GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET

GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET

--- vs --- GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 3594439153_653b113003_t

Detroit Tigers vs. Boston Red Sox
Friday, May 14, 2010
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Game Time - 7:05 p.m. EDT

GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 4589033446_825e5b74db_t

GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 4589033446_825e5b74db_t

______________________________________

First basemen key to Red Sox, Tigers

By Tim Britton / MLB.com

When the Red Sox meet the Tigers for a three-game series at Comerica Park starting on Friday night, the focus will be on two of the best first basemen -- and cleanup hitters -- in the game. Both teams revolve their offense around the man at first, with Kevin Youkilis and Miguel Cabrera each off to hot starts to the year.

It's tough to argue against the idea that Cabrera has been the best hitter in the American League so far this season. He leads the league in average and RBIs and is second in on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Cabrera's success has allowed a Detroit team that has hit only 27 home runs -- 17 fewer than Boston -- to be seventh in the league in runs per game.

Youkilis, meanwhile, hasn't been as hot as Cabrera all season, but he has certainly found his stroke since the turn of the calendar. Youkilis is 13-for-33 since the start of May, good for a .394 average. He's added two long balls and has scored 11 runs in Boston's 11 games -- a good chunk of the reason the Sox have turned their season around with seven wins in their past 10 games.

"I think we're playing a little better baseball," said Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. "We've had some good pitching this homestand and some great offense, and hopefully, we can continue this momentum on the road."

Of course, both cleanup hitters benefit tremendously from the players getting on base before them. Detroit's top two in the order -- Austin Jackson and Johnny Damon -- are each in the top 15 in the AL in on-base percentage. When you combine that with Cabrera's hot bat in the cleanup spot, you see why the two of them are in the top five in runs scored.

Youkilis has his partner on the right side of the infield in Dustin Pedroia. Four of Youkilis' past seven RBIs have scored the former Most Valuable Player, and the other three all came on home runs.

Those presences at the top of the order make it an unenviable task for the pair of 25-year-old right-handers taking the hill on Friday. Clay Buchholz and Max Scherzer are both former first-round Draft picks hoping to become full-time reliable starters.

Red Sox: Buchholz buckles down
Up until his previous start against the Yankees, Buchholz had been as reliable a starter as the Red Sox have had in the rotation. His ERA jumped almost a full run after he gave up five earned runs in five innings against New York. Even then, it still stands at a respectable 3.82 as Buchholz has carried over the momentum from his strong finish to 2009 into the new season.

In his previous 22 starts dating back to last year, Buchholz is 10-7 with a 4.10 ERA. His past start on the road was his best of the year, as he lasted a season-high eight innings and gave up a season-low one run in a 2-1 victory over Toronto.

Tigers: Scherzer seeks rebound
Scherzer has stuggled in the shift from Arizona to Detroit, especially in his two starts at Comerica Park. Scherzer's worst game of the year came at home on April 28, when he allowed the Twins six runs on 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings.

It was his shortest outing since May 31, 2009, against the Braves. In Scherzer's only other home start, he didn't fare too much better, surrendering five runs (two earned) in five frames in a loss to the Royals.

"From what I've seen of Scherzer, he needs to be able to locate his fastball better," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He's got to improve his slider and throw his changeup more. And I thought he was closer to that [Sunday]. He didn't get the results. I thought he was actually a little better, but not home free."

Worth noting
The Red Sox won six out of seven from the Tigers in 2009, including a three-game sweep at Comerica Park in early June. Boston, in fact, has won six of the past seven games in Detroit.

... The only Red Sox pitcher to be tagged with a loss to the Tigers last season was Buchholz, who was on the short end of a 2-0 decision against Justin Verlander in August.

... The Red Sox have notched at least 10 hits in six of their past 12 games.

... Jeremy Hermida has had three four-RBI games this season.

