GDT: 6/17/10 - DET (35-29) VS WAS (31-35) - 1:05 p.m. ET

Nats aim to rebound against streaking Tigers

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com

The Tigers are fighting for the top spot in the American League Central. The Nationals are fighting for respectability.

On Thursday, the two clubs will square off in the series finale, with Detroit looking to complete the three-game sweep.

Jeremy Bonderman will take the hill for the Tigers. The Nationals will counter with Luis Atilano.

Here's why the final game matters: The Tigers, who trail the Twins by 2 1/2 games in the AL Central, are riding a five-game winning streak and have won seven of 10. The Nationals, who have lost six of 10, are looking to get back into the win column.

Something has to give.

In his previous start, Atilano pitched five-plus innings against the Indians, allowing six runs (three earned) on seven hits. The first three runs were scored in the first on a three-run homer by slugger Austin Kearns to give the Indians a 3-1 lead.

"I wasn't commanding my sinker to the righties. I was more outside -- middle in a little bit," Atilano said after the start.

As for Bonderman, he has four quality starts in his past five outings, the latest being seven innings of two-run ball Saturday against the Pirates in the 4-3 win. His fastball has been gaining velocity and, especially lately, he has been able to keep up the fastball later in games.

"I didn't throw the ball extremely well," Bonderman said after that outing. "But we won, and I was able to keep us in the game. The other game, I just didn't do any of that. I'm just trying to go out there and give us quality innings, and hopefully we will find a way to win at the end."

Nationals: Seeking more at-bats for Morse
The Nats are 5-16 away from home since May 13.

... The club is 3-5 against the AL this season and 46-52 all-time.

... Manager Jim Riggleman said that he would like to get Michael Morse more at-bats, but he also wants to maintain some consistency in the lineup. "Right now, I don't have a place to put him on a regular basis," Riggleman said. "But I am trying to find at-bats for everyone. Yet I also want to put the same seven or eight guys out there on a regular basis in the lineup, so they can get hot together [offensively]." Morse hit a home run and had two hits in his first three at-bats Tuesday.

Tigers: Leyland's son close to signing
Detroit announced Wednesday that it has signed 16 of its 2010 First-Year Player Draft selections. When Patrick Leyland (8th round, No. 253), the manager's son of manager Jim Leyland, passes his physical, his signing will also become official.

... Magglio Ordonez was out of the lineup for six straight games with soreness in his right oblique and went 4-for-5 on Tuesday with two doubles and an RBI. His four hits on the night matched a career high, a feat he has accomplished 21 previous times. He went 1-for-3 on Wednesday.

Worth noting
Leyland on Stephen Strasburg: "When they have that horse pitching out there, they're as good as any team in baseball on that day."

... The Nationals have played 49 games in AL ballparks since the start of 2005. During that time, their designated hitters are batting just .233 with four homers and 16 RBIs.

... Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson was out of the lineup for the second straight game Wednesday because of back spasms.

... Strasburg mentioned going out to a local mall and was asked if anyone recognized him. "I was there with Pudge [Rodriguez], so that kind of gave it away. I think people put two and two together," he said.



Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Jeremy Bonderman (2-4, 4.21 ERA)
Bonderman owns four quality starts in his last five outings, the latest being seven innings of two-run ball last Saturday against the Pirates in just 91 pitches. His fastball has been gaining velocity and, especially lately, he has been able to keep up the fastball later in games. At times, manager Jim Leyland says, he looks as good as at any point Leyland has been here, which dates back to 2006. All in all, the ingredients are there for a big summer if he can get just a little more run support, which he hopes he can find against the Nationals.


Nationals: RHP Luis Atilano (5-3, 4.34 ERA)
Atilano started for Washington and lasted five-plus innings, allowing six runs -- three earned -- on seven hits against the Indians. The first three runs were scored in the first inning. With one out and Carlos Santana on first, Russell Branyan hit a perfect double-play ball to second baseman Adam Kennedy, who booted the ball for an error. Austin Kearns was the next hitter and hit a three-run homer to give Cleveland a 3-1 lead.


