GDT21: 4/26/13 - DET (10-10) VS ATL (15-6) - 7:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez (2-1, 1.75 ERA)

Sanchez gave up a lone run on 10 hits in 16 innings against the Royals last season, racking up 11 strikeouts in the process. He hasn't given up more than two earned runs in an outing this season, picking up where he left off.



Braves: LHP Paul Maholm (3-1, 1.03 ERA)

Maholm began this season with 25 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings. This was the longest streak by a big league pitcher to start a season since 1966. The Pirates ended this streak with three sixth-inning runs on Saturday.








Maholm will go for fourth win against Tigers

By Andrew Simon / MLB.com | 4/25/2013 5:54 PM ET

No longer preserving a scoreless-innings streak, Paul Maholm will focus on preventing a losing streak -- personally, and for his team -- when the Braves open a three-game Interleague series at Comerica Park on Friday night.

Maholm, who will oppose Detroit's Anibal Sanchez, began his season with 25 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings, the Majors' longest season-opening streak since 1966. That was snapped on Saturday, when he allowed three runs in the sixth against the Pirates and took the loss to drop to 3-1.

"I was going to give up a run," said Maholm, whose ERA rose to 1.03. "I'm not really worried about the streak. It was going to happen. I wish it would have happened in a game where we scored five, and I gave up three and we win."

The lefty is not a stranger to facing the Tigers from his days with the Pirates, having pitched against them in Interleague matchups each of the past three seasons and compiling a 2.60 ERA. But the Braves haven't played the Tigers since 2010 and have visited Detroit only once, in 2004.

Atlanta, which started 12-1, dropped five of eight games heading into Thursday's off-day, including a walk-off loss against the Rockies on Wednesday afternoon.

The Braves will have to contend with a familiar foe in Sanchez, who pitched in the NL East with the Marlins from 2006-12. The right-hander has a 5.42 ERA in 17 starts against the Braves, his highest against any club he's faced more than four times. Over the past two seasons, Atlanta has touched him up for a 9.33 ERA in four outings.

Sanchez (2-1, 1.75) has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his four starts this season, but is coming off his first loss, Friday against the Angels. He surrendered a season-high 11 hits in 6 2/3 innings.

"We're going to play here, so we're still in the American League [rules]," Sanchez said. "It probably would be different if we had to play in the National League and I had to hit. It's going to be a normal day, so we have to prepare like we always do for any team.

"Right now, they've got three new guys. It seems like a new team right now, not the team that I've faced. It's a different Braves. They've got the Uptons. They've got [Chris] Johnson, [Juan] Francisco, [Jordan] Schafer. They've got a lot of new guys."

Braves: Healthy Freeman looks to reignite
• First baseman Freddie Freeman hit .412 with seven RBIs in five games before going on the disabled list with a strained right oblique. He returned for Tuesday's doubleheader and went 1-for-6 with three walks, then went 1-for-5 with an RBI double on Wednesday.

"I'm good -- everything felt great," Freeman said before Wednesday's game. "Obviously I wouldn't have come back if I wasn't. Usually you can't come back in two weeks, but I guess we got it under control real quick and I feel great."

• Third baseman Francisco went 2-for-4 on Wednesday, his fourth multi-hit game out of his last six. Over that span, he is 9-for-24 (.375) with three homers and six RBIs.

Tigers: Pitchers racking up punchouts
• Sanchez, with 24 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings, isn't the only Detroit hurler making batters miss this season. The Tigers staff has 193 strikeouts, the most in April in club history since at least 1921.

• First baseman Prince Fielder batted .337 with a .438 on-base percentage at Comerica Park last season, compared to .291/.386 marks on the road. He's back to his raking ways in his home ballpark again this year. Through his first eight home games this season, Fielder is hitting .375 (9-for-24) with a .541 on-base percentage.

Worth noting
• This is the Tigers' first Interleague series of the year, while the Braves already went 1-1 against the Royals.

• The Tigers hold a 9-6 lead in the all-time series, which began in 1997.

• Fielder is 7-for-51 (.137) against Maholm, and his .337 OPS is his lowest against any pitcher he has faced at least 20 times. Maholm has struck out Fielder 15 times while holding him without an extra-base hit.

Andrew Simon is a contributor for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.






INJURY UPDATE:

• RF Avisail Garcia (Right heel contusion, 15-day DL retroactive to March 22, 2013).

• RHP Octavio Dotel (Right elbow inflammation, 15-day DL retroactive to April 20, 2013).