... Brennan Boesch, who homered and doubled on Thursday, has 11 extra-base hits in his first 16 games with Detroit. Boesch has had at least one extra-base hit in nine of his first 16 games, becoming the first Tiger to accomplish that since 1920.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Max Scherzer (1-3, 6.81 ERA)
After four pretty strong starts to begin his Tigers career, Scherzer has been rocked in his last three, giving up 21 runs on 27 hits over just 13 innings in two games against the Twins and one vs. the Indians. His strike percentage has been lower in those starts, but his walks haven't reflected it, meaning he's more often trying to attack hitters from behind in the count. His velocity, meanwhile, has been down on all of his pitches. The key for him, in manager Jim Leyland's view, is to command his fastball better, improve his slider and throw his changeup more often. He has made just two starts at Comerica Park this season, but a night game in Detroit can't be a bad thing against a Red Sox team that could make him pay for ill-placed pitches.

BOS: RHP Clay Buchholz (3-3, 3.82 ERA)
The right-hander is coming off his shakiest start of the year, as he gave up nine hits and six runs (five earned) over five innings against the Yankees. Buchholz has gone six innings or more in just two of his first six starts. Opponents are hitting .288 against him. Buchholz has pitched well on the road thus far, going 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two starts. He has pitched just twice against the Tigers in his career, going 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA. He was hit hard in his lone start at Comerica Park, giving up 10 hits and five runs over four innings.

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From MLB Tigers Press Pass

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers posted a 6-0 win over the Yankees yesterday afternoon at Comerica Park. Justin Verlander (4-2) blanked the Yankees over 6.2 innings of work to earn the win. Miguel Cabrera doubled, homered and drove in three runs for the Tigers, while Brennan Boesch added a double and solo home run. Detroit continues a nine-game homestand with the first game of a three-game series against the Red Sox this evening. The club concludes the homestand with a two-game series against the White Sox beginning on Monday night.

TIGERS RECALL WELLS, FIGARO OPTIONED TO TOLEDO: The Tigers today recalled the contract of outfielder Casper Wells from Triple A Toledo and optioned the contract of righthanded pitcher Alfredo Figaro to Toledo. Wells was hitting .203 (24x118) with five doubles, a triple, five home runs and 12 RBI in 31 games with the Mud Hens.

BLANKING THE YANKEES TWICE: The Tigers blanked the Yankees 6-0 yesterday at Comerica Park, marking the second time in three games the club shut out New York. It marks the first time the Tigers have shut out the Yankees twice in the same season since 1976, while the club did so on September 12 at Yankee Stadium and September 24 at Tiger Stadium. It marks the first time the Tigers blanked the Yankees twice in Detroit since 1970, when the club did so on May 26 and July 2.

TWO SHUTOUTS IN THE SAME SERIES: The Tigers shut out the Yankees 2-0 on Wednesday afternoon and followed that up with a 6-0 win yesterday afternoon. It marked just the third time the Tigers have blanked the Yankees twice in the same series in Detroit. The Tigers did so in both 1905 (August 29 and 31) and 1934 (September 17-18).

CABRERA HAS HIT IN ALL 19 GAMES VERSUS YANKEES: Miguel Cabrera finished with two hits yesterday against the Yankees and he now has at least one hit in each of his 19 games he has played against the club during the regular season. It marks the longest hitting streak to start a career against the Yankees in the team’s history. Only three other players have current hitting streaks against any team as long as Cabrera’s streak versus the Yankees: Placido Polanco (24 games versus Montreal/Washington), David DeJesus (19 games versus Minnesota) and Troy Tulowitzki (19 games versus Pittsburgh). (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)

HOME IS WHERE THE MOUND IS: The Tigers enter tonight’s game against the Red Sox with a 3.38 ERA (144.0IP/54ER) in 16 games at Comerica Park this season. Detroit is fourth among all American League clubs with a 3.38 ERA at home.

DRIVING THEM IN: Brennan Boesch has collected at least one RBI in 10 of his first 16 career games with the Tigers. He is the first Tigers player since at least 1920 to collect at least one RBI in 10 of his first 16 career games.