From MLB Tigers Game Notes

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers posted an 8-3 win over the Nationals last night at Comerica Park, the club’s fifth straight win. Justin Verlander (8-4) fanned a season-high 11 batters as he allowed three runs in eight innings of work to earn the win for Detroit. Brennan Boesch finished with three hits, including a home run, and four RBI for the Tigers, while Gerald Laird added a single and two RBI. The Tigers continue a nine-game homestand with the final game of a three-game series versus Washington this afternoon. The homestand concludes with a three-game series against Arizona beginning tomorrow night.

INTERLEAGUE HAPPENINGS: Today’s contest against the Nationals is Detroit’s ninth game of interleague play in 2010. Since interleague play started in 1997, the Tigers have compiled a 129-108 record. The Tigers are 62-33 in interleague games at Comerica Park. Detroit is 6-2 in interleague games during the 2010 season.

AMONG THE BEST SINCE 2006: The Tigers have compiled a 58-22 record, a .725 winning percentage, during interleague play since the start of the 2006 season. The .725 winning percentage during interleague action is tied for the best among major league clubs during that stretch. The Minnesota Twins are 58-22, a .725 winning percentage, during interleague action over that stretch as well.

TIGERS PILE UP THE WINS IN INTERLEAGUE PLAY AT HOME: The Tigers have posted a 34-6 record, an .850 winning percentage, during interleague action over the club’s last 40 games at Comerica Park dating back to May 20, 2006.

ON THE OFFENSIVE OVER SEVEN-GAME WIN STREAK AT HOME: The Tigers enter today’s game against Washington having won each of the club’s last seven games at Comerica Park dating back to June 2. During the seven-game stretch, the club is hitting .322 (77x239) with 44 runs scored, 14 doubles, two triples and 10 home runs.

MAGGLIO MASHES DURING INTERLEAGUE ACTION: Magglio Ordonez enters today’s game versus Washington hitting .336 (214x636) with 42 doubles, three triples, 34 home runs and 141 RBI in 172 games during interleague action in his career. He is third among all active major league players with a .336 batting average during interleague action, while he is sixth with a .572 slugging percentage.

MIGGY MASHES AGAINST THE NATIONALS: Miguel Cabrera enters today’s game versus Washington hitting .362 (111x307) with 17 doubles, a triple, 21 home runs and 75 RBI in 84 games during his career against the club. He is third among all active major league players with a .362 batting average against the Nationals, while he is fifth with a .629 slugging percentage.

VERLANDER RECORDS 12TH CAREER DOUBLE-DIGIT STRIKEOUT GAME: Justin Verlander fanned a season-high 11 batters last night versus Washington, marking the 12th time in his career he has reached a double-digit strikeout total in a start. Additionally, he did not issue a walk last night to mark the third time in his career he has fanned 10-or-more batters in an outing without allowing a walk. Verlander pulled off that feat twice in 2009 (July 7 versus Kansas City and July 29 at Texas), when he became the first Tigers pitcher to do so since Jeff Robinson accomplished the feat twice in 1988.

ORDONEZ ON THE OFFENSIVE: Magglio Ordonez is batting .398 (33x83) with 19 runs scored, four doubles, a triple, four home runs and 19 RBI over his last 22 games dating back to May 13. He is second among all American League players with a .398 batting average during that stretch, while he is third with a .463 on-base percentage.

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 36 runs scored and 77 hits, while he is second with a .308 batting average. Boesch is tops among all league rookies with a .344 batting average, nine home runs and 34 RBI, while he is second with 55 hits.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled a 15-6 record and 2.92 ERA (191.0IP/62ER) through the club’s first 64 games this season. Tigers relievers lead the American League with 15 victories, while the club is second with a 2.92 ERA.

