GDT: 7/28/11 - DET (55-49) VS LAA (57-48) - 1:05 p.m. ET

Rejuvenated Abreu faces Penny, Tigers

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 7/27/2011 7:23 PM ET

It appears as though Angels designated hitter Bobby Abreu might finally be getting back to his old self.

Abreu has recorded a hit in three straight games, including knocking out his fourth home run of the season Monday. His declining power production has been a cause of concern for the Angels this season, but the past few games -- with the veteran once again driving the ball -- have been encouraging.

Abreu has hit at least 15 home runs for 13 consecutive seasons, driving in at least 100 runs eight times during that span. And although he's highly unlikely to reach those totals this season -- entering Thursday with four homers and 41 RBIs -- Abreu and the Angels are feeling optimistic after he made a slight change at the plate, which has led to his success of late.

"I'm more on top of the plate," Abreu said. "I was having trouble with balls on the outside part of the plate, because I was way too far off the plate. I'm feeling much better now. I'm making pretty good contact again. I'm not swinging at bad pitches or jumping at the ball and getting a lot of rollovers like before."

Abreu will enter Thursday's opener of a four-game series in Detroit with great career success against the Tigers, hitting .327 with a .512 slugging percentage, including .342 and .507 marks, respectively, in 19 games at Comerica Park.

Abreu will face Detroit right-hander Brad Penny, against whom he's a .340 (18-for-53) career hitter. Penny had his two-game winning streak snapped in his last start against the Twins, giving up four runs on seven hits in seven innings.

One of those wins during his streak came against the Angels on July 6, when Penny gave up four runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Angels: Pineiro trying to rebound
Right-hander Joel Pineiro will take the bump for the Angels on Thursday against a team he has had success against in his career. Pineiro is 8-3 with a 3.16 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) against the Tigers, including 3-1 with a 0.95 WHIP in Detroit. Facing the Tigers should be a welcome assignment for Pineiro, who has given up 10 earned runs in his past two starts (5 2/3 innings).

"I feel good," Pineiro said. "It's just a matter of keeping the ball in the strike zone and getting outs. It's no secret what I try to do: throw the sinker for strikes down in the zone."

• On Wednesday against the Indians, Ervin Santana threw the ninth official no-hitter in club history and first non-combined no-no since 1984. It also was the first non-shutout no-hitter in Angels history.

Tigers: Betemit impressing
Since joining the Tigers on July 20, infielder Wilson Betemit has impressed, hitting .300 with two RBIs in six games with Detroit. One of those RBIs came Tuesday, when Betemit's go-ahead single proved to be the difference in a Tigers victory.

"I already like him," manager Jim Leyland said. "He's gotten some big hits already."

Betemit said he's enjoying his time with the Tigers so far.

"It's great, especially to come here to this team," Betemit said Wednesday morning. "We're in first place. You try to do your best to help."

• Jose Valverde has converted 27 consecutive saves to begin the season, the second-longest streak during a single season in Tigers history. Guillermo Hernandez converted 32 straight from April 6-Sept.23, 1984.

Worth noting
• The Angels are 2-1 against the Tigers this year as they make their first trip to Detroit. They're 31-15 in Detroit since 2002 and 53-29 overall against Tigers during that time frame.

• Angels reliever Scott Downs has been scored upon in only four of his 39 outings and has not allowed a run in his past 12 outings (11 2/3 innings).

• Detroit's Jhonny Peralta is hitting .372 with three doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs in 12 games since the All-Star break.

• Abreu is two runs shy of 1,400 in his career, and with his next double, he will pass Tony Gwynn (543) for 24th all time.


Tigers: RHP Brad Penny (7-7, 4.51 ERA)

Penny struggled over the first four innings of his start against the Twins on Saturday, but after giving up four earned runs, Penny pitched three scoreless innings. Penny will look to build on that in his start on Thursday.