MORE ON BOESCH: Brennan Boesch is hitting .400 (18x45) with six doubles, a triple, three home runs and 15 RBI over his last 13 games dating back to April 28. He is second among all American League players with a .778 slugging percentage during that stretch, while he is tied for second with 15 RBI, is fourth with 10 extra-base hits and tied for fourth with a .400 batting average.

ACTION JACKSON: Austin Jackson is hitting .360 (45x125) with six doubles, two triples, a home run and seven RBI over his last 29 games dating back to April 11. He is tops in the American League with 45 hits during that stretch, while he is second with a .360 batting average.

BOESCH PROVIDES EXTRA-BASE POP: Brennan Boesch has collected 11 extra-base hits in his first 16 games with the Tigers. He has collected at least one extra-base hit in nine of the 16 games, becoming the first Tigers player since at least 1920 to collect at least one extra-base hit in nine of his first 16 career games.

AUSTIN ADDING UP THE HITS: Austin Jackson has hit safely in 29 of his first 34 major league games. He is just the second Tigers player since at least 1920 to collect at least one hit in at least 29 of his first 34 career games. Dale Alexander hit safely in 29 of his first 34 career games in 1929.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Through the club’s first 35 games this season, Tigers relievers have compiled a 10-4 record and 2.56 ERA (116.0IP/33ER). Tigers relievers lead the American League with 10 victories, a 2.56 ERA and 116.0 innings pitched.

JACKSON TO RECEIVE ROOKIE HONOR BEFORE TONIGHT’S GAME: Austin Jackson was tabbed the American League Rookie of the Month for April and he will be presented with his award prior to tonight’s game versus Boston. He hit .364 (36x99) with 20 runs scored, six doubles, two triples, a home run and seven RBI in 23 games during the month. Jackson is the third Tigers player to have won the award, joining Justin Verlander (May of 2006) and Rick Porcello (May of 2009).

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

On the Internet
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On television

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On radio

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GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 3567580565_0f598f1903_t

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Saturday, May 15:
Tigers (LHP Dontrelle Willis (1-1, 3.99 ERA)) vs Red Sox (LHP Jon Lester (3-2, 3.71 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Sunday, May 16:
Tigers (TBA) vs Red Sox (RHP John Lackey (4-1, 4.60 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Monday, May 17:
Tigers (TBA) vs White Sox (RHP Freddy Garcia (2-2, 4.75 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Boston AVG
Scutaro, SS .270
Pedroia, 2B .299
Martinez, V, C .242
Youkilis, 1B .303
Drew, J, RF .284
Ortiz, D, DH .200
Beltre, 3B .313
Hermida, LF .240
McDonald, Da, CF .239
Totals .271

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .345
Damon, DH .293
Ordonez, RF .282
Cabrera, M, 1B .376
Boesch, LF .368
Inge, 3B .230
Sizemore, 2B .217
Laird, C .176
Santiago, SS .275
Totals .274

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:0 - Marco Scutaro singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:2 O:0 - Dustin Pedroia homers (8) on a fly ball to left field. Marco Scutaro scores.

BOS 2, DET 0

B:1 S:2 O:1 - Victor Martinez grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:2 O:1 - Kevin Youkilis walks.

B:3 S:2 O:1 - J. D. Drew singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Kevin Youkilis to 3rd.

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

B:3 S:1 O:1 - David Ortiz homers (5) on a fly ball to right center field. Kevin Youkilis scores. J. Drew scores.

BOS 5, DET 0

B:3 S:2 O:2 - Adrian Beltre pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:3 - Jeremy Hermida grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Max Scherzer.

BOS 5, DET 0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Austin Jackson walks.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, shortstop Marco Scutaro to first baseman Kevin Youkilis. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera pops out to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

B:0 S:1 O:2 - Brennan Boesch singles on a line drive
to center fielder Darnell McDonald. Austin Jackson scores. Magglio
Ordonez to 2nd.

