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Rangers-Tigers Preview

May 18, 2009 - 7:47 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Texas (23-14) at Detroit (20-16), 7:05 p.m. EDT

It's been 17 months since the Detroit Tigers signed Dontrelle Willis to a three-year contract extension. They're still waiting for that $29 million investment to start paying dividends.

Willis goes for his first victory as a Tiger on Tuesday night at Comerica Park, but he'll face the AL West-leading Texas Rangers - winners of seven in a row.

Detroit's recent home dominance of Texas might help the struggling Willis get that elusive victory. The Tigers (20-16) have won nine straight at home against the Rangers.

"For some reason, we don't play well up there," Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler told the team's official Web site.

Detroit swept the visiting Rangers in a three-game set from April 10-12. Texas (23-14) hasn't won at Comerica Park since Sept. 11, 2007.

Willis (0-0, 7.71 ERA) will try to extend that run as he makes his second start since coming off the disabled list, where he was placed due to an anxiety disorder. In his season debut Wednesday, he allowed four runs and walked two over 4 2-3 innings of a 14-10 loss at Minnesota.

"My mindset is just simplified, going out there and really just thinking about myself and not really caring about anybody else as far as what they think," Willis told the Tigers' official Web site.

Since Detroit acquired him from the Marlins in December 2007 with Miguel Cabrera, Willis is 0-2 with a 9.10 ERA in nine appearances. He's walked 37 while striking out 18.

In his last outing against Texas, Willis allowed three runs and walked five in five innings of an 11-8 loss in Arlington on Sept. 15. It was his first start since being sent to Single-A Lakeland in June to work on his control.

Detroit, coming off a three-game sweep of Oakland and winner of four straight at home, will be without Magglio Ordonez for at least the first two games of the three-game set. The slugger was placed on the bereavement list Monday.

Shortstop Ramon Santiago had a career-high four hits with four RBIs as the Tigers rallied from a 6-0 deficit to defeat the A's 11-7 on Sunday. Santiago is batting .556 (10 for 18) with two homers and 10 RBIs at home this season.

"(Santiago) had some awful big hits," Detroit manager Jim Leyland told the team's official Web site. "...We felt if we kept it within six or so, we had a chance."

Texas is riding its longest winning streak since May 20-31, 2005, when it won nine straight. With Sunday's 3-0 victory over Los Angeles, the Rangers moved nine games over .500 for the first time since June 1, 2005.

"I don't think it can get any better than that, the three games we played at that level," manager Ron Washington said following Texas' 6-0 homestand.

Texas right-hander Brandon McCarthy gets the start Tuesday as the Rangers open a six-game trip. McCarthy (3-1, 5.92) went a season-high seven innings and yielded four runs as the Rangers defeated Seattle 6-5 in 11 innings Wednesday.

McCarthy is 0-2 with a 4.79 ERA in eight appearances in Detroit.

Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton is day to day after suffering a slight groin strain in Sunday's win. He's batting .238 with three homers and nine RBIs in five games since returning from a rib injury.

Cabrera went 5 for 12 with a home run and six RBIs in last month's sweep of Texas. He has never faced McCarthy.