GDT: 9/2/08 - DET (66-71) VS LAA (83-53) - 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- The reinforcements began arriving for the Tigers on Monday, and they'll join in earnest on Tuesday. That doesn't change the club's course heading into September.

The Tigers still want to play for as many wins as they can get in the season's final month, even if contention is out of the question as they face a double-digit deficit in the division and sit five games under .500. They're going to do what they can with the regular players that have formed their core all year. The handful of callups they're promoting comprise either added players meant for depth or veterans with whom they're trying to work for next year.

With 25 games left, Detroit would have to go 15-10 to finish at 81-81 for the season. It's far under the club's lofty goals for the season, but it's something to target. The added help, even if they won't be regular contributors, are meant to help.

Reliever Freddy Dolsi was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Monday and pitched two scoreless innings in the 13-9 Labor Day loss to the Yankees. The Tigers will try to get the young right-hander to hone his command with a chance to make him into a valuable option for next season. Dontrelle Willis also received a call up, but the Tigers have no plans yet for inserting him into game action.

Willis will pitch a simulated game on Tuesday afternoon with Freddy Garcia, who was signed to a Minor League deal last month and has made two starts in the Tigers system but hasn't yet been added to the 40-man roster. Slugging infielder and Olympic bronze medalist Mike Hessman will be added to the club on Tuesday, as will lefty reliever Clay Rapada and catching prospect Dusty Ryan, who will serve as an extra catcher down the stretch.

Then comes starting pitcher Chris Lambert, who will rejoin the Tigers to handle Tuesday's assignment after taking a turn in the Tigers rotation last week. He'll remain with the club the rest of the season after that, though it might not be in a starting role. For Tuesday, at least, it will be.

"I just don't think it's right to give the guy one start," Leyland said. "He did a good job down there. It wasn't great [last time out], obviously, but we didn't help him much. I don't have it in my heart not to give him at least another shot, to be honest with you."



Pitching matchup
DET: RHP Chris Lambert (0-1, 6.75 ERA)
Lambert earned a starting opportunity once Nate Robertson was pulled from Detroit's rotation to work on his slider, but a six-run third inning derailed his Major League debut last Tuesday against Cleveland. Two errors contributed to the problems, leading to four unearned runs. His second chance will hinge in part on how he can handle the Angels' dangerous hitters, including Vladimir Guerrero and Mark Teixeira.

LAA: LHP Joe Saunders (14-7, 3.67 ERA)
Saunders had a rough outing in his last start, as he allowed six runs on eight hits in 1 1/3 innings to take the loss against the A's. The left-hander has not won a decision since July 30 and has allowed 12 runs over his past 6 2/3 innings. Saunders allowed five runs in five innings to take a loss against the Tigers in May.


Tidbits

Shortstop Edgar Renteria has not played in the Tigers' past two games, though he said on Monday that he feels fine. ...

Curtis Granderson went 2-for-4 with a double and three runs scored on Monday, improving to .341 with 14 doubles, 10 triples, eight homers and 27 RBIs over his past 65 games. Five of Granderson's past nine hits have been for extra bases. ...

Marcus Thames has two home runs and four RBIs in six career at-bats against Saunders.

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSN-HD

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Wed., Sept 3: Tigers (RHP Zach Miner (8-4, 3.46 ERA)) vs. Angels (RHP Jon Garland (12-8, 4.54 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Thurs., Sept 4: Tigers (LHP Kenny Rogers (9-12, 5.23 ERA)) vs. Angels (RHP Ervin Santana (14-5, 3.31 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET

• Fri., Sept 5: Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga (12-4, 3.17 ERA)) at Twins (LHP Francisco Liriano, 4-3, 3.45 ERA)), 8:10 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

LA Angels
Figgins, 3B
Anderson, DH
Teixeira, 1B
Guerrero, RF
Hunter, CF
Rivera, LF
Napoli, C
Wood, SS
Rodriguez, S, 2B

Detroit
:curtis: Granderson, CF
:placido: Polanco, 2B
Ordonez, RF
Cabrera, 1B
:sheff: Sheffield, DH
:thames: Thames, LF
:edgar: Renteria, SS
Inge, C
:ryan: Raburn, 3B

Thames should have a big day if he plays.

83 degrees at Game Time;

Partly Cloudy

SE wind at 5-10mph

Renteria is on his way out.....

laprimamirala wrote:

Renteria is on his way out.....

Really?

88 degrees and Sunny right now


It gonna be a warm one tonight at Comerica Park

gs78 wrote:

laprimamirala wrote:

Renteria is on his way out.....

Really?

dontcha think?

He will be back with the Tigers next season

GS, YOU should be the Tig manager

This is getting old.

Not starting out real pretty.....

Lambert REALLY should not be pitching....we are definitely desperate for pitching now.

laprimamirala wrote:

Lambert REALLY should not be pitching....we are definitely desperate for pitching now.

Is it a coincidence....?

The team seems to have gone down hill ever since Leyland started talking about "next year."

Did they pack it in? Are they pulling a 'Rod Strickland?'

Well, at least Curtis is on

stolen base for Curtis he's all dirty now, lol

Curtis steals 2nd!

:placido: out

I just want 'em to play well. Losing is part of the game too. I just hate when they play like they don't give a crap.
Thanks, Magglio, for the popup!

rbi single

LAA 2-1

:sheff: pops out

end of 1st

LAA 2-1

laprimamirala wrote:

I just want 'em to play well. Losing is part of the game too. I just hate when they play like they don't give a crap.
Thanks, Magglio, for the popup!

I agree. That has what has made this season far tougher than 2003.
In 2003, the lost because they were an inferior team most of the time.
They had a team that was full of players would not be in MLB if it were not for expansion.

This year many players on this team have played MUCH below their potential.

Well, Lambert did better in the 1st inning than Verlander did yesterday!

Ty McCobb wrote:

laprimamirala wrote:

I just want 'em to play well. Losing is part of the game too. I just hate when they play like they don't give a crap.
Thanks, Magglio, for the popup!

I agree. That has what has made this season far tougher than 2003.
In 2003, the lost because they were an inferior team most of the time.
They had a team that was full of players would not be in MLB if it were not for expansion.

This year many players on this team have played MUCH below their potential.

Much, Much below!

Rodriguez, S - out

Figgins - grounds out - 2 out

Hey guys, how we doing today?

Anderson - grounds out
1-2-3

better after the 1st