HOME IS WHERE THE MOUND IS: Tigers pitchers have compiled a 3.39 ERA (292.0IP/110ER) through the club’s first 32 games at home, while they have limited opponents to a .239 batting average (262x1096). The Tigers are third in the American League with a 3.39 ERA at home this season, while the club is fourth with a .239 batting average against.

QUALITY WORK: Justin Verlander recorded a quality start for the Tigers last night versus Washington, marking the sixth straight game the club’s starting pitcher has posted a quality start. Detroit’s starting pitchers have registered a quality start in 12 of the team’s last 19 games dating back to May 26.

INJURY UPDATE:
RHP Zach Miner (right elbow tendinitis, 15-day DL on March 26),
RHP Ryan Perry (right shoulder bicipital tendinitis, 15-day DL on June 7),
LHP Bobby Seay (left shoulder strain, 60-day DL on March 26).



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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Friday, June 18
Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga (2-1, 2.67 ERA)) VS Diamondbacks ( LHP Dontrell Willis (2-2, 4.39 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Saturday, June 19
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (4-6, 6.09 ERA)) VS Diamondbacks (RHP Edwin Jackson (3-6, 5.18 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Sunday, June 20
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (3-6, 6.14 ERA)) VS Diamondbacks (RHP Ian Kennedy (3-4, 3.57 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Washington AVG
Guzman, C, DH .297
Bernadina, CF .282
Zimmerman, R, 3B .296
Dunn, A, 1B .284
Willingham, LF .279
Morse, RF .424
Kennedy, A, 2B .246
Desmond, SS .268
Nieves, C .170
Totals .262

Detroit AVG
Raburn, 2B .180
Santiago, SS .241
Ordonez, RF .324
Cabrera, M, 1B .331
Boesch, LF .344
Guillen, C, DH .301
Inge, 3B .251
Avila, C .219
Kelly, CF .217
Totals .270

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Cristian Guzman called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Roger Bernadina flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Zimmerman flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.


Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to right fielder Mike Morse.

B:0 S:0 O:0 - Ramon Santiago hits a sacrifice bunt.
Throwing error by pitcher Luis Atilano. Ryan Raburn to 2nd. Ramon
Santiago to 1st.

B:1 S:2 O:2 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into double
play, shortstop Ian Desmond to second baseman Adam Kennedy to first
baseman Adam Dunn. Ryan Raburn to 3rd. Ramon Santiago out at 2nd.

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

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Adam Dunn lines out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Josh Willingham flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.

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


Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch flies out to left fielder Josh Willingham.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a ground ball to right fielder Mike Morse.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to left fielder Josh Willingham. Carlos Guillen to 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Alex Avila doubles (4) on a fly ball to center fielder Roger Bernadina. Carlos Guillen scores. Brandon Inge scores.

DET 2, WSH 0



B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder Josh Willingham.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to center fielder Roger Bernadina.


DET 2, WSH 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

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

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Ian Desmond swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Wil Nieves swinging.


Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to right fielder Mike Morse.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to left fielder Josh Willingham.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Mike Morse.

B:1 S:0 O:2 - Brennan Boesch singles on a line drive
to left fielder Josh Willingham. Ramon Santiago advances to 3rd, on
fielding error by left fielder Josh Willingham.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out, pitcher Luis Atilano to first baseman Adam Dunn.

DET 2, WSH 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Cristian Guzman swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Roger Bernadina swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Zimmerman singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Adam Dunn flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.


Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge pops out to shortstop Ian Desmond.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Adam Kennedy to first baseman Adam Dunn.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Don Kelly grounds out, second baseman Adam Kennedy to first baseman Adam Dunn.

DET 2, WSH 0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Josh Willingham swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Mike Morse flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Adam Kennedy grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to center fielder Roger Bernadina.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Mike Morse.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Josh Willingham. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:1 - Miguel Cabrera doubles (19) on a fly
ball to center fielder Roger Bernadina. Ramon Santiago scores. Magglio
Ordonez scores.

