GDT: 7/30/11 - DET (56-50) VS LAA (58-49) - 4:10 p.m. ET

Turner draws Haren in big league debut

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 7/30/2011 2:15 PM ET

Dan Haren hasn't received the same attention as teammate Jered Weaver, but the Angels right-hander has arguably been just as good this season.

On Saturday, Haren looks to continue his stellar season against the Tigers, who counter with right-hander Jacob Turner, who will be promoted from Double-A Erie to make his Major League debut. Turner, the No. 8 prospect in baseball according to Jonathan Mayo's midseason rankings on MLB.com, will be sent down to Triple-A Toledo after Saturday's start, general manager Dave Dombrowski said.

Haren has been bothered by a bad back of late, but he alleviated any concerns in his last start. Against the Indians, Haren allowed one run on three hits in 7 2/3 innings, tying a season high with 10 strikeouts.

"It has been a little stiff the last two weeks," Haren said afterward. "I worked hard between starts to get the stiffness out, and today, I got more extension with my pitches. You could see the results."

Haren has thrown 152 2/3 innings this season, walking only 23 while striking out 130. He also has held hitters to a .228 batting average this season. He last faced the Tigers on July 5, outdueling Justin Verlander for a shutout win.

Haren will be opposing a lineup that is trying to add an extra wrinkle. Leadoff hitter and second-year center fielder Austin Jackson has been encouraged to bunt more, and he has two bunt hits in his past four games. Tigers manager Jim Leyland said bunting can help a player concentrate on the ball better, and Jackson has proven that to be true as he has an extra-base hit in two of his past three games.

"I've always believed that some guys that bunt have a tendency to start looking at the ball better," Leyland said. "It's a kind of a concentration thing.

"Austin Jackson is blessed with good speed. Take advantage of it."

Angels: Team eager for Sunday
The epic matchup between Weaver and Verlander isn't happening until Sunday, but the Angels are already looking forward to it.

"It's like a playoff game when you have pitchers like Verlander and Weaver," Angels second baseman Maicer Izturis said. "Every at-bat means something. Verlander likes to attack. He wants to get ahead [in the count], but as a hitter, you don't want that to happen. His stuff is too good to get behind."

• The Angels have 56 home runs on the road compared to 31 at home, the largest differential in the Majors.

• Angels starters have tossed 67 quality starts, tied with Texas for the most in the American League.

Tigers: Valverde on a roll
• Closer Jose Valverde has converted 27 consecutive saves to begin the season, the second-longest streak in club history.

• Prior to Friday's game, the Tigers recalled left-hander Daniel Schlereth from Triple-A Toledo and optioned righty Chance Ruffin to Toledo.

Worth noting
• Detroit's Victor Martinez is hitting .429 (9-for-21) against Haren, while Magglio Ordonez is a .346 (9-for-26) career hitter against the right-hander. Each has one home run against him.

• Angels designated hitter Bobby Abreu is one run shy of 1,400 for his career.

• Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta is hitting .383 with three doubles, two homers and 12 RBIs in 13 games since the All-Star break.


Tigers: RHP Jacob Turner (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Making his Major League debut as a spot starter in place of Duane Below, Turner is expected to be sent back to Double-A after this outing. The Tigers' top prospect, Turner has made 17 starts at Erie this year, posting a 3.48 ERA and striking out 90.


Angels: RHP Dan Haren (10-6, 3.01 ERA)

After dealing with back pain for two weeks, Haren found his groove with 7 2/3 dominant innings against the Indians on Monday, striking out 10 with a run on three hits and two walks. His split-fingered fastball and cutter were deadly.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers knocked off the Angels 12-2 last night. Rick Porcello (11-6) limited the Angels to two runs over eight innings of work to earn the win for Detroit. Victor Martinez and Carlos Guillen both drove in four runs for the Tigers. The Tigers continue a seven-game homestand today with the third game of a four-game series versus the Angels. Following an off day on Monday, the club continues the homestand with a three game series against the Rangers beginning on Tuesday evening.

TIGERS ACQUIRE FISTER AND PAULEY FROM MARINERS: The Tigers today acquired righthanded pitchers Doug Fister and David Pauley from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for lefthanded pitcher Charlie Furbush, third baseman Francisco Martinez, outfielder Casper Wells and a player to be named later on or before August 20. Fister started 21 games for Seattle this season, posting a 3-12 record and 3.33 ERA (146.0IP/54ER). Pauley compiled a 5-4 record and 2.15 ERA (54.1IP/13ER) in 39 appearances with Seattle in 2011.

