GDT27: 5/2/13 - DET (15-11) AT HOU (8-20) - 8:10 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (1-2, 8.84 ERA)

Porcello earned his first win Saturday with 6 1/3 quality innings to hold down the Braves' power-hitting offense. If he can keep the ball on the ground at a similar rate in Minute Maid Park, he should have similar results.



Astros: RHP Jordan Lyles (0-0, -.-- ERA)

This is Lyles' first outing of 2013 for the Astros. He went 2-2 with a 5.32 ERA in six games (five starts) at Triple-A Oklahoma City, throwing a strong game Saturday in which he allowed three hits and one run in five innings.








Against Astros, Cabrera seeks 1,000th hit with Tigers
Porcello starts vs. Lyles as Detroit seeks seventh 10-strikeout game

By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com | 5/1/2013 7:18 PM ET

Miguel Cabrera finds himself on the verge of another impressive milestone.

Detroit's five-game winning streak ended on Wednesday, but the Tigers and the American League's reigning Most Valuable Player will have a clear goal in mind against the Astros over the next three days. The Tigers will be trying to regain control of the chaotic American League Central, and Cabrera is just one hit away from No. 1,000 in five-plus seasons with Detroit.

Cabrera, who joined the Tigers prior to the 2008 season, registered at least 180 hits in each of his first five full seasons in Detroit. The third baseman exploded for the first Triple Crown in over four decades last season by batting .330 with 44 home runs and 139 RBIs, and he's blazed out to a .371 average with 21 runs scored and 29 RBIs in his first 26 games in 2013.

Detroit is locked in a tight battle with Kansas City atop the division, and the Astros are struggling in their first season in the AL West. The Tigers, who set an AL record with their sixth consecutive game striking out at least 10 opposing hitters on Wednesday, will start Rick Porcello in Thursday's series opener, and the Astros will counter with Jordan Lyles.

Porcello has struggled thus far this season, notching a 1-2 record and an 8.82 ERA in his first five appearances. Much of the damage to his ERA came from his start two outings ago, which saw Porcello allow nine earned runs without escaping the first inning. The Angels touched up Porcello for nine hits and nine runs in a game they eventually won, 10-0.

Lyles, who went 2-2 with a 5.32 ERA for Triple-A Oklahoma City, will be replacing Brad Peacock, who was moved to the bullpen after struggling in the rotation.

The Astros are 4-8 at home this season, and they'll play host to the Angels and Rangers after the Tigers leave town. This homestand -- which will run through May 12 -- is the longest the Astros will have all season. Houston hit 27 home runs in the season's opening month, which is nearly double the total the Astros had in April of last season (14).

Second baseman Jose Altuve registered a .330 batting average in April, and first baseman Chris Carter leads the Astros with six home runs. Rick Ankiel is hitting just .189 for Houston, but he does have five homers in his first 21 games.

Tigers: Hunter stays hot
Torii Hunter is batting .365 in his first 24 games for the Tigers, a run of performance that belies his age. Hunter, who will turn 38 in July, has had a hit in eight of his last 10 games, and his next home run will be No. 300 for his career.

But it might not come against the Astros. Hunter has batted .192 (5-for-26) in nine career games against the Astros. Hunter is batting .348 (16-for-46) in 11 road games so far this season.

Astros: Altuve sets franchise record
Altuve wasn't just hot in April, he was good enough to break a franchise record held by the great Craig Biggio. Altuve logged 35 hits in April, the most by a Houston second baseman in the season's opening month. Biggio had 33 April hits in 1998 and Altuve and Biggio are tied for third with 31 in 2012 and 1997, respectively.

Worth noting
The Astros went 3-3 on their last homestand, and they're 8-8 this season in games in which they hit at least one home run. ... The Astros are 5-13 against right-handed starters this season and just 3-6 against southpaws.

Spencer Fordin is a reporter 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).

• LHP Phil Coke (left groin strain, 15-day DL retroactive to April 26, 2013).








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• FRI, May 3:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (4-0, 2.38 ERA)) AT
ASTROS: (RHP Bud Norris (3-3, 4.20 ERA))
8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• SAT, May 4:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (3-0, 4.02 ERA)) AT
ASTROS: (RHP Lucas Harrell (3-2, 3.60 ERA))
7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D / AM 1270)


• SUN, May 5:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (3-2, 1.83 ERA)) AT
ASTROS: (RHP Philip Humber (0-6, 7.58 ERA))
4:10 p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• MON, May 6:
OFF DAY

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit
Jackson, A, CF
Hunter, To, RF
Cabrera, M, 3B
Fielder, 1B
Martinez, V, DH
Dirks, LF
Peralta, Jh, SS
Avila, C
Infante, 2B

SP: Porcello


Houston
Grossman, CF
Altuve, 2B
Castro, Ja, C
Pena, C, DH
Carter, 1B
Martinez, F, LF
Barnes, B, RF
Dominguez, 3B
Gonzalez, M, SS

SP: Lyles

DET - Top 1st
B:0 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson called out on strikes.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Torii Hunter strikes out on a foul tip.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Brandon Barnes.


