GDT: 7/4/11 - DET (45-40) AT LAA (43-41) - 9:05 p.m. ET

Tigers happy to move on from Interleague Play

By Evan Drellich / MLB.com | 7/3/2011 10:23 PM ET

Interleague Play brought better times for the Angels than the Tigers. Detroit heads into a three-game series in Anaheim having lost two straight series, both to National League clubs, and the Tigers wrapped up their junior circuit schedule with a 6-12 record.

The Angels, on the other hand, can finish 13-5 against the Senior Circuit if they win Sunday night at home against the Dodgers. A victory Sunday would also give the Halos a series win against every NL team they've played this season.

Their strong run against unfamiliar opponents hasn't only been about bragging rights for the Angels. They cut their deficit in the division from six games to one (behind the Rangers, who also play Sunday night) over the last 18 games, 14 of which have been against the NL (10-4).

Now, to keep up that success against American League clubs. They're just 31-36 within their own league, and they're also under .500 at home, with a 19-21 record at Angel Stadium.

A strong start from Joel Pineiro, who isn't pitching terrible statistically, but also isn't pitching to his usual level, would help the Angels start their final seven games before the All-Star Break on the right foot.

"Sometimes it's leaving the ball up a couple times, or not making a pitch when I need it," said Pineiro, who was out the first month of the season with tightness in his right shoulder. "I wish I could find an excuse ... it's just baseball."

The Tigers send a rookie southpaw to the hill for his first Major League start. Charlie Furbush, 25, went 4-3 with a 2.91 ERA in eight starts with Triple-A Toledo this season, and has a 2.49 ERA in 21 2/3 innings of big-league relief this season.

Tigers: Jones takes over for Knapp as pitching instructor
• Rick Knapp was relieved of his duties as pitching coach on Sunday and bullpen coach Jeff Jones was inserted in his place.

The Tigers gave up 51 runs over a five-game stretch last week, including 15 runs to the Giants on Saturday.

"We're very thankful for everything that Rick has done for the organization," general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "We talked to him after the game. But we just felt our pitching staff is in a position where we couldn't quite get out of it what we would like, and we think that making a change is beneficial for us."

Angels: Hunter's return possible Monday
• Right fielder Torii Hunter could return Monday from a left-hand contusion he suffered on Friday, when he was hit by a pitch from the Dodgers' Hiroki Kuroda.

"Hopefully if he continues to improve, [and] he'll be ready to play tomorrow," manager Mike Scioscia said Sunday.

Worth noting
• Detroit has won 33 of its last 56 games dating to May 3.


Tigers: LHP Charlie Furbush (1-1, 2.49 ERA)

Furbush will be making his Major League starting debut, moving into the rotation from the bullpen. Furbush went 4-3 with a 2.91 ERA in eight starts with Triple-A Toledo this season before being put in the Tigers' bullpen.


Angels: RHP Joel Pineiro (3-3, 4.14 ERA)

Pineiro hasn't been stellar lately, surrendering four runs or more in seven of his past eight games. Los Angeles is undefeated in his last four starts, but Pineiro has only one win over that span. He'll need better consistency with his sinker.


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:
• RHP Al Alburquerque (right forearm flexor mass inflammation, 15-day disabled list on June 30),
• 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 Toledo
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).


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• Tuesday, July 5:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (11-3, 2.32 ERA)) AT
Angels (RHP Dan Haren (8-5, 2.85 ERA)),
10:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Wednesday, July 6:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (5-6, 4.43 ERA)) AT
Angels (RHP Tyler Chatwood (5-4, 3.83 ERA)),
3:35 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Thursday, July 7:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (9-4, 4.82 ERA)) AT
Royals (LHP Danny Duffy (1-3, 5.09 ERA)),
8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS
1. Jackson CF
2. Boesch LF
3. Ordonez RF
4. Cabrera 1B
5. Martinez DH
6. Peralta SS
7. Avila C
8. Raburn 2B
9. Inge 3B

ANGELS
1. Aybar, SS
2. Hunter, RF
3. Abreu, DH
4. Wells, LF
5. Kendrick, 2B
6. Trumbo, 1B
7. Callaspo, 3B
8. Bourjos, CF
9. Mathis, C

