2009 Spring Training Schedule

And if you think this is a sluff-off game against lowly college players...

FSC is rated 9th nationally in Div II Poll:

For Immediate Release:
Monday (March 2, 2009)

Rank	Team	Record	Points	Last Week
1.	Cal State Stanislaus	12-3	472	2
2.	Southern Arkansas	14-4	472	3
3.	Abilene Christian	14-4	436	8
4.	Mesa State	12-3	436	4
5.	Grand Valley State	1-0	424	6
6.	North Georgia	10-5	398	10
7.	North Alabama	16-4	386	12
8.	Lenoir-Rhyne	13-4	358	15
9.	Florida Southern	13-4	344	14
10.	Franklin Pierce	2-1	342	5
11.	West Chester	5-2	324	7
12.	Georgia College & State	10-4	298	18
13.	Lynn	14-3	286	1
14.	St. Joseph's (Ind.)	7-2	274	16
15.	Central Missouri	6-2	252	13
16.	Cal State Chico	10-6	244	T19
17.	UC San Diego	10-4	228	T26
18.	Ouachita Baptist	16-5	218	17
19.	Lander	13-4	182	22
20.	Angelo State	12-7	158	T19
21.	Francis Marion	10-5-1	154	29
22.	Nova Southeastern	15-2	144	T26
23.	Emporia State	8-2	130	30
24.	Wayne State (Neb.)	3-1	112	RV
25.	Incarnate Word	13-4	96	NR
26.	St. Mary's (Texas)	13-5	74	24
27.	Barry	11-2	40	RV
28.	Anderson (S.C.)	11-5	32	23
29.	Bellarmine	5-4	22	RV
30.	Montevallo	13-5	14	NR

no way! these pups are playin' to win! and get noticed by MLB scouts!

And boy do they get get noticed: (2008 team)

Former Moc	Professional Team	League (Level)	Stats
Albritton, Dan	Great Falls	Pioneer (R - White Sox)	Stats
Brown, Bryan	Lexington	South Atlantic (R - Astros)	Stats
Calderone, Adam	Dunedin	Florida State (A - Blue Jays)	Stats
Golliner, David	Cedar Rapids	Midwest (A - Angels)	Stats
Grace, Mike	Great Falls	Pioneer (R - White Sox)	Stats
Howell, Jeff	Wilmington	Carolina (A - Royals)	Stats
Joyce, Matt	Tigers	Detroit (American League)	Stats
Koch, Ryan	Blue Jays	Gulf Coast (R - Blue Jays)	Stats
Robinson, Brett	Lexington	South Atlantic (A - Astros)	Stats
Schultz, Brian	Marlins	New York Penn (SS - Marlins)	Stats
Thompson, Ryan	Corpus Christi	Texas (AA - Astros)	Stats
Thorne, Jeremy	Angels	Orem (R - Pioneers)	Stats
Tomko, Brett	Padres	San Diego (National League)	Stats

Baseball
One Big Inning Gives Tigers Exhibition Win Over Mocs
March 2, 2009

The Detroit Tigers had one big inning against the Moccasins and that was the difference in the game, as the Tigers won their annual exhibition game with FSC 7-1 Monday at Marchant Stadium.

After two scoreless innings, the Tigers struck for six runs in the third inning off Eddie Sipple. Jeff Larish belted a three-run homer and Will Rhymes add a two-run shot in the inning.

The Tigers added another run in the fourth before the Moccasins produced their only run on an RBI-single by Trae Gore in the fifth that scored Jordan Guida, who had singled and stole second. Wade Kirkland had two of FSC's seven hits, a pair of doubles off Tigers' starter Edwin Jackson.

Five of the seven Moccasin pitchers used in the game did not allow a run.

The Moccasins return to regular season action Tuesday with a 7 p.m. game at Henley Field against a Winona State (Minn.) team that beat top-ranked Lynn over the weekend.

03/03/09 4:00 PM EST

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Clevlen helps Tigers top Venezuela
Willis, Robertson each work three innings for Detroit

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

TIGERS 7, VENEZUELA 5
at Lakeland, Fla.
Tuesday, March 3

Venezuela at the plate: Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Guillen haunted their employers. Cabrera had two RBIs, while Guillen had two singles and two runs scored. Jose Lopez reached base safely in each of his first three plate appearances with a walk, a single and a double.

Tigers at the plate: Brent Clevlen, who stands to get plenty of playing time over the next couple weeks with Detroit's starting outfield gone to the World Baseball Classic, drove in each of the Tigers' first three runs. He doubled in a run in the third on a drive to the fence in right-center field before singling in two more in the fourth. Clete Thomas' two-run double in the sixth pulled Detroit ahead. Marcus Thames added two hits and a run.

Venezuela on the mound: Armando Galarraga tossed three innings of one-run ball against his regular-season squad, stranding two runners in the third with back-to-back groundouts from Placido Polanco and Gary Sheffield. Victor Zambrano gave up three unearned runs in his two innings of work before Jan Granado yielded a three-run sixth. Francisco Rodriguez retired the side in order in the eighth.

