Detroit Tigers Notes And Quotes 6-27-11
--RHP Al Alburquerque struggled some with his control but worked 1 1/3 shutout innings and went to 4-1 when Detroit rallied for seven runs in the eighth. Alburquerque relieved RHP Brad Penny with two out and two on in the seventh after Arizona had scored twice to take a 2-1 lead. "He held it to one run," manager Jim Leyland said. "That was huge. It could have gotten out of hand." The rookie has now pitched 13 straight games without allowing a run.
--1B Miguel Cabrera lined a 2-1 pitch to left for a two-run single that gave Detroit back the lead, 3-2, and was the start of a seven-run inning. "People think he's just a slugger," manager Jim Leyland, "because he's big. But this guy is a good hitter, a professional hitter. He hits .320, .330." Cabrera had a first-inning single with two out, but that rally didn't go anywhere.
--C Alex Avila wasn't in the starting lineup, not even after going 3-for-4 Saturday with four RBI, including a three-run home run. "I don't want to kill him," manager Jim Leyland said of why Avila got a game off. "I can't wear him out. I have to watch it. I know you look foolish, but he's hitting the ball all over the place, using all fields, hitting for power, and pretty much doing it all. He's playing like an All-Star right now."
--SS Jhonny Peralta opened Detroit's scoring with his 12th home run of the season. Peralta took a low 3-2 pitch and yanked it over the left-field fence to open the second inning. The Tigers were hoping to get around 20 home runs and 85 RBI when they signed him to a two-year deal this winter and it looks like they'll get that if Peralta stays healthy.
--RHP Brad Penny turned in a solid start, allowing two runs in 6 2/3 innings, but was knocked out of the game after giving up his runs in the seventh inning. Penny kept the ball down and mixed his off-speed pitches effectively. He didn't allow two runners in the same inning until two were out in the sixth. He gave up a double and single to start the seventh, tying the score at 1-1, got two outs but gave up two more hits before being relieved.
--3B Brandon Inge finally got his second hit since returning from his rehab assignment. Inge grounded out to short to open the eighth but got a second chance to bat in the inning and lined a 2-1 breaking ball to right for a two-run single, giving Detroit a 7-2 lead. Inge is just 2-for-12 since returning from a case of mononucleosis.
--2B Carlos Guillen, out since last July with a knee injury that eventually required microfracture surgery, was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment for Class A Lakeland on Monday.
Guillen, 35, has missed most of the last two seasons with assorted injuries. Guillen can stay on the assignment for a maximum of 20 days. He is in the final season of a multi-year deal that pays him $13 million this season.
BY THE NUMBERS
10 -- Major league players or managers to have their uniform numbers retired by more than one club. Sparky Anderson, whose No. 11 was retired by Detroit and whose No. 10 was previously retired by Cincinnati, joins Casey Stengel (Yankees, Mets) as the only manager so honored.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I don't want to kill him. I can't wear him out. I have to watch it. I know you look foolish, but he's hitting the ball all over the place, using all fields, hitting for power, and pretty much doing it all. He's playing like an All-Star right now." -- Manager Jim Leyland, on not playing C Alex Avila the day after he went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run and four RBI.
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