GDT: 7/11/09 - DET (47-38) vs CLE (34-53) - 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- It was a tale of two months for Armando Galarraga to start the season. Now the Tigers right-hander, who faces the Indians on Saturday night, is hoping to be more consistent and record more wins.

Galarraga is hoping that his extended pitching slump is over following two solid performances against Oakland and Kansas City. In his past two games, Galarraga has given up just two earned runs on seven hits in 13 1/3 innings. That has helped lower his ERA from 5.65 to 5.03.

Galarraga started the season strong, going 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA in four April starts. But May was a comparative disaster when he was 0-5 with an 8.49 ERA.

The difference in the past few starts according to Galarraga has been better movement on his pitches, particularly his slider and sinker.

"I've been able to have better control and the movement has been good," he said. "I think the [warm weather] has helped a bit, too."

One of the challenges for Galarraga during his struggles was trying to overcome a perceived need to do too much in an effort to get better results. He had been working hard for several weeks to try to improve his movement, and he credited having a better feel for his pitches in helping turn around his fortunes.

"The key for me is being able to keep my hand loose rather than [gripping the ball] too tightly," Galarraga said. "That has given me a much better feel on the ball and I think has helped with the movement."

Manager Jim Leyland credited Galarraga with having the "best stuff he's had in awhile" and called his performance against Kansas City on Monday "phenomenal." Leyland said one of the keys to the Tigers maintaining a lead in the AL Central the second half of the year is continuing to get a number of quality innings from the starters, particularly Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson and Galarraga.

"He pitched great the last few times out for us," Leyland said of Galarraga. "That's important."

Having the starters pitch deep into games also helps to keep the bullpen refreshed, which is important during a pennant chase which can quickly become a grind, Leyland said.

Galarraga recognizes his importance to the Tigers and his role in giving the team some quality innings. He believes that he has pitched as well during the past three games as he has at any point this season. And along with better movement, having the type of command that allows him to hit both corners of the plate is a key to continued success.

"I've been working hard for awhile and it's starting to come around," Galarraga said.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Armando Galarraga (5-7, 5.03 ERA)
Galarraga looks close to regaining the form that allowed him to hold down opposing hitters so well in April before his precision pitches and confidence seemingly deserted him. He left his last start on top of a pitching duel after seven innings of one-run ball Monday against Kansas City before Detroit's bullpen gave up the lead twice, but the importance was his effectiveness, scattering five hits with a walk and seven strikeouts. His slider looked markedly better than in many of his outings this year, but more importantly, he had the command to pound the strike zone. He'll try to build off that against a Cleveland club he beat three times last year before giving up five runs in as many innings two months ago at Comerica Park.

CLE: RHP Carl Pavano (7-7, 5.36 ERA)
Pavano was solid for the second straight start against the A's on Saturday. He allowed just two runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. He has righted himself after some mechanical issues led to three consecutive subpar starts, and he appears to have gotten past the shoulder soreness that bothered him in mid-June. Pavano allowed two runs over 7 1/3 innings to get a win over the Tigers on May 1.

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Tidbits

... Leyland is hoping that the Tigers will decide where to send Carlos Guillen for his rehab stint sometime this weekend. Guillen took batting practice Friday and according to Leyland, he is looking as healthy as he has been all year. "He's strong and he looks good," Leyland said. "If you think about it, this is like Spring Training for him. If we can pick up a switch-hitter [who the Tigers haven't had available most of the year] for July and August, that's a pretty big addition."
... The Tigers announced that they have agreed to terms with right-hander Mike Morrison, the club's 29th-round Draft pick out of Cal State Fullerton in this year's First-Year Player Draft. The club also agreed to terms with six non-drafted free agents.
... Detroit announced Thursday that it had outrighted the contract of utility player Don Kelly to Triple-A Toledo.
... Miguel Cabrera's first-inning single Friday extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
... Rick Porcello threw approximately 50 pitches as part of a simulated game before Friday's game. Leyland elected to have Porcello skip his scheduled turn in the rotation this weekend to give the rookie right-hander extra rest heading into the All-Star break. "We wanted him to have some rest, but we also wanted him to get out on the mound a little," Leyland said.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Sunday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 9-4, 3.59 ERA) vs. Indians (Tomo Ohka, 0-2, 5.65 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Monday-Thursday: All-Star break

