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Cubs-Tigers Preview

Jun 24, 2009 - 4:11 AM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Chicago (34-32) at Detroit (38-31), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Detroit Tigers kept their latest winning streak alive thanks to a clutch home run. They'll try to extend it with the majors' top rookie pitcher and arguably one of its hottest starters going to the mound.

Rick Porcello will try to help the Tigers earn their sixth straight victory as they continue a three-game series against the visiting Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.

Ryan Raburn's pinch-hit, two-run homer in the ninth off closer Kevin Gregg gave the Tigers a 5-4 victory.

"I didn't feel a thing," Raburn said following a raucous celebration at home plate. "I was kind of numb. I've never done that before."

The Tigers (39-31) had taken a one-run lead in the seventh on Brandon Inge's two-run homer, but Micah Hoffpauir answered with a two-run shot in the next inning.

Inge, whose homer was his third in the past two meetings with the Cubs (34-33), hit a three-run shot in the sixth inning Sunday in a 3-2 win over Milwaukee. He's tied with Curtis Granderson for the team lead with 17 homers.

Detroit has batted .311 and outscored opponents 33-18 during its winning streak even with six-time All-Star Magglio Ordonez being benched for the first four victories. Ordonez, batting .271 with just two homers and 22 RBIs in 58 games, was 0 for 2 with a walk Tuesday.

Porcello (8-4, 3.54 ERA) enters Wednesday searching for his third straight win and his eighth in 10 starts after going 1-3 with a 6.23 ERA in his first four major league outings. The right-hander, who leads all rookies in wins and ERA, has allowed one earned run in his consecutive victories and finished one out shy of his seventh quality start in Thursday's 6-3 win at St. Louis.

The Tigers are 8-1 since May 5 when Porcello pitches.

Cubs right-hander Rich Harden (4-3, 5.27) comes off his worst outing of the season, giving up seven runs over five innings against visiting Cleveland on Friday. Harden, however, was saved from a third straight loss and second since returning from the disabled list June 13 (strained lower back) thanks to a stunning rally for an 8-7 win in 10 innings.

Harden, however, has fared better on the road this season, where he is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA compared with a 2-3 with a 6.56 ERA at home. He is 3-1 with a 3.48 ERA in five career starts against the Tigers and unbeaten when receiving at least two runs of support.

The problem for the Cubs is they haven't consistently supported their starters, who have a major league-leading 44 quality outings this season and a 3.74 ERA that ranks second behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (3.64).

After winning five of six with new hitting coach Von Joshua - who replaced the fired Gerald Perry on June 14, the Cubs are 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position during their 0-2 start to a 10-game road trip.

"I don't want to talk about missed opportunities," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said.

Derrek Lee, however, extended his hitting streak to career-best 20 games with a sixth-inning double. The Cubs first baseman has batted .370 during his streak and .373 with eight home runs and 22 RBIs while reaching base in 30 consecutive contests.

The Tigers, who are also searching for their sixth straight win over Chicago, lead 9-3 in the all-time interleague series.