GDT: 5/21/08 - DET (18-27) VS SEA (18-28), 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- Don't look for Kenny Rogers to make any major adjustments when the Tigers left-hander starts against the Mariners on Wednesday at Comerica Park. A bad start doesn't force him back to the drawing board.

At age 43, it's too late for that.

"I'm not going to change anything," Rogers said after Detroit's 12-8 win over Seattle on Tuesday. "I might look at a few things and try to see where I made mistakes, but as for changing anything, nah, I just keep doing what I do. I feel good about [my next start]. I feel good about every start."

He had one of his worst outings since coming to the Tigers his last time out, allowing seven runs on 11 hits over four innings in Thursday's 8-4 loss to the Royals. Prior to that, he had thrown three consecutive quality starts to bring his record to .500 after losing his first three outings to start the season.

Rogers' seven runs allowed tied his highest total as a Tiger. He hasn't allowed more in a game since 2004, when he pitched for the Rangers. The 11 hits off of Rogers marked the most against him since April 9, 2006, his second start in a Tigers uniform.

He even saw someone steal a base off of him for the first time in two years.

But to Rogers, the start wasn't as bad as those stats indicate. Many of those hits squeaked through holes in the defense and could have just as easily been outs.

"That's just part of baseball," Rogers said. "When you put the ball in play, sometimes you find holes like that."

He hopes the Mariners don't find such holes, as the Tigers look to win back-to-back games for the first time since finishing a three-game sweep on May 1 in the team's final regular-season trip to Yankee Stadium. They have gone 4-12 since.

For designated hitter Gary Sheffield, the way for the Tigers to bust out of their funk is to win a series. The Tigers can take their fourth series this season with a win on Wednesday.

"Win a series -- that's how you get going," Sheffield said. "Win two out of three, get a sweep, that's even nicer, but win a series and get some momentum going."

2008 Interleague Schedule
• May 16-18: at Diamondbacks
• June 13-15: vs. Dodgers
• June 16-18: at Giants
• June 20-22: at Padres
• June 24-26: vs. Cardinals
• June 27-29: vs. Rockies


Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Kenny Rogers (3-4, 6.65 ERA)
After three consecutive quality starts helped him even his record following three straight losses to open the season, Rogers had one of his worst starts as a Tiger on Thursday at Kansas City. Royals hitters sat on his breaking ball and sent out 11 hits over his four innings of work, resulting in seven runs and a jump of more than three-quarters of a run to his ERA. He has a loss and a no-decision in two outings against Seattle in a Detroit uniform, allowing nine earned runs over 12 innings in the process.


SEA: LHP Jarrod Washburn (2-5, 5.56 ERA)

It has been six days since the veteran left-hander had his first career save with a scoreless inning of relief agains the Rangers in Arlington. He faced four batter and retired three of them to walk off the mound to high-fives and handshakes. His last start didn't go nearly as well as he wobbled during a 38-pitch second inning against the White Sox and suffered his fifth loss of the season.


Tidbits

The Tigers improved to 5-2 this season against the AL West. ... Miguel Cabrera has hit safely in eight of his last nine games, hitting .406. ... Two Tigers' Minor League hurlers won Pitcher of the Week honors in their respective leagues for their performance last week. Class A Lakeland right-hander Jonah Nickerson won the Florida State League award after posting a 1-1 record and 1.84 ERA in two starts. Class A West Michigan left-hander Jon Kibler won the Midwest League award with a 2-0 record and 0.56 ERA in two starts.

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSN-HD

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Thur., May 22: Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (2-4, 4.76 ERA)) VS Mariners (RHP Miguel Batista (3-5, 6.11 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET

• Fri., May 23: Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga (3-1, 3.06 ERA)) VS Twins (RHP Kevin Slowey, (0-4, 5.49 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Sat., May 24: Tigers (LHP Nate Robertson (1-5, 6.08 ERA)) VS Twins (TBA), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Sun., May 25: Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (2-7, 5.61 ERA)) VS Twins (TBA), 1:05 p.m. ET

Tonight's Starting Lineups

Seattle AB AVG
Suzuki, CF .289
Beltre, 3B .246
Lopez, 2B .302
Ibanez, LF .295
Vidro, DH0 .215
Sexson, 1B .203
Balentien, RF .212
Burke, C .200
Betancourt, SS .261



Detroit AB AVG
:pudge: Rodriguez, C .264
:placido: Polanco, 2B .283
:sheff: Sheffield, DH .180
Ordonez, RF .312
Cabrera, 1B .282
Guillen, 3B .290
:thames: Thames, LF .224
:edgar: Renteria, SS .281
Inge, CF .221

Good thing we don't hafta face the Rockies for awhile...give this Grilli thing a chance to settle.

Stat of the day: Edgar Renteria's batting average in games when the Tigers win this year... .403. When they lose... .194.

61 degrees at game time; Slight chance of evening shower; 50s by games end. Wind NW 10 miles an hour.




GO TIGERS! BEAT SEATTLE AGAIN!

Get another one! Two in a row would be awesome! Go Kenny!

GO TIGERS!!

Kenny needs this win! what am I saying, the whole team needs this win!

Let's win again, woooooo hoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

laprimamirala wrote:

Kenny needs this win!

Kenny doesn't need this win, he's already tied with the team lead in wins. Now Robertson is the one that needs a win!

Thats a pretty bad top team win. Not to tell the truth or anything.

bobrob2004 wrote:

laprimamirala wrote:

Kenny needs this win!

Kenny doesn't need this win, he's already tied with the team lead in wins. Now Robertson is the one that needs a win!

If it was Nate starting, I would say he needs the win!

We ALL need this win I think...

If they can't beat Seattle two in a row...

Go !!

Top of 1st

Suzuki - ground out

Good stop Miggy

Who GoGetEm, thats an awesome wave emoticon thing!

Go Tigers!

Beltre - singles

gdennis59 wrote:

Who GoGetEm, thats an awesome wave emoticon thing!

Go Tigers!

Thanks, it is in our game smilies section

Coolio!

Lopez - single - force out at 2nd

Ibanez flies out - side down

come on get some runs!

:pudge: high socks - singles

Hey everyone!

I wish they would always wear their socks high.

Some good news and some bad news if you all didn't hear:

Good: Willis is back
Good: Willis to BP, Galarraga stays in rotation
Noted: Rapada to DL with biceps tendinitis
HORRIBLE: Miner is still with the team.

:placido: - flies out

:sheff: - pops out

ScubatheHooD wrote:

I wish they would always wear their socks high.

Some good news and some bad news if you all didn't hear:

Good: Willis is back
Good: Willis to BP, Galarraga stays in rotation
Noted: Rapada to DL with biceps tendinitis
HORRIBLE: Miner is still with the team.

I agree with your statement!

k inning over

0-0

k