STARTING LINEUPS:

Cleveland AVG
Cabrera, A, SS .298
Sizemore, CF .229
Martinez, V, C .295
Choo, LF .295
Hafner, DH .281
Peralta, J, 3B .257
Garko, 1B .280
Valbuena, 2B .211
Francisco, B, RF .242


Detroit AVG
Granderson, CF .254
Polanco, 2B .263
Cabrera, M, 1B .322
Thames, DH .248
Thomas, C, RF .244
Raburn, LF .272
Inge, 3B .264
Laird, C .244
Everett, SS .260

Saturday, July 11 - Fireworks Show - Indians @ 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)

• The first 10,000 fans will receive a Detroit Stars Commemorative Cap courtesy of Comerica Bank, a proud supporter of Tigers baseball and the annual Negro Leagues Tribute Game.
  
• Sergeant Barry McMurtry of the United States Armed Army, and native of Flint, Mich., will deliver the game ball. Sgt. McMurtry is home on rest leave from Afghanistan while he serves his fourth tour of duty.
  
• Former Negro Leagues players Frank Crossan, Joe Douse, Melvin "Buck" Duncan, Harold "Bee-Bop" Gordon, Gene Johnson, Marvin Jones, Alton King, James "Bullet" Moore, Ron "Schoolboy" Teasley and Cecil Kaiser will be honored during an on-field, pregame ceremony, hosted by John Mason.
  
• During the 15th annual Negro Leagues Tribute Game, the Tigers will represent the Detroit Stars while the Indians represent the Cleveland Buckeyes.
  
• Saturday Night Fireworks, presented by Verizon Wireless, are free with game ticket and will immediately follow the game. The fireworks show will honor the musical career of Michael Jackson, featuring a medley of his music during the display.
  
• The Detroit Stars Singing competition finals will be held on-field at the conclusion of the game and prior to the fireworks.
  

Tigers infielder Adam Everett and Tigers outfielder Ryan Raburn will be signing autographs for fans who donate new or gently used baseball equipment, or who provide a monetary donation, at ABC Warehouse at 637 John R Road in Troy from 12:30-1:30 p.m. The donations benefit Gloves For Kids, a program designed to provide Detroit's youth the proper sporting equipment to participate in organized baseball and softball.

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Asdrubal Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas.


B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Grady Sizemore singles on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas. Asdrubal Cabrera to 3rd.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Victor Martinez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Asdrubal Cabrera scores.
CLE 1, DET 0




B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Shin-Soo Choo lines out sharply to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Travis Hafner called out on strikes.


CLE 1, DET 0

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Curtis Granderson singles on a line drive to left fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:1 S:1 O:2 - Placido Polanco grounds into double
play, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to second baseman Luis Valbuena to
first baseman Ryan Garko. Curtis Granderson out at 2nd.

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

CLE 1, DET 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Jhonny Peralta grounds out softly, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Ryan Garko called out on strikes.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Luis Valbuena strikes out swinging.

CLE 1, DET 0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Marcus Thames flies out to center fielder Grady Sizemore.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Clete Thomas singles on a line drive to left fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Grady Sizemore. Clete Thomas scores.

CLE 1, DET 1

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Ben Francisco. Ryan Raburn scores.
DET 2, CLE 1

B:2 S:1 O:3 - Gerald Laird grounds into double play,
shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to second baseman Luis Valbuena to first
baseman Ryan Garko. Brandon Inge out at 2nd.

DET 2, CLE 1 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Ben Francisco grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Asdrubal Cabrera flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Grady Sizemore triples (3) on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Victor Martinez walks.


