GDT: 5/26/08 - DET (21-29) AT LAA (30-22), 9:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- This is how Placido Polanco hits when healthy.

After struggling through early-season struggles due, in part, to back problems, Detroit's All-Star second baseman finished hitting .407 (11-for-27) in last week's six-game homestand as the Tigers swept the Mariners and took one of three from the Twins. That includes a four-hit performance in Saturday's win over Minnesota.

"I'm feeling good and healthy," Polanco said last week.

Fans expected big things for Polanco after he started for the American League in last year's All-Star Game, finished with the third-highest average in the league and won the league's Silver Slugger Award at second base. Expectations grew further after he hit .408 in Spring Training.

But he hit .174 in this season's first 18 games, due, in part, to an injured nerve in his back.

That, however, seems like a distant memory these days. Coming into Sunday's game, Polanco hit .444 since May 17, the second-highest average in the AL during that span behind Tampa Bay's B.J. Upton.

May hasn't been one of his stronger months during his career, but this year is an exception. He has the highest average this month among AL second basemen and ranks third at the position in the Majors, behind Atlanta's Kelly Johnson and Florida's Dan Uggla.

"When he's healthy, he's one of the best No. 2 hitters in baseball," manager Jim Leyland said.

He's right. Polanco's average in the second spot ranks third in Majors, trailing only Boston's Dustin Pedroia and the Cubs' Ryan Theriot.

Polanco has helped set the table for an offense that scored 54 runs during the homestand, one that plated 19 on Saturday night. That came after the Tigers scored 12 runs during their last road trip.

The Tigers hope to stay hot at the plate during their next road trip, a nine-game West Coast swing that begins with a three-game series against the Angels beginning Monday night. The Angels took two of three from the Tigers at Comerica Park earlier this season.

"I like to take my team on the road," Leyland said. "I like showing people our offense, when it's doing what it's capable of doing. Yeah, they're cheering against you, but it's still fun."


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 (4-4, 6.66 ERA)
Rogers followed his rough start last week by allowing four runs on eight hits (two home runs) and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. Rogers didn't start in the three-game series with the Angels earlier this season and didn't face them last year, either. In 2006, he went 1-1 against them with a 1.29 ERA. For his career against the Angels, the 43-year-old has a 17-15 record and 4.07 ERA in 44 starts.


LAA: RHP Jon Garland (5-3, 4.34 ERA)
Garland put 10 runners on base in six innings in Toronto on Wednesday night, but only three scored -- and that made him a winner in vintage Garland style. Tough under pressure, he made pitches when he needed them, using his defense to make plays. He had only one strikeout against two walks, yielding eight hits. He seems to be settling into a nice groove. He's 13-6 in 24 career outings against the Tigers with a 4.08 ERA.


Tidbits

Gary Sheffield extended his hitting streak to five games, while Miguel Cabrera's eight-game string came to an end. ... Curtis Granderson is batting .333 (9-for-27) in his last eight games, after batting .097 in the previous eight. ... The Tigers fell to 5-17 this season against the American League Central. ... They also fell to 11-22 when their opponent scores first.

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSN-HD

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Tue., May 27: Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (3-4, 4.58 ERA)) AT Angels (RHP Ervin Santana (6-2, 3.24 ERA)), 10:05 p.m. ET

• Wed., May 28: Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga, 3-2, 3.70 ERA) AT Angels (LHP Joe Saunders, 8-1, 2.31 ERA), 10:05 p.m. ET



• Thur., May 29: Off-day

Starting Lineups

Detroit AVG
:curtis: Granderson, CF .252
:placido: Polanco, 2B .293
:sheff: Sheffield, DH .216
Ordonez, RF .328
Cabrera, 1B .276
Guillen, 3B .299
:joyce: Joyce, LF .256
:edgar: Renteria, SS .279
:pudge: Rodriguez, C .274

LA Angels AVG
Izturis, SS .211
Matthews, CF .219
Guerrero, RF .254
Hunter, DH .279
Anderson, LF .279
Napoli, C .230
Kotchman, 1B .314
Wood, 3B .139
Rodriguez, S, 2B .154

LET'S GOOOOOOOOO GUYS!!

GO TIGERS!! Get this series!!

I'm not gonna be watching this game.... school tomorrow....

GO TIGERS!!!!

TigersGirl wrote:

I'm not gonna be watching this game.... school tomorrow....

GO TIGERS!!!!

That's the bummer for West Coast games ! *yawn*

64 cool degrees at game time in Anaheim; 87 this afternoon here.


I hate hot weather!


GO TIGERS GO!

Stat of the day: HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!

It's a holiday, I'm taking the day off.

So am I

aren't we all?
at least until 8:30 tonite

I had plans today; Bar B Que and swimming.


But I got a sun burn on my face and neck yesterday.


Still sore today. I don't want to be out in this hot sun


End up with third degree burns all over my face

But I have plenty of beer in the fridge and sandwiches!




Whole bunch of sports on tonight!


I am happy

GO TIGERS GO!

Sweep the Angels!

GO KENNY!

Go Tigers!

Go Wings!

Go Pistons!

Hi Casey21

Go hit them balls out of the park

Nice memorial day stuff being done at the Angels / Tigers game!

HR's are one thing... I'm more concerned about Mr. Rogers' pitching.

I wish mlb.tv would show it instead of the stupid white screen!

BTW- Jacque Jones is playing for the Marlins tonight, on detroits dime-- that sucks! If he singns somewhere, they should not have to pay his contract! All Marlins have to do is pay league minimum!

ScubatheHooD wrote:

HR's are one thing... I'm more concerned about Mr. Rogers' pitching.

True, but they said he has more quality games this year than the other starters-- other than Gala!

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Hi Casey21

HI!!!

I am switching between the Tigers and Wings tonight!

:curtis: k

Casey21 wrote:

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Hi Casey21

HI!!!

I am switching between the Tigers and Wings tonight!

I'm watching the game on computer and Andromina Strain on A&E on TV

:placido: singles

:sheff: k

walks

grounds out with fielders choice at 2nd