GDT: 6/26/11 - DET (41-36) VS ARI (43-35) - 1:05 p.m. ET

Tigers retiring Sparky's No. 11 before battling D-backs

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | 6/26/2011 12:02 AM ET

The Tigers will pay tribute to legendary manager Sparky Anderson by retiring his No. 11 before Sunday's game against the D-backs.

D-backs manager Kirk Gibson, who played for Anderson, will try to honor his mentor in his own special way -- by beating the stuffing out of the Tigers.

"I know the Tigers want to beat us," Gibson said. "We're on a journey here and we have goals, just like Sparky would want me to. We have to stay focused on what's ahead of us presently."

Among the Tigers who played for Anderson who will attend the ceremony are Tom Brookens, Rod Allen, Dave Bergman, Darrell Evans, Mike Henneman, Larry Herndon, Dan Petry, Dave Rozema, Frank Tanana and Milt Wilcox. They will join Anderson's family, along with Tigers owner Mike Ilitch and team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski. Hall of Famer Al Kaline will also be in attendance.

"[Anderson] taught me how to be a professional," Gibson said. "When we come into this game, I don't think we sometimes realize it's not about us. It's really about the game and how long it's been, the history of it, and all the great things that have happened, and the way that the fans and the people enjoy it. And more so, [it was] just how to be a good teammate and play the game the right way together."

Anderson's number is just the seventh to be retired in Detroit's 111-year history.

"I'm proud to say he was our mentor, and we're continuing with his legacy," said D-backs bench coach Alan Trammell, who spent his entire 20-year playing career in Detroit. "We wish he was here [for this]. We wish he was alive. But we'll honor him and smile."

Following the ceremony, the D-backs will send Joe Saunders, who is 4-2 in his past six outings, to the mound against Brad Penny, who has won one of his past six starts and has given up three runs or more in five of those games. Opponents are hitting .357 against him during that span.

The Tigers are asking fans attending the game to be in their seats by 12:45 p.m. ET.

"I wish [Anderson] was here," Gibson said. "Unfortunately, he won't be, but he's passed a lot of wisdom and knowledge and taught us how to respect the game of baseball, and how important it is for us to give back. I can say that I preach his message on a daily basis."

D-backs: Vasquez's battery recharged
Esmerling Vasquez was back on the mound Friday night for the first time in five days and pitched a scoreless inning of relief. He allowed one hit in two scoreless innings Saturday. Vasquez hadn't pitched since June 19 against the White Sox.

He is 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in 30 1/3 innings this season.

• The D-backs are 8-3 in Interleague Play this season.

Tigers: Boesch, V-Mart raking
Brennan Boesch is hitting .405 with six doubles, six home runs and 13 RBIs over his past 21 games, dating back to June 3.

Victor Martinez is hitting .392 with eight doubles, two home runs and 17 RBIs over his past 27 games, dating back to May 27.

Worth noting
• The D-backs are 28-14 since being swept by the Giants in San Francisco from May 10-12.

• After starting the season 5-13 on the road, the D-backs have won 16 of their past 21 road games.

• The Tigers are 4-7 this season and 138-120 overall in Interleague Play.


Tigers: RHP Brad Penny (5-6, 4.80 ERA)

Penny gets a matchup against the organization that drafted him and the team he has beaten up ever since it traded him in 1999. He's 10-3 with a 1.99 ERA against Arizona, including wins in each of the last two seasons.


Diamondbacks: LHP Joe Saunders (4-7, 4.35 ERA)

Saunders allowed a homer on the first pitch of his last start, but then settled in to hold KC to just two runs over seven innings in a 7-2 Arizona win. Saunders has pitched well in three of his last four starts and is 4-2 in his last six decisions.


Game Information


TIGERS TO RETIRE SPARKY’S NUMBER ON TODAY: The Tigers will retire Sparky Anderson’s number prior to Sunday’s game versus Arizona during a ceremony beginning at 12:45 p.m. Anderson will become the 10th person, only the second manager, to have his number retired by more than one major league club. Casey Stengel is the only other manager to receive the honor, having his number retired by both the Yankees and Mets.

