GDT: 7/1/11 - DET (44-38) VS SF (46-36) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Bumgarner, Penny work toward same goal

By Adam Berry / MLB.com | 6/30/2011 6:52 PM ET

At first glance, Madison Bumgarner and Brad Penny don't have a whole lot in common. The former is a 21-year-old lefty from North Carolina, the latter a 33-year-old right-hander from Oklahoma. But this year, the two have at least one shared bond: plenty of quality starts, and an unfitting losing record to show for it.

Bumgarner is 4-9 despite posting 11 quality starts, while Penny has eight quality outings -- including three of his last four -- with a 5-6 record. The two will square off in Detroit on Friday night to open a three-game Interleague series between the National League West-leading Giants and the American League Central's first-place Tigers.

Coming off a career outing, Bumgarner is still only one start removed from a disastrous performance in which he allowed eight runs on nine hits while recording only one out. But he bounced back exactly how his coaches and teammates expected, shaking off the poor outing by striking out a career-high 11 batters.

"I'm not going to say there wasn't any doubt. There was a little doubt," Bumgarner said. "It's tough to forget about a start like that. I tried to put it behind me as best I could."

In addition to his mental resolve, the young lefty made one mechanical change as well -- he made sure to keep his eyes on the catcher's target throughout his throwing motion instead of looking away and refocusing on the glove before releasing the ball. The results were positive, as Bumgarner threw 78 of his 112 pitches for strikes and avoided falling back into the mistakes he made in his previous start.

And his teammates thought the performance was indicative of more than just his competitive mentality.

"That was probably bigger than just a good outing for him. I think it was a big part of his maturing process," left-handed reliever Jeremy Affeldt said. "I think everybody, I'm sure from the coaching staff to the players and the front-office personnel, is pretty proud of him."

Penny, meanwhile, is 0-2 in his last four outings despite three quality starts. The right-hander allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk in 6 2/3 innings, striking out only two batters in the process, but kept the Tigers in a game they went on to win. After feeling "outstanding" the start before, Penny said he felt "kind of sluggish or lethargic" in his most recent outing.

One thing that will help pump up Penny for Friday's start, he said, is the home crowd.

"Detroit, they've got a great fan base. It's way better than I expected when I signed here," Penny said. "These fans are passionate, and it makes it a lot of fun when they're into the game, good or bad."

Giants: Sandoval returning to form at the plate
• Pablo Sandoval blasted a home run Thursday and extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a third-inning single, and his offensive production in the four games prior to Thursday's series finale was equally encouraging. Sandoval recorded a double in each game from Sunday through Wednesday, making the kind of solid contact many feared would be difficult following surgery to repair his fractured right hamate bone.

"I think he's getting stronger as time goes on," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "And I expect him to get even more aggressive."

• Sixty-seven of San Francisco's 83 games have been decided by three runs or fewer, the most of any team in the Majors this year. Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Cubs was the Giants' first all year when leading after eight innings.

• Four of the Giants' next 10 games, and 11 of their next 17, will come against opponents with sub-.500 records -- the Padres and the Dodgers. The Giants are 21-17 vs. teams above .500 and 25-19 against clubs with losing records.

Tigers: Coke moved to bullpen
• After insisting that Phil Coke was fit for the starting rotation since last fall, the Tigers doubled back on their commitment and moved him to the bullpen. Coke struggled to a 1-8 record in 14 starts, and he will be replaced starting next Monday by fellow lefty Charlie Furbush, who was a starter his entire career before getting called up to Detroit in mid-May. Coke's most recent outing was indicative of his problems as a starter, as he gave up eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits in four-plus innings.

"It was not a tough decision," manager Jim Leyland said Thursday morning. "It was a disappointing decision, because we hoped that it would work out better. We thought it was certainly worth it. I think the stuff's there. Sometimes you weigh your options of who else you have."

