GDT30: 5/5/13 - DET (18-11) AT HOU (8-23) - 4:10 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (3-2, 1.83 ERA)

Verlander completed his first winning April since 2006 with eight strikeouts over seven innings of one-run ball against the Twins on Tuesday. He could hit double-digit strikeouts against a free-swinging Astros lineup.



Astros: RHP Philip Humber (0-6, 7.58 ERA)

After a pair of rough outings, Humber got his season on track Tuesday at Yankee Stadium by allowing four runs in six innings. He went 0-6 in April, becoming the second pitcher since 1900 to lose that many games in April.







Verlander set to take on free-swinging Astros
Tigers ace squares off with Humber, who's seeking his first win

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 5/4/2013 6:04 PM ET

Weather forecasts aren't always correct, but consider this a near certainty: It's going to get pretty breezy around Minute Maid Park's home plate on Sunday afternoon.

The swinging -- and frequently missing -- Astros face Tigers ace Justin Verlander, the two-time reigning Major League strikeout leader, in the finale of a four-game series.

Verlander has won the Major League strikeout crown in three of the past four years and, while his 41 punchouts this season only rank 17th in the bigs, he's still been just as filthy. He's sporting a 1.83 ERA through his first six starts and is coming off a seven-inning performance against the Twins in which he allowed one run and struck out eight.

Sunday will be a bit different. Yes, the Astros -- with a Major League-leading 310 strikeouts -- have a tendency to swing and miss. But unlike in facing the division-rival Twins, Verlander admitted there's a bit of uncertainty in facing a club he hasn't seen since 2009.

"It's a little different, uncomfortable I guess, not knowing the [opposing hitters]," Verlander said. "I like being able to watch the last few games."

Verlander should have a well-filled notebook. The Astros have struck out 34 times through the series' first three games.

Despite their high strikeout numbers, the Astros aren't worried. In fact, catcher Jason Castro said it's part of their game plan.

"Part of our approach is trying to be what we call 'selectively aggressive,'" Castro said. "So we're trying to find pitches in the zone that we're able to drive and put aggressive swings on them.

"We have some guys with big-time power on this team. So that's part of their game. So you will see guys taking some pretty big hacks. And we have guys that are capable of hitting it out of the ballpark on any given at-bat. So I think that's part of it."

Tigers: Verlander looks to follow suit
The Tigers have an argument for the best pitching staff in baseball, and certainly the top rotation in the American League. Along with Verlander, Max Scherzer is 4-0, Doug Fister is 4-0 with a 2.48 ERA and Anibal Sanchez is 3-2 with a 1.82 ERA. Fifth starter Rick Porcello has been up and down, but looked good in his last outing.

"I think we do," Verlander said of being part of the best staff. "I think it's like hitting. Pitching is contagious. We want to keep it going."

• Lefty reliever Drew Smyly has tossed 13 consecutive scoreless innings.

• Tigers starters have recorded a quality start in 19 of their last 21 games, going 11-4 with a 2.93 ERA.

Astros: Humber searching for first win
Sunday starter Philip Humber's 0-6 April record made him the second pitcher since 1900 to lose that many games in April, and his 7.58 ERA isn't anything to write home about, either. But aside from two starts in which he posted a 27.00 ERA, he's been solid, turning in two quality starts and pitching well in his two other outings.

Humber has faced the Tigers five times, including two starts, with his last start against Detroit coming in July 2012, when he allowed six runs in three innings.

• Catcher Carlos Corporan is batting .400 in his last seven games, with two home runs and five RBIs.

Worth noting
• The all-time series between the Astros and Tigers is tied at 9.

• The Astros hit three homers off Verlander during Spring Training in a 7-2 win on March 21 in Lakeland, Fla.

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:


• 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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• MON, May 6:
OFF DAY


• TUE, May 7:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (3-2, 1.82 ERA)) AT
NATIONALS: (RHP Jordan Zimmermann (5-1, 1.64 ERA))
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• WED, May 8:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (4-0, 2.48 ERA)) AT
NATIONALS: (RHP Dan Haren (3-3, 5.01 ERA))
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• THU, May 9:
OFF DAY

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF (1-for-4, walk, 2 K’s off Humber)
Andy Dirks, LF (1-for-4, double, K off Humber)
Miguel Cabrera, 3B (2-for-6, 2 HR, walk off Humber)
Prince Fielder, 1B (1-for-2 off Humber)
Victor Martinez, DH (1-for-3 off Humber)
Don Kelly, RF
Brayan Pena, C (1-for-2 off Humber)
Omar Infante, 2B (1-for-1 off Humber)
Ramon Santiago (1-for-3 off Humber)

P: Justin Verlander


ASTROS

Robbie Grossman, CF
Fernando Martinez, LF
Jason Castro, C
Carlos Pena, 1B (6-for-22, 2 doubles, HR, 2 walks, 5 K’s off Verlander)
Carlos Corporan, DH
Brandon Laird, 3B
Rick Ankiel, RF (0-for-5, 3 K’s off Verlander)
Ronny Cedeno, SS (2-for-6, double off Verlander)
Marwin Gonzalez, 2B

P: Philip Humber

DET - Top 1st
B:1 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Rick Ankiel.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to right fielder Rick Ankiel.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Prince Fielder homers (8) on a fly ball to right center field. Andy Dirks scores.
2 - 0

B:1 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Carlos Pena.