RESCHEDULED GAMES: The following is the information on the rescheduled Tigers games postponed at Comerica Park this season:
- Monday, June 27 versus Toronto at 6:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 17)
- Thursday, September 1 versus Kansas City at 1:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 15)

INJURY UPDATE:
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 15-day disabled list on May 11), Rehab with Toledo
• INF Carlos Guillen (left knee microfracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30),
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).


To track MLB play-by-play, to help post GDT outcomes: http://m.mlb.com/scores/

On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official Press Pass game notes

On television

•
• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule

On radio

• ,
• XM Channel Schedule



• Monday, June 27:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (9-3, 4.61 ERA)) VS Blue Jays (RHP Zach Stewart (0-1, 5.91 ERA)), 6:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Tuesday, June 28:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (6-5, 4.50 ERA)) VS Mets (RHP R.A. Dickey (3-7, 3.76 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

ARI - Top 1st
B:1 S:0 O:1
Willie Bloomquist pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Stephen Drew pops out to catcher Victor Martinez in foul territory.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Justin Upton singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

Injury Delay.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Chris Young pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.

DET - Bot 1st
B:2 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson called out on .

B:2 S:2 O:2
Casper Wells grounds out, third baseman Ryan Roberts to first baseman Xavier Nady.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to center fielder Chris Young.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Justin Upton. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez pops out to first baseman Xavier Nady in foul territory.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

ARI - Top 2nd
B:0 S:1 O:1
Miguel Montero flies out to right fielder Casper Wells.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Wily Mo Pena out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Xavier Nady grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:3 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta homers (12) on a fly ball to left field.
1 - 0

B:1 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch flies out to right fielder Justin Upton.

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

B:3 S:3 O:3
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

ARI - Top 3rd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Gerardo Parra out swinging, catcher Victor Martinez to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Ryan Roberts singles on a line drive to right fielder Casper Wells.

With Willie Bloomquist batting, Ryan Roberts picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Victor Martinez to first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Willie Bloomquist grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson walks.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Casper Wells out on foul tip.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Magglio Ordonez lines into double play, third baseman Ryan Roberts to pitcher Joe Saunders to third baseman Ryan Roberts to first baseman Xavier Nady. Austin Jackson doubled off 1st.

1 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

ARI - Top 4th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Stephen Drew grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Justin Upton flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Chris Young pops out to pitcher Brad Penny.

DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Chris Young.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Chris Young.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to left fielder Gerardo Parra.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Brennan Boesch grounds out to first baseman Xavier Nady.

1 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

ARI - Top 5th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Miguel Montero singles on a ground ball to right fielder Casper Wells.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Wily Mo Pena grounds into double play, second baseman Ryan Raburn to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Miguel Montero out at 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Xavier Nady grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 5th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Chris Young.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Justin Upton.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Austin Jackson out swinging.

1 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

ARI - Top 6th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Gerardo Parra pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Ryan Roberts grounds out sharply, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Willie Bloomquist singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

With Stephen Drew batting, Willie Bloomquist steals (8) 2nd base.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Stephen Drew walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Justin Upton grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Brandon Inge. Willie Bloomquist out at 3rd.

DET - Bot 6th
B:2 S:0 O:1
Casper Wells flies out to center fielder Chris Young.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Magglio Ordonez called out on .

B:1 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Justin Upton.

1 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

ARI - Top 7th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Chris Young doubles (21) on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch, deflected by third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Miguel Montero singles on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Chris Young scores.
TIED 1 - 1

B:1 S:0 O:1
Wily Mo Pena pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Xavier Nady pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Gerardo Parra singles on a line drive to right fielder Casper Wells. Miguel Montero to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Ryan Roberts singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Miguel Montero scores. Gerardo Parra to 3rd.
ARI 2 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Brad Penny.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Willie Bloomquist walks. Ryan Roberts to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Stephen Drew out on foul tip.

