GDT: 8/12/11 - DET (62-55) AT BAL (45-70) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Penny gets rare chance to pitch after dark

By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com | 8/12/2011 1:36 AM ET

It's something Detroit's Brad Penny hasn't done since July 1 -- pitch in a night game.

Yet after throwing in five straight afternoon contests, the right-hander will take the mound on Friday night against the Orioles at Camden Yards in the series opener.

Pushed behind Rick Porcello and Justin Verlander in the rotation, Penny goes into this start with an extra three days of rest, having last pitched on Aug. 4, against the Rangers.

Penny looked the strongest he had all season against Texas. He had command of his fastball, and he got stronger as the innings went on.

"I thought Brad threw the ball outstanding," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said after the start. "He really popped the ball well. He had a pretty lively fastball. He probably got a little fastball-happy, but he did a great job, threw the ball extremely well."

In 6 2/3 innings of work, Penny gave up five runs (four earned) on 11 hits. He took the loss, though, after being outdueled by the Rangers' Alexi Ogando.

Alfredo Simon will be on the bump for the Orioles, trying to avoid the mistakes that have kept them last in the Majors in team ERA.

"We've made some mistakes from some people that shouldn't make them, with 0-2 and 1-2 counts that make you shake your head," said O's manager Buck Showalter.

One of the team's better starters since being converted from a reliever earlier this season, Simon struggled in his most recent start, against the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Unable to command his fastball, Simon went just 5 2/3 innings, giving up six runs (four earned) on a season-high 10 hits to fall.

Tigers: Boesch diagnosed with sprained thumb
• Although Brennan Boesch has a second-degree sprain in his right thumb -- a slightly more serious injury than originally hoped -- the Tigers believe that he can be back within a few days.

Boesch visited with hand specialist Dr. Tom Graham again on Thursday morning for an MRI, which backed up the X-rays taken on Wednesday morning.

"It feels a lot better today, a lot less swollen, in my opinion," Boesch said. "I'm cautiously optimistic that I'll be in the lineup a lot sooner than probably the doctor I just saw would expect me to be. I talked to [manager Jim Leyland]. It's all about how it feels. It's not about what anyone says. It feels better."

• Justin Verlander, who defeated the Indians on Thursday for his 100th career win, isn't in line to face them during their return trip to Comerica Park at the end of next week.

Verlander's next start is on Tuesday, against the Twins. With an off-day on Thursday, the Tigers have the option of keeping the rotation in order and giving Verlander an extra day of rest, or using him on his regular four days' rest.

Leyland said on Thursday that the plan is to keep the rotation in order, which would have Verlander starting the opener at Tampa Bay on Aug. 22 rather than the series finale against Cleveland the previous day.

Orioles: Matusz eyes return
• Going the distance for Triple-A Norfolk in a 7-0 win over Lehigh Valley on Thursday, Brian Matusz seems to have finally worked out the kinks that sent him to Triple-A on June 30.

In Thursday's game, Matusz allowed five hits, one walk and struck out eight. In nine starts with Norfolk, he's 2-3 with a 3.46 ERA.

Showalter said it would not "shock" him if Matusz pitched for Baltimore in the next five to 10 days.

"If everybody feels like [Matusz] is ready to come back, he will," Showalter said before Thursday's series finale against the White Sox. "At some point that will happen. But until we get all the [information], I've got other things going on. But I'm just proud that he pitched well today."

Worth noting
• In three career starts against the Orioles, Penny is 1-0, with a 7.36 ERA.

• The Tigers are 13-12 against the American League East this season.

• The Orioles have not recorded a second-inning hit in their last 12 games.

Tigers: RHP Brad Penny (7-9, 4.92 ERA)

Penny will be making his first start since Aug. 4 after being pushed back in Detroit's rotation for Rick Porcello and Justin Verlander, and his first night game since July 1 after starting five straight afternoon games.


Orioles: RHP Alfredo Simon (3-5, 4.08 ERA)

Simon struggled in his last outing, needing 97 pitches to last 5 2/3 innings vs. Toronto before he was chased after giving up four earned runs on 10 hits. The righty continued to show his endurance, but cited problems commanding his fastball.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers knocked off the Indians 4-3 last night, snapping the club’s three-game losing streak. Justin Verlander (17-5) fanned 10 batters in seven innings of work to earn the win, while Jose Valverde posted his 33rd save of the season. Wilson Betemit led the Tigers with two hits and an RBI, while Jhonny Peralta finished with two hits. The Tigers continue a nine-game road trip tonight with the first game of a three-game series at Baltimore. Following Sunday afternoon’s game, the club returns home for a six-game homestand with Minnesota and Cleveland.

WINNING WAYS VERSUS THE ORIOLES: The Tigers enter tonight’s game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards with a 19-14 record over the club’s last 33 games versus the Baltimore Orioles dating back to April 10, 2007.