Tigers on the mound: Dontrelle Willis nearly had a disaster of an outing, but he made the key plays and pitches -- including a pickoff of Bobby Abreu and a bases-loaded groundout from Melvin Mora in the second -- to hold Venezuela's formidable lineup to two runs -- one earned -- over his three innings. Nate Robertson loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth, but he escaped with three straight groundouts to finish with three runs over as many innings.

Up next: Rick Porcello will make his first start for the Tigers on Wednesday, when they continue their World Baseball Classic exhibitions with a matchup against Team Panama at 1:05 p.m. ET. Ryan Perry is scheduled to make his second outing for Detroit following his scoreless inning last Sunday against the Pirates.

Team Venezuela will move up Interstate 4 to Kissimmee, Fla., where it will take on the Astros in a 1:05 p.m. contest.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tigers top Venezuela; Willis, Robertson struggle
Lynn Henning / The Detroit News

LAKELAND, Fla. -- In a game the Tigers won against a Venezuelan team loaded with Tigers players, it was pitching performances from Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson that were the story Tuesday at Marchant Stadium.

And neither left-hander's outing was good as the Tigers beat Team Venezuela, 7-5.

Willis allowed two runs (one earned), two singles, and three walks in his first two innings before putting down Bobby Abreu, Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez in order in the third. It was another performance of extremes for the 26-year-old Willis, who has had non-stop troubles since joining the Tigers a year ago.

Robertson, another starting pitcher trying to put 2008 in the past, also threw three innings for manager Jim Leyland's team. Robertson allowed three runs on five hits and a walk.

As troubling as each man's pitching line was his velocity. Willis only reached 90-mph or more on two pitches during his three-inning stint. Robertson appeared not to throw one pitch that touched 90.

In their first game against a World Baseball Classic team, the Tigers spotted Team Venezuela a 2-0 lead before scoring three times in the fourth and sixth innings to move their preseason record to 4-2.

Brent Clevlen drove in three runs with a double and a single. Ryan Raburn had a RBI double, and Clete Thomas drove in two runs with a double.

The Tigers' Miguel Cabrera had a pair of RBIs on a sacrifice fly and a single for Venezuela.

Carlos Guillen, the Tigers left-fielder, had a pair of singles for Venezuela, which got a strong start from Tigers right-hander Armando Galarraga (one run, two hits in three innings).

Tigers left-hand prospect Mauricio Robles also pitched for Venezuela.

Quote :

Tigers left-hand prospect Mauricio Robles also pitched for Venezuela

THIS IS NOT TRUE, the mlb score updater showed this for a couple minutes, but it was changed quickly. The true pitching group for Venezuela was:

Venezuela	IP-	H-	R-	ER-	BB-	SO-	HR-	ERA
Galarraga	3.0	2	1	0	1	0	0	0.00
Zambrano, V (BS, 1)	2.0	4	3	0	1	1	0	0.00
Granado, J (BS, 1)(L, 0-1)	1.0	1	3	3	3	0	0	27.00
Moreno, V	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Rodriguez, F	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00

03/03/09 7:10 PM EST
Tigers with unfamiliar stripes
Four members of Team Venezuela face Detroit teammates

By Dawn Klemish / MLB.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Fans may have done a double-take after checking out the lineups on Tuesday. Armando Galarraga was the starting pitcher, Magglio Ordonez was the designated hitter, Carlos Guillen was in left field and Miguel Cabrera was manning first base. So far, so good. But wait ...

They all were on the visiting roster at Joker Marchant Stadium.

It was a bit odd to see the Detroit group clad in the maroon and gold Team Venezuela colors, and more bizarre still that the four Tigers were facing their Major League teammates. But they were playing for their country, and they weren't about to take it easy on the Tigers.

"I didn't pay that much attention [to playing the Tigers]," Guillen said after Team Venezuela's 7-5 loss. "I'm just trying to prepare myself for the [World Baseball Classic] competition. You know, right now it doesn't matter if we beat [the Tigers]. We're trying to keep everybody healthy, get our confidence and stay together."

Detroit starter Dontrelle Willis didn't take it easy on his teammates -- or anyone else on the Team Venezuela roster, for that matter. Angels right fielder Bobby Abreu was coaxed into a slow roller and then got playfully tangled up with Willis after the throw to first base.

"That was my bad," laughed Willis, who then picked off Abreu on the next play. "I've been playing against him since I came up. ... I have a lot of respect for him as a ballplayer and the way he goes about it as a professional. He's gotten me as many times as I've gotten him.

"When I finally get him out, I'm very happy. We were just having fun."

Following the Abreu out, Willis fanned Cabrera, who refused to even glance at his Tigers teammate as he stalked back to the dugout, and induced an Ordonez flyout to left for the only 1-2-3 inning he had on the day.

The fact it had come against teammates-turned-rivals made the frame that much sweeter, Willis said.

