GDT: 4/17/10 - DET (6-4) at SEA (5-6) - 9:10 p.m. ET

Verlander, Rowland-Smith seeking first wins

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com

Detroit's Justin Verlander and Seattle's Ryan Rowland-Smith are both looking get their seasons on track on Saturday at Safeco Field.

Verlander has history on his side. Rowland-Smith will have the hometown crowd backing him up.

Both are seeking their first win of the season.

Though tagged with the loss in Seattle's home opener at Safeco Field, Rowland-Smith surrendered just three hits over seven innings against the Athletics. However, he also walked five batters, including the first three batters in the fourth inning, which led to a run.

"The first three innings, I was in sync and I was in a rhythm, and all of a sudden I was trying to do a little bit extra and I was nibbling," Rowland-Smith said. "The five walks aren't acceptable. It doesn't matter how good of a game you pitch or how many hits you give up."

Rowland-Smith has started two games against the Tigers and received no-decisions in both. He has a 5.13 ERA against them. Mariners starters have now won three games in a row, and the club is hoping Rowland-Smith extends that streak four.

"Our pitchers avoided three-ball counts, and that's the key," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said. "I think being in this ballpark, getting back home, being in front of our own fans, that helped, too, but I saw an aggressive approach. We got into 14 three-ball counts the whole series [against Oakland]. The numbers don't lie. It gives us a barometer, I guess. Obviously, we had some great pitching performances, and on top of that it allows us to pick and choose our bullpen the right way."

In many ways, Verlander's start to this season closely resembles his first month of last season -- potentially dominant stuff, but inconsistent command of his secondary pitches, leaving him struggling to finish off hitters in tight spots.

Last season, he was 1-1 with a 7.88 ERA after two starts. He's 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA after two starts this season.

One of Verlander's outings last April before he turned the season around came in Seattle, where he threw four perfect innings with seven strikeouts and then got hit hard in the fifth frame. He pitched through the seventh and later said that he felt close to turning everything around. He won seven of his next eight starts and finished the season 19-9.

"The way I felt like I was throwing the ball, my stuff was back," Verlander said. "It was just working through those things and believing in myself and my ability."

Verlander says the biggest similarity between last year and this year is that he still has to eliminate big innings.

Tigers shuffle lineup
Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he plans to use Magglio Ordonez as the DH on Saturday and start Ryan Raburn in right field. Johnny Damon will most likely get the night off.

Mariners closing it out
Closer David Aardsma had nailed down 14 consecutive saves dating back to Aug. 24. It's the longest streak of his career. During the streak he has allowed one run in 14 innings (0.64 ERA) and limited opponents to a .125 batting average. ... The Mariners have recorded at least one extra-base hit in all 11 games this season and have extended the streak to 41 from Aug. 31 of last year. The club record is 92 (April 14-July 26, 1997).




Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Justin Verlander (0-0, 9.00 ERA)
In many ways, Verlander's start to this season closely resembles his first month of last season -- potentially dominant stuff but inconsistent command of his secondary pitches, leaving him struggling to finish off hitters in tight spots. He had an encouraging sign against the Mariners in April of last season, despite a big inning, and he's hoping to find his first win of the year in Seattle.



LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (0-1, 5.25 ERA)
The lefty from Australia is coming off a confidence-boosting outing against the Athletics. Though tagged with the loss in Seattle's home opener at Safeco Field, Rowland-Smith surrendered just three hits over seven innings. However, he also walked five batters, including the first three batters in the fourth inning, which led to a run. He's not a strikeout pitcher -- two in 12 innings this season -- so he must throw quality strikes consistently and put the ball in play. Rowland-Smith has started two games against the Tigers and received no-decisions in both. He has a 5.13 ERA against them.


To track MLB play-by-play, to help post GDT outcomes: http://m.mlb.com/scores/

On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official Press Pass game notes

On television

• &

On radio

•
• XM Channel Schedule
• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule


Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Sunday, April 18:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (0-1, 1.64 ERA)) at Mariners (RHP Ian Snell (0-1, 5.00 ERA)), 4:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD /1270 & 97.1)

• Monday, April 19:
Tigers (LHP Dontrelle Willis, (0-0, 4.91 ERA)) at Angels (RHP Joel Pineiro, (1-1, 2.77 ERA)), 10:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD/1270 & 97.1)• Tuesday, April 20:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (1-0, 4.09 ERA)) at Angels (LHP Scott Kazmir (0-1, 13.50 ERA)), 10:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD/1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

1. Jackson, CF
   
2. Raburn, RF
   
3. Ordonez, DH
   
4. Cabrera, 1B
   
5. Guillen, LF
   
6. Inge, 3B
   
7. Sizemore, 2B
   
8. Laird, C
   
9. Everett, SS
   

P: Justin Verlander

MARINERS

1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
   
2. Chone Figgins, 2B
   
3. Franklin Gutierrez, CF
   
4. Jose Lopez, 3B
   
5. Ken Griffey Jr., DH
   
6. Milton Bradley, LF
   
7. Casey Kotchman, 1B
   
8. Adam Moore, C
   
9. Jack Wilson, SS
   

P: Ryan Rowland-Smith

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Austin Jackson called out on .

