GDT28: 5/3/13 - DET (16-11) AT HOU (8-21) - 8:10 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (4-0, 2.38 ERA)

Fister has hit more batters (eight) than he has walked (six) while embarking on his best opening month. After striking out eight Braves over seven innings, he'll face an Astros lineup that leads baseball in strikeouts.



Astros: RHP Bud Norris (3-3, 4.20 ERA)

Since allowing six runs in two-thirds of an inning in the shortest start of his career on April 17 at Oakland, Norris has gone 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA in two starts, including a quality six-inning outing on Sunday in Boston.









Norris goes for a bounce-back win against Fister
Right-handers look to provide long outings after Thursday's marathon

By Andrew Simon / MLB.com | 5/3/2013 3:13 AM ET

The Tigers' Doug Fister and the Astros' Bud Norris are five-year Major League veterans, but both will venture into uncharted territory on Friday night, when they square off in the second of a four-game series at Minute Maid Park.

With the Astros in their first season in the American League and facing only their second series against the Tigers since 2006, neither hurler comes in with any experience against their opponent.

The Astros will be trying to even the series after the Tigers outlasted them for a 7-3, 14-inning victory on Thursday night. Houston has lost seven of its past eight, while Detroit has won six of seven.

Fister has found success against everyone in his path this season, going 4-0 with a 2.38 ERA. The right-hander has logged at least seven innings in four straight starts and struck out a season-high eight without issuing a walk on Sunday against Atlanta.

Norris (3-3, 4.20) has a 2.45 ERA outside of one rough outing at Oakland on April 17. The righty is responsible for two of Houston's seven quality starts, which ranks them last in the Majors. That's a number manager Bo Porter hopes his rotation can turn around soon, especially coming off Thursday night's marathon, in which he deployed all seven of his relievers.

"It just puts a strain on those guys in the bullpen," Porter said of his starters' short outings.

Tigers: Putkonen enters with a bang
• Right-hander Luke Putkonen was called up to join the Tigers bullpen on Thursday, when Bruce Rondon was optioned to Triple-A Toledo. He entered the game in the 12th and pitched the final 2 1/3 innings, holding the Astros scoreless and striking out four to notch his first Major League victory.

"He could be good if he's a multi-inning guy, which is something we need," manager Jim Leyland said before the game. "He's got a pretty good repertoire. He'll be in the mix like everybody else."

• Leyland likes Minute Maid Park better than the old Astrodome, but he does have one gripe. Asked if he had given center fielder Austin Jackson any advice about how to play Tal's Hill, which protrudes from the turf in deep center, he joked, "I tell him if they hit it over his head, go run up the hill."

"It's a very nice, attractive ballpark," Leyland said. "I'm not crazy about the hill."

Astros: Things picking up for Grossman
• Rookie center fielder Robbie Grossman went 2-for-5 with a double and a walk on Thursday, his first multi-hit effort since his debut on April 24. The 23-year-old has hit safely in four straight games, raising his average from .091 to .184.

• Catcher Jason Castro has hit safely in a career-high nine consecutive games, going 12-for-31 (.387), with a home run and six doubles.

• Houston recalled right-hander Jordan Lyles and lefty Dallas Keuchel from Triple-A Oklahoma City before Thursday's game. While Lyles started, Keuchel wound up pitching nearly as long, soaking up 4 1/3 innings out of the bullpen.

The club optioned righties Brad Peacock and Rhiner Cruz to Oklahoma City in an effort to shake up a staff that ranks last in the Majors in ERA.

Worth noting
• The only Astros to have faced Fister are Carlos Pena (0-for-6) and Chris Carter (2-for-5 with a home run). The only Tigers to have faced Norris are Prince Fielder (5-for-19 with a home run) and Omar Infante (2-for-9).

• Miguel Cabrera collected his 1,000th hit with the Tigers on Thursday.

• Since April 12, the Tigers have played four games of at least 12 innings. The Astros hadn't gone to extra frames until Thursday.

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









INJURY UPDATE:


• 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).








To track MLB play-by-play: http://m.mlb.com/scores/

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• SCOREBOARD
• Official Press Pass game notes


On television

•
• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule


On radio

• AND/OR
• XM Channel Schedule










• 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 PLUS / 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


• TUE, May 7:
TIGERS: (RHP ? (0-0, -.-- ERA)) AT
NATIONALS: (RHP Jordan Zimmermann (5-1, 1.64 ERA))
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

Andy Dirks, LF
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 3B
Prince Fielder, 1B (5-for-19, HR, walk, 6 K’s vs. Norris)
Victor Martinez, DH
Don Kelly, CF
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Alex Avila, C
Omar Infante, 2B (2-for-9 vs. Norris)

P: Doug Fister


ASTROS

Robbie Grossman, CF
Jose Altuve, 2B
Jason Castro, DH
Carlos Pena, 1B (0-for-6, K vs. Fister)
Carlos Corporan, C
Chris Carter, LF (2-for-5, HR, 2 K’s vs. Fister)
Matt Dominguez, 3B
Rick Ankiel, RF
Marwin Gonzalez, SS

P: Bud Norris

DET - Top 1st
B:3 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks lines out to left fielder Chris Carter.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman Carlos Pena.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.


HOU - Bot 1st
B:3 S:2 O:1
Robbie Grossman flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Jose Altuve singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Jason Castro strikes out on a foul tip.

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

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:4 S:1 O:0
Prince Fielder walks.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez lines out to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Don Kelly grounds into a force out, second baseman Jose Altuve to shortstop Marwin Gonzalez. Prince Fielder out at 2nd. Don Kelly to 1st.

