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Tigers-Angels Preview

Apr 20, 2010 - 6:39 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Detroit (7-6) at Los Angeles (7-7), 10:05 p.m. EDT

Superb starting pitching has the Los Angeles Angels in position for their first five-game winning streak in eight months.

Scott Kazmir could add to that if he can re-establish his slider.

Kazmir will try to help the Angels get back over .500 for the first time since opening day when they host the struggling Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.

Los Angeles (7-7) has won four straight behind outstanding performances from its rotation. The starters have combined for a 0.86 ERA while holding opponents to a .202 batting average during that span.

The run of stellar pitching continued Monday, as Joel Pineiro scattered nine hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 2-0 win over Detroit (7-6) to open this four-game set.

The Angels will now turn to Kazmir (0-1, 13.50 ERA) in an effort to win five in a row for the first time since Aug. 15-19.

The left-hander, though, was hit hard in his season debut Thursday, giving up six runs and eight hits while serving up three homers in four innings of a 6-2 road loss to the Yankees, hours after being activated from the disabled list.

"He had a good changeup and life with his fastball, but he didn't bring the same slider from the bullpen into the game," manager Mike Scioscia told the team's official website.

Kazmir relies heavily on his slider, which compliments his fastball and changeup, giving him varying off-speed options. They've played a major role in his success over the last five years, as he's accumulated 859 strikeouts to rank second in the AL over that span behind CC Sabathia's 862.

"It's real frustrating when you have a hitter set up for even a decent slider, not even a really good one, and you just don't have it," said Kazmir, who is 2-4 with a 4.69 ERA in eight starts against the Tigers.

Fernando Rodney has been outstanding in place of closer Brian Fuentes, who landed on the DL with a back injury Wednesday.

Rodney has converted all four save attempts with four perfect innings, including one against the Tigers - his former team. He signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Angels after rejecting a one-year offer from Detroit.

"When I signed with the team and they told me what my role was going to be, I said 'OK.' I just want to keep doing my job," said Rodney, who had 37 saves in 38 chances last year. "Those guys over there know me and I know them, so it was exciting for me. But I'm the same guy no matter if I'm facing Detroit or any other team."

The Tigers, losers of four of five, counter with Rick Porcello (1-0, 4.09), who struggled early in his last outing. The right-hander battled through the opening inning Wednesday, throwing 27 pitches before settling down and allowing three runs and 10 hits before leaving after the sixth without a decision in a 7-3 loss to Kansas City.

Porcello is trying to show some improvement in his first road start of 2010. He went 1-4 with a 4.96 ERA in his last nine starts away from Detroit as a rookie last year.

Porcello didn't fare well in his only start against the Angels, yielding four runs and five hits in five innings while not getting a decision in a 9-6 home win June 7.