GDT: 6/28/11 - DET (43-36) VS NYM (39-39) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Collins, Dickey both looking forward to Detroit series

By Tom Green / MLB.com | 6/27/2011 11:57 PM ET

Tuesday will mark a homecoming of sorts for first-year Mets manager Terry Collins.

When the Mets travel to Detroit to kick off a three-game series with the Tigers, it will be the first time Collins -- a Midland, Mich., native -- returns to his home state as a Major League manager since Aug. 13-15, 1999.

Back then, Collins -- who plans to spend the off-day visiting his father, Bud, in Midland -- was the manager of the Angels, and took two of three from the Tigers a mere two hours away from his hometown. More than a decade later, Collins returns to Detroit to square off against the Tigers and manager Jim Leyland, who Collins coached under for many years in Pittsburgh.

"I'll have a lot of fun for the next three days," Collins said. "Before the games start, on the field, I'm sure [Leyland] will have a thousand stories. He'll tease me about how we should be in first place, like he does every year. His team is close to first, so we've got a challenge on our hands, that's for sure."

R.A. Dickey will try to make Collins' return a successful one, and the right-hander has a good track record for being able to do so.

Dickey has a 1.23 ERA in four career appearances at Comerica Park, including a shutout in his only start there, Aug. 20, 2003, as a member of the Rangers. In fact, Dickey also earned a save in that series, closing out a 4-2, 16-inning win on Aug. 18.

But Dickey will have his work cut out for him this time. Detroit has won 30 of its last 49 games dating back to May 3, and has the second-best record in the American League during that span, trailing only the Red Sox.

Standing in the way of a welcome homecoming for Collins will be right-hander Rick Porcello, a Morristown, N.J., native who grew up a Mets fan, although his father took him to a lot of Yankees games growing up.

But there will be no rekindled love between Porcello and the Mets, as the righty faces his childhood team for the first time in his young career and tries to end a three-game winless streak during which opposing batters are hitting .365 against him.

Taking the no-decision in his last start, the Tigers' right-hander gave up five runs on nine hits in just 4 2/3 innings against the Dodgers. Porcello (6-5, 4.50 ERA) struck out two and walked one.

Mets: Pelfrey adds cutter
• Mike Pelfrey picked up on a trend that has spread throughout the league.

The Mets' right-hander recently added a cut fastball to his arsenal after noticing how effective opposing pitchers have been with it. After working with pitching coach Dan Warthen, Pelfrey introduced his cutter to hitters earlier this month, modeling the pitch after that of teammate Jason Isringhausen.

The cut fastball is now the sixth pitch in Pelfrey's arsenal and provides a complement to his two-seam fastball, which moves in the opposite direction of the cutter, when correctly thrown.

"It's another weapon," Pelfrey said. "I'll put it in their heads, hopefully get some outs with it, and it will be good."

• Dickey was impressive when he faced the A's in his previous appearance, striking out nine while surrendering no walks and allowing just one run over eight innings. Over his past seven starts, the knuckleballer has a 2.23 ERA.

Tigers: Thomas has encouraging rehab outing
• Detroit reliever Brad Thomas struck out the side in order on Monday in his lone inning of work for Triple-A Toledo.

While it is uncertain how long his Minor League rehab assignment will be, Mud Hens manager Phil Nevin told the Toledo Blade that Thomas will pitch an inning Tuesday on the road against Columbus, and then be re-evaluated.

Thomas, who went on the disabled list more than a month ago with inflammation in his left elbow, has been on rehab since June 14.

Worth noting

• The Mets are 124-117 all time in Interleague Play. The Tigers are 139-120.

• Prior to Tuesday's game, Justin Verlander and Alex Avila will be presented with commemorative awards from the Tigers in recognition of their efforts in Verlander's no-hitter against Toronto on May 7 at Rogers Centre.

• Tigers catcher Victor Martinez is hitting .391 with nine doubles, two home runs and 21 RBIs over his past 29 games, dating back to May 27.


Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (6-5, 4.50 ERA)

Porcello grew up a Mets fan -- even though he went to a lot of Yankees games with his dad -- so he'll see some familiar uniforms at the plate as he looks to break a three-game winless streak in which hitters are batting .365.


Mets: RHP R.A. Dickey (3-7, 3.76 ERA)

Dickey was fantastic in his last outing, striking out nine against the A's without giving up a walk. He allowed one run in eight innings, pushing his ERA to 2.23 in his past seven starts. He is 3-2 with a 4.02 ERA in 13 appearances against Detroit.


Game Information



RESCHEDULED GAMES: The following is the information on the rescheduled Tigers games postponed at Comerica Park this season:
- 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), Rehab with Lakeland
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).


