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Mariners have brooms ready for Tigers at Comerica Park

Apr 28, 2011 - 3:08 PM (Sports Network) - Michael Pineda tries to continue an impressive start to his big league career this afternoon when the Seattle Mariners attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

Pineda has been everything the Mariners thought he would be and then some, as he has won each of his three starts since losing his debut and has allowed just two earned runs in doing so. He was terrific against the Oakland Athletics on Friday, scattering five hits over six scoreless innings to lower his earned run average to 1.78.

"He obviously has a great arm, and then when he couples that with his secondary stuff and is aggressive with it, he's pretty good," Seattle manager Eric Wedge said. "It's still early. It takes some time. But with him being so athletic, and his composure out there and ability to make adjustments, I think that bodes well for him."

Pineda, who has held opponents to a .202 batting average and just five runs in 25 1/3 innings this year, is the first Mariner to start his career with four straight quality starts.

Detroit, meanwhile, will counter with right-hander Brad Penny, who is coming off a spectacular showing his last time out. Penny had been 0-2 with an 8.44 ERA heading into last Saturday's matchup with the Chicago White Sox, but the veteran hurler put forth his best effort in some time, as he flirted with a no-hitter and gave up just one hit over seven scoreless innings to pick up the victory.

"What I was very pleased with was he pounded the strike zone," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. "When you're pounding the strike zone and yet you have the ability to throw a ball if you want to, that's pitching. That's pounding the strike zone and making them mis-hit the ball."

Penny is 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA in two starts against the Mariners.

Seattle moved to the cusp of its first sweep in the Motor City since 2003 on Wednesday, as Justin Smoak hit a three-run homer and finished with five RBI, helping the Mariners to a 10-1 rout.

Smoak also had a home run on Tuesday in his first game back from a week on the bereavement list, leading the Mariners to a 7-3 win in the opener. Miguel Olivo had three hits, two runs scored and an RBI in the win.

Erik Bedard (1-4) had a nice showing, allowing just one run on five hits with three strikeouts in seven innings for Seattle.

Miguel Cabrera drove in the lone run for the Tigers, who have dropped two straight to break up a four-game win streak.

Detroit starter Justin Verlander (2-3) got the loss, allowing four runs -- three earned -- on five hits while fanning eight in six frames.

"We had some guys step up," Wedge said. "Smoak had a heck of a night tonight. I think we made (Verlander) work."

On the milestone watch Detroit designated hitter Magglio Ordonez enters today's game one double shy of becoming the first player to register 100 of them at Comerica Park.

Detroit took two of three from the Mariners last week.