Detroit Tigers Notes And Quotes 6-4-11
--LHP Andy Oliver struggled through 3 2/3 innings until chased from the game by a three-run home run and a double. Oliver was constantly working with 2-0 and 2-1 counts yet he could have pitched four scoreless innings. A hit batter and two walks loaded the bases in the first and Oliver defaulted on a one-out double play tapper back to the mound, opting instead for a toss to first that let in a run. A walk plus a single preceded a three-run home run by DH Carlos Quentin. Oliver threw 83 pitches in just 3 2/3 innings. His fastball was topping out at 95 mph but his breaking pitches were soft and up. Oliver was making the second of his two stand-in starts for disabled LHP Phil Coke, who returns to make his next start, with both marked by apparent nervous beginnings.
--SS Jhonny Peralta rapped out three singles and continues to use the whole field to hit. One hit was to third, one to left and the third to center while the lone out Peralta made was a popup to first. Hitting the ball up the middle was something Peralta worked on this spring while he was going without an RBI and hitting under .200. He had an RBI in his first official at-bat of the season and hasn't slowed down since.
--RF Casper Wells got a changeup he could handle and drilled it to left for a three-run home run, the first such blast by a Detroit hitter not named Miguel Cabrera this season. Wells started as manager Jim Leyland loaded his lineup with right-handed hitters. He walked his last time up and PH Andy Dirks batted for him in the ninth.
--LHP Charlie Furbush gave up his first run in the majors, serving up a leadoff home run to RF Brent Lillibridge in the fifth. Furbush had not given up a run in his first three games totaling nine innings. He wasn't quite as sharp as in the other three but the home run was the only run he gave up in 2 2/3 innings. He probably won't be able to pitch again until Monday after throwing 53 pitches.
--3B Danny Worth got the first start at 3B Brandon Inge's position as the regular was placed on the disabled list with mononucleosis. Worth batted twice and singled before manager Jim Leyland pinch-hit the switch-batting IF Ramon Santiago for him in the seventh when the Chicago White Sox put a right-handed pitcher in for LHP Mark Buehrle. UT Don Kelly is expected to start at third on Saturday.
--C Omir Santos was recalled Friday to take the spot of 3B Brandon Inge, who was placed on the disabled list Friday with mononucleosis. He was with Detroit earlier in the season and appeared in just two games, going 1-for-5. Santos was batting .250 with two home runs and eight RBI with Toledo. "It doesn't matter how many times you get called up," he said. "Every time you're going to get excited. It's going to be like your first time again." He may be in for a brief stay, however, if RF Magglio Ordonez comes off the disabled list early next week.
--3B Brandon Inge was placed on the disabled list due to mononucleosis. Detroit recalled C Omir Santos from its Class AAA Toledo farm club to take his roster spot. Manager Jim Leyland said he would probably platoon at third base, with UT Don Kelly playing against right-handers and IF Danny Worth against lefties, with IF Ramon Santiago also a possibility. Inge has struggled to hit .211 with one home run and 12 RBI. "I don't think he's been himself for a while," Leyland said. "But I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not." "Brandon is a key member of this team, and we need him," Kelly said. "Hopefully he'll be back soon. I know he'll do everything he can to get back as quick as possible." "Brandon was obviously struggling offensively," Leyland said. "Maybe this will be a blessing in a way. (He can) be away from it a little bit."
--LHP Phil Coke threw 89 pitches in 5 1/3 innings of a rehab tune-up with Class AAA Toledo for his start June 8 in Texas. He struck out six but gave up eight hits and three runs. Coke was placed on the disabled list with a right-foot bone bruise.
--RF Magglio Ordonez went 0-for-3 for Class AAA Toledo in his first game action since early May. Ordonez has been on the disabled list since May 11 with right ankle weakness. Ordonez played five innings in right field before being removed. He struck out, popped out to second and had a fly out to deep right. He is scheduled to DH on Saturday and play right field again Sunday before a determination is made whether he's ready to be activated or not.
BY THE NUMBERS
0.77 -- LHP Charlie Furbush's ERA after he gave up his first run of the season on a fifth-inning leadoff home run by RF Brent Lillibridge. Furbush did not allow a run in his first 9 1/3 innings in the majors.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I don't think he's been himself for a while, but I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. Brandon was obviously struggling offensively. Maybe this will be a blessing in a way. (He can) be away from it a little bit." -- Manager Jim Leyland on Brandon Inge, who was placed on the disabled list with mononucleosis.
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