Jim Leyland had a heart-to-heart talk with Ryan Perry when the reliever and possible closer-in-waiting arrived at Comerica Park on Wednesday.
    The Tigers' manager was trying to figure out why, almost without fail, when Perry is called upon to pitch two days in a row, he doesn't fair as well the second day as he did the first.
    "I don't know if it's a mental thing, I just don't know," Leyland admitted. "That's kind of a mystery to us.
    "But I do know this: If he's going to be what we think he can be, he's going to have to do that.
    "For whatever reason, when he pitches two days in a row, his numbers are significantly different the second day. It's amazing," Leyland continued.
    "I think that's his major issue -- bouncing back with the same stuff the second day.  Some guys come back the second day with a dead arm. But that's not his problem.
    "You've got to remember, you're talking about a second-year guy who didn't have much minor league experience."
    Given all of the uncertainty that continues to engulf Joel Zumaya and his future, Perry could be the leading candidate to replace Jose Valverde as the Tigers' closer when Valverde's contract expires after the 2011 season.
    "He (Perry) is a real keeper," Leyland said.