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Tigers-Pirates Preview

Jun 13, 2009 - 4:06 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Detroit (33-27) at Pittsburgh (28-32), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Rick Porcello set a high standard for Detroit pitchers - on the mound and at the plate - in the opener of a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Tigers would probably be equally satisfied if Armando Galarraga could be as effective in just one aspect of the game.

Galarraga will take the mound trying to snap a personal six-game losing streak when he faces the Pirates on Saturday.

Detroit (34-27) won for the sixth time in eight games Friday, beating Pittsburgh 3-1. Porcello gave up one run and six hits over seven innings and went 2 for 3 at the plate, driving in two runs.

Porcello became the first Tigers pitcher with a multihit game since Jeff Weaver also had two on June 23, 2002, against Florida. The 20-year-old rookie also was the first Detroit pitcher with more than one RBI in a game since Joe Coleman drove in three on Sept. 21, 1972, at Boston, the season before the designated hitter was adopted by the AL.

Detroit starters were 0 for 15 last season in interleague games.

"Pitching is always the first priority but it was fun to get a couple of hits," Porcello said.

Overshadowed by Porcello's performance, Placido Polanco also had a big game, going 4 for 4 with two doubles. The Tigers had 11 hits - their most in 13 games - after coming in with a .217 average this month.

The Pirates (28-33) had eight hits Friday but weren't able to do much. Andy LaRoche, who entered hitting .298, was 0 for 4 and grounded into an inning-ending double play in the sixth after Freddy Sanchez hit an RBI double and Adam LaRoche walked.

Pittsburgh, which was trying to win its third straight, has scored five runs in four interleague games.

The Pirates will try to bounce back when they face Galarraga (3-6, 5.19 ERA). The right-hander went 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA in his first four starts but is 0-6 with a 7.06 ERA in his last eight. He did not earn a decision his last time out, giving up three runs and walking four over 6 2-3 innings of a 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday.

"I think (Galarraga) knows he has to start working off his fastball and sinker instead of just sliders," catcher Dane Sardinha told the Tigers' official Web site.

Galarraga has never faced the Pirates. He is 3-1 with a 3.10 ERA in interleague play, suffering his first loss in five outings May 23 against Colorado.

Pittsburgh will counter with Zach Duke (6-4, 3.07), who matched a season high by allowing six runs and 11 hits over six innings of a 7-6, 15-inning loss to Atlanta on Monday. He gave up three home runs after allowing only four in his first 11 starts.

The left-hander will be making his first appearance against the Tigers. He is 1-3 with a 3.83 ERA in nine interleague starts, losing 2-0 on May 22 to the White Sox.