GDT: 5/22/10 - DET (24-18) AT LAD (24-18) - 7:10 p.m. ET

Young righties aim to impress Tigers, Dodgers

By Doug Miller / MLB.com

Armando Galarraga and John Ely are pitching well enough to be in the Major Leagues. They'd like it to stay that way.

When the Detroit Tigers visit Los Angeles for the second game of a three-game Interleague series, two right-handers with eyes on keeping their roles in the starting rotation will take the hill against each other. The result could go a long way toward determining who continues on the path to Major League success.

For Galarraga, who was one of Tigers manager Jim Leyland's first cuts out of Spring Training, his last outing was supposed to be a spot start, but it turned into a two-start audition that continues Saturday. Galarraga was good, holding the powerful Boston lineup to a run on three hits over 5 2/3 innings and retiring 10 Red Sox in a row at one point.

Galarraga struck out five and showed the aggressiveness that he seemed to lack for much of last year, partly due to a forearm injury.

"Today, I got the win," Galarraga said after Sunday's 5-1 victory over the Red Sox, "but I don't feel super happy, because I know I can be a lot better."

Leyland, on the other hand, was duly impressed, saying, "If he pitches like that, he can pitch in the big leagues."

Meanwhile, Ely has been one of the reasons the Dodgers have been hot of late.

The rookie right-hander has only made four Major League starts, but his last one was another dandy. He went seven innings and allowed one run on five hits while striking out a career-high eight batters in a win over Houston.

The key? Throwing strikes.

Ely didn't walk a batter and has now faced a Major League-best 84 consecutive hitters without allowing a free pass. For the season, he's struck out 25 and walked three in 25 2/3 innings.

"The second you go out there and think, 'OK, I got to pitch good because my job's on the line,' you put doubt in your head that doesn't need to be there," Ely said. "If you just go out thinking, 'OK, well, I'm going to do what I do every single time,' it seems to work out a little bit better. You can't doubt yourself or try to put too much pressure on."

Tigers: Damon a go for Saturday
Leyland said outfielder Johnny Damon will be in the starting lineup Saturday, which will mean a day on the bench for either Brennan Boesch or Magglio Ordonez. ... Leyland also said right-hander Max Scherzer will make at least one more start for Triple-A Toledo. ... Galarraga is 4-2 with a 4.61 ERA in Interleague Play over the past two seasons, including seven scoreless innings against the Dodgers two years ago at Comerica Park.

Dodgers: Martin can extend streak
Catcher Russell Martin took Friday off but will be back in the lineup Saturday with a chance to extend his career-best hitting streak to 16 games. He's batted .305 (18-for-59) during the 15-game span, which is the longest active streak in baseball and the longest for a Dodgers player since Orlando Hudson hit safely in 17 straight from May 9-27 last year. Martin is tied with Damon for the second-longest hitting streak in the Majors this season, two shy of Jorge Cantu's Major League-best 17-game hitting streak. ... The Dodgers' win Friday night was their 100th all-time in Interleague Play. They're now 100-110 overall. They went 9-9 vs. the American League last year.

Worth noting
Tigers infielder Carlos Guillen is expected to start his rehab assignment for Toledo on Saturday. Guillen has taken ground balls at second base during infield practice the past three days.

... Dodgers outfielder Garret Anderson is tied for 16th all-time with 37 homers, ranks fourth with 244 hits and is eighth with 132 RBIs in 199 career Interleague games with the Angels and Braves. He also ranks fourth with 69 multi-hit games in Interleague Play.



Pitching matchup

Tigers: RHP Armando Galarraga (1-0, 1.59 ERA)
What was initially thought to be a spot start for Galarraga last Sunday against the Red Sox became a two-start audition once the Tigers sent down the struggling Max Scherzer. The Tigers' series opener at Dodger Stadium is the latter half of that stint, but another solid outing would make it all but impossible to pull Galarraga from the rotation. He held Boston to a run on three hits over 5 2/3 innings, retiring 10 Red Sox in a row at one point, striking out five for the day and showing the aggressiveness that he seemed to lack for much of last year, partly due to a forearm injury. He's 4-2 with a 4.61 ERA in Interleague Play over the past two seasons, including seven scoreless innings against the Dodgers two years ago at Comerica Park.

