GDT23: 4/28/13 - DET (12-10) VS ATL (15-8) - 8:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (3-0, 2.00 ERA)

Fister pitched through a Miguel Cabrera error that led to three unearned runs and lasted seven innings for a no-decision, though he hit three batters along the way. He has delivered three consecutive quality starts.



Braves: LHP Mike Minor (3-1, 1.80 ERA)

Minor held the hot-hitting Rockies to three runs on five hits and two walks in 20-degree temperatures Tuesday. He battled without his best stuff, relying on off-speed pitches and mixing in his heater.








Elite series: Minor, Fister square off in finale
Tigers go for series sweep as Braves aim to get back on track

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 4/27/2013 4:56 PM ET

Saturday's middle game between the Tigers and Braves lacked the pitching dominance put on display Friday by Detroit's Anibal Sanchez.

In Sunday's finale, however, both starters have proven to have the stuff to turn in a memorable pitching duel.

Atlanta left-hander Mike Minor and Detroit's Doug Fister square off in the final game of a three-game series at Comerica Park, with the Braves looking to avoid a sweep.

Minor, 25, has been one of the league's top starters through the first month, going 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA. The lefty allowed a season-high three runs in his last outing in chilly Denver while dealing with 20-degree temperatures.

"I just pretty much battled through it," Minor said of his start. "A lot of changeups, curveballs. Whatever I could do to get some outs."

Getting outs has been the theme of Minor's season, as well as Fister's. The Tigers righty has a 2.00 ERA through his first four starts, the last three of which have been of the quality variety.

Fister allowed three unearned runs in his last outing against the Angels, not factoring in the decision in his only non-victory of the season.

Braves: Justin Upton near all-time April mark
With 12 home runs, left fielder Justin Upton is two shy of tying the all-time record for most home runs in April, held by Albert Pujols (2006) and Alex Rodriguez ('07).

• Third baseman Chris Johnson has seven multi-hit efforts in his last 14 games, a stretch in which he's batting .415.

• Closer Craig Kimbrel is three saves shy of 100 for his career.

• The Braves have dropped seven of their last 10 since their 12-1 start.

Tigers: Leyland monitoring Hunter
Torii Hunter has been on a tear in his first month as a Tiger, posting 13 multi-hit efforts and batting .380. Manager Jim Leyland said he will continue to monitor the 37-year-old, who has started in 20 of Detroit's 22 games while appearing in another.

"I have to watch him," Leyland said, "but he's really doing well. And we did have back-to-back days off [with the rainout Tuesday], so that helps. But I have to watch him. It's not easy in the cold weather for anybody, let alone one of our elder statesmen. I have to watch him and not get greedy."

• Third baseman Miguel Cabrera has an 11-game hitting streak during which he's batting .413.

Worth noting
• Detroit's Omar Infante (4-for-12) and Prince Fielder (3-for-3) are the only Tigers who have faced Minor.

• Atlanta's B.J. Upton is 0-for-5 against Fister.

• Saturday marked Atlanta's first loss in a game in which it homered.

• Sunday is Atlanta's final game in a stretch of playing 16 of 18 on the road.

Cash Kruth is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @cashkruth. 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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• 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)


• TUE, April 30:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (2-2, 1.95 ERA)) VS
TWINS: (RHP Vance Worley (0-3, 6.38 ERA))
7:08 p.m. ET (FSD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)


• WED, May 1:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (3-1, 1.34 ERA)) VS
TWINS: (LHP Scott Diamond (1-2, 4.32 ERA))
1:08 p.m. ET (FSD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

STARTING LINEUPS:


Atlanta Braves:
1. CF: Jordan Schafer
2. 2B: Tyler Pastornicky
3. LF: Justin Upton
4. 1B: Freddie Freeman
5. 3B: Chris Johnson
6. C: Evan Gattis
7. DH: Dan Uggla
8. RF: Reed Johnson
9. SS: Andrelton Simmons
SP: Mike Minor


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: Doug Fister

RAINING

ATL - Top 1st
B:1 S:3 O:1
Jordan Schafer called out on strikes.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Tyler Pastornicky doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

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

B:1 S:3 O:3
Freddie Freeman strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Jordan Schafer.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Torii Hunter strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera pops out to second baseman Tyler Pastornicky.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

ATL - Top 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Chris Johnson grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Evan Gattis strikes out swinging.

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


DET - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Prince Fielder grounds out softly to pitcher Mike Minor.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out, third baseman Chris Johnson to first baseman Freddie Freeman.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Chris Johnson to first baseman Freddie Freeman.

