May 30, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman
Miguel Cabrera(24) rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
It took 12 days, but the Detroit Tigers finally put back-to-back wins together and have gotten more consistent outings from their starters recently. They’ll round out the month of May looking to claim three wins in a row, and clinch a winning series for the first time since two weeks ago in Boston, as they face the Seattle Mariners in the second game of a weekend series at Safeco Field Saturday night.
Detroit Tigers (31-20) at Seattle Mariners (26-28) — 10:10 P.M. EDT
Safeco Field — Seattle, WA
TV: Fox Sports Detroit, MLB Network
Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for radio affiliates)
Weather: 72 degrees, clear
When We Last Met
There was much to like about the Tigers 6-3 victory over the Mariners on Friday night. First, Justin Verlander looked back to form. His velocity was up to 95 mph early in the game and reached a maximum of 98 in the sixth inning. Perhaps because of that he was able to increase his strikeouts to seven after striking out just three over his past two disastrous starts. More importantly, his control seemed back, walking just one batter on the evening. The Tigers got the lumber out in the usual pitcher-friendly confines of Safeco Field. All six runs were accounted for by homers from Miguel Cabrera (two-run HR), Victor Martinez (three-run) and Rajai Davis (solo).
Pitching Matchup
Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Drew Smyly (2-3, 3.86) is looking to snap out of a poor stretch. His last time out, Smyly allowed six runs to Oakland in a 10-0 bloodletting on Memorial Day. His start prior to that yielded half those runs, but he walked five and was wild which caused his pitch count to climb and an early exit after five innings. Drew hasn’t lasted past the sixth inning since May 3. He faced Seattle three times in relief last season, allowing one run over three innings and picked up a win in one of those contests.
Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Journeyman Chris Young (4-2, 3.30) will get the starting nod for Lloyd McClendon‘s Mariners on Saturday. Young battled injuries during 2013 and only appeared in minor league action before signing a incentive-laden one-year contract in the Pacific Northwest. So far it has been a decent deal for Seattle. Young was masterful in his last outing, allowing just one run and two hits in 6 1/3 innings. It was a nice comeback for the right hander who had allowed nine runs over his previous two starts. Prior to those two dreadful outings, Young had pitched very well.
Tigers Lineup
- Ian Kinsler-2B
- Torii Hunter-RF
- Miguel Cabrera-1B
- Victor Martinez-LF
- Austin Jackson-CF
- Alex Avila-C
- Nick Castellanos-3B
- Andrew Romine-SS
- Rajai Davis-LF
Injuries
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Detroit Tigers
- Luke Putkonen – 15-day DL
- Joel Hanrahan – Out indefinitely
- Andy Dirks – 60-day DL
- Jose Iglesias – 60-day DL
- Bruce Rondon – Out for season
Seattle Mariners
- Robinson Cano –Out for Saturday
- Logan Morrison — 15-day DL
- Corey Hart — 15-day DL
- Blake Beavan — 15-day DL
- Taijuan Walker –15-day DL
- James Paxton — Out indefinitely
- Franklin Gutierrez — Out for season