"These guys are legendary. It just so happens they're all Venezuelan and good at working the count and getting themselves in position to get the strike," Willis said. "Abreu's known for walking. Magglio's known for taking pitches and walking. Miguel [is known for] baiting people into getting that pitch."

Ordonez chuckled about Willis' actions after the game, but he added that he probably wouldn't play against his Major League team again if he could avoid it. Ordonez's feeling was understandable after finishing 0-for-4 against his own pitching staff, which he couldn't resist complimenting.

"It was a little weird out there, but it was fun," Ordonez added. "I had a good time today. It's different to be on the other side of things ... and then you get to see how good the Tigers are."

Those on Team Venezuela not associated with the Tigers still were able to feel at home on Tuesday thanks to convenience store owner Julius Lopez of Orlando, who provided the perfect atmosphere for his countrymen.

Lopez brought 24 family members and friends -- all but one of them Venezuelan -- to Joker Marchant for the game. The clan bought out part of a seating section down the third-base line and set up an impromptu salsa band, complete with drums and claves.

"They do that at every game back home," Ordonez smiled. "Baseball is the No. 1 sport in Venezuela. There are always crazy fans. It's a great atmosphere, a lot of fun."

Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge was reminded of Winter League ball in the Caribbean. Fans, too, were impressed with the beat, and one woman even said she'd never had so much fun at Joker Marchant. Lopez and his band continued beating the drums the entire game before trailing out into the parking lot next to the Team Venezuela busses, where the salsa beat continued until the last player was seated.

Lopez said he was going to follow his country "all the way." Naturally, he chose Team Venezuela to win this year's Classic.

"And when they win, there's going to be a big party in Venezuela and a big party in Orlando," he cheered.

Once they finish playing in the World Baseball Classic, the four Tigers will return to their teammates and finish Spring Training before heading north to begin the regular season. Willis likely will have forgotten all about how Cabrera eventually got to him for an RBI or that Guillen worked him for a single. Willis wished his Detroit teammates the best in the Classic.

"They're still my Tigers, and I don't want to cause them any harm or anything," Willis said. "I want to have them see great seasons, because ultimately, Miguel's a big reason why I'm here now. I want them to get their work in and have fun, but if we're going to go compete against each other, I think we did a good job of that today.

Besides, Willis added: "We went out there and we respected each other as professionals ... and then we talk trash later."

Dawn Klemish is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

0 for 4!!!

03/04/09 4:32 PM EST

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Play-by-play>

Ramirez shines in loss to Team Panama
Outfield prospect goes 2-5 with an RBI, stolen base and run

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

PANAMA 9, TIGERS 3
at Lakeland, Fla.
Wednesday, March 4

Panama at the plate: What had been a scoreless duel broke up with a six-run Panama fifth inning, powered by doubles from Javier Castillo, Angel Chavez and Audes De Leon. Concepcion Rodriguez added two runs and a triple in the seventh.

Tigers at the plate: Timo Perez's double set in motion a three-run fifth to answer Panama's rally, including an RBI single from Don Kelly and a run-scoring triple from Wilkin Ramirez. Ramirez had two hits on the day, while Brent Clevlen added a double.

Panama on the mound: Former Major League pitcher Ramiro Mendoza and current big leaguer Manny Corpas tossed two scoreless innings apiece before Gilberto Mendez gave up the three-run rally. Paolo Espino entered the game to escape a bases-loaded jam in the seventh and ended up one out shy of the save. Tigers Minor Leaguer Josh Kite, who actually isn't on the team, finished the game.

Tigers on the mound: Rick Porcello's first Spring Training start saw a few jitters and a couple walks, but he rallied with three strikeouts, including a key fanning of Julio Zuleta with runners on second and third and one out. Porcello and lefty Kyle Bloom each tossed two scoreless innings before Chris Lambert surrendered six runs on six hits. Ryan Perry tossed a scoreless seventh with a walk and a strikeout.

Up next: The Tigers get back to the regular portion of their Spring Training schedule on Thursday when fifth starter candidate Zach Miner makes his first spring start against the Nationals in a 1:05 p.m. ET game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Juan Rincon, Scott Williamson, Fernando Rodney and Casey Fien are slated to pitch in relief. The Nationals will counter with Shawn Hill, Gustavo Chacin, Terrell Young, J.D. Martin and Ryan Wagner.

Team Panama will move up Interstate 4 to Kissimmee, where they'll take on the Astros in a 1:05 p.m. ET contest.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

03/05/09 4:57 PM EST

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Tigers find offensive groove
Detroit belts three homers and scores 10 runs vs. shaky Nats

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

TIGERS 10, NATIONALS 2
at Lakeland, Fla.
Thursday, March 5

Nationals at the plate: Both Washington runs came in a three-batter stretch during the second inning, capped by a two-run single by Anderson Hernandez which scored Javier Valentin and Joel Guzman. Valentin and Elijah Dukes both had a hit and a walk.