Angels: RHP Joel Pineiro (5-5, 4.61 ERA)

Pineiro excelled against Detroit on July 4 in one of his best outings of the year, holding the Tigers to one earned run on five hits in seven innings. Fighting his command, he's given up 13 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings since then.


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 Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 60-day DL on May 11)



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

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• Friday, July 29:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (10-6, 4.67 ERA)) VS
Angels (RHP Tyler Chatwood (6-6, 3.64 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Saturday, July 30:
Tigers (LHP Duane Below (0-1, 4.66 ERA)) VS
Angels (RHP Dan Haren (10-6, 3.01 ERA)),
4:10 p.m. ET (FOX / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, July 31:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (14-5, 2.34 ERA)) VS
Angels (RHP Jered Weaver (14-4, 1.79 ERA)),
4:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

ANGELS

Manny Aybar, SS
Torii Hunter, RF
Bobby Abreu, DH
Vernon Wells, LF
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Mark Trumbo, 1B
Peter Bourjos, CF
Jeff Mathis, C

P: Joel Pineiro


TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF
Brennan Boesch, LF
Magglio Ordonez, DH
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, C
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Carlos Guillen, 2B
Andy Dirks, RF
Don Kelly, 3B

P: Brad Penny

LAA - Top 1st
B:0 S:0 O:0
Erick Aybar singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Don Kelly.

With Torii Hunter batting, Erick Aybar caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Victor Martinez to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Bobby Abreu grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 1st
B:0 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Brennan Boesch walks.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez grounds into double play, shortstop Erick Aybar to second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Mark Trumbo. Brennan Boesch out at 2nd.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

LAA - Top 2nd
B:3 S:2 O:1
Vernon Wells pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Alberto Callaspo singles on a soft ground ball to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Howard Kendrick lines into a force out, right fielder Andy Dirks to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Alberto Callaspo out at 2nd. Howard Kendrick to 1st.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Play reviewed and overturned: Mark Trumbo homers (19) on a line drive to left field. Howard Kendrick scores.
LAA 2 - 0

B:0 S:1 O:2
Peter Bourjos doubles (16) on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Jeff Mathis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Peter Bourjos scores.
LAA 3 - 0

B:4 S:1 O:2
Erick Aybar walks. Jeff Mathis to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Torii Hunter grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Erick Aybar out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:0
Miguel Cabrera homers (22) on a fly ball to center field.
LAA 3 - 1

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

B:1 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Alberto Callaspo to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Carlos Guillen flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

LAA 3 - 1 AFTER 2 INNINGS

LAA - Top 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Bobby Abreu flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

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

B:2 S:2 O:3
Alberto Callaspo lines out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:0
Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Don Kelly reaches on fielding error by first baseman Mark Trumbo. Andy Dirks to 2nd.

Andy Dirks out at 3rd, catcher Jeff Mathis to third baseman Alberto Callaspo. Don Kelly to 2nd.

Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland ejected by 1B umpire Jerry Layne.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Brennan Boesch singles on a line drive to left fielder Vernon Wells. Don Kelly scores. Brennan Boesch to 2nd on the throw.
LAA 3 - 2

B:0 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

LAA 3 - 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

LAA - Top 4th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Howard Kendrick singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta, deflected by pitcher Brad Penny.

B:2 S:0 O:0
Mark Trumbo triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Howard Kendrick scores.
LAA 4 - 2

B:1 S:1 O:0
Peter Bourjos doubles (17) on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Mark Trumbo scores.
LAA 5 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Jeff Mathis out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Brad Penny to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Peter Bourjos to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Erick Aybar singles on a line drive to right fielder Andy Dirks. Peter Bourjos scores.
LAA 6 - 2

Pitcher Change: Charlie Furbush replaces Brad Penny.

Coaching visit to mound.

