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Mariners-Tigers Preview

Jul 22, 2009 - 4:36 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Seattle (49-43) at Detroit (48-42), 7:05 p.m. EDT

A successful night at the plate helped the Detroit Tigers snap a three-game losing streak. Another big offensive effort may be hard to come by against Seattle All-Star Felix Hernandez.

Bouncing back from a weekend sweep, the Tigers look for a second straight victory over the Mariners on Wednesday night at Comerica Park.

Magglio Ordonez hit a grand slam in a five-run first inning Tuesday night, en route to Detroit's 9-7 series-opening victory over Seattle. The Tigers (49-42), who own a two-game lead in the AL Central, scored four more runs than they did while being swept in a three-game set at Yankee Stadium last weekend.

"We had a tough trip to New York, but we got things going," said Miguel Cabrera, who had three hits including one of the Tigers' three homers Tuesday. "All we can do in games like that is keep trying to score runs."

Placido Polanco also homered for the Tigers in a game that featured seven total home runs.

Cabrera, 9 for 15 against Seattle this season, is 3 for 5 versus Hernandez (10-3, 2.51), who's 6-0 with a 1.30 ERA in 10 starts since losing to the Los Angeles Angels on May 19.

Hernandez, who's won four in a row over the Tigers to improve to 4-2 with a 3.22 lifetime ERA against them, allowed three runs April 17 in six innings of Seattle's only victory in four tries against Detroit this season.

In his last outing, the 23-year-old right-hander gave up two runs and five hits while striking out eight in eight innings of a 6-2 win at Cleveland on Friday.

"I think when he pitches, we're excited, because he's a really good pitcher," infielder Ronny Cedeno told the Mariners' official Web site. "Everybody is up and plays hard. He throws a lot of strikes, moves the ball real well."

After having their three-game winning streak snapped, the Mariners (49-44) might be forced to bounce back without outfielder Franklin Gutierrez, who left Tuesday's game after injuring his elbow and knee while crashing into the scoreboard in right-center field.

"We're happy that it is just bruises - it looked a lot worse," Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu said of Gutierrez, who's batting .397 with five homers and 17 RBIs over his last 20 games. "He should be able to play in the next couple of days depending on how sore he is."

Jose Lopez had three hits and Jack Hannahan hit two of Seattle's four home runs Tuesday. Lopez is 5 for 15 with two RBIs versus the Tigers this season.

Facing Seattle for the first time in 2009, Armando Galarraga (5-8, 5.09) makes his first start since the All-Star break for Detroit.

Galarraga allowed four runs and nine hits in six innings of a 5-4 loss at Cleveland on July 11. He had been 2-0 with a 3.47 ERA in his previous four starts since a June 13 loss at Pittsburgh.

The right-hander has faced the Mariners once before, on July 5, 2008. He gave up one run in six innings, but failed to factor in the decision of a 3-2 win at Seattle.