready? I don't know."

In a Tigers rotation looking for stability at the back end, it's worth finding out. After Dontrelle Willis fell back into control problems in his last few starts, capped by eight walks over 3 2/3 innings last Sunday at Pittsburgh, all the Tigers want is a pitcher who can give them a chance to win. If Figaro can carry his high-strikeout form from Double-A Erie to Detroit, they might get it.

Kenny Albert and Mark Grace will have the call for the regional broadcast, one of three games on the FOX schedule Saturday.

Go beyond the basic numbers on the 24-year-old Dominican from Fernando Rodney's birthplace of Samana, and the Tigers have a pitcher with the potential for four Major League pitches and the capacity to dominate against talented hitters, though he has had his rough outings as well. He was good enough to catch Leyland's eye in Spring Training in a crowded pitching camp.

His last three outings provide a glimpse. The right-hander struck out 10 New Hampshire Fisher Cats over 7 1/3 innings with two runs allowed in his most recent start last Saturday. Five days earlier, he fanned eight batters over seven innings of two-run ball against Portland. The two outings earned him Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors.

The outing before that, however, saw Altoona get him for seven runs over 5 2/3 innings.

At 6-foot, he isn't particularly tall, but his delivery and his arm generate power. The Tigers, in turn, are hoping he can generate some momentum, or at least some innings.

The front-end trio of Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson and Rick Porcello have combined for a 21-11 record and a 3.07 ERA and 25 quality starts in 41 outings. The four other Tigers who have started this year have eight quality starts and a 6.20 ERA in the other 25 starts this season.

The resulting split has taxed a bullpen that has performed above expectations so far this season. And while Verlander and Jackson have been running high pitch counts much of the season, the Tigers can only do some much to extend the 20-year-old Porcello, who at this pace would approach the 180-inning mark by season's end.

Figaro's arrival, if it works out, could ease some of that pressure, though the Tigers will have to watch the rookie and make sure to protect him, too. If they were that worried about protection, however, he probably wouldn't be here. At this point, the Tigers are looking for results. Saturday would be a good result for them to get.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Alfredo Figaro (Major League debut)
In 11 starts for Erie this season, Figaro is 5-2 with a 4.10 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 68 innings. The 6-foot, 175-pounder features a fastball in the low- to mid-90s to go along with a curveball, slider and changeup.


MIL: RHP Dave Bush (3-3, 5.31 ERA)
Bush was shelled by the Indians in his worst start of the season, allowing eight earned runs on six hits, including a pair of home runs, in just 3 1/3 innings on June 15 at Progressive Field. Bush was a "quality start" machine early in the season, working the requisite six innings while allowing three or fewer runs in seven of his first eight starts. But he hasn't met the criteria for a quality start in any of his last five outings. He's 0-1 with a 10.24 ERA in three career appearances against the Tigers, all for Toronto in 2005.

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Tidbits

...Look for catcher Gerald Laird to be back in the Tigers lineup after resting Friday. Still, Leyland made it clear that just-recalled Dusty Ryan is going to get some starts behind the plate to ease the wear and tear on the regular. "It was getting to look like it was a little much for Gerald," Leyland said, "but Gerald's still our catcher. This is about production. We're going to see if we can get some."
... The Tigers are a combined 16-4 in Saturday and Sunday games.
... The Tiger with the most experience against Bush is Adam Everett, who is 5-for-17 with three doubles and three RBIs for his career against him.
... Magglio Ordonez is expected to remain out of the lineup Saturday while he works with Tigers coaches on his hitting.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Sunday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 7-3, 3.39 ERA) vs. Brewers (Yovani Gallardo, 7-3, 2.93 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 6-4, 2.39 ERA) vs. Cubs (Carlos Zambrano, 4-2, 3.44 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

Inning 1
Top Half

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


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Casey McGehee strikes out swinging.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Ryan Braun singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Ryan Braun to 3rd.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Corey Hart pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.


Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out sharply, second baseman Craig Counsell to first baseman Prince Fielder.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, second baseman Craig Counsell to first baseman Prince Fielder.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Prince Fielder.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Mat Gamel singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
J. Hardy walks. Mat Gamel to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Jody Gerut pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Jason Kendall swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Craig Counsell singles on a line drive to right fielder Josh Anderson. Mat Gamel scores. J. Hardy to 3rd.
MIL 1, DET 0



B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Casey McGehee on foul tip.

MIL 1, DET 0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Marcus Thames singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Ryan Braun.

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Don Kelly doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Braun. Marcus Thames to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Corey Hart.


B:1 S:0 O:1 - Josh Anderson singles on a line drive to
left fielder Ryan Braun. Marcus Thames scores. Don Kelly scores. Josh
Anderson to 2nd on the throw.
DET 2, MIL 1


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird triples (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Jody Gerut. Josh Anderson scores.

