GDT: 8/31/11 - DET (74-61) VS KC (56-80) - 1:05 p.m. ET

...

Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (12-8, 5.01 ERA)

After a bit of a rough start, Porcello settled in nicely in his last start. The right-hander went 6 1/3 solid innings while allowing just one run on seven hits with four strikeouts to pick up his 12th win of the season.


Royals: RHP Felipe Paulino (2-6, 3.83 ERA)

In Friday's duel with Cleveland's Ubaldo Jimenez, Paulino pitched 6 2/3 brilliant innings. He gave up two runs on six hits in one of his best performances since being acquired from the Rockies. His pitch count was high, 120, but he finished strong.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: Ramon Santiago belted a solo home run in the 10th inning to give the Tigers a 2-1 win over the Royals last night. Joaquin Benoit (4-3) earned the win in relief for Detroit. The Tigers continue a seven-game homestand today with the third game of a four-game series versus Kansas City. Following tomorrow afternoon’s game, the homestand continues with a three-game series versus Chicago beginning on Friday.

CENTRAL FOCUS: Today’s game versus Kansas City marks the sixth game in a stretch in which the Tigers play 19 straight games against opponents in the American League Central Division. Of Detroit’s final 27 games of the season, 19 are versus teams in the American League Central Division. The Tigers are 33-20 against clubs from the American League Central Division this season, a .623 winning percentage. Detroit is tops among all American League clubs with the .623 winning percentage against the division.

VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde converted his 39th consecutive save to begin the season on Saturday at Minnesota. His 39 straight saves converted is the longest such streak during a single season in Tigers history. His streak surpasses Guillermo Hernandez who converted 32 straight save opportunities April 6-September 23, 1984.

AVILA’S AWESOME AUGUST: Alex Avila enters today’s game hitting .372 (32x86) with seven doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 18 RBI in 25 games during August. He is third among American League players with a .481 on-base percentage and .721 slugging percentage during the month, while he is fifth with a .372 batting average.

PAPA GRANDE CLOSING IN ON 40 SAVES: Jose Valverde enters today’s game versus Kansas City with 39 saves, one save shy of becoming the second pitcher in Tigers history to register 40 saves in a single season. Todd Jones established a Tigers single-season record with 42 saves during the 2000 season.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled a 1.87 ERA (81.2IP/17ER) and 76 strikeouts over the club’s last 25 games dating back to August 4. During the 25-game stretch, club relievers have limited opponents to a .199 batting average (56x282).

IN A PINCH: Ramon Santiago belted a walk-off home run in the 10th inning for the Tigers last night after entering the game earlier as a pinch-runner. He is the first Tigers player to enter the game as a pinch-runner and then hit a walk-off home run since Tommy Veryzer did so on September 12, 1974 versus Milwaukee. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)

BENOIT ON THE BALL: Joaquin Benoit enters this afternoon’s game with a 3-0 record, 1.64 ERA (38.1IP/7ER), two saves and 39 strikeouts over his last 41 outings dating back to May 20. He has limited opponents to a .192 batting average (25x130) during the stretch.

COKE LOCKED IN COMING OUT OF THE PEN: Phil Coke enters today’s game versus Kansas City having not allowed a run over his last 13 outings dating back to August 2, fanning 20 batters in 12.0 scoreless innings. He has limited opponents to a .182 batting average (8x44) during that stretch.

NOTES ON THE SKIPPER: Jim Leyland is in his sixth season as the manager of the Tigers, compiling a 498-450 record (.525).
- Leyland registered the 1,500th win of his major league career on April 15 at Oakland, becoming just the 19th manager in major league history to accomplish the feat. He is second among all active major league managers with 1,567 wins.
- Today’s game marks the 3,149th game Leyland has managed during his career, eight games shy of tying Ralph Houk for 15th place all-time in major league history.
- With 498 wins as Detroit’s manager, he enters today’s game two wins shy of becoming the fifth manager in Tigers history to register 500 victories with the club.

GUILLEN ON INJURY REHAB WITH TRIPLE A TOLEDO: Carlos Guillen began an injury rehabilitation assignment with Triple A Toledo on Monday. He is hitting .625 (5x8) with three doubles and an RBI in two games with the Mud Hens. Guillen has been sidelined since August 13 with a sore left wrist.

SIX TIGERS MINOR LEAGUERS NAMED TO AFL ROSTER: Rosters for the Arizona Fall League were announced yesterday and the following six players were named to the roster of the Salt River Rafters: righthanded pitcher Tyler Stohr, lefthanded pitchers Casey Crosby and Matt Hoffman, catcher Rob Brantly and infielders Will Rhymes and Danny Worth.


INJURY UPDATE:

• INF Carlos Guillen (sore left wrist, 15-day disabled list on August 13),
• RHP Al Alburquerque (concussion, 15-day disabled list on August 12).
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 60-day DL on May 11)



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• Thursday, September 1:
Tigers (RHP Jacob Turner (0-1, 3.38 ERA)) VS
Royals (LHP Danny Duffy (3-8, 5.55 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Friday, September 2:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (20-5, 2.38 ERA)) VS
White Sox (LHP John Danks (6-9, 3.63 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Saturday, September 3:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (9-10, 5.07 ERA)) VS
White Sox (RHP Gavin Floyd (12-10, 4.36 ERA)),
4:10 p.m. ET (FOX / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, September 4:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (13-8, 4.52 ERA)) VS
White Sox (LHP Mark Buehrle (11-6, 3.05 ERA)),
8:05 p.m. ET (ESPN2 / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:


Wednesday: Tigers vs. Royals

The Tigers had an abrupt adjustment in approach when starting pitcher Felipe Paulino was scratched with back spasms. Nate Adcock gets the start, but it doesn’t change the approach. Ramon Santiago gives Jhonny Peralta a day off at shortstop, while Don Kelly starts in right field.

TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF
Ramon Santiago, SS
Delmon Young, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Alex Avila, C
Wilson Betemit, 3B
Ryan Raburn, 2B
Don Kelly, RF

P: Rick Porcello

ROYALS

Alex Gordon, LF
Melky Cabrera, CF
Billy Butler, DH
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Johnny Giavotella, 2B
Salvador Perez, C
Alcides Escobar, SS

P: Nathan Adcock

KC - Top 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
Alex Gordon walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Melky
Cabrera grounds into double play, shortstop Ramon Santiago to second
baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Alex Gordon out at
2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Billy Butler grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson doubles (18) on a ground ball to third baseman Mike Moustakas.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ramon Santiago out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Nathan Adcock to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Delmon Young out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Melky Cabrera. Austin Jackson scores.
1 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.


1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

KC - Top 2nd
B:1 S:2 O:0
Eric Hosmer homers (13) on a fly ball to right field.
TIED 1-1

B:1 S:1 O:1
Jeff Francoeur pops out to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Mike Moustakas doubles (12) on a line drive to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Johnny Giavotella out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Salvador Perez grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Wilson Betemit grounds out, first baseman Eric Hosmer to pitcher Nathan Adcock.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Ryan Raburn called out on .

TIED 1-1 AFTER 2 INNINGS

KC - Top 3rd
B:1 S:0 O:1
Alcides Escobar grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Alex Gordon called out on .

B:1 S:1 O:3
Melky Cabrera bunt grounds out, catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:1
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Delmon Young grounds out, first baseman Eric Hosmer to pitcher Nathan Adcock. Austin Jackson to 3rd. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

With Miguel Cabrera batting, wild pitch by Nathan Adcock, Austin Jackson scores. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.
2 - 1

B:1 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

2 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

KC - Top 4th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Billy Butler grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Eric Hosmer homers (14) on a fly ball to right field.
TIED 2 - 2

B:1 S:0 O:1
Jeff Francoeur singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Mike
Moustakas grounds into double play, pitcher Rick Porcello to shortstop
Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jeff Francoeur out at
2nd.

DET - Bot 4th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

TIED 2-2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

KC - Top 5th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Johnny Giavotella grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Salvador Perez grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Alcides Escobar out swinging.

DET - Bot 5th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Ryan Raburn grounds out, pitcher Nathan Adcock to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Don Kelly grounds out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

With Ramon Santiago batting, Austin Jackson steals (19) 2nd base, . Austin Jackson advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Salvador Perez.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Ramon Santiago grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

TIED 2-2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

KC - Top 6th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Alex Gordon singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Melky Cabrera doubles (37) on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Alex Gordon scores.
KC 3 - 2

B:3 S:1 O:0
Billy Butler singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Melky Cabrera scores. Billy Butler advances to 2nd, on fielding error by left fielder Delmon Young.
KC 4 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Eric Hosmer singles
on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Billy Butler out at
3rd, center fielder Austin Jackson to third baseman Wilson Betemit.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jeff Francoeur grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Eric Hosmer out at 2nd. Jeff Francoeur to 1st.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Mike Moustakas flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET - Bot 6th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Delmon Young grounds out, third baseman Mike Moustakas to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera doubles (36) on a line drive to left fielder Alex Gordon.

Pitcher Change: Tim Collins replaces Nathan Adcock.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Victor Martinez out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila out swinging.

KC 4 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

KC - Top 7th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Johnny Giavotella flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Salvador Perez flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Alcides Escobar called out on .

DET - Bot 7th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Wilson Betemit grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Don Kelly pops out to second baseman Johnny Giavotella.

KC 4 - 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

KC - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Daniel Schlereth replaces Rick Porcello.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Alex Gordon grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Melky Cabrera walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Billy Butler pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Eric Hosmer grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 8th
Defensive Substitution: Chris Getz replaces second baseman Johnny Giavotella, batting 7th, playing second base.

Pitcher Change: Blake Wood replaces Tim Collins.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson triples (9) on a fly ball to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ramon Santiago out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Austin Jackson scores.
KC 4 - 3

B:2 S:2 O:1
Delmon Young singles on a line drive to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera pops out to catcher Salvador Perez in foul territory.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez doubles (30) on a fly ball to center fielder Melky Cabrera. Delmon Young scores.
TIED 4 - 4

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Brennan Boesch replaces Victor Martinez.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Blake Wood intentionally walks Alex Avila.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Wilson Betemit doubles (20) on a line drive to right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Brennan Boesch scores. Alex Avila out at home on the throw, right fielder Jeff Francoeur to second baseman Chris Getz to catcher Salvador Perez.
5 - 4 AFTER 8 INNINGS

KC - Top 9th
Brennan Boesch remains in the game as the designated hitter.

Defensive Substitution: Brandon Inge replaces third baseman Wilson Betemit, batting 7th, playing third base.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Daniel Schlereth.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jeff Francoeur pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Mike Moustakas called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:2
Chris Getz singles on a ground ball to right fielder Don Kelly.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brayan Pena replaces Salvador Perez.

With Brayan Pena batting, Chris Getz steals (20) 2nd base.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Brayan Pena walks.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Alcides Escobar flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.