MARTINEZ THE MAN AGAINST THE AL EAST: Victor Martinez enters tonight’s game at Baltimore batting .323 (359x1112) with 63 doubles, two triples, 48 home runs and 220 RBI in 291 games during his career against opponents from the American League East Division. He is fourth among all active major league players with a .323 batting average versus clubs from the American League East Division.

GUILLEN GETS IT GOING VERSUS BALTIMORE: Carlos Guillen enters this evening’s game at Baltimore hitting .356 (58x163) with 15 doubles, two home runs and 26 RBI in 47 games during his career against the club. He is fourth among all active major league players with a .356 batting average versus the Orioles.

VERLANDER RECORDS HIS 100TH WIN: Justin Verlander became the 16th pitcher in Tigers history to register 100 wins last night at Cleveland, doing so in the 191st start of his career. He became the fastest Tigers pitcher to reach 100 wins since Denny McLain did so in the 189th outing (181st start) of his career on June 16, 1969 at Yankee Stadium.

JUSTIN’S 17 WINS: Justin Verlander earned his 17th win of the season last night at Cleveland, doing so in the club’s 117th game of the season. It marks the fastest a Tigers pitcher has recorded 17 wins in a season since Joe Coleman posted 18 victories in Detroit’s first 117 games of the 1973 season.

VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde converted his 33rd consecutive save to begin the season last night at Cleveland. His 33 straight saves converted is the longest such streak during a single season in Tigers history. Valverde’s streak surpasses Guillermo Hernandez who converted 32 straight save opportunities April 6-September 23, 1984.

VICTOR AT THE BAT: Victor Martinez is hitting .335 (83x248) with 14 doubles, two home runs and 39 RBI over his last 66 games dating back to May 27. He is third among all American League players with a .335 batting average during that stretch.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled a 0.94 ERA (28.2IP/3ER) and 27 strikeouts over the club’s last seven games dating back to August 4. During the seven-game stretch, club relievers have limited opponents to a .129 batting average (12x93).

MARTINEZ COMES THROUGH WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION: Victor Martinez is hitting .517 (15x29) with runners in scoring position for the Tigers dating back to July 17. He enters tonight’s game against the Orioles tops in the American League with a .404 batting average with runners in scoring position.

ALL IS WELL WITH ALBURQUERQUE: Al Alburquerque has compiled a 5-0 record, 1.16 ERA (23.1IP/3ER) and 34 strikeouts over his last 22 outings for the Tigers dating back to May 21. He has not allowed a run over his last eight outings, tossing eight scoreless innings. Alburquerque is tops among all American League relievers with a .141 batting average against, 13.86 strikeouts per nine innings and 4.38 hits per nine innings, while he is tied for fifth with five wins and is sixth with 57 strikeouts.

BENOIT ON THE BALL: Joaquin Benoit enters this evening’s game with a 2-0 record, 2.15 ERA (29.1IP/7ER), two saves and 28 strikeouts over his last 32 outings dating back to May 20. He has limited opponents to a .210 batting average (21x100) during the stretch.

NOTES ON THE SKIPPER: Jim Leyland is in his sixth season as the manager of the Tigers, compiling a 486-444 record (.523).
- Leyland registered the 1,500th win of his major league career on April 15 at Oakland, becoming just the 19th manager in major league history to accomplish the feat. He is second among all active major league managers with 1,555 wins.
- Tonight’s game marks the 3,131st game Leyland has managed during his career, 26 games shy of tying Ralph Houk for 15th place all-time in major league history.
- With 486 wins as Detroit’s manager, he enters tonight’s game 14 wins shy of becoming the fifth manager in Tigers history to register 500 victories with the club.

TIGERS EXTEND AGREEMENT WITH SINGLE A WEST MICHIGAN: The Tigers have extended their working agreement with Single A West Michigan for four years, extending the agreement through the 2018 season.

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/

On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official Press Pass game notes

On television

•
• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule

On radio

• ,
• XM Channel Schedule



• Saturday, August 13:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (11-7, 4.33 ERA)) AT
Orioles (RHP Jeremy Guthrie (5-15, 4.38 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, August 14:
Tigers (RHP Doug Fister (4-12, 3.37 ERA)) AT
Orioles (LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (0-1, 7.71 ERA)),
1:35 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Monday, August 15:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (11-7, 4.93 ERA)) VS
Twins (LHP Francisco Liriano (7-9, 5.00 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit Tigers
1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Andy Dirks, LF
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Carlos Guillen, 2B
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Wilson Betemit, 3B

Baltimore Orioles
1. Nolan Reimold, LF
2. J.J. Hardy, SS
3. Nick Markakis, RF
4. Adam Jones, CF
5. Vladimir Guerrero, DH
6. Mark Reynolds, 3B
7. Matt Wieters, C
8. Chris Davis, 1B
9. Robert Andino, 2B

DET - Top 1st
B:2 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks walks.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to left fielder Nolan Reimold. Andy Dirks to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Nolan Reimold. Andy Dirks scores. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.
1 - 0

B:2 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to left fielder Nolan Reimold. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

On-field Delay.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds into double play, third baseman Mark Reynolds to first baseman Chris Davis. Miguel Cabrera out at 3rd.