HOU - Bot 1st
B:3 S:2 O:0
Robbie Grossman doubles (3) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Jose Altuve strikes out swinging.

With Jason Castro batting, passed ball by Alex Avila, Robbie Grossman to 3rd.

B:3 S:0 O:1
Jason Castro homers (2) on a line drive to left field. Robbie Grossman scores.
HOU 2 - 0

B:2 S:0 O:2
Carlos Pena grounds out, pitcher Rick Porcello to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Chris Carter pops out to third baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

HOU 2 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:1 S:0 O:0
Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to left fielder Fernando Martinez.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks flies out to right fielder Brandon Barnes.

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


HOU - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Fernando Martinez grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Brandon Barnes strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Matt Dominguez called out on strikes.

HOU 2 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante doubles (3) on a line drive to left fielder Fernando Martinez.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to left fielder Fernando Martinez. Omar Infante to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Torii Hunter singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brandon Barnes. Omar Infante scores. Austin Jackson to 2nd.
HOU 2 - 1

B:0 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Robbie Grossman. Austin Jackson scores. Torii Hunter to 2nd.
TIED 2 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:0 O:2
Prince Fielder flies out to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Victor Martinez called out on strikes.


HOU - Bot 3rd
B:3 S:2 O:1
Marwin Gonzalez pops out softly to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Robbie Grossman called out on strikes.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Jose Altuve grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks bunt grounds out, third baseman Matt Dominguez to first baseman Chris Carter.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Brandon Barnes.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila walks.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Omar Infante grounds out softly, pitcher Jordan Lyles to first baseman Chris Carter.


HOU - Bot 4th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Jason Castro called out on strikes.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Carlos Pena homers (3) on a fly ball to left field.
HOU 3 - 2

B:2 S:2 O:2
Chris Carter grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Fernando Martinez grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Rick Porcello.

HOU 3 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, shortstop Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Chris Carter.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brandon Barnes.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman Chris Carter.


HOU - Bot 5th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Brandon Barnes grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

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

B:1 S:2 O:3
Marwin Gonzalez grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Rick Porcello.

HOU 3 - 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
Pitching Change: Travis Blackley replaces Jordan Lyles.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks grounds out, first baseman Chris Carter to pitcher Travis Blackley.

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


HOU - Bot 6th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Robbie Grossman singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

With Jose Altuve batting, Robbie Grossman caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Alex Avila to second baseman Omar Infante.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Jose Altuve grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

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

HOU 3 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
Defensive switch from center field to left field for Robbie Grossman.

Defensive Substitution: Rick Ankiel replaces left fielder Fernando Martinez, batting 6th, playing right field.

Defensive switch from right field to center field for Brandon Barnes.

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

Pitching Change: Paul Clemens replaces Travis Blackley.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Omar Infante called out on strikes.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.


HOU - Bot 7th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Carlos Pena reaches on a fielding error by pitcher Rick Porcello. Carlos Pena out at 2nd, second baseman Omar Infante to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Chris Carter grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

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

B:0 S:3 O:3
Brandon Barnes strikes out swinging.

HOU 3 - 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitching Change: Hector Ambriz replaces Paul Clemens.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Torii Hunter walks.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Miguel
Cabrera grounds into a double play, third baseman Matt Dominguez to
second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman Chris Carter. Torii Hunter
out at 2nd.

Pitching Change: Wesley Wright replaces Hector Ambriz.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Prince Fielder hit by pitch.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to right fielder Rick Ankiel. Prince Fielder scores. Victor Martinez to 2nd. Fielding error by right fielder Rick Ankiel.
TIED 3 - 3

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Don Kelly replaces Victor Martinez.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Matt Tuiasosopo replaces Andy Dirks.

Pitching Change: Jose Veras replaces Wesley Wright.

Coaching visit to mound.

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


HOU - Bot 8th
Don Kelly remains in the game as the designated hitter.

Matt Tuiasosopo remains in the game as the left fielder.

Pitching Change: Jose Ortega replaces Rick Porcello.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Matt Dominguez strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Marwin Gonzalez strikes out swinging.

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

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Injury Delay. (JP FOULED BALL OFF HIMSELF)

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

B:1 S:3 O:2
Alex Avila called out on strikes.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Omar Infante strikes out swinging.


