GDT: 8/1/09 - DET (53-48) AT CLE (43-60) - 7:05 p.m. ET

CLEVELAND -- Welcome to the dog days of August. For the Tigers, those days have dogged them more than most.

While Detroit made moves at the July 31 Trade Deadline aimed towards a late-season drive over the last several years, what followed has usually driven the Tigers in the wrong direction. Last year's 11-17 August mark dropped the Tigers off the fringe of the American League Central race after they went 13-13 in July. A year earlier, an 11-18 August mark dropped Detroit from a game up in the division to 5 1/2 games back and down for good.

Even when the Tigers made it to the postseason in 2006, their 13-16 August record started a late-season swoon that eventually cost them the division crown and wedged them into the Wild Card slot for October. Like 2007, they had a winning record in every month prior to that. They made it to the World Series in spite of August.

Not since Phil Garner's frantic late-season charge in 2000 have the Tigers posted a winning record in August. The eight years since have earned Detroit a reputation as a team of late-season fades. With a slim lead in the AL Central, the Tigers can't afford for that reputation to repeat.

All three teams in the Central race made moves at Friday's non-waiver Trade Deadline to gear up for a run. Now it comes down to who can make a move on the field and in the standings.

"One thing I learned a long time ago, it really is all determined on the field," team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said while talking about the Jarrod Washburn trade Friday. "You can make moves. You hope that they help you. In this spot a couple times, they have helped a great deal. But it still comes down to how well you play.

"I think we have a good enough club to win, but saying it doesn't mean anything. You have to go out there and you have to do it. It's a three-team race. I think it'll be a three-team race. You have three good clubs going in, and we're all in a position where nobody's got a perfect team this year."

The Tigers certainly haven't been perfect, but they've used pitching and defense to put themselves in front. Now, if anything, August should be an opportunity for them to take command. After Saturday's game and Sunday's series finale at Cleveland, they'll be home for 13 of their next 17, including a big division clash against the Twins.

A win Saturday against the last-place Indians, however, would be big. It's the kind of road game the Tigers need to win to help their cause once they get to the tougher parts of the schedule.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Rick Porcello (9-7, 4.62 ERA)
Though the Tigers could've skipped a starter with the off-day Thursday, manager Jim Leyland said that Porcello will stay on turn and start on an extra day's rest after struggling in each of his first two games out of the All-Star break. His five runs allowed in each outing, including over 5 1/3 innings in his last start Sunday night against the White Sox, have raised his ERA by nearly a half-run in that span. Though Leyland noted a slight drop in velocity, his bigger concern was a curveball that didn't look sharp. Porcello beat the Indians at Progressive Field on May 10 with five innings of one-run ball, and the Tigers would no doubt love for him to find that form again.

CLE: CLE: LHP Jeremy Sowers (3-7, 5.15 ERA)
Sowers provided what the coaching staff had wanted in his last outing Saturday against Seattle -- a strong finish. He has had the tendency to lose his effectiveness as he turns over the lineup. But he went seven innings, matching his season high, allowing no runs and four hits in a 10-3 victory. He said he was particularly pleased with getting out of trouble in the second, third and fourth innings without damage. He has a career 2-3 record against Detroit with a 6.66 ERA in five starts.

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Tidbits

... The Tigers' athletic training site will check on Jeremy Bonderman and Nate Robertson on Saturday after their simulated game Friday. If they feel well, they're expected to start their Minor League rehab stints next week with an eye toward being ready for Detroit once rosters expand Sept. 1.
... Miguel Cabrera is 5-for-8 lifetime off Sowers with a home run and three RBIs.
... Curtis Granderson leads the American League with 16 road home runs this season.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Sunday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 5-9, 4.84 ERA) at Indians (Carl Pavano, 8-8, 5.66 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 12-5, 3.16 ERA) vs. Orioles (Chris Tillman, (0-0, 5.79 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Tigers (Jarrod Washburn, 8-6, 2.64 ERA) vs. Orioles (TBD), 7:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, second baseman Jamey Carroll to first baseman Chris Gimenez.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, third baseman Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Chris Gimenez.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.
Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Grady Sizemore walks.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
With Asdrubal Cabrera batting, Grady Sizemore steals (10) 2nd base.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Asdrubal Cabrera swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Shin-Soo Choo reaches on fielding error by first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Grady Sizemore to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:1 - Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive
to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Grady Sizemore scores. Shin-Soo
Choo to 2nd.
CLE 1, DET 0



B:0 S:1 O:3 - Travis Hafner grounds into double play,
shortstop Adam Everett to second baseman Placido Polanco to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jhonny Peralta out at 2nd.

CLE 1, DET 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Marcus Thames walks.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn bunt pops out to pitcher Jeremy Sowers.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.
Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Chris Gimenez grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

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

CLE 1, DET 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Dusty Ryan flies out to center fielder Grady Sizemore.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett pops out to second baseman Jamey Carroll.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, second baseman Jamey Carroll to first baseman Chris Gimenez.