• Right-hander Brayan Villareal joined the Tigers' bullpen Thursday after being called up Wednesday to replace Daniel Schlereth, as Detroit was seeking a fresh arm following an onslaught of Mets offense on consecutive nights. Leyland said he wasn't intending to make any changes before Wednesday's game, but Schlereth gave up six runs while recording only five outs, walked seven batters over four innings in his last three appearances and was optioned to Triple-A Toledo as a result.

"Sometimes things just happen that are kind of unfortunate," Leyland said Thursday morning. "It's not going to hurt Daniel Schlereth to go down and get some work in. But I can assure you that there were no plans to make any pitching changes last night, prior to the game. Absolutely none. We just got stuck in a bind, and that's the way it is."

Worth noting
• Bochy announced after Thursday's 1-0 win over the Cubs that left-hander Barry Zito will start Saturday's game on three days' rest, and righty Ryan Vogelsong will take the mound for Sunday's game.

• Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks has homered in three straight games, bringing his total to five on the year.


Tigers: RHP Brad Penny (5-6, 4.66 ERA)

Penny is winless in his last four outings, but has three quality starts in that stretch, better than his five innings to beat the White Sox on June 5. He's 6-3 with a 3.05 ERA against the Giants, mainly from his Dodgers days.


Giants: LHP Madison Bumgarner (4-9, 3.84 ERA)

Bumgarner rebounded incredibly well from a historically bad start by striking out a career-high 11 batters on Sunday, picking up his first home win of the season. The young lefty threw seven strong innings, allowing one run on six hits and a walk.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers knocked off the Mets 5-2 yesterday. Justin Verlander (11-3) limited the Mets to one run in seven innings of work to earn the win for Detroit, while Jose Valverde closed out the game for his 19th save. Andy Dirks finished with two hits for Detroit, including a solo home run. The Tigers continue a 10-game homestand tonight with the first game of a three-game series versus the Giants.

ALBURQUERQUE PLACED ON DL, OLIVEROS RECALLED: The Tigers have placed righthanded pitcher Al Alburquerque on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 30 with right forearm flexor mass inflammation. The club today has recalled the contract of righthanded pitcher Lester Oliveros from Triple A Toledo. Oliveros is 1-2 with a 4.37 ERA (22.2IP/11ER), five saves and 22 strikeouts in 17 outings with Toledo this season.

WINNING WAYS: Detroit has won 32 of the club’s last 53 games dating back to May 3, a .604 winning percentage. The Tigers are second among all American League clubs with a .604 winning percentage during that stretch. The Boston Red Sox have compiled a 33-19 record during the stretch, a .635 winning percentage.

INTERLEAGUE HAPPENINGS: Tonight’s contest against the Giants is Detroit’s 16th of the club’s 18 games during interleague play in 2011. Since interleague play started in 1997, the Tigers have compiled a 140-122 record. The Tigers are 68-37 in interleague games at Comerica Park. Detroit is 6-9 during interleague action in 2011.

AMONG THE BEST SINCE 2006: The Tigers have compiled a 69-36 record, a .657 winning percentage, during interleague play since the start of the 2006 season. The .657 winning percentage during interleague action is second-best among major league clubs during that stretch. The Boston Red Sox have compiled a 70-35 record, a .667 winning percentage, during interleague action over that stretch.

ON THE OFFENSIVE: The Tigers are batting .300 (283x943) with 140 runs scored, 45 doubles, nine triples and 34 home runs over the club’s last 27 games dating back to June 3. Detroit is tops among all American League clubs with a .300 batting average and 34 home runs during that stretch, while the club is second with 140 runs scored and a .475 slugging percentage.

JUST(IN) GREAT IN JUNE: Justin Verlander earned the win over the Mets yesterday to finish the month of June with a 6-0 record and 0.92 ERA (49.0IP/5ER) in six starts. Since 1913, when earned runs became an official American League statistic, the only other Tigers pitcher to win six-or-more games during a calendar month in which he posted an ERA below 1.00 was Frank Lary in September of 1956. Lary finished 7-0 with 0.86 ERA (63.0IP/6ER) in seven starts during the month. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)

DIRKS HOMERS IN THIRD STRAIGHT: Andy Dirks belted a home run in all three games of Detroit’s series versus the Mets, including a solo shot yesterday. He is the first major league rookie to homer in three consecutive games this season and only the third Tigers rookie to do so over the last 24 seasons. Carlos Pena accomplished the feat for the Tigers in August of 2002, while Jeff Larish did so in May of 2009. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)

VICTOR AT THE BAT: Victor Martinez is hitting .372 (45x121) with 10 doubles, two home runs and 21 RBI over his last 32 games dating back to May 27. He is third among all American League players with a .372 batting average during that stretch.