Tigers at the plate: Jeff Larish hit a pair of solo home runs -- one an opposite-field shot to left, the other pulled deep to right and off the batting cages. The second homer was the tail end of back-to-back blasts, following a Marcus Thames solo shot. Alexis Gomez had two hits, including a double. Gerald Laird added a two-run single in the third before leaving the game with tightness in his left quadriceps.

Nationals on the mound: Gustavo Chacin made the start in place of Shawn Hill and struggled after retiring the side in order in the opening inning. He left the game after walking four batters in the third, including three in a row ahead of Laird's two-run single. J.D. Martin followed and gave up three runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings.

Tigers on the mound: Starter Zach Miner retired the first five batters he faced before falling out of sync in a three-batter stretch in the second inning. He recovered to send down the last four batters he faced. Juan Rincon turned in two solid innings, striking out three batters against a hit and a walk.

Grapefruit League records: Nationals 3-4, Tigers 3-3

Up next: The Tigers make their first trip to George M. Steinbrenner Field in two years for a Friday night matchup at 7:15 ET with the Yankees and C.C. Sabathia. Justin Verlander will make his third start of Spring Training, followed by Brandon Lyon, Bobby Seay and Freddy Dolsi. Former Tigers farmhand Anthony Claggett is on the pitching list for New York.

The Nationals have a long trip ahead of them, back to Viera, Fla., and then down to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for a 1:05 p.m. matchup with the Orioles on Friday. Daniel Cabrera will make the start opposite David Pauley. The game will be broadcast locally on MASN and nationally on the MLB Network.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Thursday, March 5, 2009
Tigers 10, Nationals 2
Jeff Larish homers twice in Tiger win
Lynn Henning / The Detroit News

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Warmer weather and hotter hitters helped the Tigers to a 10-2 victory Thursday over the Washington Nationals at Marchant Stadium.

Jeff Larish walloped a pair of homers for the Tigers, and Marcus Thames hit a monster shot onto the concrete pavilion atop the grass berm beyond Marchant's left-field fence -- a blast that likely traveled more than 425 feet.

Backup catcher Matt Treanor also homered for the Tigers, who evened their preseason record at 3-3.

Zach Miner was generally sharp in a three-inning start for the Tigers, putting down the Nationals 1-2-3 in the first and third innings. He allowed a two-out walk, single and double to consecutive batters in the second that accounted for Washington's two runs.

Larish, who is bidding to make manager Jim Leyland's team as a key left-hand bat off the bench, hit an opposite-field homer to left in the second inning. His fifth-inning homer was a blast over the right-field fence.

Juan Rincon, Scott Williamson, Fernando Rodney, Eddie Bonine and Casey Fien blanked Washington over the final six innings, holding the Nationals to two hits.

03/06/09 10:25 PM EST

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Tigers fall short playing catch up
Verlander works 50 pitches in third spring start in loss to Yanks

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

YANKEES 7, TIGERS 3
at Tampa, Fla.
Friday, March 6

Tigers at the plate: Placido Polanco doubled and scored on an error in the first inning to put Detroit on the board. Alex Avila stroked a two-run single to left in the sixth, drawing the Tigers within one run. Gary Sheffield was hit by pitches twice.

Yankees at the plate: Cody Ransom accounted for the Yankees' first run in the second inning, stroking a double to right, moving up on a groundout and scoring on a passed ball. Johnny Damon added an RBI double in the three-run third inning, Nick Swisher had an RBI groundout and Shelley Duncan blooped a run-scoring single as the Yankees opened up a lead. Ramiro Pena had an RBI and stolen base in the sixth, and Jorge Posada also had a two-base hit.

Tigers on the mound: Making his third start of the spring, Justin Verlander allowed four runs (three earned) in 2 1/3 innings of work, walking one and striking out two while allowing four hits. Verlander threw 50 pitches (29 strikes). Freddy Dolsi scattered three hits and a walk in 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and Brandon Lyon pitched a scoreless fifth.

Yankees on the mound: Making his first start in a Yankees uniform, CC Sabathia hurled two innings of one-run ball, though the run was unearned on an Angel Berroa error. Sabathia walked none and struck out two, allowing two hits in a 26-pitch (20 strikes) outing. Alfredo Aceves came on next and hurled 2 2/3 innings of scoreless, one-hit ball, walking one and striking out one.

Grapefruit League records: Tigers, 3-4; Yankees, 3-4-1

Up next: The Tigers are across the Courtney Campbell Causeway on Saturday afternoon, meeting the defending World Series champion Phillies for a 1:05 p.m. ET tilt. Right-hander Edwin Jackson draws the start against left-hander Jamie Moyer.

The Yankees are home at George M. Steinbrenner Field again on Saturday, welcoming the Braves to town for a 1:15 p.m. ET game that will be televised on YES and broadcast on WCBS 880 AM. Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang gets the ball for New York, with right-hander Jair Jurrjens starting for Atlanta.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

03/07/09 3:40 PM EST

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Tigers' arms struggle in loss to Phillies
Bloom allows four earned runs; Sizemore, Thomas go deep

By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com

PHILLIES 8, TIGERS 2
at Clearwater, Fla.
Saturday, March 7

Tigers at the plate: Shortstop Ramon Santiago went 3-for-3 with a double. First baseman Mike Hessman went 2-for-2. Second baseman Scott Sizemore hit a solo homer against left-hander Jamie Moyer in the third inning. Clete Thomas added a solo blast in the eighth.

