GDT: 4/21/10 - DET (7-7) at LAA (8-7) - 10:05 p.m. ET

Halos well-armed at back of bullpen

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com

Most teams would love to have one closer that can shut down an opponent in the ninth inning. The Angels have two -- Brian Fuentes and Fernando Rodney -- and the Tigers may see both of them pitch Wednesday in Anaheim.

Fuentes, who has been on the disabled list with back stiffness retroactive to April 6, is expected to be activated Wednesday and resume the closer's job. In his absence, Rodney racked up five saves in his first five chances. The Dominican, who also threw four perfect innings in the process, has proven to be a capable closer -- again.

"Right now, Brian is going to pitch in the ninth inning, but if we have to adjust from it like we did at times last year, we will," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "But I don't know if Fernando is really that four-out guy right now unless it's an extreme situation."

Fuentes, who led the Majors with 48 saves last year, was sent to the DL after he felt the stiffness the day after his only appearance on Opening Day while handling a dumbbell in the weight room. Rodney proved to be just what the doctor ordered.

"When we signed [Rodney] we felt he could get us saves and give our bullpen a deep look especially when Brian Fuentes gets back," Scioscia said. "Combined with Kevin Jepsen and Scot Shields, we have some power arms at the end of the game."

It will be up to Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman and Co. to keep the two relievers from picking up another save. Bonderman's last start read almost like two separate outings -- one batter reaching base safely the first time through the Mariners' batting order, then only one out the next time through. He finished with 10 runs, eight earned, allowed on nine hits over four innings with four walks and four strikeouts.

"I just kind of fell apart," Bonderman said. "I don't know what happened, to be honest with you. I was throwing the ball well. I was locating really well. And all of a sudden, I just got the ball up a little bit."

Bonderman is 3-3 with a 4.67 ERA in 10 career starts against the Angels, including 7 1/3 quality innings with seven strikeouts during a start in 2008.

"Obviously, [the pitches] are there," he said. "If I can do it the way I pitched early in the game. Just gotta find a way to be better, not walk guys, throw first-pitch strikes throughout the whole game."

Jered Weaver will start for the Angels. He is 28-12 with a 3.26 ERA in 55 outings at Angel Stadium.

Angels: Weaver is ace in hole
Weaver has excelled in his new role as the club ace and sports a 2-0 record with a 2.84 ERA in three quality starts. But he also says that despite his impressive start, he doesn't view himself as the club's No. 1 starter.

"We don't have one guy," Weaver said. "We've got five guys who are going to be able to get deep in the game. My arm feels good, everything feels good."

Weaver is making his sixth career start against the Tigers and is 2-2 with a 7.36 ERA lifetime against Detroit.

Also, catcher Jeff Mathis was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured right wrist.

Tigers: Bonderman tweaks mechanics
Look for some tweaks to Bonderman's mechanics when pitching out of the stretch. He was timed way slow going to the plate against the Mariners, which allowed them to run on at will once they got their speedy guys on base.

"If it does disrupt you, it's not supposed to," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

Worth noting
Angels second baseman Howard Kendrick doubled home two runs in the second inning of Tuesday's game and has hit safely in 11 of 13 games this season. He has five multihit games this season, and since July 4, he is batting .349 (82-for-235) with 43 runs and 46 RBIs in 68 games. He's 0-for-1 against Bonderman in his career.



Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 9.00 ERA)
Bonderman's last start read almost like two separate outings -- one batter reaching base safely the first time through the Mariners batting order, then only one out the next time through. He finished with 10 runs, eight earned, allowed on nine hits over four innings with four walks and four strikeouts, having used 93 pitches in the process as he tried to recapture the form that allowed him to work so easily through the lineup early. His splitter-slider combination has helped produce a strikeout per inning, but he'd trade some of those for quick outs and less damage. He's 3-3 with a 4.67 ERA in 10 career starts against the Angels, including 7 1/3 quality innings with seven strikeouts during a start in 2008.



RHP Jered Weaver (2-0, 2.84 ERA)
Weaver enhanced his credentials as the staff ace with another strong effort in Toronto on Friday night, moving to 24-14 in his career following an Angels loss by holding the Blue Jays to two solo homers across seven innings. Weaver was in command from the start, yielding five hits and walking none while striking out eight hitters. Fastball command is always the key for the cross-firing right-hander, who mixes in a quality slider and changeup. Weaver is 2-2 with a 7.36 in five career starts against the Tigers and is 28-12 with a 3.26 ERA in 55 outings at Angel Stadium.



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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• 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 (FSD Plus / 1270)

• Saturday, April 24:
Tigers (To be announced) at Rangers (RHP Rich Harden (0-1, 4.73 ERA)), 8:05 PM ET (FS-D HD / 1270)

Alex Avila is back in the lineup for the third time in four days against Jered Weaver, who has held Gerald Laird to 1-for-15 in his career. Manager Jim Leyland pointed out the hard line drives Laird hit right at defenders Tuesday, but 1-for-15 is 1-for-15.

Brandon Inge, meanwhile, gets a game off. He's 2-for-10 against Weaver, though Leyland talked about the cool, rainy conditions among the reasons to give him this night off. Don Kelly is at third.


