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Surging Tigers look to finish strong vs. Mariners

May 22, 2008 - 12:12 PM Seattle (18-29) at Detroit (19-27) 1:05 pm EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) - All it took to awake the Detroit Tigers slumbering offense was a visit from the struggling Seattle Mariners. The Tigers will aim for a sweep of the three-game set on Thursday.

Entering the series against the Mariners, Detroit had dropped 12 of its last 15 games while averaging less than two runs per game during that span.

For a lineup that features seven former All-Stars, the offensive drought and frustrating results brought on an expletive-laced tirade from manager Jim Leyland in which he challenged his team to "look right in the mirror" after Sunday's 4-0 setback at Arizona.

The Tigers responded with 12 runs and 17 hits in a win in Tuesday's opener and followed it up with a 9-4 victory on Wednesday. Marcus Thames had a grand slam in Wednesday's win, and Miguel Cabrera has four hits and three runs scored in the two games.

The Mariners, who, like Detroit, entered the season with playoff aspirations, have fallen on hard times this month - losing 14 of 19 games to fall into last place in the American League West. Losses in the first two games of this series have dropped Seattle behind the Tigers for the worst record in the AL.

The Mariners will try to avoid the sweep with righthander Miguel Batista (3-5, 6.11 ERA) on the mound. The veteran hurler allowed six runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings, walking two while striking out one, to suffer a loss on Friday.

Detroit will counter with righthander Jeremy Bonderman (2-4, 4.76). The 25-year-old surrendered three runs and three hits in six innings, walking four while striking out five, while not factoring in the decision during Friday's 4-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.