BOS 5, DET 1

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Adrian Beltre. Magglio Ordonez out at 3rd.

BOS 5, DET 1 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Darnell McDonald singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:2 O:2 - Marco Scutaro grounds into double play,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Scott Sizemore to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Darnell McDonald out at 2nd.

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

BOS 5, DET 1 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Scott Sizemore pops out to second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, third baseman Adrian Beltre to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

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

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Austin Jackson called out on GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 166205

GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 166205

.

BOS 5, DET 1 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

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

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
J. D. Drew flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

BOS 5, DET 1 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, shortstop Marco Scutaro to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to right fielder J. D. Drew.

B:1 S:0 O:3 - Miguel Cabrera grounds into double play,
second baseman Dustin Pedroia to shortstop Marco Scutaro to first
baseman Kevin Youkilis. Magglio Ordonez out at 2nd.

BOS 5, DET 1 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
David Ortiz homers (6) on a fly ball to right field.

BOS 6, DET 1

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Adrian Beltre GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Jeremy Hermida walks.

B:0 S:1 O:2 - Darnell McDonald grounds into a force
out, third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Scott Sizemore.
Jeremy Hermida out at 2nd. Darnell McDonald to 1st.

B:2 S:0 O:3 - Marco Scutaro grounds into a force out,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Scott Sizemore. Darnell
McDonald out at 2nd.

BOS 6, DET 1 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch flies out to center fielder Darnell McDonald.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Darnell McDonald.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Scott Sizemore GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

BOS 6, DET 1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Dustin Pedroia flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

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

BOS 6, DET 1 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Gerald Laird flies out to left fielder Jeremy Hermida.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago called out on GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 166205

.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Adrian Beltre to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

BOS 6, DET 1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brad Thomas replaces Max Scherzer.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
J. D. Drew called out on GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 166205

.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
David Ortiz GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Adrian Beltre singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Jeremy Hermida flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

BOS 6, DET 1 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, second baseman Dustin Pedroia to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to center fielder Darnell McDonald.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, pitcher Clay Buchholz to first baseman Kevin Youkilis. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch flies out to center fielder Darnell McDonald.

BOS 6, DET 1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Darnell McDonald singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Marco Scutaro flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:2 O:3 - Dustin Pedroia grounds into double play,
second baseman Scott Sizemore to shortstop Ramon Santiago to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Darnell McDonald out at 2nd.

BOS 6, DET 1 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

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

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Scott Sizemore flies out to right fielder J. D. Drew.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Gerald Laird walks. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Daniel Bard replaces Clay Buchholz.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago hit by pitch. Brandon Inge to 3rd. Gerald Laird to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Injury Delay.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Austin Jackson GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, third baseman Adrian Beltre to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

BOS 6, DET 1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

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

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Kevin Youkilis doubles (10) on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
J. D. Drew flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
David Ortiz GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

BOS 6, DET 1 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Darnell McDonald.

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
With Miguel Cabrera batting, wild pitch by Daniel Bard, Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch reaches on throwing error by pitcher Daniel Bard. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.

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

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Darnell McDonald. Magglio Ordonez scores.

BOS 6, DET 2

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Scott Sizemore walks. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch out at 3rd, catcher Victor Martinez to third baseman Adrian Beltre.

BOS 6, DET 2 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fu-Te Ni replaces Brad Thomas.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Bill Hall replaces Jeremy Hermida.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Bill Hall homers (2) on a fly ball to left field.

BOS 7, DET 2

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Darnell McDonald pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Marco Scutaro pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

BOS 7, DET 2 after 8.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Bill Hall remains in the game as the left fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Hideki Okajima replaces Daniel Bard.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Gerald Laird GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago pops out to shortstop Marco Scutaro.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to left fielder Bill Hall.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Johnny Damon flies out to left fielder Bill Hall.

BOS 7, DET 2 final box score >>

Subject: Re: GDT: 5/14/10 - DET (20-15) vs BOS (18-17) - 7:05 p.m. ET