TIGERS

1. Jackson, CF
   
2. Damon, LF
   
3. Ordonez, RF
   
4. Cabrera, 1B
   
5. Guillen, DH
   
6. Kelly, 3B
   
7. Avila, C
   
8. Santiago, SS
   
9. Sizemore, 2B
   

P: Jeremy Bonderman

ANGELS

1. Erick Aybar, SS
   
2. Bobby Abreu, RF (8-for-14 off Bonderman)
   
3. Torii Hunter, CF (14-for-33 off Bonderman)
   
4. Hideki Matsui, DH (12-for-24, 3 HRs off Bonderman)
   
5. Kendry Morales, 1B
   
6. Juan Rivera, LF
   
7. Howie Kendrick, 2B
   
8. Mike Napoli, C
   
9. Brandon Wood, 3B
   

P: Jered Weaver

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Austin Jackson swinging.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Johnny Damon singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:2 O:3 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into double
play, second baseman Howard Kendrick to shortstop Erick Aybar to first
baseman Kendry Morales. Johnny Damon out at 2nd.

0-0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Erick Aybar walks.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
With Bobby Abreu batting, Erick Aybar steals (2) 2nd base.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Bobby Abreu singles on a line drive to left fielder Johnny Damon. Erick Aybar scores.

LAA 1, DET 0


B:0 S:1 O:2 - Torii Hunter grounds into double play,
third baseman Don Kelly to second baseman Scott Sizemore to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Bobby Abreu out at 2nd.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Kendry Morales homers (4) on a fly ball to right field. Hideki Matsui scores.

LAA 3, DET 0


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Juan Rivera swinging.

LAA 3, DET 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Brandon Wood to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen lines out to first baseman Kendry Morales.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Don Kelly flies out to right fielder Bobby Abreu.

LAA 3, DET 0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Howard Kendrick grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Mike Napoli called out on .

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Brandon Wood swinging.

LAA 3, DET 0 after 2 innings

It is raining lightly

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Alex Avila flies out to center fielder Torii Hunter.

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

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

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

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

LAA 3, DET 0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Erick Aybar singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Jeremy Bonderman.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Bobby Abreu grounds out, second baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Erick Aybar to 2nd.

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

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

LAA 3, DET 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

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

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez pops out to shortstop Erick Aybar.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out softly to second baseman Howard Kendrick. (almost hit a home run... just slightly foul)

LAA 3, DET 0 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

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

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Juan Rivera grounds out sharply, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Howard Kendrick flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

LAA 3, DET 0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen pops out to third baseman Brandon Wood in foul territory.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Don Kelly homers (1) on a fly ball to center field.

LAA 3, DET 1



B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Alex Avila called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Juan Rivera.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Scott Sizemore singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Bobby Abreu. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

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


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

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

(Damon thrown out of game for arguing the 3rd called strike (it looked like a ball on gameday!))


LAA 3, DET 1 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Detroit Tigers left fielder Johnny Damon ejected by HP umpire Dale Scott.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Ryan Raburn replaces left fielder Johnny Damon, batting 2nd, playing left field.

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Mike Napoli reaches on throwing error by third baseman Don Kelly.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Wood flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson. Mike Napoli to 2nd.


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

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Bobby Abreu grounds out, second baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

LAA 3, DET 1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to center fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Torii Hunter.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a ground ball to right fielder Bobby Abreu. Miguel Cabrera scores.

LAA 3, DET 2

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Don Kelly lines into unassisted double play, first baseman Kendry Morales. Carlos Guillen doubled off 1st.

LAA 3, DET 2 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Torii Hunter reaches on fielding error by pitcher Jeremy Bonderman.

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

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Hideki Matsui pops out to catcher Alex Avila in foul territory.


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

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

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Juan Rivera swinging.

LAA 3, DET 2 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

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

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

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

LAA 3, DET 2 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Eddie Bonine replaces Jeremy Bonderman.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Howard Kendrick lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Mike Napoli lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Brandon Wood grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

LAA 3, DET 2 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jason Bulger replaces Jered Weaver.

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Austin Jackson swinging.

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

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to center fielder Torii Hunter.

LAA 3, DET 2 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Eddie Bonine.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Erick Aybar bunt grounds out, pitcher Phil Coke to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Bobby Abreu called out on .


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Torii Hunter doubles (7) on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

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

LAA 3, DET 2 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brian Fuentes replaces Jason Bulger.

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (4) on a fly ball to left center field.

DET 3, LAA 3


B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Carlos Guillen walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brandon Inge replaces Don Kelly.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Brandon Inge called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Gerald Laird replaces Alex Avila.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
With Gerald Laird batting, Carlos Guillen steals (1) 2nd base.


B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird walks.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:1 O:2 - With Ramon Santiago batting, Carlos
Guillen picked off and caught stealing 3rd base, pitcher Brian Fuentes
to shortstop Erick Aybar to third baseman Brandon Wood, Gerald Laird to
2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Juan Rivera. Gerald Laird scores.

DET 4, LAA 3


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Brian Stokes replaces Brian Fuentes.

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

DET 4, LAA 3 after 8.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Brandon Inge remains in the game as the third baseman.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Gerald Laird remains in the game as the catcher.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Phil Coke.


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Kendry Morales swinging, catcher Gerald Laird to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Juan Rivera grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Howard Kendrick grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 4, LAA 3 final score!!!

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