TURNER RECALLED FROM DOUBLE A ERIE: The Tigers today recalled the contract of righthanded pitcher Jacob Turner from Double A Erie to start this afternoon’s game versus the Angels. He started 17 games with Erie this season, posting a 3-5 record, 3.48 ERA (113.2IP/44ER) and 90 strikeouts.

PICKING UP WINS OVER THE ANGELS AT HOME: The Tigers enter this afternoon’s game having won seven of the club’s last 10 games versus the Angels at Comerica Park dating back to June 6, 2009.

MIGGY’S THE MAN AGAINST THE AL WEST: Miguel Cabrera enters this afternoon’s game against the Angels hitting .338 (181x535) with 45 doubles, a triple, 31 home runs and 121 RBI in 141 games during his career versus clubs from the American League West Division. He is tops among active major league players with at least 200 plate appearances against the division with a .338 batting average, .415 on-base percentage and .600 slugging percentage.

PORCELLO PERFECT DURING JULY: Rick Porcello earned the win last night versus the Angels and he finished the month of July with a 5-0 record. It marked the second time in his major league career he finished a month with a 5-0 record, also doing so in May of 2009. Porcello is the first major league pitcher to have more than one month with a 5-0 record prior to turning 23 since Wally Bunker did so at age 19 for the Baltimore Orioles in 1964. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)

BOESCH IS BASHING: Brennan Boesch enters this afternoon’s game against the Angels hitting .342 (64x187) with 12 doubles, 11 home runs and 26 RBI over his last 47 games dating back to June 3. He is fourth in the American League with a .342 batting average during that stretch, while he is seventh with 64 hits and a .583 slugging percentage and tied for ninth with 11 home runs.

VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde converted his 27th consecutive save to begin the season on Tuesday at Chicago. His 27 straight saves converted is the second longest such streak during a single season in Tigers history. Guillermo Hernandez converted 32 straight save opportunities for the Tigers April 6-September 23, 1984.

PERALTA PACKING A PUNCH AFTER THE BREAK: Jhonny Peralta enters this afternoon’s game against the Angels hitting .383 (18x47) with three doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI in 13 games following the all-star break.

BENOIT ON THE BALL: Joaquin Benoit enters this afternoon’s game against the Angels with a 1-0 record, 1.54 ERA (23.1IP/4ER), two saves and 23 strikeouts over his last 27 outings for the Tigers dating back to May 20. He has limited opponents to a .232 batting average (19x82) during the stretch.

HOME SWEET HOME FOR JHONNY: Jhonny Peralta enters this afternoon’s game versus the Angels hitting .390 (23x59) with two doubles, a triple, four home runs and 11 RBI over his last 17 games at Comerica Park dating back to June 16.

VICTOR AT THE BAT: Victor Martinez is hitting .340 (72x212) with 14 doubles, two home runs and 36 RBI over his last 56 games dating back to May 27. He is fifth among all American League players with a .340 batting average during that stretch.

MARTINEZ COMES THROUGH WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION: Victor Martinez is hitting .545 (12x22) with runners in scoring position for the Tigers dating back to July 17. He enters today’s game versus the Angels tops in the American League with a .402 batting average with runners in scoring position.

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)



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• Sunday, July 31:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (14-5, 2.34 ERA)) VS
Angels (RHP Jered Weaver (14-4, 1.79 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Monday, August 1:
OFF DAY

• Tuesday, August 2:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (11-6, 4.28 ERA)) VS
Rangers (RHP Colby Lewis (10-8, 4.00 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

LA Angels
Maicer Izturis 3B
Torii Hunter RF
Bobby Abreu DH
Vernon Wells LF
Howie Kendrick
Erick Aybar SS
Mark Trumbo 1B
Peter Bourjos CF
Jeff Mathis C


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

LAA - Top 1st
B:0 S:1 O:1
Maicer Izturis flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out softly, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Bobby Abreu triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Andy Dirks.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Vernon Wells pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:1 O:1
Andy Dirks lines out to center fielder Peter Bourjos.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Brennan Boesch flies out to center fielder Peter Bourjos.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Maicer Izturis to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

LAA - Top 2nd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Howard Kendrick out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Erick Aybar singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

With Mark Trumbo batting, Erick Aybar steals (22) 2nd base.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Mark Trumbo out swinging.

With Peter Bourjos batting, Erick Aybar steals (23) 3rd base.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Peter Bourjos walks.

With Jeff Mathis batting, Peter Bourjos steals (13) 2nd base.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Jeff Mathis out swinging, catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out, first baseman Mark Trumbo to pitcher Dan Haren.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Jhonny Peralta flies out to left fielder Vernon Wells.