DET 4, WSH 0



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

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Luis Atilano intentionally walks Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Drew Storen replaces Luis Atilano.

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

B:3 S:2 O:2 - Carlos Guillen singles on a ground ball
to center fielder Roger Bernadina. Miguel Cabrera scores. Brennan
Boesch out at 3rd, center fielder Roger Bernadina to second baseman
Adam Kennedy.

DET 5, WSH 0



B:1 S:2 O:2 -
With Brandon Inge batting, wild pitch by Drew Storen, Carlos Guillen to 2nd.

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

DET 5, WSH 0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Ian Desmond doubles (12) on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
With Wil Nieves batting, wild pitch by Jeremy Bonderman, Ian Desmond to 3rd.

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Wil Nieves swinging.

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

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Cristian Guzman singles on a ground ball to pitcher Jeremy Bonderman. Ian Desmond scores.

DET 5, WSH 1



B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Roger Bernadina lines out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Zimmerman flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Doug Slaten replaces Drew Storen.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Alex Avila called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Don Kelly grounds out, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman to first baseman Adam Dunn.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn doubles (8) on a line drive to left fielder Josh Willingham.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Danny Worth replaces Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to center fielder Roger Bernadina. Danny Worth scores.

DET 6, WSH 1


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to right fielder Mike Morse. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Josh Willingham. Ramon Santiago scores. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

DET 7, WSH 1



B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch grounds out, shortstop Ian Desmond to first baseman Adam Dunn.

DET 7, WSH 1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Danny Worth remains in the game as the second baseman.

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Adam Dunn homers (16) on a fly ball to right center field.

DET 7, WSH 2



B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Josh Willingham grounds out, second baseman Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Adam Kennedy flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Ian Desmond grounds into a force out, third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Danny Worth. Mike Morse out at 2nd.


Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Sean Burnett replaces Doug Slaten.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out, shortstop Ian Desmond to first baseman Adam Dunn.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to third baseman Ryan Zimmerman.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Alex Avila singles on a ground ball to left fielder Josh Willingham. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Don Kelly grounds out, first baseman Adam Dunn to pitcher Sean Burnett. Brandon Inge to 3rd. Alex Avila to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Danny Worth grounds out, second baseman Adam Kennedy to first baseman Adam Dunn.

DET 7, WSH 2 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fu-Te Ni replaces Jeremy Bonderman.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Wil Nieves singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Cristian Guzman singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Don Kelly. Wil Nieves to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:1 - Roger Bernadina reaches on a fielder's
choice out, pitcher Fu-Te Ni to catcher Alex Avila. Wil Nieves out at
home. Cristian Guzman to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Fu-Te Ni.

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

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Ryan Zimmerman flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Cristian Guzman to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Adam Dunn singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Cristian Guzman scores. Roger Bernadina to 2nd.

DET 7, WSH 3



B:2 S:2 O:2 -
With Josh Willingham batting, passed ball by Alex Avila, Roger Bernadina to 3rd. Adam Dunn to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Josh Willingham pops out to catcher Alex Avila in foul territory.


Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Tyler Clippard replaces Sean Burnett.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago doubles (3) on a soft line drive to left fielder Josh Willingham.

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Roger Bernadina. Ramon Santiago scores.

DET 8, WSH 3



B:2 S:1 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera grounds into double play,
shortstop Ian Desmond to second baseman Adam Kennedy to first baseman
Adam Dunn. Magglio Ordonez out at 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch singles on a soft ground ball to second baseman Adam Kennedy.

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

DET 8, WSH 3 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

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

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Mike Morse reaches on fielding error by first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:1 - Adam Kennedy grounds into a force out,
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Ramon Santiago. Mike Morse
out at 2nd. Adam Kennedy to 1st.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Ian Desmond swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Willie Harris replaces Wil Nieves.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Willie Harris grounds out, second baseman Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 8, WSH 3 final box score >> click here<<