March 16 -- DAY 30: IS FREDDY READY?

For four innings, Freddy Garcia (left) cruised, looking every bit like the pitcher who beat the Tigers four times in five starts last season. With the exception of a leadoff homer in the fourth by one of his closest friends, Carlos Guillen, Garcia was effective.

Then came the fifth inning. Garcia allowed a leadoff walk to Neifi Perez and a one-out single to Curtis Granderson before Guillen ripped an RBI single. A two-out walk to Chris Shelton loaded the bases before Garcia was lifted for Brian Sanches, who promptly allowed a bases-clearing double to Brandon Inge.

It didn't appear that Garcia was throwing particularly hard, and a scout in the stands told me he topped out at only 88 mph, a speed he reached often in his final two innings. Interestingly, a radar gun recently was installed in right-center field here. It debuted today and was off by about 2-3 mph before the stadium crew turned it off.

Also of note: Jon Lieber's scheduled start in a minor-league game in Clearwater was rained out. Lieber threw a side session instead. ... Shane Victorino, playing DH, went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer off Mike Maroth. ... RF Michael Bourn continued to look good, going 2-for-4 with an RBI triple.