GDT: 4/20/10 - DET (7-6) at LAA (7-7) - 10:05 p.m. ET

Kazmir hopes to hold down Tigers' Cabrera

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com

Officially, it's the Tigers vs. the Angels in Game 2 of the four-game series on Tuesday, but the real showdown could be between Angels starter Scott Kazmir and Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera.

After Monday night's 2-0 Angels victory, Cabrera is 10-for-30 with five doubles, two homers and eight RBIs in Anaheim. He has reached base safely 15 times in 35 plate appearances at Angel Stadium.

"I feel like my swing is there," Cabrera said. "I was thinking to be more aggressive at the plate, don't try to hit the home run. Try to see the gaps. Try to put the ball in play."

Cabrera went 1-for-4 with a double on Monday. He is 3-for-11 with a homer and four RBIs against Kazmir.

The Venezuelan's approach this week is a simple one.

"We have to swing better because we left a lot of men in scoring position with one out," he said. "We have to be more aggressive about that and try to score runs and try to be more relaxed in the game."

As for Kazmir, he will get the start after allowing six runs over four innings in his first start of the season against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Thursday. Kazmir, who began the season on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, struggled because he didn't have his slider working.

He'll need it against Cabrera and Co.

"I felt like I didn't have any feel at all for it," Kazmir said. "I threw only five or six. Once a team like the Yankees knows they can eliminate one pitch and look for one or the other, it's pretty tough to go out there and put up zeroes."

Angels manager Mike Scioscia, however, said that Kazmir doesn't always need to have his slider to be effective on the mound as long as he can locate his fastball, which averaged 90.4 mph in his last start.

"He pitched last year really with more of a fastball/changeup look and a good slider, and he still has that good slider, but it's about fastball command," Scioscia said. "So he's got three terrific pitches, and that fastball gives you a different look."

Tigers starter Rick Porcello didn't pitch in Anaheim last season and has made only one start against the Angels, giving up four runs on five hits in five-plus innings on June 7. However, three of those runs came on two first-inning homers before Porcello settled down.

Tigers switch it up for Red Wings
The Tigers' series opener at Texas on Friday will be shown on FSN Plus instead of FSN Detroit because of a scheduling overlap with the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup playoffs. ... There's a good chance Gerald Laird will return to the Tigers' lineup on Tuesday to catch Porcello, with whom he has worked for 26 of his 33 appearances. ... Brandon Inge's next game at third base will tie him with Travis Fryman for seventh place on the team's all-time list for games at the hot corner with 768.

Angels make schedule change
The Angels announced scheduling changes in their local broadcasts because the Los Angeles Lakers and Kings are in the NBA and NHL playoffs, respectively. Tuesday's game will be broadcast on FOX Sports Prime Ticket, Wednesday's game will be on KCOP, Friday's game will be on Prime Ticket and Sunday's game will be on FSN West.

Worth noting
Angels catcher Jeff Mathis continued his hot start to the season with a double in the second inning of Monday's game against the Tigers. He now has a hit in every game he'd played in this season, and the double extended his hitting streak to a career-high 10 games. Including the 2009 ALCS, Mathis has hit safely in 13 consecutive games.



Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Rick Porcello (1-0, 4.09 ERA)
Two starts into his second season, it's too early to tell whether Porcello is encountering a sophomore slump, but his struggles with hits and pitch counts suggest he's at least in a learning process in how to mesh his sinkerball that served him so well early last season with the power fastball that carried him through the stretch run. Now he'll go up against an opportunistic Angels lineup that can turn little innings into big ones. He had a no-decision in his only start against the Angels last year at Comerica Park, giving up two home runs.



LHP Scott Kazmir (0-1, 13.50 ERA)
Wanted: one missing slider. Kazmir couldn't find it Thursday night in New York, throwing only a handful of ineffective breaking balls in a season debut delayed by shoulder stiffness. The Yankees eventually teed off on his fastball and changeup, unloading seven extra-base hits while producing six earned runs in four innings. Kazmir's fastball was in the low 90s -- not as explosive as he'd like, but not bad - and his changeup was inconsistent. He needs all three of his deliveries to be effective. Kazmir is 2-4 with a 4.69 ERA in eight career outings against the Tigers, and the former Rays ace is looking for his first career win at Angel Stadium. He's 0-2 in four starts with a 3.16 ERA in his new home park.


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• 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)

• Friday, April 23:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (1-1, 2.12 ERA)) at Rangers (RHP Scott Feldman (1-1, 4.41 ERA)), 8:05 PM ET (FS-D HD/1270)

Starting Lineups:

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .333
Damon, LF .279
Ordonez, RF .321
Cabrera, M, 1B .360
Guillen, C, DH .275
Inge, 3B .289
Raburn, 2B .188
Laird, C .143
Everett, SS .231
Totals .274

LA Angels AVG
Aybar, E, SS .275
Abreu, B, RF .214
Hunter, CF .333
Matsui, H, DH .314
Morales, K, 1B .216
Rivera, J, LF .255
Izturis, M, 3B .222
Kendrick, H, 2B .340
Napoli, C .133
Totals .256

Inning 1
Top Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Austin Jackson swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon singles on a ground ball to center fielder Torii Hunter. (7 game hitting streak)

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Rivera. Johnny Damon to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to right fielder Bobby Abreu.