BAL - Bot 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
Nolan Reimold walks.

B:1 S:1 O:0
J. Hardy homers (22) on a fly ball to left center field. Nolan Reimold scores.
BAL 1 - 2

B:1 S:1 O:1
Nick Markakis flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Adam Jones out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Vladimir Guerrero reaches on fielding error by third baseman Wilson Betemit.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Mark Reynolds singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks. Vladimir Guerrero to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Matt Wieters flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

BAL 1 - 2 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Carlos Guillen out on foul tip.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila walks.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Wilson Betemit singles on a ground ball to right fielder Nick Markakis. Alex Avila to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Nick Markakis. Alex Avila scores.
TIED 2 - 2

On-field Delay.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to center fielder Adam Jones. Wilson Betemit to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Magglio Ordonez flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

BAL - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Chris Davis flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Robert Andino flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Nolan Reimold grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:1 S:2 O:0
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez lines out to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds into a force out, second baseman Robert Andino to shortstop J. Hardy. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd. Jhonny Peralta to 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Carlos Guillen flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.

BAL - Bot 3rd
B:3 S:3 O:1
J. Hardy called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:2
Nick Markakis flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Adam Jones singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Vladimir Guerrero grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Wilson Betemit homers (5) on a fly ball to center field. Alex Avila scores.
4 - 2

B:1 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Andy Dirks hits a ground-rule double (8) on a fly ball to left-center field. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Magglio Ordonez flies into double play, right fielder Nick Markakis to catcher Matt Wieters. Austin Jackson out at home on the throw. Andy Dirks to 3rd.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Alfredo Simon intentionally walks Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out sharply to first baseman Chris Davis.

BAL - Bot 4th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Mark Reynolds pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Matt Wieters doubles (20) on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Chris Davis grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Matt Wieters to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Robert Andino lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

4 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Mark Reynolds to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Carlos Guillen grounds out, second baseman Robert Andino to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila doubles (20) on a line drive to center fielder Adam Jones.

Pitcher Change: Troy Patton replaces Alfredo Simon.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

BAL - Bot 5th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Nolan Reimold grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:1 O:1
J. Hardy homers (23) on a fly ball to left center field.
4 - 3

B:2 S:2 O:2
Nick Markakis flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Adam Jones doubles (23) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Vladimir Guerrero singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks. Adam Jones scores.
TIED 4 - 4

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Mark Reynolds grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Vladimir Guerrero out at 2nd.

TIED 4 - 4 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson doubles (17) on a line drive to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Andy Dirks singles on a ground ball to center fielder Adam Jones. Austin Jackson scores. Andy Dirks advances to 2nd, on throwing error by center fielder Adam Jones.
5 - 4

B:0 S:0 O:1
Magglio Ordonez reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop J. Hardy to third baseman Mark Reynolds. Andy Dirks out at 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds into a force out, shortstop J. Hardy to second baseman Robert Andino. Magglio Ordonez out at 2nd. Miguel Cabrera to 1st.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez pops out to first baseman Chris Davis in foul territory.

BAL - Bot 6th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Matt Wieters grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Brad Penny.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Chris Davis called out on .

B:1 S:3 O:3
Robert Andino out swinging.

5 - 4 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Carlos Guillen grounds out, pitcher Troy Patton to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila lines out sharply to first baseman Chris Davis.

BAL - Bot 7th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Nolan Reimold grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:2
J. Hardy out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Nick Markakis grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

5 - 4 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
B:1 S:1 O:0
Wilson Betemit singles on a ground ball to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Troy Patton to first baseman Chris Davis. Wilson Betemit to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks singles on a fly ball to left fielder Nolan Reimold. Wilson Betemit to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Willie Eyre replaces Troy Patton.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Magglio Ordonez out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

BAL - Bot 8th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 3rd, playing right field.

Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Phil Coke.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Adam Jones flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Vladimir Guerrero singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Mark Reynolds grounds into double play, second baseman Carlos Guillen to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Vladimir Guerrero out at 2nd.

5 - 4 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
B:2 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez lines out to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Carlos Guillen walks.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila lines out sharply, pitcher Willie Eyre to first baseman Chris Davis.

BAL - Bot 9th
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Matt Wieters walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Felix Pie replaces Matt Wieters.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Chris Davis out swinging. Felix Pie steals (3) 2nd base.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Robert Andino flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson. Felix Pie to 3rd.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Nolan Reimold out swinging.