GDT: 6/4/10 - DET (28-25) at KC (22-33) - 8:10 p.m. ET

Royals, Tigers look to Chen, Scherzer in opener

By Kyle Maistri / MLB.com

When the Tigers (28-25) open up a three-game set with the Royals (22-32) in Kansas City on Friday, two starting pitchers will have something to prove.

Detroit's Max Scherzer, making his second start since returning from the Minors, will take on Kansas City's Bruce Chen, who will be making his second start since taking over for the injured Gil Meche in the rotation.

Chen, an 11-year veteran, pitched four innings and gave up only one run before hitting his 75-pitch limit in his first start of the season. If he is effective, he will be able to go longer against the Tigers as the Royals continue to stretch out the lefty.

"I look for Bruce to bump him between somewhere between 75 and 90," manager Ned Yost said. "It's almost like a Spring Training progression to get his pitch count built back up. But Bruce is a real durable guy and he bounces back really good."

Scherzer (2-4, 6.42 ERA) struck out 14 batters in 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his first start back in the Majors, the highest percentage of outs coming by strikeout for a pitcher who threw at least that many innings in MLB history.

Still, the second-year pitcher will have to show that he can offer consistent production while learning to pitch deeper into games.

"I believe in my abilities and that I'm a good Major League pitcher," Scherzer said after his last start. "I'm not saying that I'm going to go strike out 14, but I'm going to go put quality starts together. That's what I need to do to help this team win so we can get back into first place."

Tigers: Tough road ahead
Detroit is just three games back of division leader Minnesota, but 11-15 on the road this season. ... Miguel Cabrera has hit .351 with 13 home runs against the Royals in his career. ... Cabrera is now tied for the Major League lead with 16 home runs and leads the Majors with 51 RBIs.

Royals: Offense aplenty for KC, opponents
Kansas City is second in the American League in batting average (.277). ... The Royals are last in the American League in team ERA (4.81). ... KC has been worse at home (10-17) than it has on the road (12-16).

Worth noting
The Tigers and Royals have split the first six head-to-head matchups this season.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Max Scherzer (2-4, 6.42 ERA)
Scherzer showed the impact of what a couple weeks at Triple-A Toledo to work on his delivery could do. With his old arm angle rediscovered and the life on his fastball renewed, Scherzer struck out 14 A's over 5 2/3 innings last Sunday at Comerica Park, becoming the first Major Leaguer since at least 1933 to fan that many batters without getting through the sixth inning. He faced the Royals in back-to-back starts to begin his season back in April, tossing six scoreless innings in his Tigers debut April 7 at Kauffman Stadium before the Royals beat him in the rematch five days later.


Royals: LHP Bruce Chen (1-0, 2.70 ERA)
Chen, a veteran left-hander, stepped into the rotation last Sunday to fill in for disabled Gil Meche (shoulder) and pitched well enough to earn an encore start. Facing the Red Sox at Fenway Park, Chen worked four innings and gave up one run on two hits and two walks. In fact, a leadoff walk in the third resulted in the lone run. He threw 75 pitches in the outing, about 35 more than in any of his previous relief performances but he'd started earlier in the season for Triple-A Omaha. Chen has faced the Tigers seven times in his career, going 0-2 with a 6.97 ERA.


From MLB Tigers Game Notes

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers knocked off the Indians 12-6 yesterday afternoon at Comerica Park. Brad Thomas (2-0) retired both batters he faced in relief to earn the win for Detroit. Magglio Ordonez doubled, tripled, homered and drove in five runs for the Tigers, while Austin Jackson add a single and three doubles. Miguel Cabrera finished with a home run and two RBI. The Tigers open a six-game road trip with the first game of a three-game series at Kansas City this evening. Following an off day on Monday, the trip concludes with a three-game series at Chicago beginning on Tuesday night.

SUCCESSFUL TRIPS TO KAUFFMAN STADIUM: Since the start of the 2006 season, the Tigers have compiled a 26-13 record in games played against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. During the 39-game stretch, the Tigers are hitting .303 (428x1414) with 242 runs scored, 88 doubles, 11 triples and 53 home runs. Detroit’s pitchers have compiled a 3.52 ERA (340.0IP/133ER) over the course of the 39 games.

MIGGY MASHES AGAINST THE ROYALS: Miguel Cabrera enters tonight’s game versus the Kansas City Royals hitting .351 (59x168) with nine doubles, 13 home runs and 40 RBI in 44 games against the club. He is fourth among all active major league players with a .351 batting average and .637 slugging percentage against the Royals.

