Tigers’ Turnabout Is No Big Surprise

When the Angels open their sports sections in Detroit this morning and scan the American League standings, they won’t be shocked to find the Tigers, losers of an appalling 119 games a year ago, with a better record than the vaunted New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics.

A roster overhaul that added Ivan Rodriguez, Rondell White, Al Levine and Ugueth Urbina has propelled Detroit (11-8) into third place in the AL Central, one game behind first-place Minnesota heading into today’s series opener against the Angels (11-8) at Comerica Park.

“That’s not a bad team they’re throwing out there,” Angel closer Troy Percival said. “Just because it’s a Detroit uniform doesn’t make it a bad team. They’ve got a lot of new players.”

Rodriguez, the centerpiece of last season’s World Series champion Florida Marlins, is hitting .355 with one home run and 15 runs batted in, and White is batting .333 with five homers and 19 RBIs. Levine, a former Angel, and Urbina are a combined 3-0, though newcomer Jason Johnson is off to a 1-4 start.

“You can throw away last year in a hurry. That’s nonexistent,” Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said. “They’re a vastly improved club. They’ve got talent that’s emerging, and with the veterans coming in and providing more of a core, it’s two different ballclubs.”

The Angels won six of seven games in the series last season, losing on Brandon Inge’s improbable two-out, two-strike, two-run homer against Percival in the ninth inning of the last game.

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Longtime starter Aaron Sele said the most difficult aspect of his transition to the bullpen has been settling into a routine that allows him to stay sharp without overworking his arm.

“I’m used to pitching, having a day off and throwing my bullpen [session], which is about 15 minutes’ worth of side throwing,” he said. “With the opportunity to throw every day, you can’t do that. Physically, I’m not used to it.

“I can’t go out and throw long in the bullpen to get a feel for something or take it to that game or the next day, because I’d be shot. That’s been the trickiest part, trying to keep fresh. I’m a curveball [pitcher], and the curveball’s a feel pitch, so you have to throw it enough to where you feel comfortable with it.”

In his two most recent outings, Sele has given up three hits and one run in five innings, after giving up eight hits and five runs in 3 1/3 innings in his season debut.

“It’s hard to break through when you don’t throw,” he said. “It’s kind of going with the flow and make sure you get enough work in.”

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Francisco Rodriguez continues to excel as the setup man in Brendan Donnelly’s absence. Rodriguez extended his scoreless streak starting the season to 10 2/3 innings Sunday by pitching two perfect innings in which he struck out four Oakland batters, giving him 18 strikeouts this season. Donnelly did not allow an earned run last season in his first 23 2/3 innings.