0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

ATL - Top 3rd
B:0 S:2 O:1
Reed Johnson grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Andrelton Simmons flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Jordan Schafer grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Doug Fister.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:2 S:1 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo lines out sharply to center fielder Jordan Schafer.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Brayan Pena walks.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante singles on a line drive to left fielder Justin Upton. Brayan Pena to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson homers (2) on a fly ball to left center field. Brayan Pena scores. Omar Infante scores.
3 - 0

B:2 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter flies out to right fielder Reed Johnson.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.

3 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

ATL - Top 4th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Tyler Pastornicky called out on strikes.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Justin Upton singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Freddie Freeman hit by pitch. Justin Upton to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Chris Johnson doubles (6) on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. Justin Upton scores. Freddie Freeman to 3rd.
3 - 1

B:1 S:1 O:1
Evan Gattis singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. Freddie Freeman scores. Chris Johnson to 3rd.
3 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Dan Uggla grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Omar Infante. Chris Johnson scores. Evan Gattis out at 2nd. Dan Uggla to 1st.
TIED 3 - 3

B:1 S:2 O:3
Reed Johnson grounds into a force out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Omar Infante. Dan Uggla out at 2nd.


DET - Bot 4th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to center fielder Jordan Schafer.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to right fielder Reed Johnson.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Jhonny Peralta strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo singles on a ground ball to right fielder Reed Johnson. Prince Fielder to 2nd.

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

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 4 INNINGS

STILL RAINING AND COLD, FIELD VERY WET

ATL - Top 5th
B:1 S:1 O:0
Andrelton Simmons singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Jordan Schafer pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Tyler Pastornicky grounds out to pitcher Doug Fister. Andrelton Simmons to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Justin Upton hit by pitch.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Freddie Freeman flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.


DET - Bot 5th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Omar Infante strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson called out on strikes.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Torii Hunter flies out to right fielder Reed Johnson in foul territory.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 5 INNINGS

ATL - Top 6th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Chris Johnson singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Evan Gattis pops out to pitcher Doug Fister.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Dan Uggla flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Reed Johnson strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 6th
B:1 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera hits a ground-rule double (6) on a fly ball to left-center field.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Tyler Pastornicky to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Jordan Schafer. Miguel Cabrera scores.
4 - 3

B:0 S:0 O:3
Jhonny Peralta flies out to left fielder Justin Upton.

4 - 3 AFTER 6 INNINGS

ATL - Top 7th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Andrelton Simmons strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jordan Schafer bunt grounds out, pitcher Doug Fister to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Tyler Pastornicky grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 7th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Brayan Pena flies out to right fielder Reed Johnson.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Omar Infante homers (2) on a fly ball to left field.
5 - 3

B:4 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Cory Gearrin replaces Mike Minor.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter singles on a ground ball to right fielder Reed Johnson. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:3 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera homers (3) on a fly ball to right field. Austin Jackson scores. Torii Hunter scores.
8 - 3

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Luis Avilan replaces Cory Gearrin.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Prince Fielder walks.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Jordan Schafer.

8 - 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

ATL - Top 8th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo, batting 7th, playing left field.

Pitching Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Doug Fister.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Justin Upton walks.

With Freddie Freeman batting, wild pitch by Al Alburquerque, Justin Upton to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Freddie Freeman called out on strikes.

With Chris Johnson batting, wild pitch by Al Alburquerque, Justin Upton to 3rd.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Chris Johnson called out on strikes.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Evan Gattis called out on strikes.


DET - Bot 8th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Jhonny Peralta strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly singles on a ground ball to right fielder Reed Johnson.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Brayan Pena flies out to center fielder Jordan Schafer.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Omar Infante flies out to left fielder Justin Upton.

8 - 3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

ATL - Top 9th
B:4 S:2 O:0
Dan Uggla walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Reed Johnson hit by pitch. Dan Uggla to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Jose Valverde replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Andrelton Simmons flies out sharply to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Jordan Schafer grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Omar Infante. Dan Uggla to 3rd. Reed Johnson out at 2nd. Jordan Schafer to 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Tyler Pastornicky grounds out, pitcher Jose Valverde to first baseman Prince Fielder.



TIGERS WIN 8-3 AND SWEEP BRAVES!

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE

• W: Fister
  
  
• L: Minor
  

Game Info

Gearrin pitched to 2 batters in the 7th.
Alburquerque pitched to 2 batters in the 9th.