CABRERA’S A ROAD WARRIOR: Miguel Cabrera enters tonight’s game at Kansas City hitting .381 (37x97) with nine doubles, nine home runs and 32 RBI in 24 games on the road this season. He is tops among all American League players with 32 RBI on the road this season, while he is second with a .381 batting average, nine home runs and a .753 slugging percentage.

ACTION JACKSON TAKES HIS SHOW ON THE ROAD: Austin Jackson has hit safely in 24 of his 25 games on the road this season, batting .358 (39x109) with eight doubles, three triples, a home run and eight RBI. He is sixth among all American League players with a .358 batting average on the road this season.

PAPA GRANDE POWERS THE PEN: Jose Valverde has not allowed a run in his last 21 outings for the Tigers, tossing 20.2 scoreless innings. He is tops among all American League relievers with a 0.42 ERA and .129 batting average against, while he is 10th with 11 saves.

ORDONEZ ON THE OFFENSIVE: Magglio Ordonez is batting .388 (26x67) with 15 runs scored, two doubles, a triple, four home runs and 17 RBI over his last 18 games dating back to May 13. He is fifth among all American League players with a .388 batting average during that stretch, while he is sixth with a .455 on-base percentage.

JACKSON’S HIT TOTAL AMONG THE BEST SINCE AT LEAST 1952: Austin Jackson finished with four hits yesterday versus Cleveland to bring his season total to 73 hits in 51 games thus far with the Tigers. His 73 hits are fourth-most in a player’s first 51 career games since at least 1952, trailing Ichiro Suzuki (85 hits in 2001), Kirby Puckett (77 hits in 1984) and Hunter Pence (74 hits in 2007).

CABRERA PLAYING LONGBALL: Miguel Cabrera belted a solo home run yesterday versus Cleveland and he has connected for eight home runs over his last 11 games dating back to May 20. During the 11-game stretch, he is hitting .409 (18x44) with 10 runs scored, three doubles and 15 RBI. Cabrera is tops among all American League players with eight home runs and a 1.023 slugging percentage during that stretch, while he is third with a .409batting average and tied for third with 15 RBI.

JACKSON, ORDONEZ BOTH FINISH WITH THREE EXTRA-BASE HITS: Austin Jackson collected three doubles and Magglio Ordonez finished with a double, triple and home run in Detroit’s 12-6 win over Cleveland yesterday. Detroit became the first major league team to have two players with three-or-more extra-base hits in a game this season and it marked the first time the club had two players accomplish the feat since April 29, 2006 versus Minnesota. Curtis Granderson finished with two doubles and a home run that night, while Carlos Guillen added a double and two home runs in Detroit’s 18-1 win over the Twins. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)

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 .341 batting average, 36 runs scored and 73 hits. Boesch is tied for the lead among all league rookies with 22 RBI, while he is second with a .333 batting average, 39 hits and four home runs.

FOR STARTERS: Tigers starting pitchers have compiled a 3.30 ERA (133.2IP/49ER) over the club’s last 21 games, while limiting opponents to a .233 batting average (117x502). Club starting pitchers have posted 11 quality starts during the stretch.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled a 12-6 record and 2.80 ERA (164.0IP/51ER) through the club’s first 53 games this season. Tigers relievers lead the American League with a 2.80 ERA, while the club is tied for the lead with 12 victories and is fourth with 164.0 innings pitched.



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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• 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)

• Monday, June 7
OFF DAY

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .341
Damon, LF .277
Ordonez, RF .314
Cabrera, M, 1B .352
Boesch, DH .333
Raburn, 2B .185
Inge, 3B .237
Laird, C .158
Everett, SS .190
Totals .271


Kansas City AVG
Podsednik, LF .294
Kendall, C .282
DeJesus, D, RF .304
Butler, 1B .329
Guillen, J, DH .244
Callaspo, 3B .287
Aviles, M, 2B .305
Maier, CF .252
Betancourt, Y, SS .281
Totals .276

Go, Tigers.
Check this out, too: http://edgeofsports.com/2010-06-03-539/index.html

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to first baseman Billy Butler.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to first baseman Billy Butler.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Mitch Maier.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out to left fielder Scott Podsednik.

0-0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

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

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Jason Kendall walks.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
David DeJesus swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Billy Butler singles on a line drive to left fielder Johnny Damon. Jason Kendall to 2nd.

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

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Brennan Boesch doubles (12) on a line drive to right fielder David DeJesus.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder David DeJesus.

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

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to first baseman Billy Butler.