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• Wednesday, June 29:
Tigers (LHP Phil Coke (1-7, 4.32 ERA)) VS Mets (LHP Chris Capuano (6-7, 3.99 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Thursday, June 30:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (10-3, 2.38 ERA)) VS Mets (RHP Mike Pelfrey (4-6, 4.78 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Friday, July 1:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (5-6, 4.66 ERA)) VS Giants (LHP Madison Bumgarner (4-9, 3.84 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:


TIGERS

1. Austin Jackson, cf
   
2. Brennan Boesch, lf
   
3. Magglio Ordonez, rf
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1b
   
5. Victor Martinez, dh
   
6. Jhonny Peralta, ss
   
7. Alex Avila, c
   
8. Brandon Inge, 3b
   
9. Ryan Raburn, 2b
   

P: Rick Porcello

METS

1. Jose Reyes, SS
   
2. Willie Harris, DH
   
3. Carlos Beltran, RF
   
4. David Murphy, 3B
   
5. Angel Pagan, CF
   
6. Jason Bay, LF
   
7. Lucas Duda, 1B
   
8. Justin Turner, 2B
   
9. Josh Thole, C
   

P: R.A. Dickey

NYM - Top 1st
B:1 S:0 O:0
Jose Reyes singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Willie Harris pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Carlos Beltran flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

With Daniel Murphy batting, throwing error by Rick Porcello on the pickoff attempt, Jose Reyes to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Daniel Murphy doubles (13) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Jose Reyes scores.
NYM 1 - 0

B:3 S:2 O:2
Angel Pagan doubles (6) on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Daniel Murphy scores.
NYM 2 - 0

B:2 S:2 O:3
Jason Bay grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 1st
B:0 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to center fielder Angel Pagan.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Brennan Boesch grounds into double play, second baseman Justin Turner to shortstop Jose Reyes to first baseman Lucas Duda. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to center fielder Angel Pagan.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Angel Pagan. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Jose Reyes. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.

NYM 2 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

NYM - Top 2nd
B:1 S:0 O:1
Lucas Duda grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Justin Turner grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Josh Thole singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Jose Reyes singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Josh Thole to 3rd.

With Willie Harris batting, Jose Reyes steals (29) 2nd base.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Willie Harris lines out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to third baseman Daniel Murphy.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila grounds into double play, first baseman Lucas Duda to shortstop Jose Reyes to first baseman Lucas Duda. Jhonny Peralta out at 2nd.

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

NYM 2 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

NYM - Top 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:1
Carlos Beltran grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Daniel Murphy flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Angel Pagan singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

With Jason Bay batting, Angel Pagan steals (12) 2nd base.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Jason Bay grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:1
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Carlos Beltran.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson grounds out, second baseman Justin Turner to first baseman Lucas Duda.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Brennan Boesch singles on a line drive to left fielder Jason Bay.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Magglio Ordonez walks. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera walks. Brennan Boesch to 3rd. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Victor Martinez called out on .

NYM 2 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

NYM - Top 4th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Lucas Duda flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Justin Turner grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Josh Thole homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.
NYM 3 - 0

B:1 S:0 O:2
Jose Reyes triples (15) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Willie Harris singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Jose Reyes scores.
NYM 4 - 0

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Carlos Beltran singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Willie Harris to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Daniel Murphy singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch, deflected by third baseman Brandon Inge. Willie Harris scores. Carlos Beltran to 2nd.
NYM 5 - 0

Pitcher Change: Daniel Schlereth replaces Rick Porcello.

Coaching visit to mound.

With Angel Pagan batting, wild pitch by Daniel Schlereth, Carlos Beltran to 3rd. Daniel Murphy to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Angel Pagan walks.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Jason Bay hits a grand slam (4) to left field. Carlos Beltran scores. Daniel Murphy scores. Angel Pagan scores.
NYM 9 - 0

B:0 S:3 O:3
Lucas Duda called out on .

DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out to first baseman Lucas Duda.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Brandon Inge out swinging.

NYM 9 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

NYM - Top 5th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Justin Turner walks.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Josh Thole out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jose Reyes doubles (21) on a fly ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Justin Turner to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Willie Harris hit by pitch.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Carlos Beltran hits a grand slam (11) to left field. Justin Turner scores. Jose Reyes scores. Willie Harris scores.
NYM 13 - 0

B:1 S:0 O:2
Daniel Murphy flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Angel Pagan singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Jason Bay called out on .

DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to right fielder Carlos Beltran.

B:2 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson homers (4) on a fly ball to left center field. Ryan Raburn scores.
NYM 13 - 2

B:2 S:2 O:1
Brennan Boesch flies out to center fielder Angel Pagan.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Magglio Ordonez flies out to left fielder Jason Bay.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera reaches on throwing error by second baseman Justin Turner.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Carlos Beltran. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta flies out to left fielder Jason Bay.

