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Tigers look to beat up on hapless Mariners

Jul 4, 2008 - 1:05 PM Detroit (43-42) at Seattle (33-52) 4:10 pm. EDT

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The Detroit Tigers will try and continue to beat up on the American League's worst team on Friday when they continue a four-game series with the lowly Seattle Mariners.

Justin Verlander threw six effective innings and Ivan Rodriguez drove in three runs as the Tigers snapped a two-game skid with a 8-4 victory in Thursday's opener.

Detroit had been outscored, 13-4, by Minnesota prior to unleashing a 15-hit barrage on the hapless Mariners. The Tigers have won seven of their last nine games, and history indicates they should have no problem with Seattle.

Detroit has won 10 of its last 14 games here and a big reason has been Curtis Granderson's play. Granderson is hitting .431 batting average (28-for-65) with five homers and nine RBI in 16 games vs. Seattle.

However, Granderson and his teammates will face a stern challenge from Erik Bedard (5-4, 3.79 ERA), who appears healthy. The lefthander shook off the back spasms that cut his previous start short and allowed one run and three hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 9-2 win over San Diego on Sunday.

The Tigers counter with Kenny Rogers (6-5, 4.59), who is seeking a second straight win. Rogers allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings of a 4-3 win over Colorado on Sunday.