0-0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Alberto Callaspo flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Mike Aviles singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Mitch Maier doubles (5) on a soft line drive to left fielder Johnny Damon. Mike Aviles to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Yuniesky Betancourt out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Johnny Damon. Mike Aviles scores.

KC 1, DET 0



B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Scott Podsednik walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Jason Kendall singles on a line drive to
left fielder Johnny Damon. Mitch Maier scores. Scott Podsednik to 3rd
on the throw.

KC 2, DET 0



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

B:1 S:0 O:3 - David DeJesus singles on a ground ball
to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Scott Podsednik scores. David DeJesus
out at 2nd, right fielder Magglio Ordonez to shortstop Adam Everett.

KC 3, DET 0

KC 3, DET 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Everett pops out to second baseman Mike Aviles.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Austin Jackson called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Johnny Damon doubles (16) on a line drive to center fielder Mitch Maier.


B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to first baseman Billy Butler.


KC 3, DET 0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Billy Butler grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Jose Guillen swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Alberto Callaspo flies out to left fielder Johnny Damon.

KC 3, DET 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch called out on .

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder David DeJesus.

KC 3, DET 0 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Mike Aviles flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Mitch Maier lines out softly to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Yuniesky Betancourt flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

KC 3, DET 0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Scott Podsednik.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird walks.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
With Adam Everett batting, wild pitch by Bruce Chen, Gerald Laird to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Everett walks.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Austin Jackson flies out to left fielder Scott Podsednik.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, pitcher Bruce Chen to first baseman Billy Butler.

KC 3, DET 0 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:0 -
Scott Podsednik singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Johnny Damon.

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Jason Kendall singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Scott Podsednik to 3rd.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
David DeJesus out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Johnny Damon. Scott Podsednik scores.

KC 4, DET 0



B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Billy Butler singles on a ground ball to left fielder Johnny Damon. Jason Kendall to 2nd.

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

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Jose Guillen lines into double play, shortstop Adam Everett to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Jason Kendall doubled off 2nd.

KC 4, DET 0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez walks.

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

B:2 S:2 O:0 - Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball
to center fielder Mitch Maier, deflected by shortstop Yuniesky
Betancourt. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.


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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Kyle Farnsworth replaces Bruce Chen.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Brennan Boesch homers (5) on a fly ball to right field. Magglio Ordonez scores. Miguel Cabrera scores.

KC 4, DET 3



B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Scott Podsednik.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Gerald Laird called out on .

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Adam Everett swinging.

KC 4, DET 3 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

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

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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Max Scherzer.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Mike Aviles pops out to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Mitch Maier flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Yuniesky Betancourt singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Alberto Callaspo to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:2 - Scott Podsednik singles on a ground ball
to center fielder Austin Jackson. Alberto Callaspo scores. Yuniesky
Betancourt to 3rd. Scott Podsednik to 2nd on the throw.

KC 5, DET 3



B:3 S:1 O:2 - Jason Kendall singles on a soft line
drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Yuniesky Betancourt scores.
Scott Podsednik scores.

KC 7, DET 3



B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Fu-Te Ni replaces Ryan Perry.

B:0 S:2 O:3 - With David DeJesus batting, Jason
Kendall picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Fu-Te Ni to
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Adam Everett.

KC 7, DET 3 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Robinson Tejeda replaces Kyle Farnsworth.

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

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon singles on a soft ground ball to center fielder Mitch Maier.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder David DeJesus.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Scott Podsednik. Johnny Damon to 2nd.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch swinging.

KC 7, DET 3 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
David DeJesus grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Eddie Bonine replaces Fu-Te Ni.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Billy Butler grounds out softly, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Jose Guillen singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Brandon Inge.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Alberto Callaspo grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

KC 7, DET 3 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from second base to shortstop for Mike Aviles.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Chris Getz replaces shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, batting 9th, playing second base.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ramon Santiago replaces Ryan Raburn.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to center fielder Mitch Maier.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder David DeJesus.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Gerald Laird called out on .

KC 7, DET 3 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

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

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

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Mitch Maier grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Chris Getz grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

KC 7, DET 3 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Kanekoa Texeira replaces Robinson Tejeda.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Don Kelly replaces Adam Everett.

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Don Kelly reaches on fielding error by left fielder Scott Podsednik. Don Kelly to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Alberto Callaspo to first baseman Billy Butler.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon grounds out softly, pitcher Kanekoa Texeira to first baseman Billy Butler. Don Kelly to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Billy Butler.

KC 7, DET 3 final box score >>