GDT: 6/3/10 - DET (27-25) VS CLE (19-32) - 1:05 p.m. ET

With buzz in air, Tigers go for series win

By Bailey Stephens / MLB.com

Suddenly, the biggest story in Thursday's series finale between the Indians and Tigers in Detroit is who will be behind the plate. If nothing changes, that's scheduled to be none other than Jim Joyce.

Joyce, of course, is the umpire who created a buzz around the league on Wednesday when he made a highly controversial call, ruling that Indians rookie Jason Donald was safe on an infield hit, officially breaking up Armando Galarraga's bid for a perfect game with two outs in the ninth inning. After the game, Joyce admitted the call wasn't the right one.

"I just cost that kid a perfect game," Joyce said after the game. "I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay. It was the biggest call of my career."

And now Joyce has to return to Comerica Park to call balls and strikes. What kind of reaction will he get?

At least from those on the field, if Wednesday's reactions to the call are any indication, things should be business as usual on Thursday.

"That's the nature of the business -- that's just the way it is," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "The players are human, the umpires are human, the managers are human, the writers are human. We all make mistakes. It's a crying shame. Jimmy's a real good umpire, has been for a long time. He probably got it wrong."

For the Indians, Russell Branyan felt for Joyce.

"You never want that call in that situation, ever in your lifetime," Branyan said. "Jim saw it and called it like he saw it. He didn't let the nature of the game dictate how he was going to call it. You've got to respect that."

Indians: Huff makes courageous return
Before Wednesday night's drama unfolded, the big story of Thursday's game was to be the return of David Huff. Huff will make the start without missing a turn, having been struck in the head on Saturday by a liner off the bat of Alex Rodriguez. All medical tests were negative, and Huff is making his regularly scheduled turn. The only question is how he will react. "He passed every test put in front of him," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "He threw his bullpen [session] and passed the neurological test. He's acting like it never happened. The only thing we'll be evaluating [on Thursday] is his performance."

Tigers: Porcello his own man
Rick Porcello will oppose Huff on Thursday night. While there are comparisons to be made between Porcello and fellow sinkerballer Jake Westbrook of the Indians, who shut down the Tigers earlier this week, Leyland doesn't think such comparisons are warranted. "I think Porcello is Porcello and Westbrook is Westbrook," Leyland said. "I think guys can get in trouble that way. I think it's important to say, 'Is there something that I see about [Westbrook] that he does that is pretty effective?' A lot of it is strike one. He comes right at you with that sinker."

Worth noting
Closer Jose Valverde has not allowed a run in his past 20 outings for the Tigers, having tossed 19 2/3 scoreless innings. ... Had Galaragga completed a perfect game, it would have been the first in Tigers history and the third overall this season.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Rick Porcello (4-5, 5.27 ERA)
Porcello has alternated wins and losses in his past seven outings, though he owns quality starts in three of his past four assignments. He gave up two runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings last Saturday against Oakland, taking the loss. Porcello beat the Indians in the Tigers' home opener back in April, adding to his success against the Indians. He's 4-0 with a 2.10 ERA in five career starts against Cleveland.


Indians: LHP David Huff (2-6, 5.54 ERA)
Huff is making his next turn in the rotation, and that seems like a miracle to those who saw him whacked in the head by an Alex Rodriguez line drive in the third inning of his start against the Yankees on Saturday. Huff was taken off the field on a motorized cart and taken to a nearby hospital, where a CT scan showed no brain damage and doctors determined he had no signs of a concussion. Huff threw a bullpen session two days later and was confirmed to be making this start. The only question is whether he'll have any lingering fear of another lined shot.


From MLB Tigers Game Notes


RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers blanked the Indians 3-0 last night at Comerica Park. Armando Galarraga (2-1) blanked the Indians on one hit as he went the distance to earn the win for Detroit. Miguel Cabrera belted a solo home run for the Tigers, while Magglio Ordonez added a run-scoring single. The Tigers conclude a seven-game homestand with the final game of three-game series this afternoon against Cleveland. Following this afternoon’s game, the club hits the road for a six-game trip to Kansas City and Chicago.

