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Tigers look to avoid sweep vs. Royals

Apr 3, 2008 - 4:17 PM Kansas City (2-0) at Detroit (0-2) 1:05 pm EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) - After putting together one of the best offenses in recent memory over the winter, the Detroit Tigers front office must be starting to wonder where the hits are hiding.

The Tigers will be looking to avoid a season-opening sweep when they host the Kansas City Royals on Thursday in the finale of a three-game series.

Detroit added Edgar Renteria, Jacque Jones and Miguel Cabrera over the offseason to an offense that already included Gary Sheffield, Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen.

But the first two games of the season have been more notable for the Royals pitching staff than the Tigers' All-Star lineup.

Kansas City got a tremendous start from second-year righthander Brian Bannister on Wednesday as the youngster combined with two relievers on a three-hit shutout.

Renteria had all three hits for Detroit, which failed to get a runner past second base.

The Tigers will have a tough test again on Thursday when they face 24-year-old Zack Greinke. The righthander split his time between the bullpen and the rotation last season, going 7-7 with a 3.69 ERA in 52 appearances - 17 starts.

He has been particularly hard on Detroit in the past, posting a 6-3 record and a 3.40 ERA in 13 games - 10 starts against the division rivals.

Detroit will counter with Jeremy Bonderman, who looked destined to become an ace until a rough second half last season resulted in an 11-9 record and a grizzly 5.01 ERA in 2007.

The 25-year-old righthander lost eight of his last nine decisions before being shut down in September with a shoulder injury.