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Tigers take aim at .500 against Rockies

Sat 28th, June 2008

(Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers will try to reach the .500 plateau for the first time this season when they host the Colorado Rockies in the second test of a three-game interleague series at Comerica Park.

The Tigers began the season with seven straight losses and scuffled through the first two months of the season, but now the team is starting to finally come around.

Also struggling early on this season, Justin Verlander has slowly turned the page on that atrocious start and comes into this game with a 4-9 ledger and a 4.49 ERA.

June has easily been the best month for the hard throwing right-hander, who is 2-1 in four starts. In each of those four outings Verlander did not allow more than three runs.

The last time the 25-year-old toed the rubber, he baffled the San Diego Padres for 5 1/3 innings, as he struck out 10 batters, and allowed just two runs on five hits. He did, however, walk a season-high five batters in the 5-3 win.

Looking to get the Rockies back into the win column is inconsistent southpaw Jeff Francis, who is currently boasting an atrocious ERA of 5.65.

The last time the 27-year-old was on the hill he was knocked around by the Royals, allowing seven runs on seven hits in just 4 1/3 innings. Francis allowed three walks and two home runs in the 8-4 loss.

The majority of Francis' troubles have come away from Coors Field, as he is posting a pathetic 1-3 ledger with an equally bad 6.07 ERA in eight starts.

Last night, Curtis Granderson finished 4-for-5 with two triples, a stolen base, an RBI and three runs scored, as the Tigers bested the Rockies, 7-1.

Placido Polanco and Miguel Cabrera both went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Tigers, who own a 15-4 mark over their last 19 contests. Ivan Rodriguez, Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen also knocked in a run, while Clete Thomas was 3-for-3 with a walk.

Eddie Bonine (2-0), making only his third career start after having his contract purchased from Triple-A Toledo on June 14, pitched eight solid innings, limiting the Rockies to one run on five hits. Joel Zumaya tossed a scoreless ninth.

Ubaldo Jimenez (2-8) ran up a high pitch count and lasted only four innings for Colorado, yielding four runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and three walks. Ryan Speier allowed one run on four hits in three innings of relief.

Jeff Baker drove in the lone run for the Rockies, who have dropped five in a row. Brad Hawpe and Matt Holliday each had a double.

These teams are meeting for the first time since the Rockies won two of three games from Detroit at Coors Field during the 2005 season. Colorado has won seven of its last nine matchups with the Tigers.

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