RACKING UP THE WINS OVER CLEVELAND AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers have won 11 of the club’s last 13 games over the Indians at Comerica Park dating back to May 2, 2009, including eight of the last nine contests.

RECENT SUCCESS VERSUS THE INDIANS: Since the start of the 2009 season, the Tigers have compiled a 19-6 record against the Cleveland Indians. Detroit is second among all major league clubs with a 3.21 ERA (230.0IP/82ER) versus the Indians since the start of the 2009 season.

MIGGY MASHES AGAINST THE TRIBE: Since joining the Tigers in 2008, Miguel Cabrera is hitting .339 (59x174) with 12 home runs and 39 RBI in 43 games against the Cleveland Indians. He is tops among all active major league players with 12 home runs and 39 RBI versus the Indians during that stretch.

DIALED IN DURING THE DAY: The Tigers enter this afternoon’s game versus Cleveland with a 17-9 record during the day this season. Tigers pitchers have compiled a 3.38 ERA (229.0IP/86ER) during the club’s 26 day games.

GALARRAGA FIRES A ONE-HITTER: Armando Galarraga lost his bid for a perfect game with two outs in the ninth inning last night on an infield single by Cleveland’s Jason Donald. Over the last 20 seasons only two pitchers have gone that far without allowing a batter to reach base without completing the perfect game: Mike Mussina against the Red Sox in 2001 (broken up by Carl Everett’s single) and Pedro Martinez against the Padres in 1995 (broken up to start the 10th inning by Bip Roberts). The last Tigers pitcher to have a perfect game broken up with two outs in the ninth inning was Milt Wilcox at Comiskey Park on April 15, 1983 when Jerry Hairston singled. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)

PAPA GRANDE POWERS THE PEN: Jose Valverde has not allowed a run in his last 20 outings for the Tigers, tossing 19.2 scoreless innings. He is tops among all American League relievers with a 0.44 ERA, while he is second with a .134 batting average against and tied for seventh with 11 saves.

ORDONEZ ON THE OFFENSIVE: Magglio Ordonez is batting .371 (23x62) with 13 runs scored, a double, three home runs and 12 RBI over his last 17 games dating back to May 13. He is seventh among all American League players with a .444 on-base percentage during that stretch, while he is ninth with a .371 batting average.

LOOKING AT THE ROOKIE LEADERS: Austin Jackson and Brennan Boesch have both enjoyed success during their rookie campaigns. Jackson is tops among all American League rookies with a .332 batting average, 34 runs scored and 69 hits. Boesch is tied for the lead among all league rookies with 22 RBI, while he is second with a .319 batting average, 36 hits and four home runs.

FOR STARTERS: Tigers starting pitchers have compiled a 3.24 ERA (128.1IP/46ER) over the club’s last 20 games, while limiting opponents to a .231 batting average (110x476). Club starting pitchers have posted 11 quality starts during the stretch.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled an 11-6 record and 2.86 ERA (160.1IP/50ER) through the club’s first 52 games this season. Tigers relievers lead the American League with a 2.86 ERA, while the club is second with 11 victories and tied for fourth with 160.1 innings pitched.

BOESCH SELECTED THE AMERICAN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Brennan Boesch was named the American League’s Rookie of the Month for May by Major League Baseball. He batted .345 (29x84) with eight doubles, two triples, three home runs and 15 RBI in 23 games during the month. Boesch led all major league rookies with a .345 batting average during May.

BOESCH JOINS JACKSON IN CAPTURING ROOKIE HONORS: Brennan Boesch was named the American League’s Rookie of the Month for May by Major League Baseball, following Austin Jackson who captured the honor for April. Jackson and Boesch are the first pair of teammates to win the award in April and May since Boston’s Hideki Okajima (April) and Dustin Pedroia (May) did so in 2007.


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Friday, June 4
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (2-4, 6.42 ERA)) at Royals (LHP Bruce Chen (1-0, 2.70 ERA)), 8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Saturday, June 5
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (5-4, 3.75 ERA)) at Royals (RHP Luke Hochevar (5-3, 5.10 ERA)), 7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Sunday, June 6
Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (2-3, 3.72 ERA)) at Royals (RHP Brian Bannister (5-3, 4.73 ERA)), 2:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Cleveland AVG
Crowe, CF .240
Choo, RF .275
Hafner, DH .258
Peralta, J, 3B .243
Branyan, 1B .235
LaPorta, LF .214
Valbuena, 2B .134
Marson, C .208
Donald, SS .280
Totals .243

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .332
Raburn, LF .177
Ordonez, RF .307
Cabrera, M, 1B .351
Boesch, DH .319
Guillen, C, 2B .265
Inge, 3B .232
Laird, C .162
Everett, SS .189
Totals .267

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Trevor Crowe grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Shin-Soo Choo flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Travis Hafner flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

0-0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:0 -
Austin Jackson singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:1 S:0 O:2 - Ryan Raburn grounds into double play,
shortstop Jason Donald to second baseman Luis Valbuena to first baseman
Russell Branyan. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez pops out to third baseman Jhonny Peralta.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Jhonny Peralta swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Russell Branyan singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Matt LaPorta reaches on fielding error by shortstop Adam Everett. Russell Branyan to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Luis Valbuena flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Lou Marson grounds into a force out, shortstop Adam Everett to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Matt LaPorta out at 2nd.

0-0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Brennan Boesch walks. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Carlos Guillen doubles (7) on a ground ball to left fielder Matt LaPorta. Miguel Cabrera scores. Brennan Boesch scores.

DET 2, CLE 0

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, pitcher David Huff to first baseman Russell Branyan.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, third baseman Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Russell Branyan.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Adam Everett grounds out, first baseman Russell Branyan to pitcher David Huff.

DET 2, CLE 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

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

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
With Trevor Crowe batting, Jason Donald advances to 2nd on a balk.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Trevor Crowe flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Shin-Soo Choo doubles (9) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Jason Donald scores.

DET 2, CLE 1

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Travis Hafner swinging.

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

DET 2, CLE 1 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:1 O:0 - Austin Jackson doubles (15) on a line drive to left fielder Matt LaPorta.

B:1 S:0 O:0 - Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to center fielder Trevor Crowe. Austin Jackson scores.

DET 3, CLE 1


B:2 S:2 O:0 - Magglio Ordonez triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Trevor Crowe. Ryan Raburn scores.

DET 4, CLE 1


B:0 S:0 O:1 - Miguel Cabrera out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo. Magglio Ordonez scores.

DET 5, CLE 1


B:1 S:0 O:1 - Brennan Boesch triples (3) on a line drive to center fielder Trevor Crowe.


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

B:1 S:1 O:2 - Carlos Guillen reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Jason Donald to catcher Lou Marson. Brennan Boesch out at home.

B:0 S:1 O:3 - Brandon Inge grounds into a force out, shortstop Jason Donald to second baseman Luis Valbuena. Carlos Guillen out at 2nd.

DET 5, CLE 1 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 - Russell Branyan hit by pitch.

B:4 S:1 O:0 - Matt LaPorta walks. Russell Branyan to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:0 - Luis Valbuena singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn. Russell Branyan to 3rd. Matt LaPorta to 2nd.


B:2 S:2 O:0 - Lou Marson reaches on fielding error by third baseman Brandon Inge. Russell Branyan scores. Matt LaPorta scores. Luis Valbuena to 3rd. Lou Marson to 2nd.

DET 5, CLE 3


B:0 S:0 O:0 - Jason Donald reaches on throwing error by second baseman Carlos Guillen. Luis Valbuena scores. Lou Marson to 3rd.