BOESCH IS BASHING: Brennan Boesch is hitting .390 (41x105) with eight doubles, six home runs and 13 RBI over his last 26 games dating back to June 3. He leads the American League with 41 hits during that stretch, while he is second with a .390 batting average, sixth with a .638 slugging percentage and tied for ninth with six home runs.

GUILLEN’S INJURY REHAB TRANSFERRED TO TOLEDO: Carlos Guillen’s injury rehabilitation assignment will be transferred from Single A Lakeland to Triple A Toledo today. He joined Lakeland to begin an injury rehabilitation assignment on Monday. He hit .200 (3x15) with two doubles and two RBI in three games with Lakeland.

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),
• 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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• Saturday, July 2:
Parrothead Night
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (9-3, 4.47 ERA)) VS Giants (LHP Barry Zito (1-1, 4.95 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD, MLBN / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, July 3:
"Every Kid, Every Sunday" Justin Verlander Superhero Cape
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (6-6, 5.06 ERA)) VS Giants (RHP Ryan Vogelsong (6-1, 2.09 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Monday, July 4:
Tigers (LHP Charlie Furbush (1-1, 2.49 ERA)) AT Angels (RHP Joel Pineiro (3-3, 4.14 ERA)), 9:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUP:

GIANTS

Rowand, CF
Burriss, 2B
Sandoval, P, 3B
Huff, 1B
Ross, C, LF
Burrell, DH
Schierholtz, RF
Crawford, SS
Stewart, C, C


TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF
Casper Wells, LF
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Ryan Raburn, 2B
Alex Avila, C
Brandon Inge, 3B

SF - Top 1st
B:3 S:2 O:0
Aaron Rowand doubles (16) on a soft fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Emmanuel Burriss singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Brandon Inge. Aaron Rowand to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Pablo Sandoval flies into double play in foul territory, left fielder Casper Wells to catcher Alex Avila.

With Aubrey Huff batting, wild pitch by Brad Penny, Emmanuel Burriss to 3rd.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Aubrey Huff flies out to left fielder Casper Wells.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2
Casper Wells grounds out, shortstop Brandon Crawford to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Nate Schierholtz.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Aaron Rowand. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Pablo Sandoval. Magglio Ordonez out at 3rd.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

SF - Top 2nd
B:1 S:0 O:1
Cody Ross flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Nate Schierholtz singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Brandon Crawford reaches on force attempt, throwing error by first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Nate Schierholtz to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Bill Hall flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Chris Stewart grounds into a force out, third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Brandon Crawford out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, shortstop Brandon Crawford to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Nate Schierholtz.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila out on foul tip.


0 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

SF - Top 3rd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Aaron Rowand out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Emmanuel Burriss grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Pablo Sandoval flies out to left fielder Casper Wells.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:0 O:1
Brandon Inge grounds out, third baseman Pablo Sandoval to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Cody Ross.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Casper Wells lines out to center fielder Aaron Rowand.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Magglio Ordonez grounds into a force out, shortstop Brandon Crawford to second baseman Emmanuel Burriss. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

0 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

SF - Top 4th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Aubrey Huff flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Cody Ross singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Nate Schierholtz lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Brandon Crawford walks. Cody Ross to 2nd.

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

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

B:1 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Emmanuel Burriss to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Jhonny Peralta flies out to left fielder Cody Ross.

0 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

SF - Top 5th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Chris Stewart flies out to left fielder Casper Wells.

