GDT: 5/15/08 - DET (16-24) AT KC (18-21), 2:10 p.m. ET

KANSAS CITY -- Could the Tigers really be swept by the Royals twice in the same season?

Try twice in a month and a half.

Not since 2003 have the Royals swept the Tigers in multiple series in the same year, and that included a two-game series. That was Detroit's 119-loss campaign, and Kansas City's last winning season.

Right now, the Royals are just three games under .500, and five of their 18 wins have come against the Tigers. While their offense hasn't lit up Detroit hurlers, their own pitching has executed a game plan to get Tigers hitters to chase pitches out of the strike zone for third strikes or easy outs.

"It's pretty obvious what they're doing to us," Leyland said. "They're pitching us backwards, going out of the strike zone with two strikes to hitters."

They're pitching backwards. As a result, the records are backwards.

Whether or not the Tigers can adjust in time for a getaway day game will likely determine whether they leave town being swept or salvaging a game. It doesn't help that they'll face Gil Meche, a traditionally high-strikeout pitcher against the Tigers who had a quality start against them on Opening Day in Detroit.

The fact that opponents have elevated Meche's pitch counts in three of his last four starts -- 98 pitches over five innings last time out, 129 pitches over 6 2/3 innings two starts before that -- gives the Tigers hope. But they'll have to be able to work at-bats. And ultimately, as Leyland pointed out, they'll have to adjust.

"We're not making good things happen," Leyland said. "That's what you need to do up here. This is a game of adjustments."

If the Tigers don't adjust, they could let another solid start go to waste, allowing Kenny Rogers to follow the hard-luck path that Justin Verlander and Nate Robertson have taken in the first two games of the series. Those two combined have allowed four earned runs over 13 innings to go with three scoreless innings from Detroit's bullpen.

"You just have to stay after it," Leyland said, "And hope that Kenny gives us a chance to win and we get some big hits. We've had two good starting performances. Instead of 2-0, we're 0-2."

Pitching matchup


DET: LHP Kenny Rogers (3-3, 5.82 ERA)
Rogers took the loss against the Royals in the season's second game after giving up two runs on five hits in six innings, one of three losses in as many outings to start his year. He has finally worked his way back to .500 after beating the Yankees in his last outing, and he has a chance to become the first Tigers starter other than Armando Galarraga with a winning record.

KC:RHP Gil Meche (2-5, 6.31 ERA)
After a promising seven-inning shutout performance at Cleveland, Meche hit a bump at home against the Orioles last Friday night. His curveball, which had revived sharpness against the Tribe, got "loopy" against the O's, who whacked two home runs and scored five runs in Meche's five innings. There has to be some concern about his ERA, 6.31 after eight starts, and the eight homers he's given up in 45 2/3 innings. Last season, he had a 3.67 ERA and surrendered just 22 homers in 216 innings.


Tidbits

Gary Sheffield will start at designated hitter Thursday, one day after Leyland told the slugger he would not be the regular left fielder anymore in order to ease the wear and tear on his aching shoulder. ... Ramon Santiago is scheduled to start at shortstop in place of Edgar Renteria, while Brandon Inge will catch and give Ivan Rodriguez a day game off. ... Miguel Cabrera has gone without an RBI in 11 straight games, two short of his career high. However, he's 4-for-6 in this series.

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSN-HD

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Fri., May 16: Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (2-4, 4.80 ERA)) at Diamondbacks (RHP Dan Haren (4-2, 3.04 ERA)), 9:40 p.m. ET

• Sat., May 17: Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga (2-1, 3.07 ERA)) at Diamondbacks (RHP Max Scherzer (0-1, 3.14)), 8:10 p.m. ET

• Sun., May 18: Tigers (LHP Nate Robertson (1-4, 6.04) at Diamondbacks (LHP Randy Johnson (3-1, 5.40 ERA)), 4:10 p.m. ET

Today's Starting Lineup:

Detroit AVG
Granderson, CF .233
Polanco, 2B .273
Guillen, 3B .292
Ordonez, RF .305
Cabrera, 1B .269
Sheffield, DH .202
Joyce, LF .286
Inge, C .227
Santiago, SS .357


Kansas City AVG
Gathright, CF .255
German, 3B .091
Butler, 1B .279
Guillen, DH .217
Olivo, C .262
Teahen, RF0 .279
Callaspo, 2B .275
Gload, LF .266
Pena, SS .170

Go Kenny! Go Tigers!!

Hey, kinda like the new avatar GoGetEm, I KNOW the signature is true. We need to get it together and get some wins going soon! Our season is getting out of reach as it goes on. But yeah, all the while, still cant hate the Tigers.

gdennis59 wrote:

Hey, kinda like the new avatar GoGetEm, I KNOW the signature is true. We need to get it together and get some wins going soon! Our season is getting out of reach as it goes on. But yeah, all the while, still cant hate the Tigers.

It was this or the tiger striped rabbit! You will see that soon.

Stat of the day: Gil Meche's home ERA this year...9.00.

That sounds cool, I would like to see it.

65 degrees right now in KC; Winds 13 mph.



GO TIGERS!


WIN TODAY!

Can they keep the streak going? 16 scoreless innings and counting...

bobrob2004 wrote:

Can they keep the streak going? 16 scoreless innings and counting...

That many? Really?

SoulRat wrote:

bobrob2004 wrote:

Can they keep the streak going? 16 scoreless innings and counting...

That many? Really?

They haven't scored since the 2nd inning on Tuesday. Offense =

bobrob2004 wrote:

SoulRat wrote:

bobrob2004 wrote:

Can they keep the streak going? 16 scoreless innings and counting...

That many? Really?

They haven't scored since the 2nd inning on Tuesday. Offense =

Good Lord

Tigs go 1-2-3 in the 1st. 17 and counting...

Go team. Could we at least score today? Maybe? Please?

bobrob2004 wrote:

Tigs go 1-2-3 in the 1st. 17 and counting...

Good Lord, we're already losing in the 1st.

2-0 Royals and nobody out...

Nice

1 out!

Olivo doubles, 3-0 Royal , 1 out.

I can't even watch this.

MLB needs to implement "do-over rule."

Hey, who's pitching for the Royals tomorrow?

Teahan K's and Callaspo flies out. The Royals are on pace to score 27 runs this game.

SoulRat wrote:

Hey, who's pitching for the Royals tomorrow?

Tomko. Goood thing the Tigers will be facing Haren...

doubles!

bobrob2004 wrote:

SoulRat wrote:

Hey, who's pitching for the Royals tomorrow?

Tomko. Goood thing the Tigers will be facing Haren...

Is he any good?

SoulRat wrote:

bobrob2004 wrote:

SoulRat wrote:

Hey, who's pitching for the Royals tomorrow?

Tomko. Goood thing the Tigers will be facing Haren...

Is he any good?

Danny Haren? He's 4-2 with a 3.04 ERA so far in 2008.