GDT: 9/22/11 - DET (90-65) VS BAL (65-90) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Seeking home-field advantage, Tigers host O's

By Chris Vannini / MLB.com | 9/22/2011 12:47 AM ET

The Tigers are looking to earn home-field advantage in the American League Division Series by taking care of home-field in the final week of the season.

The Tigers have seven home games to finish the regular season, and the final stretch begins with a four-game series with the Orioles starting Thursday.

Although he won't be on the postseason roster, rookie Jacob Turner will look to get the Tigers one step closer in his third career Major League start, which also will be his last outing of the season.

"Being here for the month of September, it makes you more comfortable with everything that goes on with being in the big leagues," the 20-year-old said. "It kind of just gives you a better idea. Hopefully next year I can go into Spring Training and perform well and make them make the tough decision."

Turner gave up two runs in his first start, but he struggled in his second outing, getting pulled after 4 1/3 innings and giving up six earned runs. He'll look to rebound and continue to learn from his limited Major League experience.

"It's still just baseball, but everything else that goes along with it, everything's just so magnified," Turner said of pitching in the Majors. "Obviously you're playing in bigger stadiums. You're playing in front of a lot more people. Everything means a lot more. Obviously being in a playoff race, every game, every out really matters. To be able to see that, and be able to see how these guys are handling it, is going to help me in the future."

Orioles: Adams to undergo surgery
• Rookie second baseman Ryan Adams will have surgery to repair a sports hernia, although the date hasn't been determined. Adams has been dealing with the injury all season, but it wasn't diagnosed until two weeks ago.

"It's just not getting any better and I talked to [manager Buck Showalter], and it was just one of those things, 'Why wait another week? Why not just get it done now?'" Adams said.

• At 23, Zach Britton will be the veteran in Thursday's pitching matchup. Britton is coming off a strong start in which he gave up one earned run and three hits over seven innings against the Angels.

"The last couple outings it just came down to fastball command. It was better tonight," Britton said after the start. "So I feel like I've had good stuff. It's about putting it together, and I'm starting to do that."

Tigers: Alburquerque to pitch Thursday
• Reliever Al Alburquerque was scheduled to pitch Tuesday, but he instead got more time to rest his sore right hip and quadriceps. Tigers manager Jim Leyland was adamant that Alburquerque would pitch Thursday's opener.

"Alburquerque will pitch tomorrow," Leyland said Wednesday. "No question."

• Third baseman Wilson Betemit took ground balls prior to Wednesday's game, but Leyland said Betemit's sore left knee isn't ready for game action yet.

Worth noting
• The Tigers and Orioles have split the previous six meetings this season, with the Tigers going 2-1 in Detroit.

• The Tigers are 45-29 at home this season.

Tigers: RHP Jacob Turner (0-1, 7.45 ERA)

With Doug Fister moved up to pitch in relief Wednesday, putting him in line to pitch Game 2 in a Division Series, Turner gets one more time on the mound this year. He hasn't pitched in a game since a Sept. 1 loss to the Royals.


Orioles: LHP Zach Britton (10-10, 4.28 ERA)

The 23-year-old Britton continues to finish strong in an up-and-down rookie campaign, striking out seven in Saturday's win over the Angels. The lefty held Anaheim to just one run on three hits over seven innings.


Game Information



INJURY UPDATE:

• OF Brennan Boesch (right thumb surgery, 15-day disabled list on September 9).
• 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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• Friday, September 23:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.79 ERA)) VS
Orioles (RHP Alfredo Simon (4-9, 4.96 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Saturday, September 24:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (24-5, 2.29 ERA)) VS
Orioles (RHP Jeremy Guthrie (9-17, 4.28 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, September 25:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (10-11, 5.31 ERA)) VS
Orioles (RHP Rick VandenHurk (0-0, 8.00 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

ORIOLES
Robert Andino, 2B
J.J. Hardy, SS
Nick Markakis, RF
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Matt Wieters, C
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 1B
Chris Davis, 3B
Nolan Reimold, LF

P: Zach Britton


TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Delmon Young, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Ryan Raburn, 2B
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Brandon Inge, 3B
Omir Santos, C

P: Jacob Turner

BAL - Top 1st
B:2 S:2 O:1
Robert Andino grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:1
J. Hardy singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Nick Markakis singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. J. Hardy to 3rd.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Vladimir Guerrero out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Austin Jackson. J. Hardy scores.
BAL 1 - 0

B:2 S:1 O:3
Matt Wieters grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 1st
B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

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

B:1 S:0 O:3
Delmon Young grounds into double play, second baseman Robert Andino to shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Magglio Ordonez out at 2nd.