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


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Shin-Soo Choo walks. Victor Martinez to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Travis Hafner singles on a line drive to
left fielder Ryan Raburn. Grady Sizemore scores. Victor Martinez
scores. Shin-Soo Choo to 3rd.
CLE 3, DET 2

B:0 S:1 O:3 - Jhonny Peralta grounds into a force out,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Placido Polanco. Travis
Hafner out at 2nd.

CLE 3, DET 2 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Adam Everett grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Ryan Garko.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Placido Polanco grounds out softly, pitcher Carl Pavano to first baseman Ryan Garko.

CLE 3, DET 2 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Ryan Garko grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:1 O:2 - Luis Valbuena doubles (12) on a line
drive to right fielder Clete Thomas. Luis Valbuena out at 3rd, right
fielder Clete Thomas to second baseman Placido Polanco to third baseman
Brandon Inge.

Way to go Clete to Placido to Inge! Perfect throws!!!

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Ben Francisco flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

CLE 3, DET 2 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Ryan Garko.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Marcus Thames singles on a line drive to center fielder Grady Sizemore.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Clete Thomas singles on a ground ball to left fielder Shin-Soo Choo. Marcus Thames to 3rd.

B:3 S:3 O:3 - Ryan Raburn strikes out swinging and
Marcus Thames caught stealing home, catcher Victor Martinez to second
baseman Luis Valbuena to third baseman Jhonny Peralta to catcher Victor
Martinez.

CLE 3, DET 2 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Asdrubal Cabrera flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Grady Sizemore grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Victor Martinez lines out sharply to right fielder Clete Thomas.


CLE 3, DET 2 after 4.5 innings

Clete making plays that Mags would have trouble with!

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Ryan Garko.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Ryan Garko.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Adam Everett doubles (12) on a line drive to left fielder Shin-Soo Choo.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson called out on strikes.

CLE 3, DET 2 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Shin-Soo Choo grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Travis Hafner doubles (9) on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Ryan Garko lines out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

CLE 3, DET 2 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Placido Polanco flies out to center fielder Grady Sizemore.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Ben Francisco.


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


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Marcus Thames called out on strikes.

CLE 3, DET 2 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Luis Valbuena doubles (13) on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.


B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Ben Francisco singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Brandon Inge. Luis Valbuena to 3rd.


B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Asdrubal Cabrera singles on a ground ball to right fielder Clete Thomas. Luis Valbuena scores. Ben Francisco to 2nd.
CLE 4, DET 2


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


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fu-Te Ni replaces Armando Galarraga.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Grady Sizemore flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:2 S:1 O:3 - Victor Martinez lines into double play,
right fielder Clete Thomas to second baseman Placido Polanco. Ben
Francisco doubled off 2nd.

CLE 4, DET 2 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Clete Thomas grounds out, pitcher Carl Pavano to first baseman Ryan Garko.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Ben Francisco.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Brandon Inge lines out to center fielder Grady Sizemore.

CLE 4, DET 2 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Shin-Soo Choo doubles (18) on a fly ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Travis Hafner lines out to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Shin-Soo Choo to 3rd.


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Freddy Dolsi replaces Fu-Te Ni.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Jhonny Peralta doubles (17) on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Shin-Soo Choo scores.
CLE 5, DET 2


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Garko pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.


B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Luis Valbuena grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CLE 5, DET 2 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Gerald Laird pops out to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett bunt grounds out, third baseman Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Ryan Garko.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson strikes out swinging.(for the 3rd time tonight!) Please, someone teach him to lower his SO total!!!

CLE 5, DET 2 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

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


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


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
With Grady Sizemore batting, Asdrubal Cabrera caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Laird to shortstop Adam Everett.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Grady Sizemore strikes out swinging.


CLE 5, DET 2 after 8.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Kerry Wood replaces Carl Pavano.


B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Placido Polanco walks.


B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (18) on a fly ball to right field. Placido Polanco scores.
CLE 5, DET 4


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Marcus Thames flies out to center fielder Grady Sizemore.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Clete Thomas lines out to left fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Ryan Garko.

