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Ordonez, Tigers building momentum

Jul 23, 2008 - 12:28 PM Detroit (51-49) at Kansas City (45-56) 2:10 p.m. EDT

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- Magglio Ordonez and the Detroit Tigers are developing into the playoff contender many thought they would be this season.

Ordonez and the Tigers try to complete a sweep of the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday when the teams conclude a three-game series.

Ordonez, who is batting .380 (19-for-50) with 12 RBI over his last 12 games, had three hits and a pair of RBI on Tuesday as Detroit posted a 7-1 victory over the Royals. The win was the Tigers 27th over their last 40 games - the most in the majors during that span.

The Tigers, who are 5 1/2 games behind the Chicago White Sox for first place in the American League Central Division, pounded out 12 hits on Tuesday, one day after they notched 18 during a 19-4 triumph.

Armando Galarraga (7-4, 3.41 ERA) hopes the hit parade continues on Wednesday when he takes the mound for the Tigers looking to snap a two-game losing streak which has seen him allow seven runs - six earned - and 14 hits in 12 1/3 innings.

The Royals counter with Zack Greinke (7-6, 3.90), who also is looking to end a losing streak. Greinke dropped his second straight decision on Friday in his worst start of the season. The 24-year-old righthander surrendered seven runs and 11 hits in only three innings during a 9-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox.