GDT: 9/17/09 - DET (78-67) VS KC (58-87) - 1:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- The Tigers avoided facing Zack Greinke in their series finale at Kansas City last week, and lost the game. Greinke had been pushed back.

Likewise, the Blue Jays pushed back Roy Halladay a day, avoiding a meeting with Detroit on Monday. The Tigers had to come back in the ninth to win that one.

They couldn't avoid facing Greinke again, but the way their past series finales have gone, maybe that isn't totally a bad thing.

On a day when the Tigers might otherwise be looking forward to a critical showdown with the Twins this weekend in Minnesota, they have to worry about the American League Cy Young candidate instead. Greinke is winless in his other two starts at Comerica Park this year, and winless in his last two starts overall despite allowing one run over 15 innings. So he would be excused if he's motivated for a win, no matter where the Royals sit in the standings.

It won't be easy. But then, the way the Tigers have been playing lately, few games are.

"He's not leading Major League Baseball in ERA for no good reason," shortstop Adam Everett said. "He's tough, so we have to come out ready to play. But we've got a good guy out on the hill, too."

That would be Edwin Jackson, who coincidentally owns one of the lowest run-support averages among AL starters.

It was Everett whose RBI double and single Wednesday helped pull a win out of a game in which the Tigers had just two extra-base hits, both doubles. They can't expect a whole lot more against Greinke on Thursday, though they can always hope. The key will be to convert the opportunities they have, much like they did in their meeting with Greinke on July 8 in Detroit.

The Tigers turned a couple key small plays -- a chopped single from Placido Polanco in the first inning, a bunt single from Gerald Laird in the second -- into three runs and made it stick. Greinke allowed only one other scoring chance, which the Tigers didn't convert, but they made it work.

Now, with a chance to open more room in the AL Central race, they have to try to do the same.

Detroit maintained its lead at 4 1/2 games over second-place Minnesota thanks to Wednesday's win. With the Twins idle, the Tigers can open a five-game lead with a win Thursday. Do that, and the extra cushion provides a little more reason to relax this weekend, not to mention a chance to potentially reduce the Twins to a long shot with a series victory.

But that's looking too far, especially with Greinke on the mound Thursday.

"If you get out here and you start overlooking teams, then you're going to get beat," Everett said. "It's an old cliche, but we just have to take it one game at a time. Honestly, we do, because every game is very, very crucial right now. Anytime we can get a win, that gets us one step closer to our goal, and that's the playoffs."

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Edwin Jackson (12-6, 3.22 ERA)
While Jackson continues to eat innings for the Tigers, his once-stingy outings have had a little more offense, raising questions whether he's tiring down the stretch as he approaches the 200-innings mark for the first time in his career. His no-decision Saturday against Toronto saw him tie a career high with three home runs allowed, including one in each of his last two innings. Without much command of his secondary pitches, Jackson attacked Blue Jays hitters and eventually paid for it.

KC: RHP Zack Greinke (13-8, 2.19 ERA)
Greinke was done in by poor run support once again on Friday. He dominated the Indians, but the Royals left too many runners on base and Greinke left with a no-decision. It was his eighth no-decision of the season and the sixth time he has given up one run or none without getting a win. He pitched seven innings, giving up a run on four hits with six strikeouts and no walks in all. Greinke continues to pitch well in his attempt to win the Cy Young award, but his team will need to give him more wins to bolster his case. He is 10-5 with a 2.62 ERA career against the Tigers.

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Tidbits

... Gerald Laird is 5-for-12 off Greinke this year, including a double. Polanco is 5-for-14 this season against him.
... Michigan native Mitch Maier is 3-for-4 off Jackson this year.
... Nate Robertson is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday morning. If all goes well, he's expected to start in place of the injured Jarrod Washburn on Sunday at Minnesota.
... Polanco is batting .339 (19-for-56) with seven RBIs in 14 games in September.
... David DeJesus has a 16-game hitting streak, during which he's batting .338 (23-for-68).

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Friday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 13-8, 4.21 ERA) at Twins (Brian Duensing, 3-1, 3.53 ERA), 8:10 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 16-8, 3.34 ERA) at Twins (Carl Pavano, 12-11, 4.91 ERA), 4:10 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Tigers (Nate Robertson, 1-2, 5.35 ERA) at Twins (Scott Baker, 13-8, 4.35 ERA), 2:10 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

ROYALS

1. Willie Bloomquist, RF
   
2. Mitch Maier, LF
   
3. Billy Butler, 1B
   
4. Mike Jacobs, DH
   
5. Alberto Callaspo, 2B
   
6. Miguel Olivo, C
   
7. Alex Gordon, 3B
   
8. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
   
9. Josh Anderson, CF
   

P: Zack Greinke

TIGERS

1. Granderson, CF
   
2. Polanco, 2B
   
3. Guillen, LF
   
4. Cabrera, 1B
   
5. Huff, DH
   
6. Avila, C
   
7. Kelly, RF
   
8. Inge, 3B
   
9. Santiago, SS
   

P: Edwin Jackson

Let's go Tigers!!!