Dodgers: RHP John Ely (2-1, 3.51 ERA)
Ely is a strike-throwing machine, not having issued a walk to any of the last 84 batters he's faced. He's one of the rare players who actually has pitched better in the Major Leagues than he did in the Minor Leagues prior to his promotion. His manager likes the way Ely competes, and he surely is not intimidated by the opposition at the Major League level. He doesn't throw hard, but never has and has refined the more subtle skills of pitching, like command and composure to win a spot in the Dodgers' starting rotation.


From MLB Tigers Press Pass

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers suffered a 4-1 loss to the Dodgers last night at Dodger Stadium. Dontrelle Willis (1-2) took the loss for Detroit after allowing four runs in 5.1 innings of work. Austin Jackson led the Tigers with two hits, while Magglio Ordonez added an RBI on a sacrifice fly. The Tigers continue a seven-game road trip with the second game of a three-game series at Los Angeles this afternoon. Following an off day on Monday, the trip concludes with a two-game series at Seattle beginning on Tuesday night.

RABURN RECALLED, WELLS OPTIONED TO TOLEDO: The Tigers today recalled the contract of outfielder Ryan Raburn from Triple A Toledo. Raburn hit .444 (12x27) with six doubles and two RBI in seven games with the Mud Hens. To create room on the club’s 25-man roster, the Tigers optioned the contract of outfielder Casper Wells to Toledo following last night’s game at Los Angeles.

INTERLEAGUE HAPPENINGS: Today’s contest against the Dodgers is Detroit’s second game of interleague play in 2010. Since interleague play started in 1997, the Tigers have compiled a 123-107 record. The Tigers are 57-33 in interleague games at Comerica Park. Detroit is 0-1 in interleague games during the 2010 season.

AMONG THE BEST SINCE 2006: The Tigers have compiled a 52-21 record, a .712 winning percentage, during interleague play since the start of the 2006 season. The .712 winning percentage during interleague action is second-best among major league clubs during that stretch. The Minnesota Twins are 54-19, a .740 winning percentage, during interleague action over that stretch.

MAGGLIO MASHES DURING INTERLEAGUE ACTION: Magglio Ordonez enters today’s game at Los Angeles hitting .332 (206x621) with 40 doubles, three triples, 33 home runs and 137 RBI in 168 games during interleague action in his career. He is fourth among all active major league players with a .332 batting average during interleague action, while he is eighth with a .565 slugging percentage.

CABRERA’S A ROAD WARRIOR: Migue Cabrera enters today’s game at Los Angeles hitting .386 (34x88) with eight doubles, eight home runs and 30 RBI in 22 games on the road this season. He is tops among all American League players with a .386 batting average and 30 RBI on the road this season, while he is second with eight home runs and a .750 slugging percentage.

ACTION JACKSON TAKES HIS SHOW ON THE ROAD: Austin Jackson has hit safely in 21 of his 22 games on the road this season, batting .357 (35x98) with seven doubles, three triples, a home run and six RBI. He is tied for fifth among all American League players with a .357 batting average on the road this season.

PAPA GRANDE POWERS THE PEN: Jose Valverde has not allowed a run in his last 18 outings for the Tigers, tossing 17.2 scoreless innings. He is tops among all American League relievers with a .117 batting average against, while he is second with a 0.48 ERA and tied for third with 11 saves.

FOR STARTERS: Tigers starting pitchers have compiled a 5-4 record and 3.34 ERA (62.0IP/23ER) over the club’s last 10 games, while limiting opponents to a .210 batting aveage (47x224). Club starting pitchers have posted five quality starts during the stretch.

BOESCH’S BOOST: Brennan Boesch is hitting .365 (27x74) with eight doubles, two triples, three home runs and 18 RBI over his last 20 games dating back to April 28. He is tied for third among all American League players with 13 extra-base hits during that stretch, while he is sixth with a .365 batting average, tied for sixth with 18 RBI and is seventh with a .649 slugging percentage.