Phillies at the plate: John Mayberry Jr. hit a three-run home run to left field in the first inning. Ryan Howard hit a three-run homer to left in the fifth. Jayson Werth went 1-for-2 with a walk in his Grapefruit League debut.

Tigers on the mound: Edwin Jackson allowed one hit, three runs and three walks in three innings. Kyle Bloom allowed three hits and five runs (four earned) in 1 1/3 innings.

Phillies on the mound: Moyer allowed four hits, one run and one walk in four innings. He struck out five. Left-hander J.A. Happ, who is fighting for the fifth spot in the rotation, allowed two hits in three shutout innings. He struck out seven.

Grapefruit League records: Tigers 3-5; Phillies 4-4

Up next: The Tigers' Nate Robertson will pitch Sunday at 1:05 p.m. ET against the Yankees in Lakeland, Fla.

For the Phillies, Joe Blanton and Carlos Carrasco will take the hill in Sunday's 1:05 p.m. game against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

GO CLETE

Saturday, March 7, 2009
Phillies 8, Tigers 2
Edwin Jackson sharp — other than disastrous first
Lynn Henning / The Detroit News

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Edwin Jackson's day pretty much matched the Tigers' experience Saturday at Bright House Field as they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, 8-2.

Jackson had a rough first inning, walking three batters sandwiched around a bomb of a three-run home run by John Mayberry Jr.

But that was the only hit, and those were the only walks, issued by Jackson in his three innings of otherwise sharp pitching.

"I thought he threw well, I thought he threw great," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland, whose team never mustered much of a counterattack on a day they struck out 15 times against Phillies pitchers.

Jackson got into trouble in the first when, with two outs, he tried to pump a third strike past the terrifying Ryan Howard and instead walked him. It put two men on for Mayberry Jr., who hammered a 2-0 fastball deep into the left-field seats.

"He got a little pumped up against Howard," said Leyland, acknowledging that last year's World Series, when Jackson pitched for Tampa Bay against Howard's Phillies, probably had something to do with it. "But I thought Jackson was outstanding."

Jackson, 25, said the first inning "was the first day this spring I felt like I was on the mound thinking."

It was a rare moment, he explained, when he worried more about mechanics than about throwing the baseball.

After the first inning, Jackson settled down and the Phillies were taken down by a right-hander who has so far displayed some of the best power pitches in the Tigers' camp.

The Tigers got both of their runs on home runs, by young second baseman Scott Sizemore, and by outfielder Clete Thomas.

Arms build-up

Jackson wasn't the only pitcher Saturday who impressed Leyland.

Ryan Perry , the big right-handed reliever who was last June's first-round draft pick, continued to make a case for bringing him to Detroit. And soon.

He pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing an infield hit and striking out two.

Alfredo Figaro , 24, a right-hander who has been moving speedily in the Tigers' farm system, looked as if he could push for a bullpen job with his two-inning stint, which featured three strikeouts and no hits or walks.

"He got some outs with his fastball, with his breaking ball, and with a change-up (hit) to center field," Leyland said of Figaro, a one-time Los Angeles Dodgers prospect whom the Tigers signed in 2005. "He just doesn't seem to be nervous out there.

"Strike after strike. I was really impressed with him."

Perry faces a different situation as Leyland assembles his bullpen. While he has a blow-away fastball and enough secondary pitches to qualify for a back-of-the-bullpen role when the Tigers go north, Perry has only two months of professional baseball behind him.

Unless the Tigers were to lose Joel Zumaya, Brandon Lyon or Fernando Rodney , there simply won't be room for Perry when the Tigers would prefer to allow him at least a tad more development.

"I like him a lot," Leyland said. "Great arm. But to be realistic, he's still a candidate. You'd like him to get a little more time (in the minors).

"We're very pleased to have an arm like that. He's lived up to his billing. He looks very comfortable to me on a big league mound.

"This is step one: a major league camp. If he makes the club, great. It not, it wouldn't shock me if at some point this year he's pitching for the Tigers."

Handy man

Ramon Santiago had three of the Tigers' seven hits Saturday. Leyland said after the game that Santiago was likely headed for more starts during 2009 than in previous years with the Tigers.

"He'll have more playing time at shortstop than you think," said Leyland, making it clear that Adam Everett will be the team's starting shortstop. "He's a nice player. He's improved his hitting. He has a nice, accurate arm. He's a switch-hitter, which means on days Everett doesn't play he throws another left-hand (bat) in there.

"He's a good fit for us."

Another chance

The Tigers play the Yankees today at Marchant Stadium, which will be the latest opportunity for Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis to show that their 2008 nightmare is in the past.

