Shelton tries to regain groove in minors

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By JOHN SEEWER Associated Press Writer

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) -- Chris Shelton erupted with a home run barrage in April that lifted the Detroit Tigers and elevated him to the level of Mike Schmidt and Albert Pujols.

Now he's riding buses in the minor leagues and trying to fix his swing.

"I can't really put a finger on why things changed," Shelton said. "I'm not really sure. April was a special month. I don't know if expectations were too high."

The first baseman nicknamed "Big Red" hit nine home runs in the first 13 games -- becoming the fourth player to reach the mark so quickly. He joined Schmidt, who hit 11 home runs during the first 13 games of 1976, and Pujols, who matched Shelton's feat this year.

Shelton finished the opening month hitting .326 with a franchise-record 19 extra-base hits.

Since then, he's had only six homers and struck out more than once every four at-bats. That led to his demotion to Triple-A Toledo, and the Tigers got first baseman Sean Casey from Pittsburgh.

"I don't think anybody welcomes a move down here, but I can't change that," Shelton said Wednesday before batting practice. "You can only take it in stride."

He's looking to correct his swing in time to help the Tigers finish off their commanding bid for an AL Central title.

Shelton's stint in the minors has reunited him with Mud Hens hitting coach Leon "Bull" Durham, a former All-Star with the Chicago Cubs. The pair worked together the last two seasons when Shelton was in Toledo.

"It took me three swings watching on tape to see what he was doing wrong," Durham said. "He was trying to get 10 hits in one pitch."

Shelton was chasing too many high pitches and not getting enough extension on his swing, Durham said. That slowed down his bat speed and caused him to foul off pitches.

Shelton has been hitting softballs in an indoor batting cage, which forces him to use his hands more. It seems to be working. After struggling in his first five games in Toledo, Shelton hit home runs in consecutive games and is hitting to all fields.

"He's back to April," Durham said. "When he hits the ball to right field and right-center, that's his April stroke."

Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland still consider the 26-year-old Shelton their first baseman of the future.

Dombrowski said it became obvious that Shelton needed to correct his swing.

"His swing is just not the same as it was when he was driving the ball so well," Dombrowski said. "Especially to opposite field, after he hit the ball out of the ballpark a lot early."

The Tigers picked up Shelton after the 2003 season when the Pirates left him unprotected. Known more for hitting to all fields, he has been a career .332 hitter in the minors.

Support from the front office has helped Shelton regain his confidence.

"I don't want to leave Detroit," Shelton said. "I want to have a long career there."

Durham is convinced that Shelton won't be a one-month wonder.

"He's a natural-born hitter," Durham said. "He'll be back. Believe me." ------ Associated Press writer Larry Lage in Detroit contributed to this report.