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Willie Bloomquist singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Mitch Maier flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Billy Butler reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by shortstop Ramon Santiago. Willie Bloomquist to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Mike Jacobs swinging.


B:1 S:1 O:2 - Alberto Callaspo doubles (36) on a line
drive to left fielder Carlos Guillen. Willie Bloomquist scores. Billy
Butler scores.
KC 2, DET 0

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Miguel Olivo pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

KC 2, DET 0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson called out on .

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Placido Polanco called out on .

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen lines out to right fielder Willie Bloomquist.

KC 2, DET 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Alex Gordon grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Yuniesky Betancourt to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Willie Bloomquist singles on a ground ball to pitcher Edwin Jackson. Yuniesky Betancourt to 3rd.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Mitch Maier swinging.

KC 2, DET 0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Aubrey Huff singles on a line drive to center fielder Josh Anderson.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Alex Avila called out on .

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Don Kelly strikes out .

KC 2, DET 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Billy Butler singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Mike Jacobs pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Alberto Callaspo walks. Billy Butler to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Olivo homers (21) on a fly ball to center field. Billy Butler scores. Alberto Callaspo scores. KC 5, DET 0



B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Alex Gordon swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Yuniesky Betancourt lines out to right fielder Don Kelly.
Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to left fielder Mitch Maier.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
With Ramon Santiago batting, Brandon Inge caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Miguel Olivo to shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Curtis Granderson grounds into a force
out, second baseman Alberto Callaspo to shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.
Ramon Santiago out at 2nd. Curtis Granderson to 1st.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to right fielder Willie Bloomquist. Curtis Granderson to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out, second baseman Alberto Callaspo to first baseman Billy Butler.

KC 5, DET 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Josh Anderson swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Willie Bloomquist grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Mitch Maier swinging.
Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out, pitcher Zack Greinke to first baseman Billy Butler.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Injury Delay.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Aubrey Huff swinging.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Alex Avila walks.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Don Kelly grounds out to first baseman Billy Butler.

KC 5, DET 0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Billy Butler flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Mike Jacobs swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Alberto Callaspo lines out to left fielder Carlos Guillen.
Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Brandon Inge called out on .

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago called out on .

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to right fielder Willie Bloomquist.

KC 5, DET 0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Armando Galarraga replaces Edwin Jackson.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Alex Gordon singles on a line drive to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Yuniesky Betancourt singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Alex Gordon to 3rd.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Josh Anderson homers (1) on a line drive to right field. Alex Gordon scores. Yuniesky Betancourt scores.
KC 8, DET 0



B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Willie Bloomquist hit by pitch.

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

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Mitch Maier walks. Willie Bloomquist to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Alfredo Figaro replaces Armando Galarraga.

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

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Billy Butler flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Mike Jacobs walks. Willie Bloomquist to 3rd. Mitch Maier to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Alberto Callaspo flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.
Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Bruce Chen replaces Zack Greinke.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Placido Polanco walks.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen pops out to first baseman Billy Butler in foul territory.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (30) on a fly ball to left center field. Placido Polanco scores.
KC 8, DET 2



B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Aubrey Huff flies out to center fielder Josh Anderson.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Alex Avila grounds out to first baseman Billy Butler.

KC 8, DET 2 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

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

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Alex Gordon walks.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Yuniesky Betancourt swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Josh Anderson flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.
Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Don Kelly grounds out, second baseman Alberto Callaspo to first baseman Billy Butler.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Brandon Inge swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to center fielder Josh Anderson.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Injury Delay.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Kyle Farnsworth replaces Bruce Chen.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson swinging.

KC 8, DET 2 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Willie Bloomquist singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Mitch Maier walks. Willie Bloomquist to 2nd.

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

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Billy Butler lines out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Mike Jacobs walks. Willie Bloomquist to 3rd. Mitch Maier to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Jeremy Bonderman replaces Alfredo Figaro.

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

B:3 S:2 O:1 - Alberto Callaspo singles on a fly ball
to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Willie Bloomquist scores. Mitch
Maier to 3rd. Mike Jacobs to 2nd.
KC 9, DET 2



B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Miguel Olivo swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Alex Gordon grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Ramon Santiago. Alberto Callaspo out at 2nd.
Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Brayan Pena replaces catcher Miguel Olivo, batting 6th, playing catcher.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Luis Hernandez replaces third baseman Alex Gordon, batting 7th, playing third base.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, third baseman Luis Hernandez to first baseman Billy Butler.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Injury Delay.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to left fielder Mitch Maier.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to first baseman Billy Butler.

