Detroit Tigers Notes And Quotes 6-7-11

--RF Brennan Boesch turned in the first five-hit game of his two-year career. Boesch had home runs his first two times up, then singled, doubled and singled during a career-high five-RBI night. His first homer was a three-run shot into the right field upper deck at Texas.

Boesch entered the game 0-for-10 in his career against Texas RHP Colby Lewis. "He's gotten me out on balls, so I was just trying to get a strike to hit," Boesch said.

"Obviously he had a huge, huge night," manager Jim Leyland said. "He's getting better all the time. He's so hard on himself; we're trying to eliminate that."

--RHP Max Scherzer struggled for a third straight start. Scherzer was touched for five runs in five innings Monday at Texas after two starts in which he gave up seven runs each. He again had trouble getting his fastball where he needed it to go, and his slider was erratic, too. Scherzer benefitted from the 7-0 lead Detroit had mashed up by the end of the third, but his fastball troubles continued. If it wasn't high, it was too close to the middle of the plate to be missed. "His slider's not real sharp," manager Jim Leyland said. "He can't find his slider consistently for me. We've got to look into this a little bit and find out what it is and get it straightened out."

Scherzer said, "I didn't have good rhythm, especially my fastball command."

--1B Miguel Cabrera drove in another run and had two hits. Cabrera was also issued his 13th intentional walk of the season. He singled after RF Brennan Boesch's second home run and scored on a home run by LF Andy Dirks. His RBI double in the fourth inning set up DH Victor Martinez for a sacrifice fly.

--C Alex Avila has already eclipsed his home run total for last season, and he added another in the third inning to give him nine for the season. Avila took a 3-1 pitch over the center field fence. He reached first on a wild pitch on a third strike to lead off the second inning. Manager Jim Leyland used him as his designated hitter for the first time Sunday, knowing Avila would be catching at least two of Detroit's three games in steamy Texas.

--LF Andy Dirks only had one hit, but it was a two-run home run in the third inning. Dirks is a well-rounded, useable outfielder who seems to be carving out a spot for himself on the Detroit roster. Dirks is already playing regularly against right-handers. Detroit will need to clear a roster spot when RF Magglio Ordonez returns from the disabled list, but it is likely that C Omir Santos will return to Class AAA.

--LHP Charlie Furbush did a decent job of getting the game to the back end of Detroit's bullpen. He faced the minimum six batters in the sixth and seventh innings thanks to a double play. Furbush is one of those sneaky fast left-handers with a nice breaking ball and good control. He hit a batter with one out in the eighth and made a mistake with a curve that RF Nelson Cruz banged for a 459-foot home run. Furbush has been used by manager Jim Leyland as an early man out of the bullpen. A starter in the minors, Furbush has mostly been used multiple innings.

--CF Austin Jackson had a three-hit game and scored each time. Manager Jim Leyland often says when Jackson is hitting and walking, the Tigers win. He was walked intentionally his fifth time up but did not score. Jackson is from Denton, Texas, and just purchased a home nearby.

--LHP Daniel Schlereth couldn't finish the ninth inning with a six-run lead. Schlereth walked a batter with one out and a second with two outs, and he now has 11 walks in 18 innings of work. An argument could be made he's been used on an irregular basis, which contributes to his control problems -- but it could also be said his wildness prevents him from being used regularly.

--3B Danny Worth entered the game as a pinch hitter for 3B Don Kelly in the seventh inning and made his case for staying on Detroit's roster by getting an RBI single plus a two-run double in his only two trips to the plate. The Tigers will have to open a roster spot soon for the return of OF Magglio Ordonez from the disabled list.

BY THE NUMBERS
22 -- Players drafted by Detroit from 2005 through 2010 who have reached the majors, most of any team. Detroit forfeited its first-round pick last year and this by signing Type A free agents before both seasons.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I think we've done a good job, but it can get better. The only way to evaluate these drafts is by how many players you've brought to the major leagues -- not just cup-of-coffee guys, but impact players, as well as players who give you trade value." -- Vice president of amateur scouting David Chadd, on how he looks at his Detroit drafts.

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