• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Pirates-Tigers Preview

Jun 12, 2010 - 3:49 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Pittsburgh (23-37) at Detroit (30-29), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Magglio Ordonez's absence has certainly hurt, but the Detroit Tigers have proven that they can get by without the veteran slugger.

With Ordonez's status still uncertain, the Tigers host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night following a much-needed confidence boost against the bottom team in the NL standings.

Detroit (31-29) had lost four of six and scored three runs in two games entering this three-game series, but won the opener 6-2 on Friday night. Even though Ordonez (oblique) missed his fourth straight game, the Tigers had 12 hits against the hapless Pirates (23-38).

Ordonez's injury isn't considered serious, but there also doesn't seem to be a clear timetable for the six-time All-Star's return. Ordonez is hitting .312 with eight homers and 41 RBIs.

"He's still not the way we want him, but he's a lot closer," trainer Kevin Rand told the Tigers' official website. "He feels a lot better about where he's at."

Clutch hitting helped Detroit put an end to its slump. The Tigers scored all six of their runs with two outs.

Rookie outfielder Brennan Boesch hit a solo homer, connecting for the fourth time in seven games and eighth time this season. Boesch is hitting .433 (13 for 30) with eight RBIs over his last eight contests.

"When he hits it, it's a loud sound," manager Jim Leyland said.

Even the bottom of the lineup helped out, with Brandon Inge and Alex Avila each delivering three hits and combining to drive in three runs.

"It's good to see," said Inge, the No. 7 hitter. "You can't rely on a couple guys all year."

Inge has a seven-game hitting streak and is batting .395 (17 for 43) over his last 11 contests.

Detroit now must face Pittsburgh's most consistent starter, Paul Maholm (4-4, 3.80 ERA). The left-hander is 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA in his last three starts.

Maholm - who has never faced the Tigers - won his last outing, surrendering two runs in 6 1-3 innings of a 6-3 victory over San Francisco on Saturday night.

Detroit will counter with Jeremy Bonderman (2-4, 4.40), who has lost two straight starts and had a particularly tough time in his last outing, allowing seven runs and a season-high 11 hits in 5 2-3 innings as Detroit fell 7-2 at Kansas City on Sunday. The right-hander had a 1.80 ERA in his previous five starts.

In his only start against the Pirates, Bonderman surrendered two runs and struck out five in five innings as the Tigers lost 9-2 on the road July 1, 2006.

Pittsburgh hasn't been much trouble for opposing pitchers, scoring two runs or fewer four times in its last five games. The Pirates have lost nine in a row on the road and six straight overall.

First baseman and No. 3 hitter Ryan Doumit is 6 for 35 (.171) over the past 10 games, though he's struck out once during that span. Shortstop Ronny Cedeno is 4 for 35 (.114) in his last 10 contests.

Promising center fielder Andrew McCutchen was a bright spot for Pittsburgh on Friday, matching a career high with two doubles. McCutchen had been 2 for 14 (.143) over his previous four games.