BAL 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

BAL - Top 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Adam Jones flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Mark Reynolds flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Chris Davis singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Nolan Reimold grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Chris Davis out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:4 S:0 O:0
Miguel Cabrera walks.

With Victor Martinez batting, wild pitch by Zach Britton, Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to center fielder Adam Jones. Miguel Cabrera out at home on the throw, center fielder Adam Jones to catcher Matt Wieters. Ryan Raburn to 2nd on the throw.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Jhonny Peralta out on foul tip.

BAL 1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

BAL - Top 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Robert Andino grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:1 O:1
J. Hardy homers (29) on a fly ball to left field.
BAL 2 - 0

B:3 S:2 O:1
Nick Markakis singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Vladimir Guerrero grounds into double play, pitcher Jacob Turner to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Nick Markakis out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Brandon Inge grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Omir Santos reaches on fielding error by third baseman Chris Davis. Omir Santos to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Magglio Ordonez lines out, pitcher Zach Britton to shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

BAL 2 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

BAL - Top 4th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Matt Wieters singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:1 O:0
Adam Jones homers (24) on a fly ball to left field. Matt Wieters scores.
BAL 4 - 0

B:4 S:1 O:0
Mark Reynolds walks.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Chris Davis reaches on fielding error by first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Mark Reynolds to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Jacob Turner.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Nolan Reimold out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Austin Jackson. Mark Reynolds scores.
BAL 5 - 0

B:2 S:3 O:2
Robert Andino out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3
J. Hardy called out on .

DET - Bot 4th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Delmon Young walks.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera walks. Delmon Young to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

With Victor Martinez batting, wild pitch by Zach Britton, Delmon Young to 3rd.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds into double play, shortstop J. Hardy to second baseman Robert Andino to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Delmon Young scores. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.
BAL 5 - 1

B:3 S:2 O:2
Ryan Raburn doubles (21) on a line drive to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

BAL 5 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

BAL - Top 5th
Pitcher Change: David Pauley replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Nick Markakis flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Vladimir Guerrero pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Matt Wieters grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 5th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Brandon Inge walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Omir Santos singles on a line drive to center fielder Adam Jones. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Matt Wieters to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Brandon Inge to 3rd. Omir Santos to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Magglio Ordonez singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Nick Markakis. Brandon Inge scores. Omir Santos to 3rd.
BAL 5 - 2

B:1 S:2 O:1
Delmon Young homers (10) on a fly ball to left field. Omir Santos scores. Magglio Ordonez scores.
TIED 5 - 5

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera lines out to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Robert Andino to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

TIED 5 - 5 AFTER 5 INNINGS

BAL - Top 6th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Adam Jones singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Mark Reynolds out swinging.

With Chris Davis batting, Adam Jones steals (12) 2nd base.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Chris Davis grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Adam Jones to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Nolan Reimold singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Brandon Inge. Adam Jones scores.
BAL 6 - 5

B:0 S:2 O:3
Robert Andino grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 6th
Pitcher Change: Jason Berken replaces Zach Britton.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds into double play, shortstop J. Hardy to second baseman Robert Andino to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Ryan Raburn out at 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Brandon Inge out swinging.

BAL 6 - 5 AFTER 6 INNINGS

BAL - Top 7th
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces David Pauley.

B:0 S:1 O:1
J. Hardy grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Nick Markakis grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Ryan Perry.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Vladimir Guerrero lines out to left fielder Delmon Young.

DET - Bot 7th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Omir Santos grounds out, pitcher Jason Berken to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

BAL 6 - 5 AFTER 7 INNINGS

BAL - Top 8th
B:2 S:0 O:1
Matt Wieters grounds out, pitcher Ryan Perry to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

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

DET - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Pedro Strop replaces Jason Berken.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Delmon Young out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera doubles (46) on a line drive to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Robert Andino to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

BAL 6 - 5 AFTER 8 INNINGS

BAL - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Ryan Perry.

B:0 S:2 O:0
Chris Davis singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Phil Coke.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Nolan Reimold pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Robert Andino flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:2 O:3
J. Hardy flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET - Bot 9th
Defensive Substitution: Matt Angle replaces left fielder Nolan Reimold, batting 9th, playing left field.

Pitcher Change: Kevin Gregg replaces Pedro Strop.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, catcher Matt Wieters to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Don Kelly replaces Brandon Inge.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder Matt Angle.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Alex Avila replaces Omir Santos.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out to first baseman Mark Reynolds.