LOOKING AT THE ROOKIE LEADERS: Austin Jackson and Brennan Boesch have both enjoyed success during their rookie campaigns. Jackson is tops among all American League rookies with 31 runs scored and 58 hits, while he is third with a .333 batting average. Boesch is leading all league rookies with a .349 batting average and 19 RBI, while he is second with 30 hits and three home runs.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Through the club’s first 42 games this season, Tigers relievers have compiled an 11-4 record and 2.45 ERA (139.2IP/38ER). Tigers relievers lead the American League a 2.45 ERA, while the club is tied for the lead with 11 victories and is second with 139.2 innings pitched.

GUILLEN TO BEGIN INJURY REHAB ASSIGNMENT TODAY: Carlos Guillen is scheduled to begin an injury rehabilitation assignment with Triple A Toledo today as the Mud Hens play at Syracuse. Guillen has been sidelined since April 23 with a left hamstring strain.


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Sunday, May 23:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (3-4, 5.93 ERA)) at Dodgers (RHP Hiroki Kuroda (5-1, 2.87 ERA)), 4:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Monday, May 24: Off Day

• Tuesday, May 25
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (5-2, 3.43 ERA)) at Mariners (RHP Doug Fister (3-2, 1.96 ERA)), 10:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Wednesday, May 26
Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (2-2, 4.43 ERA)) at Mariners (LHP Jason Vargas (3-2, 3.08 ERA)), 3:40 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Damon, CF .290
Santiago, 2B .241
Ordonez, RF .311
Cabrera, M, 1B .331
Boesch, LF .349
Inge, 3B .225
Laird, C .157
Everett, SS .188
Galarraga, P .000
Totals .268

LA Dodgers AVG
Martin, C .268
Paul, RF .282
Ramirez, M, LF .347
Kemp, CF .281
Loney, 1B .295
Blake, 3B .259
DeWitt, 2B .274
Carroll, J, SS .281
Ely, P .000
Totals .274

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon flies out to center fielder Matt Kemp.

B:3 S:2 O:1 - Ramon Santiago doubles (2) on a line
drive to center fielder Matt Kemp. Ramon Santiago advances to 3rd, on
throwing error by center fielder Matt Kemp.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a soft ground ball to second baseman Blake DeWitt. Ramon Santiago scores.

DET 1, LAD 0

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera doubles (15) on a fly ball to right fielder Xavier Paul. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Brennan Boesch grounds out, second
baseman Blake DeWitt to first baseman James Loney. Magglio Ordonez
scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

DET 2, LAD 0

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

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Gerald Laird lines out to left fielder Manny Ramirez.

DET 2, LAD 0 AFTER .5 INNING

Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Russell Martin walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0 - Xavier Paul singles on a bunt ground
ball to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Russell Martin advances to 3rd,
on throwing error by first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Manny Ramirez out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Russell Martin scores.

DET 2, LAD 1

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Matt Kemp swinging.

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
James Loney lines out to center fielder Johnny Damon.

DET 2, LAD 1 AFTER 1 INNING

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Adam Everett flies out to right fielder Xavier Paul.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Armando Galarraga swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, second baseman Blake DeWitt to first baseman James Loney.

DET 2, LAD 1 AFTER 1.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Casey Blake homers (6) on a fly ball to left field.

DET 2, LAD 2



B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Blake DeWitt pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Jamey Carroll flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
John Ely called out on .

DET 2, LAD 2 AFTER 2 INNINGS

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, second baseman Blake DeWitt to first baseman James Loney.

B:3 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Blake DeWitt to first baseman James Loney.

DET 2, LAD 2 AFTER 2.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Russell Martin grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Xavier Paul lines out to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Manny Ramirez called out on .

DET 2, LAD 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, third baseman Casey Blake to first baseman James Loney.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Gerald Laird singles on a line drive to left fielder Manny Ramirez.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett singles on a line drive to right fielder Xavier Paul. Gerald Laird to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Armando Galarraga grounds out, second baseman Blake DeWitt to first baseman James Loney.

DET 2, LAD 2 AFTER 3.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 - Matt Kemp doubles (10) on a ground ball to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:0 S:0 O:0 - James Loney singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Matt Kemp scores.

LAD 3, DET 2


B:0 S:2 O:0 - Casey Blake singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. James Loney to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:0 - Blake DeWitt triples (3) on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. James Loney scores. Casey Blake scores.