Tigers lose 4-5

July 11, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Cleveland	1	0	2	0	0	0	1	1	0		5	12	0
Detroit	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2		4	8	0

Cleveland AB- R-- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Cabrera, A, SS 5 1 3 1 0 0 0 .304 Sizemore, CF 5 1 2 0 0 1 2 .232 Martinez, V, C 2 1 0 1 1 0 2 .294 Choo, LF 3 1 1 0 1 0 1 .296 Hafner, DH 4 0 2 2 0 1 2 .288 Peralta, J, 3B 4 0 1 1 0 0 3 .257 Garko, 1B 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .275 Valbuena, 2B 4 1 2 0 0 1 1 .219 Francisco, B, RF 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .242 Totals 35 5 12 5 2 4 13 BATTING 2B: Valbuena 2 (13, Galarraga, Galarraga), Hafner (9, Galarraga), Choo (18, Ni), Peralta, J (17, Dolsi). 3B: Sizemore (3, Galarraga). TB: Cabrera, A 3; Sizemore 4; Choo 2; Hafner 3; Peralta, J 2; Valbuena 4; Francisco, B. RBI: Martinez, V (59), Hafner 2 (22), Cabrera, A (34), Peralta, J (38). 2-out RBI: Hafner 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Peralta, J; Garko; Valbuena. SF: Martinez, V. Team RISP: 4-for-12. Team LOB: 6. BASERUNNING CS: Cabrera, A (2, 2nd base by Dolsi/Laird). FIELDING DP: 3 (Cabrera, A-Valbuena-Garko 2, Martinez, V-Valbuena-Peralta, J-Martinez, V).		Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Granderson, CF 4 0 1 0 0 3 1 .254 Polanco, 2B 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 .260 Cabrera, M, 1B 4 1 1 2 0 1 0 .321 Thames, DH 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .248 Thomas, C, RF 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .252 Raburn, LF 4 1 1 1 0 1 2 .271 Inge, 3B 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 .264 Laird, C 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .241 Everett, SS 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .262 Totals 32 4 8 4 1 6 5 BATTING 2B: Everett (12, Pavano). 3B: Raburn (1, Pavano). HR: Cabrera, M (18, 9th inning off Wood, K, 1 on, 0 out). TB: Granderson; Cabrera, M 4; Thames; Thomas, C 2; Raburn 3; Inge; Everett 2. RBI: Raburn (23), Inge (55), Cabrera, M 2 (50). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Granderson. GIDP: Polanco; Laird. Team RISP: 1-for-3. Team LOB: 2. BASERUNNING CS: Thames (2, home by Pavano/Martinez, V). FIELDING Outfield assists: Thomas, C 2 (Valbuena at 3rd base, Francisco, B at 2nd base). DP: (Thomas, C-Polanco).
Cleveland IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Pavano (W, 8-7) 8.0 7 2 2 0 6 0 5.13 Wood, K (S, 12) 1.0 1 2 2 1 0 1 5.28		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Galarraga (L, 5-8) 6.0 9 4 4 2 3 0 5.09 Ni 1.1 1 1 1 0 0 0 2.45 Dolsi 1.2 2 0 0 0 1 0 0.96
Galarraga pitched to 3 batters in the 7th. Pitches-strikes: Pavano 101-72, Wood, K 14-7, Galarraga 103-65, Ni 12-9, Dolsi 26-15. Groundouts-flyouts: Pavano 11-6, Wood, K 1-2, Galarraga 7-7, Ni 0-3, Dolsi 2-1. Batters faced: Pavano 28, Wood, K 5, Galarraga 28, Ni 4, Dolsi 6. Inherited runners-scored: Ni 2-0, Dolsi 1-1. Umpires: HP: Wally Bell. 1B: Mike Estabrook. 2B: Marty Foster. 3B: John Hirschbeck. Weather: 83 degrees, clear. Wind: 19 mph, Out to LF. T: 2:34. Att: 41,782. July 11, 2009