0 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

LAA - Top 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Maicer Izturis grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Torii Hunter out swinging.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Bobby Abreu walks.

With Vernon Wells batting, Bobby Abreu steals (15) 2nd base, . Bobby Abreu advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Alex Avila.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Vernon Wells flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:3 S:2 O:1
Carlos Guillen grounds out, second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Don Kelly grounds out softly, pitcher Dan Haren to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

0 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

LAA - Top 4th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Howard Kendrick grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Erick Aybar pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Mark Trumbo out swinging.

DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Andy Dirks doubles (6) on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

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

B:0 S:1 O:1
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to center fielder Peter Bourjos. Andy Dirks scores.
1 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera lines into double play, pitcher Dan Haren to first baseman Mark Trumbo. Magglio Ordonez out at 1st.

1 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

LAA - Top 5th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Peter Bourjos hit by pitch.

With Jeff Mathis batting, Peter Bourjos steals (14) 2nd base.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Jeff Mathis bunt pops out to catcher Alex Avila in foul territory.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Maicer Izturis called out on .

B:1 S:0 O:2
Torii Hunter singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Peter Bourjos scores.
TIED 1 - 1

B:0 S:1 O:3
Bobby Abreu flies out to center fielder Andy Dirks.

DET - Bot 5th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Peter Bourjos.

B:3 S:0 O:3
Carlos Guillen pops out to third baseman Maicer Izturis.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

LAA - Top 6th
B:2 S:0 O:1
Vernon Wells lines out to center fielder Andy Dirks.

On-field Delay.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Howard Kendrick walks.

Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Jacob Turner.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Erick Aybar doubles (22) on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Howard Kendrick to 3rd.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Phil Coke intentionally walks Mark Trumbo.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Peter Bourjos hit by pitch. Howard Kendrick scores. Erick Aybar to 3rd. Mark Trumbo to 2nd.
LAA 2 - 1

B:0 S:1 O:2
Jeff Mathis out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Erick Aybar scores. Mark Trumbo to 3rd. Peter Bourjos to 2nd.
LAA 3 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:2
Maicer Izturis hit by pitch.

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

DET - Bot 6th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly walks.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks grounds into a force out, second baseman Howard Kendrick to shortstop Erick Aybar. Don Kelly out at 2nd. Andy Dirks to 1st.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Brennan Boesch grounds out, third baseman Maicer Izturis to first baseman Mark Trumbo.

LAA 3 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

LAA - Top 7th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Bobby Abreu singles on a fly ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Bobby Abreu out at 2nd, left fielder Brennan Boesch to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Vernon Wells flies out to center fielder Andy Dirks.

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

DET - Bot 7th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Magglio Ordonez singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Miguel Cabrera singles on a fly ball to center fielder Peter Bourjos. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds into double play, first baseman Mark Trumbo to shortstop Erick Aybar to catcher Jeff Mathis. Magglio Ordonez out at home. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd. Victor Martinez to 1st.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Jhonny Peralta flies out to left fielder Vernon Wells.

LAA 3 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

LAA - Top 8th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Erick Aybar singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Mark Trumbo doubles (20) on a fly ball to center fielder Andy Dirks. Erick Aybar scores.
LAA 4 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:1
Peter Bourjos out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Alex Avila to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Mark Trumbo to 3rd.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Jeff Mathis called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:2
Maicer Izturis doubles (25) on a fly ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Mark Trumbo scores.
LAA 5 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Daniel Schlereth replaces Phil Coke.

With Torii Hunter batting, wild pitch by Daniel Schlereth, Maicer Izturis to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Torii Hunter lines out to center fielder Andy Dirks.

DET - Bot 8th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Carlos Guillen pops out to second baseman Howard Kendrick.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2
Don Kelly singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Andy Dirks pops out to second baseman Howard Kendrick.

LAA 5 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

LAA - Top 9th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Bobby Abreu out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Vernon Wells singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Andy Dirks.

With Howard Kendrick batting, Vernon Wells steals (6) 2nd base.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Howard Kendrick grounds out sharply to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Vernon Wells to 3rd.

On-field Delay.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Erick Aybar flies out to center fielder Andy Dirks.

DET - Bot 9th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Brennan Boesch pops out to catcher Jeff Mathis in foul territory.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Magglio Ordonez pops out to shortstop Erick Aybar.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Peter Bourjos.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, first baseman Mark Trumbo to second baseman Howard Kendrick to pitcher Dan Haren.