With Torii Hunter batting, Erick Aybar steals (21) 2nd base.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Torii Hunter singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Erick Aybar scores.
LAA 7 - 2

B:0 S:1 O:3
Bobby Abreu grounds into double play, second baseman Carlos Guillen to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Torii Hunter out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 4th
B:1 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera doubles (25) on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to left fielder Vernon Wells. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez to 2nd.
LAA 7 - 3

B:1 S:2 O:1
Carlos Guillen grounds out to first baseman Mark Trumbo. Victor Martinez to 3rd. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to center fielder Peter Bourjos. Victor Martinez scores. Jhonny Peralta scores.
LAA 7 - 5

Pitcher Change: Horacio Ramirez replaces Joel Pineiro.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Wilson Betemit replaces Don Kelly.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Wilson Betemit flies out to center fielder Peter Bourjos.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to left fielder Vernon Wells. Andy Dirks to 2nd.

With Brennan Boesch batting, wild pitch by Horacio Ramirez, Andy Dirks to 3rd. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Brennan Boesch singles on a line drive to left fielder Vernon Wells. Andy Dirks scores. Austin Jackson to 3rd.
LAA 7 - 6

Pitcher Change: Bobby Cassevah replaces Horacio Ramirez.

Coaching visit to mound.

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

LAA 7 - 6 AFTER 4 INNINGS

LAA - Top 5th
Wilson Betemit remains in the game as the third baseman.

Pitcher Change: Chance Ruffin replaces Charlie Furbush.

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

B:1 S:1 O:1
Alberto Callaspo doubles (17) on a fly ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Howard Kendrick out swinging. Alberto Callaspo steals (5) 3rd base.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Mark Trumbo pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to center fielder Peter Bourjos. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Carlos Guillen lines out to left fielder Vernon Wells.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Andy Dirks grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Alberto Callaspo. Victor Martinez out at 3rd.

LAA 7 - 6 AFTER 5 INNINGS

LAA - Top 6th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Peter Bourjos flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

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

B:3 S:1 O:2
Erick Aybar singles on a ground ball to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Torii Hunter grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Erick Aybar out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 6th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Bobby Cassevah.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Brennan Boesch grounds out, second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Mark Trumbo. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez pops out to shortstop Erick Aybar.

LAA 7 - 6 AFTER 6 INNINGS

LAA - Top 7th
Pitcher Change: David Purcey replaces Chance Ruffin.

B:2 S:1 O:0
Bobby Abreu singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Vernon Wells walks. Bobby Abreu to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Alberto Callaspo walks. Bobby Abreu to 3rd. Vernon Wells to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces David Purcey.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Howard Kendrick singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Bobby Abreu scores. Vernon Wells scores. Alberto Callaspo to 3rd.
LAA 9 - 6

B:0 S:0 O:0
Mark Trumbo doubles (19) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Alberto Callaspo scores. Howard Kendrick scores.
LAA 11 - 6

B:0 S:0 O:1
Peter Bourjos pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jeff Mathis singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Wilson Betemit. Mark Trumbo to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Erick Aybar grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Mark Trumbo scores. Jeff Mathis out at 2nd. Erick Aybar to 1st.
LAA 12 - 6

B:1 S:1 O:3
Torii Hunter grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 7th
Pitcher Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Bobby Cassevah.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez pops out to third baseman Alberto Callaspo.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Alberto Callaspo to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

LAA 12 - 6 AFTER 7 INNINGS

LAA - Top 8th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Bobby Abreu flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Vernon Wells grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Alberto Callaspo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Howard Kendrick flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Scott Downs replaces Fernando Rodney.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Carlos Guillen grounds out, second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks flies out to center fielder Peter Bourjos.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Wilson Betemit homers (4) on a line drive to left center field.
LAA 12 - 7

B:3 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson doubles (15) on a fly ball to center fielder Peter Bourjos.

Coaching visit to mound.

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

LAA 12 - 7 AFTER 8 INNINGS

LAA - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Phil Coke.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Mark Trumbo grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Peter Bourjos flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

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

DET - Bot 9th
Pitcher Change: Jordan Walden replaces Scott Downs.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Magglio Ordonez lines out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Vernon Wells.