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• SAT, April 27:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (0-2, 11.08 ERA)) VS
BRAVES: (RHP Kris Medlen (1-2, 2.16 ERA))
1:05 p.m. ET (FOX / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)


• SUN, April 28:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (3-0, 2.00 ERA)) VS
BRAVES: (LHP Mike Minor (3-1, 1.80 ERA))
8:05 p.m. ET (ESPN / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)


• MON, April 29:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (2-0, 4.13 ERA)) VS
TWINS: (RHP Mike Pelfrey (2-2, 7.94 ERA))
7:08 p.m. ET (FSD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Atlanta Braves:
1. SS: Andrelton Simmons
2. 2B: Dan Uggla
3. LF: Justin Upton
4. 1B: Freddie Freeman
5. 3B: Chris Johnson
6. C: Evan Gattis
7. CF: B.J. Upton
8. DH: Juan Francisco
9. RF: Reed Johnson
SP: Paul Maholm


Detroit Tigers:
1. CF: Austin Jackson
2. RF: Torii Hunter
3. 3B: Miguel Cabrera
4. 1B: Prince Fielder
5. DH: Victor Martinez
6. SS: Jhonny Peralta
7. LF: Matt Tuiasosopo
8. C: Brayan Pena
9. 2B: Omar Infante
SP: Anibal Sanchez

ATL - Top 1st
B:0 S:1 O:1
Andrelton Simmons pops out to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Dan Uggla called out on strikes.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Justin Upton strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Torii Hunter singles on a line drive to left fielder Justin Upton.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds into a double play, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Torii Hunter out at 2nd.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

ATL - Top 2nd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Freddie Freeman strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Chris Johnson doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Evan Gattis strikes out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:2
B. J. Upton walks.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Juan Francisco strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 2nd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Prince Fielder walks.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez doubles (3) on a fly ball to center fielder B. J. Upton. Prince Fielder to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to catcher Evan Gattis. Prince Fielder out at home.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Brayan Pena grounds out, second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Freddie Freeman.

0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

ATL - Top 3rd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Reed Johnson strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Andrelton Simmons doubles (2) on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

With Dan Uggla batting, passed ball by Brayan Pena, Andrelton Simmons to 3rd.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Dan Uggla strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Justin Upton grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:0
Omar Infante doubles (1) on a ground ball to shortstop Andrelton Simmons.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out softly, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Omar Infante to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Torii Hunter singles on a line drive to center fielder B. J. Upton. Omar Infante scores.
1 - 0

B:4 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera walks. Torii Hunter to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Prince Fielder strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to center fielder B. J. Upton. Torii Hunter scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.
2 - 0

Coaching visit to mound.

With Jhonny Peralta batting, wild pitch by Paul Maholm, Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta walks.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo singles on a ground ball to left fielder Justin Upton.Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez scores. Matt Tuiasosopo to 2nd. Jhonny Peralta advances to 3rd, on a throwing error by left fielder Justin Upton.
4 - 0

B:1 S:1 O:3
Brayan Pena flies out to left fielder Justin Upton.

4 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

ATL - Top 4th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Freddie Freeman called out on strikes.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Chris Johnson singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Evan Gattis grounds into a double play, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Chris Johnson out at 2nd.


DET - Bot 4th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante grounds out, pitcher Paul Maholm to first baseman Freddie Freeman.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to center fielder B. Upton.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Torii Hunter singles on a line drive to center fielder B. J. Upton. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Reed Johnson. Austin Jackson scores. Torii Hunter to 3rd.
5 - 0

B:2 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Torii Hunter scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.
6 - 0

B:3 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez doubles (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Justin Upton. Miguel Cabrera scores.
7 - 0

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Anthony Varvaro replaces Paul Maholm.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta walks.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Victor Martinez scores. Jhonny Peralta scores.
10 - 0

B:1 S:1 O:2
Brayan Pena singles on a ground ball to left fielder Justin Upton.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Omar Infante grounds into a force out, third baseman Chris Johnson to second baseman Dan Uggla. Brayan Pena out at 2nd.

10 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

ATL - Top 5th
B:3 S:3 O:1
B. J. Upton strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Juan Francisco strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Reed Johnson grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter lines out to shortstop Andrelton Simmons.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera doubles (5) on a sharp fly ball to center fielder B. J. Upton.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder walks.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Freddie Freeman.

10 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

ATL - Top 6th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Andrelton Simmons strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Dan Uggla strikes out swinging, catcher Brayan Pena to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Justin Upton grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 6th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to center fielder B. Upton.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo grounds into a force out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to second baseman Dan Uggla. Jhonny Peralta out at 2nd. Matt Tuiasosopo to 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Brayan Pena pops out to second baseman Dan Uggla in foul territory.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Omar Infante pops out to shortstop Andrelton Simmons.