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out, third baseman Jose Lopez to first baseman Casey Kotchman.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez walks.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.


Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ichiro Suzuki hits a ground-rule double (2) on a line drive to right field, on fan interference.

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
With Chone Figgins batting, Ichiro Suzuki steals (3) 3rd base.

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Dropped foul pop error by left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Chone Figgins swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Franklin Gutierrez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Carlos Guillen. Ichiro Suzuki scores.

SEA 1, DET 0



B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Jose Lopez singles on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Franklin Gutierrez to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:2 - Ken GriffeyJr. grounds into a force out,
pitcher Justin Verlander to shortstop Adam Everett. Jose Lopez out at
2nd. Ken GriffeyJr. to 1st.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Milton Bradley swinging.

SEA 1, DET 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen lines out to left fielder Milton Bradley.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge pops out to first baseman Casey Kotchman in foul territory.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Scott Sizemore pops out to first baseman Casey Kotchman in foul territory.


Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Casey Kotchman lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Adam Moore grounds out softly, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Jack Wilson singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
With Ichiro Suzuki batting, Jack Wilson caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Laird to shortstop Adam Everett.

SEA 1, DET 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Gerald Laird walks.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Adam Everett bunt pops out to pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Austin Jackson pops out to third baseman Jose Lopez.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
With Ryan Raburn batting, passed ball by Adam Moore, Gerald Laird to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn lines out to left fielder Milton Bradley.

SEA 1, DET 0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Ichiro Suzuki triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Chone Figgins out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Austin Jackson. Ichiro Suzuki scores.

SEA 2, DET 0



B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Franklin Gutierrez grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Jose Lopez grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

SEA 2, DET 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez homers (4) on a fly ball to left field.

SEA 2, DET 1

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen called out on .

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, shortstop Jack Wilson to first baseman Casey Kotchman.

SEA 2, DET 1 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Ken GriffeyJr . swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Milton Bradley pops out to second baseman Scott Sizemore.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Casey Kotchman flies out to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

SEA 2, DET 1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Scott Sizemore singles on a line drive to left fielder Milton Bradley.

B:1 S:2 O:1 - Gerald Laird grounds into a force out,
third baseman Jose Lopez to second baseman Chone Figgins. Scott
Sizemore out at 2nd. Gerald Laird to 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Adam Everett singles on a line drive to center fielder Franklin Gutierrez. Gerald Laird to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Austin Jackson swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn pops out to shortstop Jack Wilson.

SEA 2, DET 1 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Adam Moore flies out to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Jack Wilson grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Ichiro Suzuki singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Chone Figgins flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

SEA 2, DET 1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to left fielder Milton Bradley.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Jack Wilson to first baseman Casey Kotchman.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Brandon Inge pops out to first baseman Casey Kotchman in foul territory.

SEA 2, DET 1 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Franklin Gutierrez swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Jose Lopez grounds out softly, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Ken GriffeyJr. called out on .

SEA 2, DET 1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Scott Sizemore doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon League replaces Ryan Rowland-Smith.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Jose Lopez to second baseman Chone Figgins. Scott Sizemore to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Johnny Damon replaces Adam Everett.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Johnny Damon singles on a line drive to center fielder Franklin Gutierrez. Scott Sizemore scores.

DET 2, SEA 2


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to left fielder Milton Bradley. Johnny Damon to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into a force
out, shortstop Jack Wilson to second baseman Chone Figgins. Austin
Jackson out at 2nd.

DET 2, SEA 2 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Ramon Santiago replaces Johnny Damon, batting 9th, playing shortstop.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Milton Bradley walks.

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
With Casey Kotchman batting, Milton Bradley steals (1) 2nd base.

B:2 S:2 O:1 - Casey Kotchman doubles (3) on a line
drive to right fielder Ryan Raburn. Milton Bradley scores. Casey
Kotchman out at 3rd, right fielder Ryan Raburn to shortstop Ramon
Santiago to third baseman Brandon Inge.

SEA 3, DET 2


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Adam Moore swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Jack Wilson pops out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

SEA 3, DET 2 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Mark Lowe replaces Brandon League.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Chone Figgins to first baseman Casey Kotchman.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a line drive to center fielder Franklin Gutierrez.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge walks. Carlos Guillen to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 - Scott Sizemore grounds into double play,
third baseman Jose Lopez to second baseman Chone Figgins to first
baseman Casey Kotchman. Brandon Inge out at 2nd.

SEA 3, DET 2 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Justin Verlander.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Ichiro Suzuki walks.

B:2 S:2 O:1 - Chone Figgins grounds into a force out,
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Ramon Santiago. Ichiro Suzuki
out at 2nd. Chone Figgins to 1st.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Phil Coke.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
With Franklin Gutierrez batting, Chone Figgins steals (4) 2nd base.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Franklin Gutierrez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Carlos Guillen. Chone Figgins scores.

SEA 4, DET 2


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Jose Lopez called out on .

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Ken GriffeyJr. lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

SEA 4, DET 2 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: David Aardsma replaces Mark Lowe.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Alex Avila replaces Gerald Laird.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago lines out to left fielder Milton Bradley.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.


SEA 4, DET 2 final score

BOX SCORE>