LAD 5, DET 2


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


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

B:1 S:1 O:2 - John Ely grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:3 - Russell Martin pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

LAD 5, DET 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon lines out to right fielder Xavier Paul.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to right fielder Xavier Paul.

B:0 S:2 O:3 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into double
play, third baseman Casey Blake to second baseman Blake DeWitt to first
baseman James Loney. Ramon Santiago out at 2nd.

LAD 5, DET 2 AFTER 4.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 - Xavier Paul singles on a line drive to center fielder Johnny Damon.

B:0 S:2 O:2 - Manny Ramirez grounds into double play, second baseman Ramon Santiago to shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Xavier Paul out at 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2 - Matt Kemp homers (9) on a fly ball to left field.

LAD 6, DET 2


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

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Pitcher Change: Fu-Te Ni replaces Armando Galarraga, batting 9th.

B:1 S:1 O:2 - James Loney singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:2 O:3 - With Casey Blake batting, James Loney picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Fu-Te Ni to first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Adam Everett.

LAD 6, DET 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Matt Kemp.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch flies out to right fielder Xavier Paul.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Manny Ramirez.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Gerald Laird flies out to left fielder Manny Ramirez.

LAD 6, DET 2 AFTER 5.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Casey Blake singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:2 O:2 - Blake DeWitt grounds into double play,
second baseman Ramon Santiago to shortstop Adam Everett to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Casey Blake out at 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Jamey Carroll flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

LAD 6, DET 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

TIME TO GET SCORING NOW GUYS!!!

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Austin Jackson replaces Adam Everett.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jamey Carroll.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Don Kelly replaces Fu-Te Ni. (Kelly in and then out of the game without ever playing... he is now not available to play tonight, grrr)


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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Hong-Chih Kuo replaces John Ely, batting 9th.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ryan Raburn replaces Don Kelly.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn pops out to shortstop Jamey Carroll.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon flies out to right fielder Xavier Paul.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago reaches on fielding error by third baseman Casey Blake. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez walks. Austin Jackson to 3rd. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo to first baseman James Loney. (Miggy strands the bases loaded, bad! A home run would have tied the game)


LAD 6, DET 2 AFTER 6.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from center field to left field for Johnny Damon.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from second base to shortstop for Ramon Santiago.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Fu-Te Ni, batting 3rd, replacing right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from left field to right field for Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Austin Jackson remains in the game as the center fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn remains in the game as the second baseman.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Garret Anderson replaces Hong-Chih Kuo.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Garret Anderson pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Russell Martin grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Xavier Paul walks.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Manny Ramirez swinging.

LAD 6, DET 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ramon Troncoso replaces Hong-Chih Kuo, batting 9th.

B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Brennan Boesch homers (4) on a fly ball to center field.

LAD 6, DET 3



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

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

B:2 S:1 O:2 - Gerald Laird grounds into double play,
shortstop Jamey Carroll to second baseman Blake DeWitt to first baseman
James Loney. Brandon Inge out at 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Austin Jackson hit by pitch.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Danny Worth replaces Austin Jackson.

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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Jeff Weaver replaces Ramon Troncoso, batting 9th.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to center fielder Matt Kemp.

LAD 6, DET 3 AFTER 7.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Danny Worth remains in the game as the second baseman.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from second base to center field for Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Matt Kemp called out on .

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
James Loney swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Casey Blake grounds out, pitcher Joel Zumaya to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

LAD 6, DET 3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jonathan Broxton replaces Jeff Weaver, batting 3rd, replacing left fielder Manny Ramirez.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Reed Johnson replaces pitcher Jeff Weaver, batting 9th, playing left field.

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Johnny Damon singles on a ground ball to right fielder Xavier Paul.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to left fielder Reed Johnson. Johnny Damon to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Alex Avila replaces Joel Zumaya.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Alex Avila swinging.


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

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera grounds into a force out,
third baseman Casey Blake to second baseman Blake DeWitt. Johnny Damon
to 3rd. Ramon Santiago out at 2nd. Miguel Cabrera to 1st.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch hits a ground-rule double (10) on a fly ball to right field. Johnny Damon scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

LAD 6, DET 4

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

LAD 6, DET 4 final box score >>