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

B:1 S:0 O:2
Emmanuel Burriss grounds out sharply to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Aaron Rowand to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Pablo Sandoval doubles (8) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Aaron Rowand scores.
SF 1 - 0

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

DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Ryan Raburn called out on .

B:1 S:3 O:2
Alex Avila out swinging.

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

SF 1 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

SF - Top 6th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Cody Ross singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Nate Schierholtz grounds into a force out, pitcher Brad Penny to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Cody Ross out at 2nd. Nate Schierholtz to 1st.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Brandon Crawford grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Nate Schierholtz to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Bill Hall grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 6th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Aaron Rowand.

With Casper Wells batting, Austin Jackson steals (15) 2nd base.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Casper Wells called out on .

With Magglio Ordonez batting, Austin Jackson caught stealing 3rd base, catcher Chris Stewart to third baseman Pablo Sandoval.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Magglio Ordonez out swinging.

SF 1 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

SF - Top 7th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Chris Stewart pops out to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Aaron Rowand called out on .

B:4 S:0 O:2
Emmanuel Burriss walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Pablo Sandoval flies out to left fielder Casper Wells.

DET - Bot 7th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Nate Schierholtz.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Aaron Rowand.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Jhonny Peralta out swinging. Victor Martinez steals (1) 2nd base.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

SF 1 - 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

SF - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Lester Oliveros replaces Brad Penny.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Aubrey Huff called out on .

B:1 S:3 O:2
Cody Ross out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Nate Schierholtz singles on a ground ball to left fielder Casper Wells.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Brandon Crawford walks. Nate Schierholtz to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Bill Hall grounds out softly, pitcher Lester Oliveros to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 8th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out, shortstop Brandon Crawford to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Brandon Inge walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Sergio Romo replaces Madison Bumgarner.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Andy Dirks replaces Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks flies out to right fielder Nate Schierholtz.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brennan Boesch replaces Casper Wells.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Javier Lopez replaces Sergio Romo.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Brennan Boesch singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Aaron Rowand. Brandon Inge to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Brian Wilson replaces Javier Lopez.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Nate Schierholtz. Brandon Inge scores. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.
TIED 1 - 1

With Miguel Cabrera batting, wild pitch by Brian Wilson, Brennan Boesch to 3rd. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera lines out softly to first baseman Aubrey Huff.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

SF - Top 9th
Andy Dirks remains in the game as the center fielder.

Brennan Boesch remains in the game as the left fielder.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Lester Oliveros.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Chris Stewart doubles (3) on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Aaron Rowand singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Chris Stewart to 3rd.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Emmanuel Burriss out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Pablo Sandoval hits a ground-rule double (9) on a fly ball to left-center field. Chris Stewart scores. Aaron Rowand to 3rd.
SF 2 - 1

B:4 S:0 O:1
Jose Valverde intentionally walks Aubrey Huff.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Cody Ross pops out to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Nate Schierholtz walks. Aaron Rowand scores. Pablo Sandoval to 3rd. Aubrey Huff to 2nd.
SF 3 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Brayan Villarreal replaces Jose Valverde.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Brandon Crawford walks. Pablo Sandoval scores. Aubrey Huff to 3rd. Nate Schierholtz to 2nd.
SF 4 - 1

B:0 S:2 O:3
Bill Hall grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 9th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to center fielder Aaron Rowand.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a pop up to second baseman Emmanuel Burriss. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Ryan Raburn grounds into a force out, shortstop Brandon Crawford to second baseman Emmanuel Burriss. Victor Martinez to 3rd. Jhonny Peralta out at 2nd. Ryan Raburn to 1st.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila walks. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Brandon Inge singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Cody Ross. Victor Martinez scores. Ryan Raburn to 3rd. Alex Avila to 2nd.
SF 4 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Jeremy Affeldt replaces Brian Wilson.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks reaches on fielding error by second baseman Emmanuel Burriss. Ryan Raburn scores. Alex Avila to 3rd. Brandon Inge to 2nd.
SF 4 - 3

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Brennan Boesch lines into unassisted double play, shortstop Brandon Crawford. Brandon Inge doubled off 2nd.