0-0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Erick Aybar swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Bobby Abreu singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:3 - Torii Hunter grounds into double play,
second baseman Ryan Raburn to shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman
Miguel Cabrera. Bobby Abreu out at 2nd.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Brandon Inge swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Bobby Abreu.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Gerald Laird grounds out sharply, third baseman Maicer Izturis to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Adam Everett flies out to center fielder Torii Hunter.

0-0 after 1.5 inning

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Hideki Matsui swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Kendry Morales singles on a fly ball to left fielder Johnny Damon.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Juan Rivera singles on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Kendry Morales to 2nd.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Maicer Izturis singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Kendry Morales scores. Juan Rivera to 2nd.

LAA 1, DET 0


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Howard Kendrick doubles (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Johnny Damon. Juan Rivera scores. Maicer Izturis scores.

LAA 3, DET 0


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Mike Napoli called out on .

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Erick Aybar lines out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


LAA 3, DET 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Austin Jackson swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon singles on a ground ball to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out to first baseman Kendry Morales.

LAA 3, DET 0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Bobby Abreu grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Torii Hunter grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Hideki Matsui swinging.

LAA 3, DET 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Torii Hunter.

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn pops out to first baseman Kendry Morales.

LAA 3, DET 0 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Kendry Morales singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:2 O:0 -
With Juan Rivera batting, wild pitch by Rick Porcello, Kendry Morales to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Juan Rivera hit by pitch.

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Injury Delay.

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Maicer Izturis walks. Kendry Morales to 3rd. Juan Rivera to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:1 - Howard Kendrick grounds into a force
out, shortstop Adam Everett to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Kendry
Morales scores. Juan Rivera to 3rd. Maicer Izturis out at 2nd. Howard
Kendrick to 1st.

LAA 4, DET 0


B:2 S:0 O:3 - Mike Napoli grounds into double play,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Ryan Raburn to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Howard Kendrick out at 2nd.

LAA 4, DET 0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Gerald Laird lines out sharply to third baseman Maicer Izturis.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett pops out to second baseman Howard Kendrick.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Austin Jackson called out on . (for 3rd time tonight)

LAA 4, DET 0 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Erick Aybar doubles (3) on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Bobby Abreu walks.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
With Torii Hunter batting, wild pitch by Rick Porcello, Erick Aybar to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
With Torii Hunter batting, Bobby Abreu steals (2) 2nd base.

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Torii Hunter swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Hideki Matsui doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Erick Aybar scores. Bobby Abreu scores.

LAA 6, DET 0



B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Fu-Te Ni replaces Rick Porcello.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Kendry Morales pops out to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Juan Rivera pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

LAA 6, DET 0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, second baseman Howard Kendrick to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to right fielder Bobby Abreu.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Rivera. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Jason Bulger replaces Scott Kazmir.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge doubles (7) on a line drive to left fielder Juan Rivera. Magglio Ordonez scores. Carlos Guillen scores.

LAA 6, DET 2



B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.


Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Maicer Izturis flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Howard Kendrick walks.

B:1 S:2 O:1 - Mike Napoli singles on a line drive to
center fielder Austin Jackson. Mike Napoli to 2nd. Howard Kendrick
advances to 3rd, on fielding error by center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Erick Aybar swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Bobby Abreu flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

LAA 6, DET 2 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Scot Shields replaces Jason Bulger.

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Gerald Laird swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ramon Santiago replaces Adam Everett.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago walks.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Austin Jackson walks. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Johnny Damon flies out to right fielder Bobby Abreu.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez walks. Ramon Santiago to 3rd. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Matt Palmer replaces Scot Shields.

B:1 S:0 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera doubles (5) on a fly ball
to center fielder Torii Hunter. Ramon Santiago scores. Austin Jackson
scores. Magglio Ordonez scores.

LAA 6, DET 5


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

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Brandon Inge pops out to shortstop Erick Aybar.

LAA 6, DET 5 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago remains in the game as the shortstop.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Fu-Te Ni.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Hideki Matsui pops out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Kendry Morales singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Juan Rivera flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

LAA 6, DET 5 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Kevin Jepsen replaces Matt Palmer.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Gerald Laird swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to shortstop Erick Aybar.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Rivera. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.

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

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
With Johnny Damon batting, Austin Jackson steals (3) 2nd base.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Johnny Damon called out on .

LAA 6, DET 5 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Maicer Izturis flies out to left fielder Johnny Damon.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Howard Kendrick swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Mike Napoli flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

LAA 6, DET 5 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

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

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Maicer Izturis to first baseman Kendry Morales.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a ground ball to shortstop Erick Aybar.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Brandon Inge swinging.

LAA 6, DET 5 final score

BOX SCORE>