DET 3, MIL 1




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


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Adam Everett bunt pops into double play, pitcher Dave Bush to third baseman Mat Gamel. Gerald Laird out at 3rd.

DET 3, MIL 1 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Ryan Braun homers (15) on a fly ball to left field.
DET 3, MIL 2


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Prince Fielder lines out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Corey Hart singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
With Mat Gamel batting, Corey Hart steals (5) 2nd base.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Mat Gamel walks.

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

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
J. Hardy swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Jody Gerut pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

DET 3, MIL 2 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to center fielder Jody Gerut.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Ryan Braun.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (14) on a fly ball to left field. Placido Polanco scores.
DET 5, MIL 2



B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Marcus Thames singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Braun.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Don Kelly strikes out swinging and Marcus Thames caught stealing 2nd, catcher Jason Kendall to shortstop J. Hardy.

DET 5, MIL 2 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Craig Counsell grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Casey McGehee singles on a ground ball to left fielder Don Kelly.

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

DET 5, MIL 2 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Seth McClung replaces Dave Bush.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Brandon Inge lines out to third baseman Mat Gamel.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Josh Anderson singles on a bunt ground ball to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Braun. Josh Anderson to 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett flies out to right fielder Corey Hart.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder.

DET 5, MIL 2 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Prince Fielder flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Corey Hart swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Mat Gamel triples (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
J. Hardy swinging.


DET 5, MIL 2 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Placido Polanco homers (3) on a fly ball to left field.
DET 6, MIL 2



B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera doubles (13) on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Braun.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Marcus Thames grounds out, third baseman Mat Gamel to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Don Kelly singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Braun. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Jody Gerut. Miguel Cabrera scores.
DET 7, MIL 2



B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Josh Anderson singles on a soft ground ball to first baseman Prince Fielder. Don Kelly to 2nd.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
On-field Delay.


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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Mark DiFelice replaces Seth McClung.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Gerald Laird pops out to first baseman Prince Fielder in foul territory.

DET 7, MIL 2 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Nate Robertson replaces Alfredo Figaro.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Jody Gerut pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Jason Kendall flies out to right fielder Josh Anderson.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Craig Counsell walks.


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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Nate Robertson.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
With Casey McGehee batting, wild pitch by Ryan Perry, Craig Counsell to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Casey McGehee called out on strikes.

DET 7, MIL 2 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Everett grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, second baseman Craig Counsell to first baseman Prince Fielder.

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


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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Todd Coffey replaces Mark DiFelice.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Braun. Placido Polanco to 2nd.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Marcus Thames singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Braun. Placido Polanco scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

DET 8, MIL 2


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Don Kelly singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Braun. Miguel Cabrera scores. Marcus Thames to 2nd.
DET 9, MIL 2


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


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

DET 9, MIL 2 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Braun singles on a ground ball to right fielder Josh Anderson.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Prince Fielder walks. Ryan Braun to 2nd.

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

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
With Corey Hart batting, Ryan Braun steals (6) 3rd base.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Corey Hart walks. Prince Fielder to 2nd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon Lyon replaces Ryan Perry.


B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Mat Gamel walks. Ryan Braun scores. Prince Fielder to 3rd. Corey Hart to 2nd.
DET 9, MIL 3

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
J. Hardy flies out to right fielder Josh Anderson.


B:1 S:1 O:2 - Jody Gerut grounds into a force out,
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Adam Everett. Prince Fielder
scores. Corey Hart to 3rd. Mat Gamel out at 2nd. Jody Gerut to 1st.
DET 9, MIL 4




B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Jason Kendall grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 9, MIL 4 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half
B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Chris Smith replaces Todd Coffey.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Josh Anderson flies out to right fielder Corey Hart.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird flies out to left fielder Ryan Braun in foul territory.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Adam Everett flies out to right fielder Corey Hart.

DET 9, MIL 4 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Craig Counsell doubles (9) on a ground ball to right fielder Josh Anderson.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Casey McGehee grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Craig Counsell to 3rd.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Ryan Braun singles on a soft ground ball to pitcher Brandon Lyon. Craig Counsell scores.
DET 9, MIL 5

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

B:2 S:0 O:3 - Prince Fielder grounds into double play,
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Adam Everett to pitcher
Brandon Lyon. Ryan Braun out at 2nd.

DET 9, MIL 5 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson lines out to right fielder Corey Hart.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ramon Santiago replaces Placido Polanco.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to center fielder Jody Gerut.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out to right fielder Corey Hart.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Marcus Thames grounds into a force out, shortstop J. Hardy to second baseman Craig Counsell. Ramon Santiago out at 2nd.

DET 9, MIL 5 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Detroit Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco left the game due to an injured leg. (hit by pitch)


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago remains in the game as the second baseman.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Brandon Lyon.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Corey Hart flies out to right fielder Josh Anderson.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Mat Gamel called out on .