ARI 2 - 1 AFTER 6.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 7th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez pops out to second baseman Willie Bloomquist.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Brennan Boesch called out on .

ARI 2 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

ARI - Top 8th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Justin Upton pops out to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Chris Young singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Miguel Montero singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Chris Young to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Wily Mo Pena out swinging.

With Xavier Nady batting, Chris Young steals (9) 3rd base. Miguel Montero steals (1) 2nd base.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Xavier Nady grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Aaron Heilman replaces Joe Saunders.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Brandon Inge grounds out, shortstop Stephen Drew to first baseman Xavier Nady.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Don Kelly replaces Ryan Raburn.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Don Kelly singles on a line drive to left fielder Gerardo Parra.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Casper Wells walks. Don Kelly to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: David Hernandez replaces Aaron Heilman.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Magglio Ordonez walks. Don Kelly to 3rd. Casper Wells to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Gerardo Parra. Don Kelly scores. Casper Wells scores. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.
3 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to center fielder Chris Young. Magglio Ordonez scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.
4 - 2

B:2 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to left fielder Gerardo Parra. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez to 2nd.
5 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Bryan Shaw replaces David Hernandez.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Brennan Boesch singles on a soft ground ball to second baseman Willie Bloomquist. Victor Martinez to 3rd. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Brandon Inge singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Justin Upton. Victor Martinez scores. Jhonny Peralta scores. Brennan Boesch to 3rd.
7 - 2

B:0 S:0 O:2
Don Kelly reaches on fielding error by third baseman Ryan Roberts. Brennan Boesch scores. Brandon Inge to 2nd.
8 - 2

B:3 S:3 O:3
Austin Jackson out swinging.

8 - 2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

ARI - Top 9th
Defensive Substitution: Ramon Santiago replaces left fielder Brennan Boesch, batting 7th, playing second base.

Don Kelly remains in the game as the left fielder.

Pitcher Change: Charlie Furbush replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Gerardo Parra flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Ryan Roberts singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Don Kelly, deflected by third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Willie Bloomquist pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Stephen Drew walks. Ryan Roberts to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Justin Upton singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Ryan Roberts scores. Stephen Drew to 2nd.
8 - 3

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Charlie Furbush.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Chris Young pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

BATTING
HR: Peralta, Jh (12, 2nd inning off Saunders, J, 0 on, 0 out).
TB: Ordonez; Cabrera, Mi 2; Martinez, V; Peralta, Jh 6; Boesch; Inge; Kelly.
RBI: Peralta, Jh 2 (45), Cabrera, Mi 2 (52), Martinez, V (44), Inge 2 (14).
2-out RBI: Cabrera, Mi 2; Martinez, V; Peralta, Jh; Inge 2.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Martinez, V; Jackson, A.
Team RISP: 5-for-8.
Team LOB: 5.

FIELDING
DP: (Raburn-Peralta, Jh-Cabrera, Mi).
Pickoffs: Martinez, V (Roberts, R at 1st base).

PITCHING
Pitches-strikes: Saunders, J 103-63, Heilman 18-8, Hernandez, Da 15-6, Shaw 14-9, Penny 89-57, Alburquerque 25-15, Furbush 19-13, Valverde 1-1.
Groundouts-flyouts: Saunders, J 2-7, Heilman 1-0, Hernandez, Da 0-0, Shaw 1-0, Penny 7-2, Alburquerque 1-0, Furbush 0-1, Valverde 0-0.
Batters faced: Saunders, J 25, Heilman 4, Hernandez, Da 4, Shaw 4, Penny 27, Alburquerque 7, Furbush 5, Valverde 1.
Inherited runners-scored: Hernandez, Da 2-2, Shaw 2-2, Alburquerque 2-0, Valverde 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Chris Guccione. 1B: Mark Carlson. 2B: Mike Everitt. 3B: Mike Muchlinski.
Weather: 73 degrees, sunny.
Wind: 7 mph, In from CF.
T: 3:06.
Att: 41,036.

W: Alburquerque (5-1)