WP: Alburquerque 2.
HBP: Freeman, F (by Fister), Upton, J (by Fister), Johnson, Re (by Alburquerque).
Pitches-strikes: Minor 100-66, Gearrin 6-3, Avilan 27-16, Fister 105-70, Alburquerque 27-14, Valverde 6-5.
Groundouts-flyouts: Minor 5-7, Gearrin 0-0, Avilan 0-0, Fister 8-2, Alburquerque 0-0, Valverde 2-0.
Batters faced: Minor 28, Gearrin 2, Avilan 6, Fister 29, Alburquerque 6, Valverde 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Gearrin 1-1, Valverde 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Dan Iassogna. 1B: Mark Carlson. 2B: Mike Muchlinski. 3B: Brian Knight.
Weather: 53 degrees, drizzle.
Wind: 8 mph, L to R.
T: 2:40.
Att: 33,469.

Game 23: Cabrera gets the rare 3-0 homer
BECK'S BLOG
Posted on April 29, 2013 at 2:54 am

If Jim Leyland has said it once, he has said it 100 times: He has given more green lights to swing on 3-0 counts in Detroit than he did in any of his other managerial stops. Most players don’t feel comfortable swinging at 3-0 pitches.

Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder have standing green lights on 3-0 counts, Leyland said.

“I never give Miguel the take, him and Prince,” Leyland said, “unless you think the game’s a lopsided game where you don’t want to get somebody hit or something like that.”

Yet Cabrera is much more likely to take than to swing on 3-0. A big part of the reason is the opposing pitcher. If a pitcher gets to a 3-0 count on Cabrera, he’s far more likely to just give him ball four than throw a get-me-over pitch for strike one.

Out of 6,583 career plate appearances, Cabrera has had a 3-0 count 469 times. On 255 occasions, he has walked on the next pitch, 154 times intentionally. On 83 other occasions, he has walked on a 3-1 or 3-2 pitch, while he has 131 at-bats after a 3-0 count.

How many times has Cabrera put the 3-0 pitch in play? Try 13, seven of them as a Tiger. His only previous extra-base hit off a 3-0 pitch was a 2009 home run off Minnesota’s Anthony Swarzak.

On Sunday, he got a rare get-me-over fastball from Cory Gearrin and lined it into the right-field seats for a three-run homer. In so doing, he demonstrated why most pitchers would rather walk him on 3-0.

“I thought he might swing,” Leyland said. “He’s smart, but he didn’t try to do too much with it. But at the same time, most guys that would’ve gone to right field in that situation, they might have got a single, maybe a double. Like I’ve said, he’s the best I’ve ever seen opposite field power, so it didn’t surprise me. I mean, that was just a lined shot out of the ballpark. Not many guys can do that.”

That makes him 6-for-13 for his career when he puts a 3-0 pitch in play. Even if you take the intentional walk out of consideration, he’s ten times more likely to walk than put the pitch in play.

“He knows when it’s the right situation to swing 3-0,” Cabrera said. “Sometimes we need a guy on base and he makes sure we take. It’s baseball.”

Play of the game: Omar Infante’s second home run in as many games was technically an insurance run, but the solo shot was actually the catalyst for a four-run seventh-inning rally. If not for his drive to left, the inning doesn’t continue for the top of the order to set the table for Cabrera’s homer.

Out of the game: It was a five-run game, but Don Kelly’s running catch in left field to chase down Andrelton Simmons’ drive might have been a game-saver. If that ball bounces off the left-field wall for an RBI double, the tying run is on deck with the top of the Braves order up. And barring a double play, Justin Upton would have had a chance to face closer Jose Valverde.

Strategy: We’ve all seen Valverde in past ninth innings without a save situation. The Braves needed to get one more runner on base to create a save situation for him. Leyland wasn’t waiting for that.

“In the ninth inning, you do what you did because if you’re bringing your closer in, you’re in trouble,” Leyland said. “I mean, we’re in trouble, first and second, nobody out. People might think, ‘Ah, you’ve got a five-run lead.’ Well, this team hits the ball over the fence. All of a sudden, one more single and, boom, one home run and it’s a one-run lead. And all of a sudden, a walk and another home run and you’re behind. I didn’t want to do what I did tonight. I was hoping Alburquerque could get through it, but he couldn’t do it. But he did a great job the inning before.”

Line of the weekend: Infante went 6-for-12 with two doubles, two home runs, four RBIs and five runs scored for the series against one of his former teams.

Stat of the game: 8 — Batters Doug Fister has hit this season, topping his season total from last year.

Print it: “That’s an awful powerful team. We knew coming in that they let it fly. They’re really aggressive. It’s the most aggressive team I’ve seen. And sometimes that bites you, but for the most part, they’re going to score runs because they’re going to hit two- and three-run homers.” — Leyland on the Braves offense.