GDT: 5/31/10 - DET (26-23) VS OAK (27-24) - 1:05 p.m. ET

Hot pitching meets strong offense in finale

By Spencer Fordin/MLB.com

Two unabashed team strengths will meet each other on Monday, when Oakland's starting pitching gets tested against the core of Detroit's batting order. The A's have seen their rotation take a tremendous leap in recent weeks, while the Tigers have been relying on the tried and true power-hitting tandem of Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera in the middle of their lineup.

Oakland's rotation stumbled on Sunday, but the A's have pitched three shutouts in their past eight games. Their starting rotation has allowed one run or less in six of their past eight games, and the staff has allowed 26 runs over its past nine games. The A's are 5-2 in a stretch of 20 games in 20 days, and they're also playing through a streak of 19 road games in a 26-game span.

And while that may not be a big deal for most teams, it could be a potential backbreaker for Oakland. Going into Sunday's game, the A's had seen their rotation pitch to a 13-7 record and a 2.74 ERA at home while struggling to a 5-9 record and a 4.94 mark on the road. Oakland is in a neck-and-neck battle with Texas for first place, making every game all the more important.

The Tigers, meanwhile, have gone 33-24 against American League West teams since the start of last season, and Cabrera's performance has been a huge factor. Detroit's cleanup hitter has batted .358 (143-for-400) against West clubs over the life of his career, and he's also contributed 36 doubles, 25 home runs, 76 runs and 101 RBIs in what amounts to two-thirds of a season.

Ordonez, meanwhile, is on a more modest streak. The outfielder batted safely against Oakland on Sunday, and he's hitting .440 (22-for-50) with three home runs, 11 RBIs and 13 runs scored over his last 13 games. Detroit will also have the luxury of starting ace Justin Verlander -- who has won four of his five decisions in May -- against Oakland's Trevor Cahill on Sunday.

A's: Cahill to start more regularly
Cahill, who has completed at least six innings in three of his starts, will see his role clarified by the injury to Justin Duchscherer. Cahill is 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA in May, and Oakland manager Bob Geren said he'll start more regularly for the rest of the year.

"It's unfortunate because Duke was throwing the ball real well," said Geren. "But we came into Spring Training with five slots for six guys, and Trevor's been throwing the ball exceptionally well. We're fortunate to have that kind of depth."

Tigers: Bullpen pitching at its best
The Tigers have been getting incredible work from their bullpen, which went into Sunday's game leading the league in ERA (2.81) and ranking second in victories (11) and third in innings pitched (154). All of that success culminates in the performance of closer Jose Valverde, who has pitched 20 straight scoreless outings and ranks second in the league among relievers in ERA (0.44).

Detroit has also gotten surprising production from rookie outfielder Brennan Boesch, a former third-round draftee. Boesch didn't start Sunday's game but has batted .340 (32-for-94) with a 10 doubles, four home runs and 21 RBIs in his past 25 games.

Worth noting
Oakland is 9-1 in one-run games, the best record in the Major Leagues. Last year, Oakland went 15-23 under those circumstances, the second-worst record in the league.

... The A's have allowed the fewest home runs at home of any AL team and have also allowed the most on the road. Oakland catcher Kurt Suzuki was given the day off on Sunday but is expected back behind the plate on Monday.

... Cabrera provided another typically huge day against the West on Sunday, going 4-for-5 with two extra-base hits and four RBIs.

... Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram threw out the first pitch at Sunday's game.



Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Justin Verlander (5-3, 3.74 ERA)
Verlander will get an extra day of rest before his Memorial Day assignment, thanks to the Tigers' off-day Thursday. But judging from his frustration level after his most recent outing last Tuesday at Seattle, he might not have minded pitching again a couple days later. He took a lead into the seventh inning and a pitching duel into the eighth, but ended up with the loss thanks to two home runs earlier and a Milton Bradley RBI single in the eighth. He did not feel comfortable with his pitches, but he also had some complaints over a wet mound at Safeco Field thanks to a rain shower that hit with the roof open.


Athletics: RHP Trevor Cahill (2-2, 3.68 ERA)
Cahill looked rather sharp in a win over the Orioles in his last start, permitting just two hits and one earned run while walking three and fanning three over six innings. Baltimore's lone run came on a third-inning homer to Garrett Atkins, but Cahill settled in after that, relying on his sinker to give up fewer than three earned runs for the fourth time in six outings this season. The young righty has made significant strides from his rookie campaign, in which he offered up an Oakland rookie record 27 homers while compiling a 4.63 ERA. This year, he's held the opposition to a .221 average that has helped him put together a formidable 1.10 WHIP. Cahill will have to get his sinker working early and often against a power-heavy Tigers lineup, one against which he's 0-1 with a 8.68 ERA in two career starts. In a combined 9 1/3 innings vs. Detroit last year, Cahill gave up nine runs, 12 hits and five walks.


From MLB Tigers Game Notes




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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Tuesday, June 1
Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (2-2, 3.78 ERA)) VS Indians (RHP Jake Westbrook (2-3, 4.78 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Wednesday, June 2
Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga (1-1, 4.50 ERA)) VS Indians (RHP Fausto Carmona (4-3, 3.69 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Thursday, June 3
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (4-5, 5.27 ERA)) VS Indians (To be announced ), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

ATHLETICS

1. Rajai Davis, CF
   
2. Daric Barton, 1B
   
3. Ryan Sweeney, RF
   
4. Kurt Suzuki, C
   
5. Jack Cust, DH
   
6. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B
   
7. Gabe Gross, LF
   
8. Adam Rosales, 2B
   
9. Cliff Pennington, SS
   

P: Trevor Cahill

TIGERS

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

SP: Justin Verlander

rain, huh? sunny here

msgol wrote:

rain, huh? sunny here

big time rain coming... but the game should start after the storms get through.

think we'll get the game today? Should be

those must be real storms! hope everyone's safe
at least it's warm..that's good

Should be cooler after the storms... and yes there is a chance of small hail. They guess 1 hour or so delay from now.

those storms are headed here, too - Monday/Tuesday

We are supposed to get storms late this afternoon/evening here in eastern Ohio.