KC 9, DET 2 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Clete Thomas replaces center fielder Curtis Granderson, batting 1st, playing center field.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Wilkin Ramirez replaces second baseman Placido Polanco, batting 2nd, playing right field.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Marcus Thames replaces first baseman Miguel Cabrera, batting 4th, playing first base.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from right field to second base for Don Kelly.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Brent Dlugach replaces third baseman Brandon Inge, batting 8th, playing third base.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Yuniesky Betancourt grounds out, third baseman Brent Dlugach to first baseman Marcus Thames.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Josh Anderson swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Willie Bloomquist singles on a line drive to right fielder Wilkin Ramirez.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Mitch Maier lines out to right fielder Wilkin Ramirez.
Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joakim Soria replaces Kyle Farnsworth.

B:0 S:2 O:0 -
Aubrey Huff singles on a ground ball to shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Alex Avila swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Joakim Soria. Aubrey Huff to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Don Kelly singles on a line drive to right fielder Willie Bloomquist. Aubrey Huff to 3rd.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Brent Dlugach swinging.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago walks. Don Kelly to 2nd.

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

KC 9, DET 2 after 9 innings

September 17, 2009

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

Kansas City AB- R-- H-- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Bloomquist, RF 5 2 4 0 0 0 0 .273 Maier, LF 4 0 0 0 2 2 4 .250 Butler, 1B 5 2 1 0 0 0 5 .298 Jacobs, DH 3 0 0 0 2 2 3 .234 Callaspo, 2B 4 1 2 3 1 0 3 .299 Olivo, C 5 1 1 3 0 2 4 .248 --Pena, B, C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .270 Gordon, A, 3B 4 1 1 0 1 1 3 .205 --Hernandez, Lu, 3B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .186 Betancourt, Y, SS 5 1 2 0 0 1 1 .241 Anderson, J, CF 5 1 1 3 0 2 2 .241 Totals 40 9 12 9 6 10 25 BATTING 2B: Callaspo (36, Jackson, E). HR: Olivo (21, 3rd inning off Jackson, E, 2 on, 1 out), Anderson, J (1, 6th inning off Galarraga, 2 on, 1 out). TB: Bloomquist 4; Butler; Callaspo 3; Olivo 4; Gordon, A; Betancourt, Y 2; Anderson, J 4. RBI: Callaspo 3 (65), Olivo 3 (58), Anderson, J 3 (23). 2-out RBI: Callaspo 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Olivo; Maier; Callaspo 2; Gordon, A 2. Team RISP: 5-for-13. Team LOB: 11.		Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Granderson, CF 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .248 --Thomas, C, CF 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 .241 Polanco, 2B 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 .278 --Ramirez, W, RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .364 Guillen, C, LF 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 .239 Cabrera, M, 1B 4 1 1 2 0 1 0 .332 --Thames, 1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250 Huff, A, DH 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .246 Avila, C 3 0 0 0 1 2 2 .286 Kelly, RF-2B 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 .241 Inge, 3B 3 0 1 0 0 2 0 .234 --Dlugach, B, 3B 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .000 Santiago, SS 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 .259 Totals 33 2 7 2 4 13 14 BATTING HR: Cabrera, M (30, 6th inning off Chen, B, 1 on, 1 out). TB: Polanco; Cabrera, M 4; Huff, A 2; Kelly; Inge; Santiago. RBI: Cabrera, M 2 (91). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Guillen, C; Thomas, C 2. Team RISP: 1-for-4. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING CS: Inge (5, 2nd base by Greinke/Olivo).
Kansas City IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Greinke (W, 14-8) 5.0 3 0 0 2 8 0 2.14 Chen, B 1.2 2 2 2 1 1 1 5.78 Farnsworth 1.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.63 Soria 1.0 2 0 0 1 3 0 2.49		Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Jackson, E (L, 12-7) 5.0 6 5 5 1 6 1 3.37 Galarraga 0.1 3 3 3 1 1 1 5.64 Figaro 2.0 1 1 1 4 1 0 6.92 Bonderman 1.2 2 0 0 0 2 0 9.31
WP: Soria. HBP: Bloomquist (by Galarraga). Pitches-strikes: Greinke 77-46, Chen, B 33-20, Farnsworth 15-9, Soria 23-16, Jackson, E 96-61, Galarraga 21-11, Figaro 45-21, Bonderman 24-17. Groundouts-flyouts: Greinke 3-3, Chen, B 2-2, Farnsworth 2-1, Soria 0-0, Jackson, E 3-6, Galarraga 0-0, Figaro 1-4, Bonderman 2-1. Batters faced: Greinke 19, Chen, B 8, Farnsworth 4, Soria 6, Jackson, E 23, Galarraga 6, Figaro 11, Bonderman 7. Inherited runners-scored: Farnsworth 1-0, Figaro 2-0, Bonderman 3-1. Umpires: HP: Paul Emmel. 1B: Scott Barry. 2B: Gary Darling. 3B: Bruce Dreckman. Weather: 68 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 2 mph, Out to RF. T: 3:05. Att: 26,457. September 17, 2009

Oh-another painful Royals loss! Why oh why????