CLE 1, DET 0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Wyatt Toregas singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:0 O:1 - Grady Sizemore grounds into a force out,
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Adam Everett. Wyatt Toregas
out at 2nd. Grady Sizemore to 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Asdrubal Cabrera flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Shin-Soo Choo swinging.


CLE 1, DET 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Chris Gimenez.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Chris Gimenez.

CLE 1, DET 0 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

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

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Travis Hafner flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Chris Gimenez grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CLE 1, DET 0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Marcus Thames walks.

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

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Trevor Crowe.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Dusty Ryan walks. Marcus Thames to 3rd. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.

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

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Trevor Crowe. Marcus Thames scores.
DET 1, CLE 1


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

DET 1, CLE 1 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Jamey Carroll flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Trevor Crowe grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Wyatt Toregas grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. (great play by Miggy!)


DET 1, CLE 1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to left fielder Trevor Crowe.

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Trevor Crowe. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Trevor Crowe. Placido Polanco scores. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.
DET 2, CLE 1



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


B:3 S:2 O:0 -
With Marcus Thames batting, wild pitch by Jeremy Sowers, Magglio Ordonez to 3rd. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Marcus Thames swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn lines out to second baseman Jamey Carroll.

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Jeremy Sowers intentionally walks Brandon Inge.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Dusty Ryan called out on .

DET 2, CLE 1 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Grady Sizemore swinging.

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

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Shin-Soo Choo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

DET 2, CLE 1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Justin Masterson replaces Jeremy Sowers.

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Adam Everett swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out to first baseman Chris Gimenez.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, third baseman Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Chris Gimenez.

DET 2, CLE 1 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 - Chris Gimenez grounds into double play,
shortstop Adam Everett to second baseman Placido Polanco to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Travis Hafner out at 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Jamey Carroll grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 2, CLE 1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Grady Sizemore.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Marcus Thames pops out to first baseman Chris Gimenez.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to center fielder Grady Sizemore. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.


B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Trevor Crowe.

DET 2, CLE 1 after 7.5 innings

at 81 pitches, 61 for strikes!!! First time he has gone 8 innings!

Bottom Half

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

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Trevor Crowe flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Wyatt Toregas grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Grady Sizemore flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

DET 2, CLE 1 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Dusty Ryan called out on .

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Adam Everett called out on .

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson walks.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
With Placido Polanco batting, Curtis Granderson steals (18) 2nd base.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Placido Polanco lines out to second baseman Jamey Carroll.

DET 2, CLE 1 after 8.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Rick Porcello.

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Asdrubal Cabrera triples (4) on a fly ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Shin-Soo Choo swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Jhonny Peralta out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Asdrubal Cabrera scores.
DET 2, CLE 2



B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Travis Hafner grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 2, CLE 2 after 9 innings

Inning 10
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Kerry Wood replaces Justin Masterson.

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Clete Thomas swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Trevor Crowe.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Carlos Guillen replaces Marcus Thames.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen lines out to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
With Ryan Raburn batting, wild pitch by Kerry Wood, Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out, pitcher Kerry Wood to first baseman Chris Gimenez.

DET 2, CLE 2 after 9.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Carlos Guillen remains in the game as the designated hitter.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Fernando Rodney.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Chris Gimenez called out on .


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Jamey Carroll singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Trevor Crowe singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn. Jamey Carroll to 2nd.


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

B:1 S:0 O:3 - Wyatt Toregas lines into double play,
shortstop Adam Everett to second baseman Placido Polanco. Jamey Carroll
doubled off 2nd.
DET 2, CLE 2 after 10 innings

Inning 11
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joe Smith replaces Kerry Wood.

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to center fielder Grady Sizemore.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Gerald Laird replaces Dusty Ryan.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Chris Gimenez. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett flies out to center fielder Grady Sizemore. Brandon Inge to 3rd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Tony Sipp replaces Joe Smith.

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

DET 2, CLE 2 after 10.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Gerald Laird remains in the game as the catcher.

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


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Grady Sizemore flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Shin-Soo Choo lines out softly to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Jhonny Peralta reaches on force attempt, fielding error by shortstop Adam Everett. Asdrubal Cabrera to 2nd.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Travis Hafner swinging.

DET 2, CLE 2 after 11 innings

Inning 12
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jose Veras replaces Tony Sipp.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Placido Polanco walks.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Clete Thomas walks. Placido Polanco to 2nd.


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

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera called out on .


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo. Placido Polanco scores. Clete Thomas to 3rd.
DET 3, CLE 2

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
With Brandon Inge batting, Clete Thomas scores on a balk. Ryan Raburn advances to 2nd on a balk.

DET 4, CLE 2

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge lines out to center fielder Grady Sizemore.

DET 4, CLE 2 after 11.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Zach Miner replaces Bobby Seay.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Chris Gimenez grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Jamey Carroll singles on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Trevor Crowe doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Jamey Carroll to 3rd.

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


B:3 S:2 O:2 - Wyatt Toregas grounds out, second
baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jamey Carroll
scores. Trevor Crowe to 3rd.
DET 4, CLE 3



B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Grady Sizemore pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

win 4-3 after 12 innings