Tigers Look To Get Win Against Giants
DETROIT - Even when he doesn't have his best stuff, things continue to go well for the San Francisco Giants' Ryan Vogelsong.
The same can't be said for the Detroit Tigers' Rick Porcello.
Vogelsong takes the mound for surging San Francisco as it tries for an eighth straight interleague victory and a three-game sweep of Detroit on Sunday at Comerica Park.
Pablo Sandoval, Brandon Crawford and Miguel Tejada each homered as the NL West-leading Giants (48-36) recorded their highest run total of the season, defeating Detroit 15-3 on Saturday night after a lengthy rain delay.
San Francisco has outscored opponents 34-12 during its seven-game winning streak versus AL opponents, a run during which its starters are 5-0 with a minuscule 1.17 ERA.
Vogelsong (6-1, 2.09 ERA) started that stretch by limiting Minnesota to one run and four hits in seven innings of a 5-1 victory June 22 and will now look to extend it.
Vogelsong, whose one loss is tied for the fewest in the majors among pitchers with at least 70 innings, finds himself on the verge of a career-best seventh victory after defeating the Cubs 13-7 on Tuesday.
The right-hander, however, struggled during that outing, allowing a season-worst six runs - three earned - and four walks over five innings. He also surrendered two home runs - matching the total from his previous nine games.
"I never really got comfortable all day," he told the Giants' official website. "Rhythm-wise, tempo-wise, sometimes I was too quick, sometimes I was too slow. I just never really got a comfortable pace going."
While Vogelsong might not be pleased with his latest result, his disappointment likely doesn't compare to that of Porcello's, as the 22-year-old was hit hard for a third consecutive game.
Porcello (6-6, 5.06) was tagged for seven runs and a season-high 11 hits in 3 2-3 innings of a 14-3 loss to the New York Mets on Tuesday. He has allowed 18 earned runs and 28 hits over his past three starts spanning 11 1-3 innings.
"I feel like it's just a matter of pitch-making, leaving balls up, making some mistakes to some guys," he told the Tigers' official website.
Porcello was sent to the minors to work on his mechanics following a similar rough patch last season, but Detroit (44-40), which has relinquished first place in the AL Central after losing four of five, has no plans to send the right-hander down again.
"A year ago, I felt lost. That was then," Porcello added. "Right now, it's a bump in the road, there's no doubt about that. But I mean, I don't have time to sit here and be worried about it. I have to figure it out and fix it.
"We're trying to win a division. I can't go out there and have performances like that, especially (three) games in a row."
Porcello went 5-1 with a 2.30 ERA in his first seven career starts against the NL before recently struggling in interleague play. He has never faced San Francisco.
The Giants will try to slow down Jhonny Peralta, who extended his hitting streak to 10 games with his 14th homer Saturday. Peralta, batting .385 with three home runs during his run, has hit safely in 18 of 19 interleague games dating to last year.
Four time All-Star Victor Martinez is listed as day-to-day with a bruised right shoulder after he was hit by a foul tip and forced from Saturday's game. His status for this one is unknown.
Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
