GDT: 9/12/09 - DET (75-65) VS TOR (64-77) - 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- At one point, Saturday looked like it could be the only game Curtis Granderson would definitely start out of the Tigers' four-game series against the Blue Jays. Now, he might not miss three games the rest of the season.

After weighing what to do with Granderson's struggles against left-handed pitchers, manager Jim Leyland is going to play it out. Simply put, he's too valuable for Leyland to sit, whether or not he hits.

"He's going to be a big key for us," Leyland said before Friday's 6-4 loss, Detroit's fourth straight defeat. "You don't feel uncomfortable [without him], but you feel much more comfortable with him out there in center field and his legs. We've got to have him, and I think he's going to be a big key down the stretch. These last three weeks, he's going to be a huge key for us."

With that in mind, Leyland started him in center field Friday against Blue Jays left-hander Brian Tallet, but batted him seventh rather than in his customary leadoff role. Ryan Raburn led off for Detroit for the third time in four games, all against lefty starters, and added two hits and two RBIs. Granderson went 0-for-4, all against left-handed pitching; his average fell to .251 overall this year and .177 against lefties.

He'll be back at the top of the order Saturday against Jays right-hander Scott Richmond as the Tigers try to maintain their cushion on top of the AL Central. He'll be in the lineup somewhere Sunday against lefty Ricky Romero, Leyland indicated, before he sits for fellow Jays lefty David Purcey.

As Granderson goes, the Tigers are likely to follow, not just in the field but at the plate.

His importance already reflects in the stats. Raburn and Adam Everett continue to lead the team in RBIs against left-handed pitching this season, partly due to Granderson's struggles to reach base against southpaws and set the order for those behind him. He entered Friday having led off 235 innings this season, according to Bill James Online.

When Granderson reaches base safely to lead off an inning, the Tigers are averaging just over a run per inning, 77 runs out of 74 occasions. When he doesn't reach base, they've scored just 43 runs out of 161 innings, barely half their scoring average in innings when Granderson doesn't lead off.

It's a mixed bag, as Granderson sees it. While his average is clearly down, along with doubles and triples, he already has a career high in home runs to go with a renewed pace on stolen bases. He's on pace to set a career best in walks.

"It's a very interesting year," Granderson said.

If the Tigers could get more of that against lefties, they'd be tickled. For now, though, he isn't there yet, and probably won't be this year.

"The left-handers [in the league] are better this year, that's one thing," Leyland said. "And he hasn't made the progress we hoped he would. But obviously we need him to be a regular player, down the stretch, next year and the year after that. And he is a regular player for us."

Leyland stopped short of mentioning the postseason because he doesn't want to tempt fate. If they're going to get there, though, he knows Granderson is a key.


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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Edwin Jackson (12-6, 3.10 ERA)
Jackson's competitive nature was in full swing in a victory against the Rays on Sunday. Opposing Wade Davis, who was making his Major League debut and gave up just one run in seven innings, the ex-Ray kept his team in the game before Brandon Inge rewarded him with a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the ninth. Jackson finished with three runs on six hits in eight innings. Going into the eighth, the 25-year-old -- who turns 26 on Wednesday -- had logged 106 pitches, but he pitched through the frame in order to keep it a two-run game and eventually qualify for the win. Jackson is 3-1 with a 2.33 ERA against the American League East this year, but he has just two wins in his past 10 road starts.

TOR: RHP Scott Richmond (6-9, 4.76 ERA)
As Richmond tries to earn a spot in next year's rotation and searches for his first win since June 24, he continues to be plagued by one bad inning. Against the Minnesota Twins on Monday it was the first, when his pitches found too much of the plate and he gave up five runs. After allowing a second-inning double, he retired 13 in a row and lasted six innings, giving up one more run in a 6-3 loss. The six earned runs were a career high. He is 0-5, 7.15 ERA, in his past seven starts. He missed most of July with biceps tendinitis but says that has not been a factor, but patches of poor pitch location have been the problem. He has not pitched against Detroit in his career.

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Tidbits

... Aubrey Huff (2-for-5) is the only Tiger to have faced Richmond in his Major League career.
... Adam Lind is 5-for-21 off Jackson with a double, triple, homer and three RBIs.
... Ramon Santiago is batting .316 (31-for-98) at Comerica Park this year, compared with .212 (25-for-118) on the road.
... The Tigers have doubled in each of their last 12 games, a season high.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Sunday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 12-8, 4.26 ERA) vs. Blue Jays (Ricky Romero, 12-7, 4.14 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 16-8, 3.24 ERA) vs. Blue Jays (David Purcey, 0-2, 7.01 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Tigers (Jarrod Washburn, 9-8, 3.60 ERA) vs. Royals (Robinson Tejeda, 2-1, 3.21 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

BLUE JAYS

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
   
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
   
3. Vernon Wells, CF
   
4. Lyle Overbay, 1B
   
5. Rod Barajas, C
   
6. Juan Encarnacion, 3B
   
7. Randy Ruiz, DH
   
8. Travis Snider, LF
   
9. Joe Inglett, RF
   

P: Scott Richmond

TIGERS

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. Alex Avila, C
   
8. Brandon Inge, 3B
   
9. Ramon Santiago, SS
   

P: Edwin Jackson

Current Conditions

Comerica Park

Sunny 73 F

Humidity: 42 %

Wind: from the ESE at 8 mph

Barometer: 30.11 in

last updated: 9/12/09 5:45 PM EDT

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Marco Scutaro flies out to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Aaron Hill swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Vernon Wells flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

0-0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Curtis Granderson homers (27) on a line drive to right field.
DET 1, TOR 0



B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco lines out sharply to center fielder Vernon Wells.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen walks.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Marco Scutaro to first baseman Lyle Overbay. Carlos Guillen to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Aubrey Huff lines out softly to second baseman Aaron Hill.

