Starting Pitching Remains Shaky

Something curious is happening to the Tigers.

When Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer don't pitch, Detroit has to hope it can outslug opponents and get a lead to its newly revived bullpen.

Phil Coke fell one out shy of getting through the sixth inning in Arizona's 7-6 comeback win over Detroit, the second straight game in which a Tigers starter could only last 4 2/3 innings.

Rick Porcello was yanked in the fifth Wednesday as Detroit punched out a 7-5 win over the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Coke has just one win in 15 starts. Porcello won five of six starts -- but is 0-2 since last winning June 7.

Brad Penny last won on June 5, but his most recent victory before that came four starts earlier, on May 14.

Scherzer has won three of four, but in two of those starts gave up at least five runs.

Verlander has won five starts in a row and his last seven decisions have been wins, but that streak is certain to come to an end, possibly in his Saturday start against Arizona.

They may be retiring the late Sparky Anderson's number in Detroit on Sunday but his Capt. Hook persona lives on in Jim Leyland.

That's quite likely a reflection of Leyland feeling his bullpen gives him a better chance to win when Coke, Porcello and Penny are on the mound.

Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.