Neither pitcher has been particularly sharp in early preseason games. The Tigers are without a left-handed starter unless Robertson or Willis displays during the final month of spring camp that either can be trusted with a spot.

Kid stuff

Leyland will get a look today at some of the Tigers prospects who weren't quite advanced enough to have earned an invitation to the big league camp.

There will be a 10 a.m. game among Detroit's top minor leaguers at the Tigertown complex preceding a 1 p.m. game with the Yankees.

"I like stuff like that," said Leyland, who was a career minor leaguer in the Tigers system before turning to managing. "You see some kid drafted two years ago in the 30th round.

"They can show what they can do. At least leave an impression."

Leyland talked about past Tigers minor leaguers who might not have been top-tier prospects who nonetheless made the big leagues and had decent careers.

One player mentioned was one he managed back when Evansville was the Tigers' Triple-A affiliate: Tom Brookens , a third baseman who is now managing Double-A Erie.

"I felt tremendous when Tom Brookens made it," Leyland said. "Anybody can manage Kirk Gibson or Barry Bonds (two former Leyland pupils).

"But some of these guys you feel like you've helped them."

He has similar feelings for Will Rhymes , a scrappy second baseman and late-blooming prospect who was drafted in the latter rounds out of William & Mary.

"I've got a soft spot for guys like that," Leyland said, emphasizing that Rhymes is no sure bet to get to the majors. "Guys like that fight their way to the big leagues. Those guys you're proud of. You feel rewarded when they make it."

03/08/09 4:05 PM EST

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Walks cost Tigers against Yankees
Ten free passes in first five innings set tone; offense quieted

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

YANKEES 12, TIGERS 3
at Lakeland, Fla.
Sunday, March 8

Yankees at the plate: Angel Berroa's three-run home run started the Yankees' onslaught in the second inning, and Jose Molina's two-run single continued it. But the bulk of New York's scoring came in a six-run, three-hit fifth that started with Xavier Nady's solo homer and continued with his RBI bloop single next time up.

Tigers at the plate: Detroit had been blanked for five innings and faced a double-digit deficit until Will Rhymes hit a two-run homer off the scoreboard in right field. Don Kelly had a sacrifice fly in the seventh, and Jeff Larish had two hits.

Yankees on the mound: A.J. Burnett's first start as a member of the Yankees saw the righty toss two scoreless innings and face just six batters -- he erased a second-inning single with an inning-ending double play. Phil Hughes followed with three hitless innings and four strikeouts before Brian Bruney gave up Rhymes' homer. Andrew Brackman loaded the bases to set up the seventh-inning sacrifice fly.

Tigers on the mound: With two outs in the fifth inning, Tigers pitchers had recorded 14 outs and issued 10 walks. Nate Robertson gave up four of them, but it was Berroa's homer on an 0-2 hanging slider that accounted for his scoring damage. Dontrelle Willis, pitching through a stomach virus, walked two batters in as many innings but was one strike shy of escaping without giving up a run, then he yielded Molina's single. Scott Williamson walked four batters and hit another in his six-run inning.

Grapefruit League records: Yankees 4-5-1; Tigers 3-6

Coming up: The Tigers will begin a two-day trip to Jupiter, Fla., on Monday with a 7:05 p.m. ET game against the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. Rick Porcello will make his second start in quest of winning a rotation spot in Detroit. Brandon Lyon, Bobby Seay, Freddy Dolsi, Clay Rapada and Zach Simons are also scheduled to pitch. Adam Everett and Placido Polanco are the two regulars scheduled on the trip.

The Yankees will begin a two-day stretch at home with a 1:15 p.m. game against the Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla. Andy Pettitte is scheduled to make the start opposite Brad Mills. Ian Kennedy and Dan Giese are slated to pitch in relief.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

we need our starters back!

03/09/09 9:35 PM ET

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Porcello solid in Tigers' loss
Righty tosses three scoreless innings against Marlins

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

MARLINS 1, TIGERS 0
at Jupiter, Fla.
Monday, March 9

Tigers at the plate: Adam Everett had two hits off Josh Johnson, while Jeff Larish, Timo Perez and Brent Clevlen each had singles off the Florida right-hander. Alex Avila doubled to lead off the eighth inning, but he was unable to advance.

Marlins at the plate: The Marlins opened the scoring with an unearned run in the sixth inning. Jeremy Hermida reached on an error, and pinch-runner Alejandro De Aza scored on Dallas McPherson's RBI double. Facing Detroit starter Rick Porcello, Florida stranded a runner on third base in each of their first three innings.

Tigers on the mound: Porcello, the highly rated prospect in contention for the fifth starter spot, threw three shutout innings. The right-hander had to work out of some trouble, stranding a runner at third in each of his innings. Porcello gave up five hits and struck out one. He threw a wild pitch and logged 41 total pitches, including 26 strikes. Bobby Seay worked two innings of scoreless relief.

