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Mariners-Tigers Preview

Aug 19, 2009 - 4:07 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Seattle (61-57) at Detroit (62-55), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Detroit Tigers continue to roll at home and Justin Verlander has been a big help in that regard.

Verlander looks to win his eighth start at Comerica Park as the AL Central-leading Tigers continue their three-game series with the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.

Verlander (13-6, 3.28 ERA) takes the mound after Detroit (63-55) rallied for 5-3 win over Seattle (61-58) on Tuesday. The victory moved the Tigers three games ahead of Chicago in the Central and improved their home record to 39-19.

Detroit's ace has certainly enjoyed his starts at home, going 7-1 with a 2.11 ERA in 11 outings at Comerica Park. The Tigers are 9-2 in those starts. He's looking to get back on track, though, after giving up five runs in each of his last two home starts.

Verlander was stellar in his most recent appearance, limiting Boston to four hits while striking out eight in eight innings of a 2-0 victory Thursday at Fenway Park.

The right-hander threw 123 pitches - four off his season high - but still was strong late in the game, retiring three straight batters after allowing a leadoff double in the eighth.

"He was in complete control of the game," catcher Gerald Laird told the Tigers' official Web site. "He had all his pitches working, in and out, and when it came in crunch time in the eighth, you're looking up and the radar gun says 100 mph. You just don't see that very often."

Verlander is 6-2 with a 3.35 ERA against the Mariners, but he struggled against them on April 17, allowing six runs in 7 1-3 innings of a 6-3 loss. Adrian Beltre had two doubles against him in that contest.

Detroit, which has won five of eight, managed only one run and five hits off Seattle starter Felix Hernandez on Tuesday, but scored four times in the eighth off Mark Lowe, including two unearned runs. Miguel Cabrera was 3 for 4, hitting a go-head, two-run single in the inning.

"Miguel showed why he's a big-time player," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

Cabrera is hitting .390 at home this year, going 9 for 14 (.643) in the last three games.

Rick Porcello allowed one run in 5 2-3 innings, but did not receive a decision. He did, however, lower the rotation's ERA in the last five games to 1.65.

After the Tigers took advantage of Seattle's bullpen in the series opener, they may not have to wait long to get to the Mariners' relievers Wednesday with Ian Snell (0-1, 8.78) taking the mound.

Snell is winless in his last four starts and in three outings since joining Seattle from Pittsburgh. He gave up eight runs and allowed two homers in six innings of an 11-1 loss to the New York Yankees on Thursday.

Snell is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA against the Tigers. He faced them on June 12 with the Pirates and allowed two runs and 10 hits in seven innings of a 3-1 defeat.

The Mariners have lost four of five.

Ichiro Suzuki had his fourth four-hit game of the season Tuesday and is batting .390 in his last nine games.