Tigers-Indians Preview

The Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians have had to rely extensively on their respective bullpens this weekend thanks to a pair of extra-inning games.

Given the way Armando Galarraga and Carl Pavano have pitched recently, each team's relief corps better be at the ready Sunday as well.

Cleveland and Detroit close a three-game series Sunday, with the AL Central-leading Tigers trying to win their fourth straight set against the Indians.

After Cleveland (43-61) won in 13 innings Friday, Detroit (54-48) prevailed for a 4-3 victory in 12 innings Saturday. Jhonny Peralta hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth to tie the game, but Detroit went ahead in the 12th on Ryan Raburn's RBI single and added an insurance run when Jose Veras balked home Clete Thomas.

Cleveland scored one run in the 12th, but Zach Miner got Grady Sizemore to pop out to end the game for his first career save.

"Other than the hits and run, it was a lot of fun," Miner said, jokingly adding he's hoping to become the career saves leader someday. "(Trevor) Hoffman better watch out."

It was Detroit's eighth win in 11 games against Cleveland this season and fourth in five contests at Progressive Field. The Tigers, who remained 1 1/2 games ahead of Chicago for first place in the Central, were 2 for 15 with runners in scoring position while committing two errors. They have 13 errors in the last six games.

"Kind of a weird game, a wild game," manager Jim Leyland told the Tigers' official Web site, "but it ended up right."

Cleveland, meanwhile, has lost three of four since a season-high five-game winning streak.

"We tied it in the ninth and created some chances later to win it," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "I can't say enough about the effort."

Wedge's bullpen has pitched 14 innings in this series while Detroit has needed 12 innings from its relievers. Rookie Rick Porcello went eight innings for the Tigers on Saturday, but Fernando Rodney blew the save to force extras.

With both team's bullpens having been extended this weekend, they'll each look to an inconsistent starter to rest some weary arms.

Galarraga (5-9, 4.84 ERA) takes the mound for Detroit, looking for his first win in five starts.

The Tigers lost all four of the right-hander's starts in July, although he was responsible for only two of the defeats, including one against Texas on Monday after he allowed four runs and six hits in seven innings of a 5-2 setback.

Although Galarraga was winless last month, in starts against Kansas City and Seattle, he allowed only two runs and six hits over 14 1/3 innings.

Galarraga has lost both starts against the Indians this season, allowing nine runs in 11 innings. He is 3-2 with a 4.57 ERA in seven career outings against the Indians.

Cleveland will hand the ball to Pavano (8-8, 5.66).

The Indians have won three of Pavano's last four starts, but he's just 2-4 with a 7.29 ERA since June 10. The right-hander struggled again Monday against the Angels, but escaped with a no-decision, allowing six runs and 10 hits -- including four home runs for a second straight game -- over six innings of an 8-6 win.

The right-hander has won both starts against the Tigers this season, allowing four runs over 15 1/3 innings.