DET 1, TOR 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Lyle Overbay walks.

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Rod Barajas homers (18) on a fly ball to left center field. Lyle Overbay scores.
TOR 2, DET 1



B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Edwin Encarnacion grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Randy Ruiz singles on a line drive to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Travis Snider swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Joe Inglett flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

TOR 2, DET 1after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Clete Thomas singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Vernon Wells.

B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Alex Avila homers (5) on a fly ball to right field. Clete Thomas scores.
DET 3, TOR 2

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Brandon Inge walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago lines out softly to center fielder Vernon Wells.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Placido Polanco grounds into a force out, shortstop Marco Scutaro to second baseman Aaron Hill. Brandon Inge out at 2nd.

DET 3, TOR 2 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Marco Scutaro flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Aaron Hill flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Vernon Wells singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. (Carlos just missed making a diving catch)


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
With Lyle Overbay batting, wild pitch by Edwin Jackson, Vernon Wells to 2nd.


B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Lyle Overbay grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 3, TOR 2 after 2.5 innings

Add on runs please.

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to center fielder Vernon Wells.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Marco Scutaro to first baseman Lyle Overbay.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Aubrey Huff grounds out, second baseman Aaron Hill to first baseman Lyle Overbay.

DET 3, TOR 2 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Rod Barajas reaches on throwing error by third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:2 S:2 O:1 - Edwin Encarnacion grounds into a force
out, third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Placido Polanco. Rod
Barajas out at 2nd. Edwin Encarnacion to 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:3 - Randy Ruiz grounds into double play,
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Ramon Santiago to pitcher
Edwin Jackson. Edwin Encarnacion out at 2nd.

DET 3, TOR 2 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

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

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Alex Avila swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Vernon Wells.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
With Ramon Santiago batting, Clete Thomas steals (3) 2nd base.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago swinging.

DET 3, TOR 2 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Travis Snider swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Joe Inglett singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
With Marco Scutaro batting, Joe Inglett steals (3) 2nd base.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Marco Scutaro singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Joe Inglett scores.
TOR 3, DET 3



B:0 S:0 O:3 - Aaron Hill grounds into double play,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Placido Polanco to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Marco Scutaro out at 2nd.

TOR 3, DET 3 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson pops out to third baseman Edwin Encarnacion in foul territory.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Edwin Encarnacion.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen walks. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (29) (420 foot) on a line drive to left field. Placido Polanco scores. Carlos Guillen scores.
DET 6, TOR 3

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Jesse Carlson replaces Scott Richmond.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Aubrey Huff grounds out, pitcher Jesse Carlson to first baseman Lyle Overbay.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Aaron Hill to first baseman Lyle Overbay.

DET 6, TOR 3 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Vernon Wells homers (14) on a fly ball to left center field.
DET 6, TOR 4



B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Lyle Overbay grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Rod Barajas singles on a line drive to left fielder Carlos Guillen.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Edwin Encarnacion flies out to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Randy Ruiz pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

DET 6, TOR 4 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge lines out sharply to center fielder Vernon Wells.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, shortstop Marco Scutaro to first baseman Lyle Overbay.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out softly, pitcher Jesse Carlson to first baseman Lyle Overbay.

DET 6, TOR 4 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Travis Snider flies out to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Joe Inglett swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Marco Scutaro homers (12) on a fly ball to left field.
DET 6, TOR 5



B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Aaron Hill grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 6, TOR 5 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon League replaces Jesse Carlson.


B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Placido Polanco swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Edwin Encarnacion to first baseman Lyle Overbay.

DET 6, TOR 5 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Ryan Raburn replaces left fielder Carlos Guillen, batting 3rd, playing left field.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon Lyon replaces Edwin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Vernon Wells singles on a ground ball to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Lyle Overbay walks. Vernon Wells to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Rod Barajas pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory. Vernon Wells to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
With Edwin Encarnacion batting, wild pitch by Brandon Lyon, Vernon Wells scores. Lyle Overbay to 2nd.
DET 6, TOR 6



B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Edwin Encarnacion called out on .


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Randy Ruiz grounds out, pitcher Brandon Lyon to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 6, TOR 6 after 7.5 innings

Whooo Avila and Miggy!

SLOPPY start for Ed!

Bottom Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Aubrey Huff flies out to left fielder Travis Snider.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Clete Thomas grounds out, first baseman Lyle Overbay to pitcher Brandon League.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Aaron Hill to first baseman Lyle Overbay.

DET 6, TOR 6 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Gerald Laird replaces catcher Alex Avila, batting 7th, playing catcher.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Brandon Lyon.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Travis Snider grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Joe Inglett flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.