Marlins on the mound: Johnson tossed five shutout innings, building up his pitch count to a spring-high 73. The right-hander gave up five hits, and he walked a batter with two outs in the fifth inning. A goal of Johnson was to not walk a batter in Spring Training. He entered the game with three innings in Grapefruit League play, plus another four against Italy's World Baseball Classic team in an exhibition. Counting the scrimmage with Italy, Johnson had gone 11 2/3 innings without allowing a walk. He did hit a batter -- Ryan Raburn -- with two outs and the count full in the fourth on Monday. Lefty reliever Renyel Pinto struck out the side in order in the sixth. Taylor Tankersley worked a perfect seventh inning, striking out two.

Grapefruit League record: Tigers 3-7; Marlins 4-5-1

Up next: The Marlins are off from Grapefruit League play on Tuesday. The Tigers will face the Cardinals on Tuesday at Roger Dean Stadium, with Zach Miner getting the start. Kyle Lohse will get the nod for St. Louis.

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Marlins 1, Tigers 0
Porcello steals the show
Rookie right-hander tosses three scoreless innings and strengthens case for spot on the staff.
Lynn Henning / The Detroit News

JUPITER, Fla. -- Subtly, almost accidentally, you can hear in the Tigers' voices and see in their expressions that Rick Porcello is about to become a big-leaguer.

You could detect it in manager Jim Leyland's tone after Monday night's game against the Florida Marlins, which the Marlins won, 1-0, no thanks to Porcello, who shut them out in his three-inning start.

"Tonight I thought he showed a lot of poise," Leyland said after Porcello got out of some early trouble, which was no knock against the pitcher. He throws a terrific sinking fastball, which the Marlins kept pounding into the ground.

The problem is that the ground at Roger Dean Stadium is like concrete covered with a thin layer of brown dirt. Balls hit into the grit bounce high into the air. Porcello gave up a couple of those Baltimore Chop singles as part of the five singles he allowed Monday night.

But he never gave up a run. And he never walked a batter. He simply got busy going after the next hitter, usually by way of inducing another ground ball.

"He's a young 20-year-old pitcher with good stuff," said Leyland, who is being careful not to build a publicity bonfire around Porcello.

Leyland will not be caught the way one of his managerial forerunners, Sparky Anderson, could get trapped in talking prematurely about a hot prospect.

"I've made those mistakes in the past," Leyland said. "You never know until it happens.

"Do I think he's one of those guys? Yes, I do.

"Do I know for sure? No.

"He's a young, above-average pitcher with very good stuff."

Porcello is 10 weeks past his 20th birthday. He's the most impressive young Tigers pitching talent in perhaps decades. His status comes naturally, all because he has done nothing but pitch brilliantly since he first came to spring camp a year ago, eight months after the Tigers had picked him in the first round of the 2007 draft.

What he does best is throw a 92-mph two-seam sinking fastball that hitters have a difficult time centering. They hit on top of the pitch, which obviously leads to ground balls. Lots of ground balls.

Porcello's sinker is the essence of that baseball term "heavy" fastball. It drops and tumbles and confounds hitters who can't seem to hit it squarely.

But the reason Porcello is moving closer to becoming a member of Leyland's rotation is only partially because of his sinker. It has to do with a mixed bag of qualities: command of the strike zone, ability to throw a strong and improving curveball, and a change-up that can stand up to big-league hitters. Those are the mechanical aspects of an extraordinary young athlete.

What has impressed Leyland and the front office is Porcello's demeanor. His maturity is more like that of a 30-year-old -- brain surgeon.

Porcello was a catch coming out of high school, and the Tigers knew it. It explains why they paid him the most cash ever offered a high school pitcher, $7.4 million, which beat the old record held by Josh Beckett.

He had it all in high school, with academic luster that matched his baseball talents, and a lovely campus experience all signed and sealed at the University of North Carolina.

The Tigers anted up with an astounding some of money for a drafted player, infuriating Commissioner Bud Selig's office in the process. And they did it for one reason: Porcello was likely to become something special.

After Monday night's game, Porcello stood in the Tigers clubhouse wearing a snappy blue-check shirt, blue jeans, and flip-flops. He's 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, and as gentlemanly as an altar boy. He knows what's going on. He understands he is no longer being talked about as a "long shot."

And none of it -- the talk, the anticipation, the prospects of pitching on the big stage -- is seemingly affecting him in any negative fashion.

"Whatever happens, happens," he said, in that steady, serious, unfailingly polite manner of his. "I'm enjoying my time here, trying to learn from everybody."

What he's learning is how to become a big-league pitcher. He has four more weeks of rehearsals before the show begins.

You can reach Lynn Henning at lynn.henning@detnews.com

03/10/09 3:32 PM ET

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Miner struggles in Tigers' loss to Cards
Fifth-starter hopeful allows three runs on seven hits in three frames

By Matthew Leach / MLB.com

CARDINALS 5, TIGERS 2
at Jupiter, Fla.
Tuesday, March 10

Tigers at the plate: Marcus Thames cranked a solo homer and singled. Ryan Raburn rapped an RBI double off the bench, and Brett Clevlen had two hits.

