The Tigers needed some of their role players to come up big for a change.   Today was the day.  Ryan Raburn has been getting booed at Comerica park lately, and deservedly so.  He strikes out a lot and has made some costly errors recently.  His batting average is floundering around .200.  He got a standing ovation from the crowd today  when he made a diving catch in left  for the 3rd out in the 8th inning that saved two runs and the Tiger lead.  Detroit had just gone ahead 4-3 when Magglio Ordonez singled with the bases loaded and two outs in the 7th inning.  Brandon Inge also had a big hit in the 8th to give the Tigers two insurance runs with a triple after Avila and Santiago reached base on walks.

Starter Rick Porcello got his 7th win with 7 innings of work.  He was "effectively wild" as he hit 3 batters and threw 3 wild pitches, but only gave up 5 hits and 2 runs (1 scored on a wild pitch).  Opposing hitters have been getting pretty cozy in the batter's box lately, but Porcello did a good job of pitching inside and keeping them honest.  Jose Valverde picked up his 20th save in 20 opportunities, but was scary (as usual) after putting two runners on with a walk and a single. 

The Tigers will hit the road for three games in Anaheim then three in Kansas City before the All-Star break.  The Tigers will send at least 4 players to the All-Star game in Arizona and have a chance for one more.  Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, Jose Valverde and Alex Avila (voted starting catcher) are going.  Victor Martinez has a chance to go if voted in at http://www.mlb.com/  he is one of 5 players in a "last-chance" ballot to go to the Midsummer Classic on July 13th.

Rookie pitcher Charlie Furbush gets his first Major League start in tomorrow night's game against the Angels on the 4th of July in Anaheim.  9:05 first pitch.

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