GDT: 8/18/09 - DET (62-55) VS SEA (61-57) - 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- Rick Porcello's time in the penalty box -- or club box, in this case -- is finally over. That's good, because he's getting bored watching games from up there.

"It's over with and done," Porcello said. "It can't come quick enough."

After serving a five-game suspension for last week's altercation with Red Sox slugger Kevin Youkilis, Porcello is free to pitch, and the Tigers aren't wasting any time getting him back on the mound. Though they could've used Monday's off-day to skip Porcello and use him later in the week, the Tigers wanted to slot him in for Tuesday's series opener against the Mariners and get him back throwing without too much rust.

His 15-pitch outing Tuesday ended up providing plenty of rest in itself, though his 15th and final pitch provided most of the highlights that night from Fenway Park. Take away that one-plus innings, and he hasn't thrown a full outing since Aug. 6. He ended up throwing an extra bullpen session once the Tigers got back to Detroit to make up for it. Now, he's ready to go back to work.

In hindsight, Porcello said he's surprised how much attention the incident received, including how much debate went on over who threw who to the ground. He'll leave that question unanswered, but he'd rather just move past it in the first place.

Tuesday will provide his first opportunity to do that.

"It's just one of those things that doesn't happen a lot," Porcello said. "So when it does happen, I think people are interested about it. I don't know what it is, really. It raises some eyebrows -- just one of those things, I guess.

"I'd much rather get attention for pitching in a game than something like that. It's just one of those things that happened, and it's kind of a crazy incident, but as far as the team goes, it didn't really help out that much. I'm looking forward for it to be over and to be able to get back out there, so I can try to help win some games."

That'll be his job Tuesday, and it'll come against a Mariners squad that Porcello beat for his first Major League win on April 19 in Seattle. He has reached double digits in wins since then, and he now looks on track to potentially finish out his turns in the rotation the rest of the year. Detroit manager Jim Leyland said this past weekend that he has two versions of his pitching order laid out -- one with everybody in order, and the other in case they decide to use off-days to skip any turns down the stretch.

Because Zach Miner filled in for Armando Galarraga last Wednesday, the Tigers actually made it through Porcello's suspension without having to slot in a spot starter in his place. That at least provided some silver lining after the impact of the ejection itself, from Chris Lambert's long-relief outing to the Red Sox's comeback. However, Porcello wouldn't mind if his first suspension at any level is his last.

"Especially when we're playing well, to be up there in the stands watching and not be down there on the field or competing, it's always tough," Porcello said.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Rick Porcello (10-7, 4.34 ERA)
Porcello lost to the Mariners when he allowed five runs over 5 1/3 innings on July 21 in Detroit. Porcello's 4.92 ERA in 10 starts at Comerica Park is more than a full run higher than his 3.81 ERA everywhere else.

SEA: RHP Felix Hernandez (12-4, 2.72 ERA)
After three subpar performances, the Mariners' staff ace returned to his All-Star version, holding the White Sox scoreless over seven innings on Wednesday night. He was in trouble in the second, third, fifth and seventh innings, but Hernandez found a way out of each predicament. He pitched into the seventh inning for the 56th time in his past 69 starts. This will be his third start against the Tigers this season, and he's 2-0, having allowed four runs in 13 innings.

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Tidbits

... The Tigers hope to have Brandon Inge available Tuesday after he missed Sunday's game to rest his ailing left knee. "We were trying something with him, some different type of procedure," Leyland said Sunday. "Hopefully, come Tuesday, he'll be feeling pretty good."
... Miguel Cabrera is 4-for-6 off Hernandez this season. Curtis Granderson is 9-for-22 lifetime off Hernandez, but he also has seven strikeouts.
... Brandon Lyon hasn't allowed a run in his past 13 outings, covering 14 2/3 scoreless innings.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 10-7, 4.34 ERA) vs. Mariners (Felix Hernandez, 12-4, 2.72 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 13-6, 3.28 ERA) vs. Mariners (Ian Snell, 2-9, 5.84 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Tigers (Jarrod Washburn, 8-7, 2.95 ERA) vs. Mariners (TBD), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Friday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 9-5, 2.85 ERA) at Athletics (Gio Gonzalez, 4-3, 5.88 ERA), 10:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

Seattle
1. Suzuki, I, RF
2. Branyan, 1B
3. Lopez, J, 2B
4. Griffey Jr., DH
5. Gutierrez, F, CF
6. Hannahan, 3B
7. Johnson, Ro, C
8. Langerhans, LF
9. Wilson, Jo, SS

DETROIT
1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Carlos Guillen, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Aubrey Huff, DH
6. Clete Thomas, RF
7. Brandon Inge, 3B
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Adam Everett, SS

Tigers lineup listed, Huff batting 5th as the DH

Current Conditions

Comerica Park

Partly Cloudy 84 F

Humidity: 52 %

Wind: from the WSW at 14 mph

Barometer: 29.92 in

last updated: 8/18/09 6:05 PM EDT

Welp, let's hope Rick keeps those runs down and our offense gets it done.

Let's make a nice debut Huffy!

My only worry is Los on LF. I hope he is ready!

I'm glad to see him back in the field, if he can play without causing further injury that is. Gives our lineup more flexibility.

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Ichiro Suzuki singles on a line drive to shortstop Adam Everett, deflected by third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Russell Branyan grounds into double
play, shortstop Adam Everett to second baseman Placido Polanco to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Ichiro Suzuki out at 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Jose Lopez grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0-0

7 pitch inning for Rick!

Whoo Rick! Keep those innings up.

Probably a low scoring game coming. Since the M's can't hit, and the Tigers won't be able to catch Felix.

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson called out on strikes.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen lines out to shortstop Josh Wilson.

Ichiro seems to have the best glove and most speed in the Seattle OF.

Wonder why he doesn't play center?

Gutierrez would probably do better in right anyway.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Langerhans. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

Yay Miggy! Gotta keep that average up.

I wouldn't expect a batting title though, whoever's in first is way up there. I think like .360-.380

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Aubrey Huff grounds out, first baseman Russell Branyan to pitcher Felix Hernandez.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Ken GriffeyJr. swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Franklin Gutierrez swinging.

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Jack Hannahan lines out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

0-0 after 1.5 innings

Quick innings for Rick!

Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Clete Thomas walks.

gdennis59 wrote:

Quick innings for Rick!

Rick is pitching well!

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge pops out to shortstop Josh Wilson.

Whoo baserunners! Let's bring em around to score.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Alex Avila swinging. Clete Thomas steals (2) 2nd base.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Adam Everett singles on a line drive to center fielder Franklin Gutierrez. Clete Thomas scores.
DET 1, SEA 0

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
With Curtis Granderson batting, Adam Everett steals (5) 2nd base.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
With Granderson batting, Adam Everett out at 3rd, catcher Rob Johnson to third baseman Jack Hannahan.

DET 1, SEA 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Rob Johnson grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Ryan Langerhans grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Josh Wilson swinging.

DET 1, SEA 0 after 2.5 innings