GDT: 4/19/10 - DET (7-5) at LAA (6-7) - 10:05 p.m. ET

Rodney's former team descends on Anaheim

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com

The Tigers know what to expect if former teammate Fernando Rodney takes the mound for the Angels sometime during the next four games in Anaheim, while the Halos will experience the buzz surrounding rookie outfielder Austin Jackson.

Jackson, 23, leads Major League rookies with 17 hits and a .340 average. He has at least two hits in five of the 10 games he's played.

"I wouldn't say I'm surprised or anything. I'm confident in myself and the things that we worked on," Jackson said. "It's just once you get out there, it's applying it in the game. You can get out there and work on so much stuff from the cage. When you get out there, you don't want to think about it. You want it just to become second nature to you. It's just taking the same swings and things like that that you take in practice."

Neither team knows what to expect from Tigers starter Dontrelle Willis. The veteran's pitching remains a work in progress as he tries to build his confidence and his velocity. He hit 95 mph on Tuesday against the Royals, but did it in an eventful inning in which he loaded the bases with two walks and a single before escaping.

The left-hander's command in the first inning could set the tone for Monday's opener. He has had success his season, giving up two runs in six innings in his first start of the season against the Royals on April 8.

The Tigers need Willis. The club expects a tough series in Southern California.

"You have Chone Figgins over here [in Seattle] now, and [Vladimir] Guerrero's gone and [John] Lackey's gone, but [the Angels are] going to be really good," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said after Sunday's 4-2 victory over the Mariners. "That [Kendry] Morales kid is on the rise. They have an interesting team. They've kind of gone from a running and all that kind of stuff to a little more power. But they'll still do stuff. [Mike] Scioscia's real creative. They've still got some guys that can run a little bit."

The Angels can also pitch, as Joel Pineiro will take the mound in the opener on a roll.

The Puerto Rican righty was brilliant on Wednesday in New York, holding the Yankees to one run across seven innings on five hits and no walks while striking out seven, including Alex Rodriguez three times. He is 6-2 with a 2.66 ERA in 11 career appearances (nine starts) against the Tigers.

Angels: Rodney reunion
The last time the Tigers saw Rodney, he was pitching in the American League Central tiebreaker for them against the Twins in October.

Times and uniforms have changed.

This season, Rodney is 1-0 with three saves and a 6.00 ERA for the Angels. He has struck out four batters and walked two.

Tigers: Johnny come-lately
Detroit outfielder Johnny Damon has found a groove. He reached base four times on Sunday and has a five-game hitting streak during which he's 7-for-16 with three walks. He went just 2-for-16 with five strikeouts in Anaheim last year but will head to Southern California with some momentum at the plate.

Worth Noting: Miguel Cabrera hit a three-run home run on Sunday, his 27th birthday, to propel the Tigers past the Mariners and has reached base safely in 11 of 12 games this season. He's a .314 career hitter against the Halos and has four homers in 12 games at Angel Stadium.




Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Dontrelle Willis, (0-0, 4.91 ERA)
While the erratically wild Willis form of the past couple years seems to be gone, his pitching remains a work in progress as he tries to build his confidence and, in turn, his velocity. He hit 95 mph on the Comerica Park radar gun in his last outing Tuesday against the Royals, but did it during an opening-inning escape in which he loaded the bases with two walks and a single before holding Kansas City scoreless. He ended up giving up two solo homers and a two-run ground-ball single in his five-inning defeat. His first-inning command will be worth watching as he tries to start in form rather than in search of it.



RHP Joel Pineiro, (1-1, 2.77 ERA)
Pineiro followed a so-so debut at home with a brilliant performance on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium, holding the Yanks to one run across seven innings on five hits and no walks while striking out seven, including Alex Rodriguez three times. Pineiro was in command from the outset, retiring 10 of the first 11 men he faced with his two-seam fastball getting exceptional bite, complemented by his changeup and slider. Pineiro has enjoyed success against the Tigers, going 6-2 with a 2.66 ERA in 11 career appearances, nine as a starter.



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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• 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)

• Wednesday, April 21:
Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 9.00 ERA)) at Angels (RHP Jered Weaver (2-0, 2.84 ERA)), 10:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD/1270)

• Thursday, April 22:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (0-1, 6.88 ERA)) at Angels (LHP Joe Saunders (1-2, 4.26 ERA)), 10:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD/1270)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .340
Damon, LF .256
Ordonez, RF .306
Cabrera, M, 1B .370
Guillen, C, DH .277
Inge, 3B .286
Avila, C .143
Sizemore, 2B .281
Everett, SS .261
Totals .275

LA Angels AVG
Aybar, E, SS .298
Abreu, B, RF .231
Hunter, CF .341
Matsui, H, DH .327
Morales, K, 1B .224
Rivera, J, LF .271
Kendrick, H, 2B .311
Mathis, J, C .323
Wood, B, 3B .105
Totals .262

WEATHER FORECAST AS 65 DEGREES AND CLEAR AT GAMETIME.