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
J. Hardy grounds out sharply, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Tiger win 9-5

June 20, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Milwaukee	0	1	1	0	0	0	2	1	0		5	11	0
Detroit	0	3	2	0	2	2	0	0	X		9	17	0

Milwaukee AB- R-- H-- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Counsell, 2B 4 1 2 1 1 0 0 .301 McGehee, C, DH 5 0 1 0 0 3 4 .341 Braun, LF 5 2 4 2 0 0 1 .325 Fielder, 1B 4 1 1 0 1 0 1 .304 Hart, C, RF 4 0 1 0 1 1 2 .263 Gamel, 3B 3 1 2 1 2 1 0 .253 Hardy, SS 4 0 0 0 1 2 6 .212 Gerut, CF 4 0 0 1 0 0 6 .199 Kendall, C 4 0 0 0 0 2 4 .230 Totals 37 5 11 5 6 9 24 BATTING 2B: Counsell (9, Lyon). 3B: Gamel (1, Figaro). HR: Braun (15, 3rd inning off Figaro, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Counsell 3; McGehee, C; Braun 7; Fielder; Hart, C; Gamel 4. RBI: Counsell (13), Braun 2 (50), Gamel (12), Gerut (15). 2-out RBI: Counsell. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Hart, C; McGehee, C 2; Gerut; Hardy; Kendall. GIDP: Fielder. Team RISP: 2-for-14. Team LOB: 11. BASERUNNING SB: Hart, C (5, 2nd base off Figaro/Laird), Braun (6, 3rd base off Perry/Laird). FIELDING DP: 2 (Bush-Gamel, Kendall-Hardy).		Detroit AB- R-- H-- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Granderson, CF 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 .265 Polanco, 2B 3 3 2 1 0 0 0 .263 --a-Santiago, PH-2B 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .288 Cabrera, M, 1B 5 3 3 2 0 0 1 .331 Thames, DH 5 1 3 1 0 0 2 .322 Kelly, LF 4 1 3 1 0 1 1 .400 Inge, 3B 3 0 0 1 0 1 4 .269 Anderson, J, RF 4 1 3 2 0 0 0 .269 Laird, C 4 0 2 1 0 0 2 .222 Everett, SS 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 .253 Totals 38 9 17 9 0 2 15 a-Singled for Polanco in the 8th. BATTING 2B: Kelly (2, Bush), Cabrera, M (13, McClung). 3B: Laird (2, Bush). HR: Cabrera, M (14, 3rd inning off Bush, 1 on, 1 out), Polanco (3, 5th inning off McClung, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Polanco 5; Santiago; Cabrera, M 7; Thames 3; Kelly 4; Anderson, J 3; Laird 4. RBI: Anderson, J 2 (12), Laird (16), Cabrera, M 2 (44), Polanco (26), Inge (44), Thames (12), Kelly (3). 2-out RBI: Thames; Kelly. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Granderson; Laird; Inge. SF: Inge. Team RISP: 5-for-12. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING CS: Thames (1, 2nd base by Bush/Kendall). FIELDING DP: (Cabrera, M-Everett-Lyon).
Milwaukee IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Bush (L, 3-4) 3.0 7 5 5 0 1 1 5.67 McClung 1.2 6 2 2 0 0 1 3.32 DiFelice 1.0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1.61 Coffey 0.1 3 1 1 0 1 0 2.83 Smith, C 2.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.08		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Figaro (W, 1-0) 5.0 8 2 2 2 7 1 3.60 Robertson 0.2 0 0 0 1 0 0 7.71 Perry 0.1 1 2 2 2 1 0 4.28 Lyon 2.0 2 1 1 1 0 0 4.11 Rodney 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.18
Perry pitched to 3 batters in the 7th. WP: Perry. HBP: Polanco (by DiFelice). Pitches-strikes: Bush 51-31, McClung 33-20, DiFelice 12-9, Coffey 17-10, Smith, C 15-13, Figaro 96-63, Robertson 12-5, Perry 17-7, Lyon 25-13, Rodney 11-7. Groundouts-flyouts: Bush 3-3, McClung 2-3, DiFelice 2-1, Coffey 0-0, Smith, C 1-5, Figaro 2-6, Robertson 0-2, Perry 0-0, Lyon 5-1, Rodney 1-1. Batters faced: Bush 14, McClung 11, DiFelice 4, Coffey 4, Smith, C 7, Figaro 25, Robertson 3, Perry 4, Lyon 8, Rodney 3. Inherited runners-scored: DiFelice 2-0, Coffey 1-1, Perry 1-0, Lyon 3-2. Umpires: HP: Mike DiMuro. 1B: Ron Kulpa. 2B: Dale Scott. 3B: Jerry Meals. Weather: 84 degrees, sunny. Wind: 8 mph, Out to LF. T: 3:01. Att: 39,156. June 20, 2009