With Jhonny Peralta batting, Don Kelly steals (1) 2nd base.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Chris Carter. Don Kelly scores.
1 - 0

B:2 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila strikes out swinging.


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

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

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

1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:0 S:2 O:1
Omar Infante grounds out, shortstop Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Carlos Pena.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks lines out to right fielder Rick Ankiel.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Torii Hunter strikes out swinging.


HOU - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Rick Ankiel called out on strikes.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Marwin Gonzalez grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Robbie Grossman hit by pitch.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jose Altuve singles on a ground ball to center fielder Don Kelly. Robbie Grossman to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Jason Castro flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

1 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:2 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera doubles (8) on a line drive to right fielder Rick Ankiel.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder flies out to right fielder Rick Ankiel. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Play reviewed and stands as called: Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to right fielder Rick Ankiel. Miguel Cabrera scores.
2 - 0

B:1 S:3 O:2
Don Kelly strikes out swinging.

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


HOU - Bot 4th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Carlos Pena called out on strikes.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Carlos Corporan flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Chris Carter singles on a ground ball to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Matt Dominguez singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Chris Carter to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Rick Ankiel walks. Chris Carter to 3rd. Matt Dominguez to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Marwin Gonzalez grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

2 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila lines out softly to second baseman Jose Altuve.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Omar Infante singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks singles on a ground ball to right fielder Rick Ankiel. Omar Infante to 3rd.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Torii Hunter strikes out swinging. Andy Dirks steals (3) 2nd base.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera pops out to first baseman Carlos Pena.


HOU - Bot 5th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Robbie Grossman called out on strikes.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jose Altuve lines out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Jason Castro flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

2 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:4 S:0 O:0
Prince Fielder walks.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds into a double play, shortstop Marwin Gonzalez to second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman Carlos Pena. Prince Fielder out at 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Don Kelly pops out to third baseman Matt Dominguez in foul territory.


HOU - Bot 6th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Carlos Pena singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Carlos Corporan pops out to catcher Alex Avila in foul territory.

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

2 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:4 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta walks.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out, third baseman Matt Dominguez to first baseman Carlos Pena. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Omar Infante strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Andy Dirks grounds out, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman Carlos Pena.


HOU - Bot 7th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Matt Dominguez doubles (7) on a sharp line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:0 O:0
Rick Ankiel singles on a line drive to center fielder Don Kelly, deflected by pitcher Doug Fister. Matt Dominguez to 3rd.

Injury Delay.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Marwin Gonzalez reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Omar Infante. Matt Dominguez scores. Rick Ankiel to 3rd. Marwin Gonzalez to 2nd.
2 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:0
Robbie Grossman singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks. Rick Ankiel scores. Marwin Gonzalez to 3rd.
TIED 2 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Jose Altuve singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Marwin Gonzalez scores. Robbie Grossman to 2nd.
HOU 3 - 2

Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Doug Fister.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Jason Castro flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Carlos Pena grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder. Robbie Grossman to 3rd. Jose Altuve to 2nd.

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

HOU 3 - 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitching Change: Hector Ambriz replaces Bud Norris.

Defensive switch from center field to left field for Robbie Grossman.

Defensive Substitution: Brandon Barnes replaces left fielder Chris Carter, batting 6th, playing center field.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Torii Hunter grounds out, pitcher Hector Ambriz to first baseman Carlos Pena.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Miguel Cabrera called out on strikes.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Travis Blackley replaces Hector Ambriz.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds into a force out, shortstop Marwin Gonzalez to second baseman Jose Altuve. Prince Fielder out at 2nd.


HOU - Bot 8th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Brandon Barnes flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Matt Dominguez grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Rick Ankiel grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder.

HOU 3 - 2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitching Change: Jose Veras replaces Travis Blackley.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Don Kelly walks.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Brandon Barnes.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila homers (4) on a fly ball to center field. Don Kelly scores.
4 - 3

B:1 S:1 O:2
Omar Infante flies out to right fielder Rick Ankiel.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Andy Dirks grounds out to first baseman Carlos Pena.


HOU - Bot 9th
Defensive Substitution: Austin Jackson replaces left fielder Andy Dirks, batting 1st, playing center field.

Defensive switch from center field to left field for Don Kelly.

Pitching Change: Jose Valverde replaces Drew Smyly.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Marwin Gonzalez called out on strikes.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Robbie Grossman walks.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Jose Altuve grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Robbie Grossman to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Jason Castro lines out to left fielder Don Kelly.


TIGERS WIN 4-3

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE

• W: Smyly
  
• L: Veras
  
• S: Valverde (3)
  

Game Info

Fister pitched to 5 batters in the 7th.

HBP: Grossman (by Fister).
Pitches-strikes: Fister 99-63, Smyly 24-13, Valverde 19-11, Norris, B 111-66, Ambriz 8-4, Blackley 8-4, Veras 21-12.
Groundouts-flyouts: Fister 8-4, Smyly 3-2, Valverde 0-0, Norris, B 6-2, Ambriz 1-0, Blackley 1-0, Veras 1-2.
Batters faced: Fister 29, Smyly 6, Valverde 4, Norris, B 28, Ambriz 2, Blackley 2, Veras 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Smyly 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Marty Foster. 1B: Scott Barry. 2B: Tim Welke. 3B: Mike Everitt.
Weather: 66 degrees, clear.
Wind: 18 mph, In from CF.
T: 3:14.
Att: 16,719.