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Rajai Davis singles on a ground ball to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:3 S:1 O:0 -
Daric Barton doubles (14) on a line drive to center fielder Don Kelly. Rajai Davis scores.

OAK 1, DET 0



B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Sweeney singles on a ground ball to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Daric Barton to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:2 - Kurt Suzuki grounds into double play,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Carlos Guillen to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Daric Barton scores. Ryan Sweeney out at 2nd.

OAK 2, DET 0



B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Jack Cust swinging.

OAK 2, DET 0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Don Kelly walks.

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
With Johnny Damon batting, throwing error by Trevor Cahill on the pickoff attempt, Don Kelly to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon pops out to shortstop Cliff Pennington.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff to first baseman Daric Barton.

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

OAK 2, DET 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Kevin Kouzmanoff swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Gabe Gross singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Adam Rosales flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Cliff Pennington pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.

OAK 2, DET 0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Brennan Boesch walks.

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

B:0 S:0 O:3 - Brandon Inge grounds into double play,
third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff to second baseman Adam Rosales to first
baseman Daric Barton. Brennan Boesch out at 2nd.

OAK 2, DET 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Rajai Davis pops out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Daric Barton walks.

B:2 S:2 O:3 - Ryan Sweeney grounds into double play,
second baseman Carlos Guillen to shortstop Ramon Santiago to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Daric Barton out at 2nd.

OAK 2, DET 0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to center fielder Rajai Davis.

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago walks. Alex Avila to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:1 - Don Kelly out on a sacrifice bunt,
pitcher Trevor Cahill to second baseman Adam Rosales. Alex Avila to
3rd. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Johnny Damon swinging.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to center fielder Rajai Davis.

OAK 2, DET 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Kurt Suzuki pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Jack Cust called out on .


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Kevin Kouzmanoff grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

OAK 2, DET 0 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out to center fielder Rajai Davis.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch walks.

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

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out, pitcher Trevor Cahill to first baseman Daric Barton. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3 - Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to
left fielder Gabe Gross. Brennan Boesch out at home on the throw, left
fielder Gabe Gross to catcher Kurt Suzuki.

OAK 2, DET 0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Gabe Gross flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Adam Rosales called out on .

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Cliff Pennington flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

OAK 2, DET 0 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to center fielder Rajai Davis.

B:1 S:1 O:2 - Ramon Santiago grounds into double play,
second baseman Adam Rosales to shortstop Cliff Pennington to first
baseman Daric Barton. Alex Avila out at 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Don Kelly singles on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Sweeney.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Johnny Damon grounds out sharply to first baseman Daric Barton.

OAK 2, DET 0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Rajai Davis swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Daric Barton called out on .

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Ryan Sweeney lines out to center fielder Don Kelly.

OAK 2, DET 0 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to center fielder Rajai Davis.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Cliff Pennington to first baseman Daric Barton.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch flies out to center fielder Rajai Davis.

OAK 2, DET 0 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Kurt Suzuki doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Jack Cust called out on .

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Kevin Kouzmanoff singles on a line drive to center fielder Don Kelly. Kurt Suzuki scores.
OAK 3, DET 0



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

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Gabe Gross lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Adam Rosales swinging.

OAK 3, DET 0 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out, shortstop Cliff Pennington to first baseman Daric Barton.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to center fielder Rajai Davis.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Jerry Blevins replaces Trevor Cahill.


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

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Gerald Laird swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to left fielder Gabe Gross. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Austin Jackson replaces Don Kelly.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Rajai Davis. Brandon Inge scores. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.

OAK 3, DET 1



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


B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Johnny Damon flies out to center fielder Rajai Davis.

OAK 3, DET 1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Austin Jackson remains in the game as the center fielder.

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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Justin Verlander.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Cliff Pennington grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Rajai Davis singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
With Daric Barton batting, Rajai Davis steals (21) 2nd base.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
With Daric Barton batting, Rajai Davis steals (22) 3rd base.


B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Daric Barton walks.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 - Ryan Sweeney grounds into a force out,
second baseman Carlos Guillen to shortstop Ramon Santiago. Rajai Davis
scores. Daric Barton out at 2nd. Ryan Sweeney to 1st.

OAK 4, DET 1



B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Kurt Suzuki grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

OAK 4, DET 1 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Michael Wuertz replaces Jerry Blevins.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez lines out to right fielder Ryan Sweeney.

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

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Andrew Bailey replaces Michael Wuertz.

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

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen lines out to center fielder Rajai Davis.

OAK 4, DET 1 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fu-Te Ni replaces Ryan Perry.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Jack Cust grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Kevin Kouzmanoff pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Gabe Gross doubles (3) on a soft line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

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

OAK 4, DET 1 after 8.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Ryan Sweeney.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Gerald Laird flies out to center fielder Rajai Davis.

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

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
With Austin Jackson batting, Ramon Santiago advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.

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

OAK 4, DET 1 final box score >>