GDT: 7/23/08 - DET (51-49) AT KC (45-56) - 2:10 p.m. ET

KANSAS CITY -- It's not quite time for manager Jim Leyland to know that Armando Galarraga will be a success for years to come.

"I think Galarraga has still got to get over a hump," Leyland said. "I think he's certainly done a tremendous job and has the potential to do it. But I still think he has a couple of hurdles to clear."

Galarraga, who pitches in Wednesday's series finale against Kansas City, has done all the Tigers could ask for this year. He pitched his first game of the year in mid-April and has stayed at the same high, consistent level since. In two of his last three starts, Galarraga has given up two runs or less.

The start where he gave up the excess was his most recent, a 6 2/3-innings affair against Baltimore on Friday. The fact that he only gave up four runs in one of his weaker outings speaks to how impressive he's been.

As for the hurdles Leyland wants Galarraga to clear, the manager wasn't too specific.

"You got to make sure you don't get too smart," Leyland said of Galarraga. "You got to make sure you continue to trust your stuff."


Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Armando Galarraga (7-4, 3.41 ERA)
The good news for Galarraga is that he returned to pounding the strike zone in his last outing where he threw strikes with 71 of his 104 pitches. The downside for him is that the Orioles hit him for three home runs, including Melvin Mora's go-ahead two-run homer. It was his second straight loss after going unbeaten in nine consecutive starts. He has not faced the Royals this season.

KC: RHP Zack Greinke (7-6, 3.90 ERA)
Greinke was clipped for seven runs and 11 hits in just three-plus innings against the White Sox on Friday night. The White Sox sent 11 batters to the plate in the first inning. He walked three batters and hit another. It was his shortest outing in what has been an otherwise very successful season. Royals manager Trey Hillman thought Greinke, who stayed mostly with his fastball, waited too long to go to his secondary pitches. Greinke beat the Tigers, 4-1, on April 3 and had a no-decision despite pitching well in a May 13 victory.

Tidbits

Triple-A Toledo outfielder Brent Clevlen won International League Player of the Week for July 14-20. He hit .400 with three home runs and five RBIs in four games. Class A West Michigan infielder Brandon Douglas won Midwest League Player of the Week. He hit .619 with three doubles, a home run and six RBIs. ... Leyland hasn't quite finalized his pitching rotation for the games coming up after Thursday's off-day but says the order will likely not change. ... Gary Sheffield picked up his 1,600th RBI on Tuesday night when he hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. He is ranked 29th on the all-time list.

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSN-HD

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Thurs., July 24: Off-day

• Fri., July 25: Tigers (Nate Robertson, 6-8, 5.69) vs. White Sox (Gavin Floyd, 10-6, 3.52), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Sat., July 26: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 8-9, 3.95) vs. White Sox (John Danks, 7-4, 3.03), 7:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS

Armando Galarraga (7-4, 3.41 ERA) vs. Zack Greinke (7-6, 3.90 ERA)

Tigers
CF :curtis:
2B :placido:
3B
RF
1B
LF :joyce:
DH :sheff:
SS :edgar:
C

Royals
DH DeJesus
SS Aviles
2B Grudzielanek
LF Guillen
3B Gordon
RF Teahen
C Olivo
1B Gload
CF Gathright

BLOG IF USED

MUST WIN! I want to see a ROYAL SWEEP!

We could then call it a "Royal Flush!" :haha:

For "royal" pains in the butt!

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

We could then call it a "Royal Flush!" :haha:

:haha:

Anyone want me to create a live blog?

bobrob2004 wrote:

Anyone want me to create a live blog?

No replies? Ok, no live blog today.

C'mon Granderson!

Grandy walks.

C'mon Polly!!

Hit and run, runner stops at 2nd though. Men at 1st and 2nd, 0 out.

1 out.

Base hit Maggs! 1-0 Tigers. Corners loaded.

. Magglio CS, but run scores before he's out. 3 out.

2-0 Tigers

2 out.

STAT OF THE DAY: Armando Galarraga is 3-0 in day games this year.

1-2-3 inning for Galarraga.

2-0 Tigers

3 players can't catch it, Joyce with a double.

Sheff flies out, 1 out.

WP, Joyce to 3rd.

Base hit Renteria. 3-0 Tigers

Inge pops up, 2 out.

Grandy out, 3 out.

3-0 Tigers

J. Guillen 1 out.

Gordon out, 2 out.

Teahen out, 3 out. 6 pitches that inning for Armando.

3-0 Tigers

Pitches after 2 innings:

Greinke: 36
Galarraga: 18

Base hit Polanco.

omg can we get the brooms out yet?

C. Guillen walks. Men at 1st and 2nd, 0 out.

Maggs out, runners advance. 1 out.