Cardinals at the plate: Chris Duncan crushed a two-run homer, his second of the spring, and added a sharp RBI single. Skip Schumaker singled, doubled and scored two runs, and Rick Ankiel had a double and two singles.

Tigers on the mound: Zach Miner was hit fairly hard in his start, allowing three runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and no walks. Former Cards first-round Draft pick Chris Lambert allowed a walk in a scoreless, hitless fourth. Eddie Bonine also pitched an inning with no runs or hits, but one walk.

Cardinals on the mound: Starter Kyle Lohse was very sharp, allowing a run on two hits over 4 1/3 innings with four strikeouts and a walk. Ryan Franklin was charged with a run, his first in six innings (counting the game against the Dominican Republic) this spring. Jess Todd tossed two shutout frames.

Grapefruit League records: Tigers 3-8; Cardinals 6-4-1

Up next: The Tigers return home to Lakeland, Fla., for an excellent pitching matchup on Wednesday. Justin Verlander takes on new Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia at 1:05 p.m. ET at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

NO!

1st inning for Miner:

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Skip Schumaker singles on a ground ball to center fielder Brent Clevlen.

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Chris Duncan homers (1) on a fly ball to center field. Skip Schumaker scores.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Albert Pujols doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Marcus Thames.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Rick Ankiel strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Ryan Ludwick pops out to second baseman Will Rhymes.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Khalil Greene flies out to right fielder Jeff Larish.


2nd inning for Miner:

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Joe Mather singles on a line drive to left fielder Marcus Thames.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
With Bryan Anderson batting, Zach Miner picks off Joe Mather at 1st on throw to Don Kelly.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Bryan Anderson flies out to left fielder Marcus Thames.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Tyler Greene grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Don Kelly.

2-1 Cards after 2 innings

3rd inning for Miner:

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Skip Schumaker hits a ground-rule double (1) on a fly ball to left field.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Chris Duncan singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jeff Larish. Skip Schumaker scores.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Albert Pujols strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1 - Rick Ankiel doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Marcus Thames. Chris Duncan to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Ryan Ludwick lines out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Khalil Greene flies out to right fielder Jeff Larish.
____________________________________________________

3 singles, 2 doubles, 1 home run, 2 strike outs, NO WALKS!
Batters faced: Miner 15 WITH 6 GETTING ON BASE -- GET IT TOGETHER ZACH! YOU STILL HAVE A CHANCE!

Ouch


But it only one game


I think Zach gonna be a starter


And deserves to be one

The Cardinal radio broadcasters thought Miner was a very good pitcher, he just had a bad day.

03/11/09 4:00 PM ET

Box >

Offense awakens against Yanks
Sheffield launches two homers as Tigers take it to CC

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

TIGERS 7, YANKEES 4
at Lakeland, Fla.
Wednesday, March 11

Yankees at the plate: New York hitters waited out Tigers starter Justin Verlander for the second time in six days, this time for four runs over the first two innings. Mark Teixeira singled in a run in the opening inning, then drew a two-out walk that loaded the bases for Jorge Posada's RBI pass in the second. Kevin Cash added an RBI single, and Nick Swisher had a sacrifice fly.

Tigers at the plate: Gary Sheffield, 1-for-16 in Spring Training games entering the day, took a mechanical adjustment to the plate with him and responded with two home runs. His two-run shot paced a five-run second inning off CC Sabathia, and Sheffield added a solo homer in the fourth. Wilkin Ramirez and catcher Gerald Laird added two hits each, including a solo homer from Ramirez in the third.

Yankees on the mound: Sabathia's second Spring Training start with the Yankees didn't last through the second inning, thanks to five runs on six hits, including Sheffield's homer and three straight singles. Solo shots from Sheffield and Ramirez comprised the bulk of the damage against Alfredo Aceves in his 3 1/3 innings. Brian Bruney fanned two in a scoreless frame.

Tigers on the mound: A second inning that topped 30 pitches helped end Verlander's fourth Spring Training start before he could reach the third frame. His four walks included three in a row in the second, leading to a run before he stranded the bases loaded. Fernando Rodney stranded the bases loaded in a scoreless fourth, and Juan Rincon added two more scoreless innings.

Grapefruit League records: Yankees 5-7-1, Tigers 4-8

Coming up: The Tigers are off Thursday before resuming their Spring Training homestand Friday with a 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Mets at Joker Marchant Stadium. Edwin Jackson will make his fourth start of Spring Training, hoping to rebound from a rough opening inning on Saturday against the Phillies. Former Detroit hurler Freddy Garcia is scheduled to start for New York.

The Yankees get an off-day Thursday to decompress before hitting the road for their first Spring Training matchup with the Red Sox on Friday night at 7:05 in Fort Myers, Fla. Chien-Ming Wang is scheduled to make his third start of Spring Training, opposite knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

laprimamirala wrote:

Sheff's bat goes BOOM, BOOM!