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Mariners-Tigers Preview

Jul 1, 2010 - 11:40 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Seattle (33-44) at Detroit (41-36), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Detroit Tigers are concerned about their struggles on the road, but for the near future all that's on the agenda is continuing to win at Comerica Park.

The Tigers return from another unsuccessful trip to finish the first half with nine straight games in Detroit, and they'll be seeking an 11th victory in 12 home games Friday night when they host the Seattle Mariners.

The Tigers (41-36) have to be thrilled to be back at Comerica, where they're 25-11 and will play 26 of their next 37 games.

That's especially true considering the alternative. Detroit completed a 3-6 road trip Wednesday with a 5-1 loss at Minnesota, dropping to 16-25 away from home.

"I can't put a finger on it," third baseman Brandon Inge said of his team's road struggles. "We're just not getting it done. I know it's not lack of focus and lack of effort. I know that."

The Tigers have outscored their opponents 67-36 in winning 10 of their last 11 at home, and they'll have to feel good about staying hot there with Max Scherzer (4-6, 5.26 ERA) on the mound.

The hard-throwing right-hander was sent to Triple-A Toledo with a 7.29 ERA in mid-May, but he seems to have corrected some issues upon his return. He's 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA in his last four starts after holding Atlanta to three hits over 5 2-3 scoreless innings Saturday, leaving without a decision in Detroit's 4-3 loss.

Scherzer's lone start against Seattle (33-45) came April 18 at Safeco Field, where he allowed two runs over six innings in a 4-2 victory. That is the Tigers' lone victory in five games against the Mariners.

That game took place in the afternoon, and that's when Scherzer has shined this season. He's 3-3 with a 2.81 ERA in seven starts during the day, as opposed to 1-3 with an 8.03 ERA in seven outings under the lights.

That's one reason the Mariners will be pleased that the series opener is a night game, and their ugly afternoon record is another. Seattle dropped to a major league-worst 8-19 during the day with Thursday's 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees, missing out on a chance to sweep the World Series champions.

"I thought it was a great series, something to build on as we go forward," manager Don Wakamatsu told the Mariners' official website. "We battled for three days."

Seattle turns to Doug Fister (3-3, 2.81) in its attempt to bounce back, and the lanky right-hander will be looking to do the same. Fister missed nearly a month with right shoulder fatigue before returning Saturday at Milwaukee, where he allowed four runs in four innings and didn't get the decision in the Mariners' 5-4 win.

Fister gave up three runs - two earned - and nine hits over seven innings against Detroit on May 25 at Seattle, not factoring in the Mariners' 5-3 victory.

Inge, who went 4 for 25 (.160) with nine strikeouts on the Tigers' recent road trip, is 2 for 3 against Fister.

Inge isn't the only one who had trouble on the trip. Magglio Ordonez hit .148 (4 for 27) in seven starts, but he's batting .516 (16 for 31) with eight extra-base hits and 11 RBIs in his last seven home games.