10 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

ATL - Top 7th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo, batting 7th, playing left field.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Freddie Freeman called out on strikes.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Chris Johnson strikes out swinging. (14 K for Sanchez)

B:2 S:2 O:2
Evan Gattis doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:2 S:1 O:3
B. J. Upton grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 7th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, third baseman Chris Johnson to first baseman Freddie Freeman.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Freddie Freeman.

10 - 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

ATL - Top 8th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Juan Francisco strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Reed Johnson strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Andrelton Simmons singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Dan Uggla strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 8th
Defensive Substitution: Tyler Pastornicky replaces second baseman Dan Uggla, batting 2nd, playing second base.

Defensive Substitution: Jordan Schafer replaces left fielder Justin Upton, batting 3rd, playing left field.

Pitching Change: Cory Gearrin replaces Anthony Varvaro.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Prince Fielder strikes out swinging.

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

B:3 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to left fielder Jordan Schafer.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly walks. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Brayan Pena grounds out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman.

10 - 0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

ATL - Top 9th
Pitching Change: Bruce Rondon replaces Anibal Sanchez.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jordan Schafer pops out to third baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Freddie Freeman strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Chris Johnson grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

TIGERS WIN 10-0

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Sanchez, An
L: Maholm


Game Info

WP: Maholm.
Pitches-strikes: Maholm 89-53, Varvaro 53-33, Gearrin 26-14, Sanchez, An 121-84, Rondon, B 9-7.
Groundouts-flyouts: Maholm 6-1, Varvaro 7-0, Gearrin 1-0, Sanchez, An 5-0, Rondon, B 1-0.
Batters faced: Maholm 23, Varvaro 16, Gearrin 5, Sanchez, An 29, Rondon, B 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Varvaro 1-1.
Umpires: HP: Mike Muchlinski. 1B: Brian Knight. 2B: Dan Iassogna. 3B: Mark Carlson.
Weather: 55 degrees, clear.
Wind: 12 mph, In from RF.
T: 2:41.
Att: 35,161.

Game 21: Breaking down Sanchez’s performance
BECK'S BLOG
Posted on April 27, 2013 at 2:15 am

Yes, the Braves have a lot of high-strikeout hitters. And yes, I realize they were hacking with a 10-run deficit after four innings.

Anibal Sanchez’s ability to pile up 17 strikeouts against them remains a feat.

Usually when a pitcher puts up that many strikeouts in a game, somebody makes solid contact and produces some damage. Not only did Sanchez shut out the Braves, he kept the Major League leaders in home runs from anything close to clearing the fences. He gave up two gappers to the fence and a ground ball down the line, all of them doubles, and they accounted for the only runners in scoring position Sanchez faced all evening. The only one to advance to third did so on a passed ball.

In addition to the franchise-record 17 strikeouts, Sanchez induced seven groundouts. The only out in the air was the first out of the game, Andrelton Simmons’ popout to first baseman Prince Fielder. No outfielder recorded a putout. The only time they touched the ball were on the five base hits.

Sanchez threw 84 of his 121 pitches for strikes, and 27 of them were swings and misses according to MLB.com’s Gameday data on brooksbaseball.net. He recorded swings and misses with six different types of pitches, including 10 swings and misses off of his changeup.

He recorded first-pitch strikes to 19 out of 29 batters, which is impressive. More impressive were the 0-2 counts, 11 of them. Eight of them ended in strikeouts, along with a groundout and a double play. The only Brave to escape an 0-2 count was B.J. Upton, who struck out 169 times last year. He went from an 0-2 count to a two-out walk that extended the second inning for Juan Francisco, who promptly struck out on three pitches.

While the Braves lineup has changed substantially from even last year, Sanchez was at his toughest against the hitters who should know him best, the hitters who were around from the Braves teams that roughed up Sanchez regularly. Dan Uggla and Freddie Freeman came up to bat seven times against him and came back with seven strikeouts. Uggla struck out four times on four different pitches. Freeman struck out three times on three different pitches. Francisco, who homered three times against the Tigers in Spring Training, swung and missed at three different types of pitches for strikeouts.

As the strike zone plot from brooksbaseball.net shows, the Braves certainly chased pitches low and out of the strike zone, which Sanchez exploited masterfully. However, he wasn’t getting much off the corner.



He had a 94 mph fastball that resembled his postseason work, and it set up his changeup wonderfully. Add what looked like two different breaking pitches, and Sanchez had nasty stuff. The Braves, in turn, looked nasty chasing it.