NYM 13 - 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

NYM - Top 6th
Defensive Substitution: Andy Dirks replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 3rd, playing right field.

Pitcher Change: Charlie Furbush replaces Daniel Schlereth.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Lucas Duda singles on a line drive to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Justin Turner grounds into double play, second baseman Ryan Raburn to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Lucas Duda out at 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Josh Thole grounds out, pitcher Charlie Furbush to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 6th
B:0 S:2 O:0
Alex Avila doubles (16) on a line drive to left fielder Jason Bay.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Jason Bay. Alex Avila to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Ryan Raburn pops out to third baseman Daniel Murphy.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson walks.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Brennan Boesch grounds into a force out, pitcher R. A. Dickey to shortstop Jose Reyes. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

NYM 13 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

NYM - Top 7th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces first baseman Miguel Cabrera, batting 4th, playing first base.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Jose Reyes walks.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Ruben Tejada replaces Jose Reyes.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Willie Harris called out on .

B:2 S:2 O:2
Carlos Beltran flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Daniel Murphy grounds out to first baseman Don Kelly.

DET - Bot 7th
Ruben Tejada remains in the game as the shortstop.

Defensive Substitution: Jason Pridie replaces right fielder Carlos Beltran, batting 3rd, playing right field.

B:2 S:0 O:0
Andy Dirks homers (4) on a fly ball to right field.
NYM 13 - 3

B:0 S:1 O:1
Don Kelly grounds out, second baseman Justin Turner to first baseman Lucas Duda.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Victor Martinez out swinging. Passed ball by catcher Josh Thole. Victor Martinez to 1st.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds into a force out, pitcher R. A. Dickey to shortstop Ruben Tejada. Victor Martinez out at 2nd. Jhonny Peralta to 1st.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila out swinging.

NYM 13 - 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

NYM - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Charlie Furbush.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Angel Pagan walks.

With Jason Bay batting, Angel Pagan advances to 2nd on a balk.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jason Bay grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Don Kelly. Angel Pagan to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Lucas Duda grounds out to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Justin Turner singles on a fly ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Angel Pagan scores.
NYM 14 - 3

B:2 S:1 O:3
Josh Thole flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

DET - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Bobby Parnell replaces R. A. Dickey.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Brandon Inge pops out to first baseman Lucas Duda in foul territory.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Ryan Raburn flies out to left fielder Jason Bay.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Jason Pridie.

NYM 14 - 3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

NYM - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: David Purcey replaces Ryan Perry.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Ruben Tejada out swinging.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Scott Hairston replaces Willie Harris.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Scott Hairston walks.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Jason Pridie singles on a line drive to right fielder Andy Dirks. Scott Hairston to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Daniel Murphy grounds into double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Don Kelly. Jason Pridie out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 9th
Scott Hairston remains in the game as the designated hitter.

Pitcher Change: Manny Acosta replaces Bobby Parnell.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Brennan Boesch flies out to left fielder Jason Bay.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks lines out to second baseman Justin Turner.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Don Kelly out swinging.

BATTING
2B: Avila (16, Dickey).
HR: Jackson, A (4, 5th inning off Dickey, 1 on, 0 out), Dirks (4, 7th inning off Dickey, 0 on, 0 out).
TB: Jackson, A 5; Boesch; Ordonez; Dirks 4; Cabrera, Mi; Martinez, V; Peralta, Jh; Avila 2; Raburn.
RBI: Jackson, A 2 (22), Dirks (11).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Martinez, V 3; Peralta, Jh; Boesch.
GIDP: Boesch; Avila.
Team RISP: 0-for-6.
Team LOB: 10.

FIELDING
E: Porcello (2, pickoff).
DP: 2 (Raburn-Peralta, Jh-Cabrera, Mi, Peralta, Jh-Raburn-Kelly).

PITCHING
WP: Schlereth.
Balk: Perry.
HBP: Harris (by Schlereth).
Pitches-strikes: Dickey 113-74, Parnell 5-3, Acosta 8-7, Porcello 71-47, Schlereth 44-24, Furbush 32-20, Perry 24-14, Purcey 21-14.
Groundouts-flyouts: Dickey 9-5, Parnell 0-2, Acosta 0-1, Porcello 6-3, Schlereth 0-1, Furbush 3-1, Perry 2-1, Purcey 1-0.
Batters faced: Dickey 34, Parnell 3, Acosta 3, Porcello 22, Schlereth 11, Furbush 7, Perry 5, Purcey 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Schlereth 2-2.
Umpires: HP: Ed Rapuano. 1B: Ed Hickox. 2B: Lance Barrett. 3B: Brian O'Nora.
Weather: 76 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 18 mph, Out to CF.
T: 3:03.
Att: 28,480.


L: Porcello (6-6)