CURRENT 70 DEG. AND SUNNY.

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Austin Jackson called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Johnny Damon flies out to left fielder Juan Rivera.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Kendry Morales.

0-0 AFTER .5 INNING

Bottom Half

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

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Bobby Abreu grounds out softly, pitcher Dontrelle Willis to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Torii Hunter swinging.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Bobby Abreu.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a ground ball to center fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to center fielder Torii Hunter. Carlos Guillen to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Alex Avila lines into double play, pitcher Joel Pineiro to first baseman Kendry Morales. Brandon Inge out at 1st.

0-0 AFTER 1.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Hideki Matsui called out on .

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Kendry Morales grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Juan Rivera lines out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

Inning 3
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Scott Sizemore grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Adam Everett flies out to left fielder Juan Rivera.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Bobby Abreu.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Johnny Damon singles on a line drive to center fielder Torii Hunter. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:3 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into a force
out, third baseman Brandon Wood to first baseman Kendry Morales. Johnny
Damon out at 2nd.

0-0 AFTER 2.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Howard Kendrick singles on a line drive to left fielder Johnny Damon.

B:1 S:0 O:0 - Jeff Mathis doubles (3) on a soft line
drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Howard Kendrick scores.
Throwing error by right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

LAA 1, DET 0


B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Brandon Wood walks.


B:1 S:2 O:1 - Erick Aybar grounds out softly, third
baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jeff Mathis to
3rd. Brandon Wood to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2 - Bobby Abreu reaches on a fielder's
choice out, shortstop Adam Everett to third baseman Brandon Inge. Jeff
Mathis scores. Brandon Wood out at 3rd.

LAA 2, DET 0


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Torii Hunter doubles (6) on a ground ball to left fielder Johnny Damon. Bobby Abreu to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Hideki Matsui flies out to left fielder Johnny Damon.

LAA 2, DET 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out, pitcher Joel Pineiro to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Bobby Abreu. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

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

LAA 2, DET 0 AFTER 3.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:2 S:0 O:0 -
Kendry Morales hit by pitch.

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Juan Rivera pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Howard Kendrick singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Kendry Morales to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Jeff Mathis flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Brandon Wood flies out sharply to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

LAA 2, DET 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Scott Sizemore swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett flies out to center fielder Torii Hunter.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Austin Jackson called out on .

LAA 2, DET 0 AFTER 4.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Erick Aybar flies out to left fielder Johnny Damon.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Bobby Abreu grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Dontrelle Willis.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Torii Hunter lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

LAA 2, DET 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Johnny Damon grounds out to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:2 O:3 - Miguel Cabrera grounds into double play,
pitcher Joel Pineiro to second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman
Kendry Morales. Magglio Ordonez out at 2nd.

LAA 2, DET 0 AFTER 5.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Hideki Matsui walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Kendry Morales grounds into double play,
shortstop Adam Everett to second baseman Scott Sizemore to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Hideki Matsui out at 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Juan Rivera grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

LAA 2, DET 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

Inning 7
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to right fielder Bobby Abreu.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge hit by pitch.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Alex Avila grounds out softly, second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Kendry Morales. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Scott Sizemore singles on a ground ball to shortstop Erick Aybar, deflected by pitcher Joel Pineiro. Brandon Inge to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Adam Everett flies out to right fielder Bobby Abreu.


Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Eddie Bonine replaces Dontrelle Willis.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Howard Kendrick walks.

B:0 S:1 O:2 - Jeff Mathis flies into double play, left
fielder Johnny Damon to second baseman Scott Sizemore. Howard Kendrick
out at 2nd on the throw.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Brandon Wood pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

LAA 2, DET 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

Inning 8
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Austin Jackson lines out to left fielder Juan Rivera.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Johnny Damon singles on a pop up to shortstop Erick Aybar.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to center fielder Torii Hunter. Johnny Damon to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Kevin Jepsen replaces Joel Pineiro.

B:0 S:1 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera grounds out, first
baseman Kendry Morales to pitcher Kevin Jepsen. Johnny Damon to 3rd.
Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Injury Delay.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out, pitcher Kevin Jepsen to first baseman Kendry Morales.


Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Erick Aybar bunt grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Bobby Abreu grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

LAA 2, DET 0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Kevin Jepsen.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Juan Rivera.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Scott Sizemore swinging.

LAA 2, DET 0 FINAL SCORE

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