DET - Top 1st
B:2 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Peter Bourjos.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Brennan Boesch grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

LAA - Bot 1st
B:1 S:2 O:1
Erick Aybar grounds out softly, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Charlie Furbush.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Torii Hunter homers (9) on a fly ball to center field.
LAA 1 - 0

B:3 S:3 O:2
Bobby Abreu out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Vernon Wells flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

LAA 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:0 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Peter Bourjos.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Alberto Callaspo to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

LAA - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Howard Kendrick flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Mark Trumbo grounds out softly, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

On-field Delay.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Alberto Callaspo out swinging.

LAA 1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:0
Alex Avila doubles (17) on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

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

B:0 S:2 O:2
Brandon Inge lines out softly to shortstop Erick Aybar.

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

B:1 S:0 O:3
Brennan Boesch grounds out, second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

LAA - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:0 O:0
Peter Bourjos singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

With Jeff Mathis batting, Peter Bourjos steals (10) 2nd base.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Jeff Mathis out swinging.

With Erick Aybar batting, Peter Bourjos steals (11) 3rd base.

With Erick Aybar batting, Peter Bourjos scores on a balk.
LAA 2 - 0

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

B:4 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter walks.

B:0 S:0 O:3
With Bobby Abreu batting, Torii Hunter picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Charlie Furbush to first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

LAA 2 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Magglio Ordonez walks.

With Miguel Cabrera batting, wild pitch by Joel Pineiro, Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera lines out to center fielder Peter Bourjos.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Mark Trumbo. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to left fielder Vernon Wells. Magglio Ordonez scores.
LAA 2 - 1

B:1 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila pops out to shortstop Erick Aybar.

LAA - Bot 4th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Bobby Abreu called out on .

B:1 S:2 O:2
Vernon Wells pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Howard Kendrick doubles (19) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Mark Trumbo flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

LAA 2 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Ryan Raburn grounds out, third baseman Alberto Callaspo to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Vernon Wells.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

LAA - Bot 5th
B:1 S:0 O:0
Alberto Callaspo singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Peter Bourjos called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jeff Mathis out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Charlie Furbush to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Alberto Callaspo to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Erick Aybar singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Alberto Callaspo scores.
LAA 3 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Lester Oliveros replaces Charlie Furbush.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Torii Hunter lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

LAA 3 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Brennan Boesch singles on a fly ball to left fielder Vernon Wells.

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

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera flies out sharply to center fielder Peter Bourjos.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds into double play, second baseman Howard Kendrick to shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Mark Trumbo. Magglio Ordonez out at 2nd.

LAA - Bot 6th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Bobby Abreu flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Vernon Wells doubles (5) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Howard Kendrick grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Vernon Wells to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Mark Trumbo singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Vernon Wells scores.
LAA 4 - 1

With Alberto Callaspo batting, wild pitch by Lester Oliveros, Mark Trumbo to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Lester Oliveros intentionally walks Alberto Callaspo.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Peter Bourjos grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Brandon Inge. Mark Trumbo out at 3rd.

LAA 4 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Jhonny Peralta doubles (15) on a line drive to left fielder Vernon Wells.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Brandon Inge grounds into double play, third baseman Alberto Callaspo to second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Mark Trumbo. Ryan Raburn out at 2nd.

LAA - Bot 7th
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Lester Oliveros.

On-field Delay.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Jeff Mathis pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Erick Aybar flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

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

LAA 4 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Scott Downs replaces Joel Pineiro.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson out swinging.

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

B:1 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

LAA - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Ryan Perry.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Bobby Abreu out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Vernon Wells homers (12) on a fly ball to left field.
LAA 5 - 1

B:1 S:3 O:2
Howard Kendrick out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Mark Trumbo singles on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

With Alberto Callaspo batting, Mark Trumbo steals (8) 2nd base.

On-field Delay.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Alberto Callaspo called out on .

LAA 5 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Michael Kohn replaces Scott Downs.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Vernon Wells.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Peter Bourjos.

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