Mariners Video

Vargas' scoreless start

Gutierrez's solo homer

Tigers Video

Verlander strikes out 11

Kelly's two-run double

Each time Verlander has pitched with extra rest, the righty has struggled on the mound, tallying a lifetime 24-24 record with a 4.34 ERA. It's a far cry from the 44-19 record and 3.64 ERA he boasts with the typical four days off.

"It's always tough for me on an extra day's rest to kind of keep that feeling going, especially with a day off right before my start and not getting to throw," Verlander said. "But it's something that I know personally I have to get better at and be able to go out there and repeat my delivery on an extra day's rest. It's to the point where I'm kind of tweaking what I'm doing between starts and trying to figure out how to get where I need to be."

And the additional tweaking has subsequently caused Verlander problems with his mechanics. In his previous start with extra rest, he experienced the second-shortest outing of his career, lasting only two innings while allowing five runs.

"I just felt out of sync from the get-go," Verlander said referring to his previous start on extra rest. "I kind of felt like I reverted back to old form. Some of the stuff I've been working so hard to get back -- throwing the ball where I wanted, especially my fastball -- really felt like that wasn't there tonight."

Verlander will try to rectify the problem and overcome the routine barriers again versus the Mariners on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Seattle starter Jason Vargas has recently enjoyed more consistent performances. The southpaw, who owns a 6-3 record with a 2.80 ERA, has registered quality starts in eight of his past 10 starts and hasn't allowed more than three runs in 14 consecutive starts.

"He's confident, even-tempered, and positive. Those are the three things that come to mind," Mariners skipper Don Wakamatsu said. "He's a very level-headed kid. He's very consistent emotionally. He's mature for his age, and his work ethic is outstanding."

Mariners: Bedard ready to return to Majors
Pitcher Erik Bedard, who hasn't pitched in the Majors in nearly a year and had shoulder surgery this past August, started for Triple-A Tacoma Thursday, allowing three hits and no earned runs while fanning three in a no-decision. If all goes according to plan, he will make his return to the Major Leagues on Tuesday against the Royals.

Tigers: Schlereth called up from Triple-A
The Tigers called up left-hander Daniel Schlereth from Triple-A Toledo on Friday morning, optioning left-hander Fu-Te Ni to the Minors after Wednesday's game.

Schlereth was acquired as part of the three-team deal that sent Edwin Jackson to the D-backs and Curtis Granderson to the Yankees. The 24-year-old posted a 2.83 ERA, struck out 45 and walked 26 batters in 35 innings over 28 relief outings for the Mud Hens.

Worth noting
The Mariners have played 12 consecutive sub-three hour games outside of an extra-inning loss to the Cubs on June 24. The club hasn't played a nine-inning game over three hours since June 6. Ichiro Suzuki will return to right field on Saturday after his second game this season as the designated hitter. ... The Mariners and DIRECTV will showcase the first-ever telecast of a Major League game in 3D from Safeco Field on July 10.