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Porcello shoots for fifth straight win against Halos

Jul 29, 2011 - 3:21 PM (Sports Network) - Continued struggles have the Tigers' lead in the American League Central shrinking, but youngster Rick Porcello has played the role of stopper in July to perfection.

Porcello will try to win five straight starts for the first time since his rookie season and draw Detroit even in its four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who shoot for a fourth straight victory of their own this evening.

The 22-year-old Porcello has pitched to a 3.33 earned run average while winning all four of his starts in July. It is one of his best runs since he picked up five straight victorious starts as a freshman hurler from May 5-27, 2009.

The right-hander is coming off a win at Minnesota on Sunday as he allowed two runs on five hits and a pair of walks in six innings. He has not given up a homer over his undefeated streak and improved to 10-6 with a 4.67 ERA in 19 starts this year. Porcello has struggled to a 6.15 ERA in eight home starts, however, and also owns an unsightly 7.40 ERA in four career meetings with the Angels, but going 2-1 in that span.

The Angels counter with a young righty of their own in Tyler Chatwood, who won for the first time in four starts on Sunday in Baltimore. Chatwood was charged with two runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out five while not walking a batter for the first time in 19 career starts.

Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said his 21-year-old rookie was in top form as he handled the strike zone.

"(Chatwood) had great stuff, great breaking ball command, great fastball command and brought the changeup into the mix also," Scioscia praised. "Tyler pitched an outstanding game. We certainly haven't seen him with that much command this season, it was great to watch."

Chatwood improved to 6-6 with a 3.64 ERA and won his third straight road decision. He hasn't lost as the visiting starter since May 17 in Oakland and is set to face the Tigers for the second time. That first meeting came at home on July 6 and Chatwood did not get a decision after yielding two unearned runs but walking five over 5 1/3 frames.

The Angels shoot for an eighth victory in 10 games after taking Thursday's opener by a 12-7 margin. They were sparked by another youngster as Mark Trumbo hit a two-run homer and finished a single shy of the cycle while driving in five runs.

Los Angeles picked up its fifth victory in its past seven meetings with Detroit on the strength of three big innings, including a five-run seventh that broke open a one-run game. Trumbo called that inning "the turning point" of the contest.

Joel Pineiro had the tough task of following up Ervin Santana's no-hitter from Wednesday against the Indians, but was blasted for five earned runs over just 3 1/3 innings. Still, Los Angeles remained two games behind Texas for first place in the AL West.

It was a frustrating day for the Tigers, who got solo homers from Wilson Betemit and Miguel Cabrera in losing for the third time in four games. Manager Jim Leyland was ejected in the third inning for arguing from the dugout, while starter Brad Penny and catcher Victor Martinez got into an argument on the mound an inning later.

Penny was dealt a loss after yielding seven runs in 3 1/3 frames.

"Our pitching just fell short today, had a terrible day," said Leyland.

With the setback, the Tigers' edge for first over the idle Indians fell to 1 1/2 games, while the White Sox are three back.