HOU - Bot 9th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Jose Altuve strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jason Castro grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Carlos Pena pops out to third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 9 INNINGS

DET - Top 10th
Pitching Change: Dallas Keuchel replaces Jose Veras.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, third baseman Matt Dominguez to first baseman Chris Carter.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Chris Carter.


HOU - Bot 10th
Pitching Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Jose Ortega.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Chris Carter strikes out on a foul tip.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Rick Ankiel strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Brandon Barnes strikes out swinging.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 10 INNINGS

DET - Top 11th
B:3 S:1 O:1
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman Chris Carter.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Don Kelly strikes out on a foul tip.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to right fielder Rick Ankiel. Matt Tuiasosopo to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Brayan Pena replaces Alex Avila.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Brayan Pena singles on a line drive to right fielder Rick Ankiel. Matt Tuiasosopo out at home on the throw, right fielder Rick Ankiel to catcher Jason Castro.


HOU - Bot 11th
Brayan Pena remains in the game as the catcher.

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

B:1 S:2 O:2
Marwin Gonzalez grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Robbie Grossman walks.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Jose Altuve grounds into a force out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Omar Infante. Robbie Grossman out at 2nd.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 11 INNINGS

DET - Top 12th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Omar Infante grounds out, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman Chris Carter.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Rick Ankiel.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter flies out to right fielder Rick Ankiel.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera walks. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds into a force out, second baseman Jose Altuve to shortstop Marwin Gonzalez. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.


HOU - Bot 12th
Pitching Change: Darin Downs replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jason Castro grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Carlos Pena singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

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

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Brandon Laird replaces Rick Ankiel.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Luke Putkonen replaces Darin Downs.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Brandon Laird grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 12 INNINGS

DET - Top 13th
Defensive switch from left field to center field for Robbie Grossman.

Defensive switch from first base to left field for Chris Carter.

Brandon Laird remains in the game as the first baseman.

Defensive switch from center field to right field for Brandon Barnes.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Don Kelly doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Chris Carter.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to left fielder Chris Carter. Don Kelly to 3rd.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Brayan Pena strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Omar Infante flies out to left fielder Chris Carter.


HOU - Bot 13th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Brandon Barnes flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Matt Dominguez called out on strikes.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Marwin Gonzalez grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 13 INNINGS

DET - Top 14th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson hits a ground-rule double (6) on a line drive to right field.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Torii Hunter grounds out, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman Brandon Laird. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Dallas Keuchel intentionally walks Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Dallas Keuchel intentionally walks Prince Fielder. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Don Kelly singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brandon Barnes. Austin Jackson scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Prince Fielder to 2nd.
4 - 3

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Jose Cisnero replaces Dallas Keuchel.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo doubles (2) on a line drive to center fielder Robbie Grossman. Miguel Cabrera scores. Prince Fielder scores. Don Kelly to 3rd.
6 - 3

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Brandon Barnes. Don Kelly scores. Matt Tuiasosopo to 3rd.
7 - 3

B:0 S:2 O:3
Brayan Pena grounds out, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman Brandon Laird.


HOU - Bot 14th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Robbie Grossman strikes out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Jose Altuve walks.

With Jason Castro batting, Jose Altuve advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Jason Castro strikes out swinging, catcher Brayan Pena to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Carlos Pena strikes out swinging.


TIGERS WIN 7-3 AFTER 14 INNINGS

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Putkonen
L: Keuchel


Game Info

Wright, W pitched to 2 batters in the 8th.

IBB: Cabrera, M (by Keuchel), Fielder (by Keuchel).
HBP: Fielder (by Wright, W).
Pitches-strikes:
Porcello 97-63, Ortega, J 27-16, Benoit 32-20, Downs, D 14-8, Putkonen 35-23, Lyles 79-54, Blackley 13-10, Clemens 7-6, Ambriz 8-4, Wright, W 7-3, Veras 19-13, Keuchel 78-44, Cisnero 10-7.
Groundouts-flyouts:
Porcello 11-0, Ortega, J 2-0, Benoit 2-0, Downs, D 1-0, Putkonen 2-1, Lyles 4-5, Blackley 1-1, Clemens 0-0, Ambriz 1-0, Wright, W 0-0, Veras 0-0, Keuchel 6-2, Cisnero 1-0.
Batters faced:
Porcello 25, Ortega, J 6, Benoit 7, Downs, D 3, Putkonen 8, Lyles 22, Blackley 4, Clemens 2, Ambriz 2, Wright, W 2, Veras 4, Keuchel 23, Cisnero 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Putkonen 1-0, Veras 1-0, Cisnero 3-3.
Umpires: HP: Mike Everitt. 1B: Marty Foster. 2B: Scott Barry. 3B: Tim Welke.
Weather: 73 degrees, roof closed.
Wind: 0 mph, None.
T: 4:50.
Att: 16,624.