DET 5, CLE 4


B:2 S:1 O:1 - Shin-Soo Choo doubles (10) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Lou Marson scores. Jason Donald to 3rd.

CLE 5, DET 5


B:1 S:2 O:2 - Travis Hafner grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jason Donald scores. Shin-Soo Choo to 3rd.

CLE 6, DET 5


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

CLE 6, DET 5 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Gerald Laird hit by pitch.

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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jensen Lewis replaces David Huff.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Adam Everett flies out to left fielder Matt LaPorta.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Austin Jackson doubles (16) on a line drive to center fielder Trevor Crowe. Gerald Laird to 3rd.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, second baseman Luis Valbuena to first baseman Russell Branyan.

CLE 6, DET 5 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Russell Branyan flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Matt LaPorta grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Luis Valbuena doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

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

CLE 6, DET 5 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt LaPorta.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen doubles (8) on a fly ball to left fielder Matt LaPorta. Brennan Boesch to 3rd.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt LaPorta. Brennan Boesch scores. Carlos Guillen to 3rd.

CLE 6, DET 6




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

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Adam Everett on foul tip.

CLE 6, DET 6 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

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

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

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Brad Thomas replaces Rick Porcello.


B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Shin-Soo Choo flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Travis Hafner grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CLE 6, DET 6 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Hector Ambriz replaces Jensen Lewis.

B:3 S:1 O:0 -
Austin Jackson hits a ground-rule double (17) on a fly ball to right-center field.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Hector Ambriz to second baseman Luis Valbuena. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez doubles (10) on a fly ball to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo. Austin Jackson scores.

DET 7, CLE 6

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Hector Ambriz intentionally walks Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Brennan Boesch grounds into a force out,
first baseman Russell Branyan to shortstop Jason Donald. Magglio
Ordonez to 3rd. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd. Brennan Boesch to 1st.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen swinging.

DET 7, CLE 6 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Brad Thomas.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Russell Branyan flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Matt LaPorta pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

DET 7, CLE 6 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 - Pitcher Change: Tony Sipp replaces Hector Ambriz.

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

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

B:3 S:2 O:1 - Adam Everett singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt LaPorta. Gerald Laird to 3rd.

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

B:3 S:3 O:2 - Austin Jackson swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Tony Sipp. Gerald Laird scores. Adam Everett to 2nd.

DET 8, CLE 6


B:1 S:0 O:2 - With Don Kelly batting, wild pitch by Tony Sipp, Adam Everett to 3rd.

B:4 S:2 O:2 - Don Kelly walks.

B:1 S:2 O:2 - Magglio Ordonez homers (8) on a fly ball to left field. Adam Everett scores. Don Kelly scores.

DET 11, CLE 6


B:3 S:2 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera homers (16) on a line drive to left center field.

DET 12, CLE 6


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

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Pitcher Change: Rafael Perez replaces Tony Sipp.

B:0 S:2 O:2 - Brennan Boesch singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt LaPorta.

B:1 S:1 O:3 - Carlos Guillen grounds out, third baseman Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Russell Branyan.

DET 12, CLE 6 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Eddie Bonine replaces Joel Zumaya.

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Luis Valbuena reaches on throwing error by second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Lou Marson walks. Luis Valbuena to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Jason Donald swinging.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Trevor Crowe flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Eddie Bonine.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Defensive Substitution: Ramon Santiago replaces second baseman Carlos Guillen, batting 6th, playing second base.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Shin-Soo Choo flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.

DET 12, CLE 6 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to second baseman Luis Valbuena.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Gerald Laird swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2 - Adam Everett grounds into a force out,
shortstop Jason Donald to second baseman Luis Valbuena. Brandon Inge
out at 2nd. Adam Everett to 1st.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Austin Jackson lines out to center fielder Trevor Crowe.

DET 12, CLE 6 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Shelley Duncan replaces Travis Hafner.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Shelley Duncan swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Jhonny Peralta flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Russell Branyan swinging.

DET 12, CLE 6 final box score >>