HOU - Bot 1st
B:3 S:2 O:1
Robbie Grossman flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

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

B:4 S:0 O:2
Jason Castro walks.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Carlos Pena strikes out swinging.

2 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Don Kelly walks.

B:2 S:0 O:0
Brayan Pena homers (1) on a line drive to right field. Don Kelly scores.
4 - 0

B:1 S:3 O:1
Omar Infante strikes out on a foul tip.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ramon Santiago doubles (1) on a ground ball to right fielder Rick Ankiel.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson walks.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to right fielder Rick Ankiel. Ramon Santiago scores. Austin Jackson to 3rd.
5 - 0

B:4 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera walks. Andy Dirks to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Prince Fielder singles on a ground ball to right fielder Rick Ankiel. Austin Jackson scores. Andy Dirks scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.
7 - 0

B:1 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez lines out to right fielder Rick Ankiel.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Don Kelly flies out to right fielder Rick Ankiel.


HOU - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Carlos Corporan grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Justin Verlander.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Brandon Laird strikes out swinging.

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

7 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:3 S:2 O:1
Brayan Pena grounds out, first baseman Carlos Pena to pitcher Philip Humber.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Omar Infante flies out to right fielder Rick Ankiel.

Injury Delay.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Austin Jackson grounds into a force out, shortstop Ronny Cedeno to second baseman Marwin Gonzalez. Ramon Santiago out at 2nd.


HOU - Bot 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Ronny Cedeno grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Prince Fielder.

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

B:1 S:2 O:3
Robbie Grossman grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

7 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Andy Dirks homers (2) on a fly ball to right field.
8 - 0

B:2 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Brandon Laird to first baseman Carlos Pena.

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

B:3 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out to first baseman Carlos Pena.


HOU - Bot 4th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Fernando Martinez flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Jason Castro strikes out swinging.

Injury Delay.

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

B:1 S:3 O:3
Carlos Corporan strikes out swinging.

8 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
Pitching Change: Erik Bedard replaces Philip Humber.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly grounds out, shortstop Ronny Cedeno to first baseman Carlos Pena.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Brayan Pena grounds out, second baseman Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Carlos Pena.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Omar Infante grounds out, shortstop Ronny Cedeno to first baseman Carlos Pena.


HOU - Bot 5th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Brandon Laird grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Rick Ankiel flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Ronny Cedeno strikes out swinging.

8 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Ramon Santiago called out on strikes.

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

B:4 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks walks.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Robbie Grossman. Andy Dirks to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Prince Fielder flies out to center fielder Robbie Grossman.


HOU - Bot 6th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Marwin Gonzalez reaches on a fielding error by first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Robbie Grossman lines into an unassisted double play, first baseman Prince Fielder. Marwin Gonzalez doubled off 1st.

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

8 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Carlos Pena.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Don Kelly flies out to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Brayan Pena grounds out, shortstop Ronny Cedeno to first baseman Carlos Pena.


HOU - Bot 7th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Jason Castro strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Carlos Pena singles on a line drive to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Carlos Corporan singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks. Carlos Pena to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Brandon Laird grounds into a double play, shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Carlos Corporan out at 2nd.

8 - 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Omar Infante homers (3) on a fly ball to left field.
9 - 0

B:4 S:0 O:0
Ramon Santiago walks.

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

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Travis Blackley replaces Erik Bedard.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to right fielder Rick Ankiel. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Miguel
Cabrera grounds into a double play, third baseman Brandon Laird to
second baseman Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Carlos Pena. Andy Dirks
out at 2nd.


HOU - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Darin Downs replaces Justin Verlander.

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

B:2 S:2 O:0
Brandon Barnes hit by pitch.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Ronny Cedeno singles on a ground ball to third baseman Miguel Cabrera. Brandon Barnes to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Marwin Gonzalez flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Robbie Grossman singles on a ground ball to right fielder Don Kelly. Brandon Barnes to 3rd. Ronny Cedeno to 2nd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Chris Carter replaces Fernando Martinez.

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

B:2 S:3 O:3
Jason Castro strikes out swinging.

9 - 0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Chris Carter remains in the game as the left fielder.

Brandon Barnes remains in the game as the right fielder.

Pitching Change: Wesley Wright replaces Travis Blackley.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to right fielder Brandon Barnes.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Matt Tuiasosopo replaces Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Chris Carter. Matt Tuiasosopo to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly flies out to right fielder Brandon Barnes.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Brayan Pena flies out to right fielder Brandon Barnes.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Omar Infante flies out to right fielder Brandon Barnes.


HOU - Bot 9th
Matt Tuiasosopo remains in the game as the first baseman.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Carlos Pena strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Carlos Corporan strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Brandon Laird flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


TIGERS WIN 9-0 AND SWEEP SERIES

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Verlander
L: Humber


Game Info

HBP: Barnes, B (by Downs, D).
Pitches-strikes: Verlander 116-80, Downs, D 32-23, Humber 91-55, Bedard 65-41, Blackley 7-4, Wright, W 15-10.
Groundouts-flyouts: Verlander 7-3, Downs, D 0-2, Humber 6-4, Bedard 5-2, Blackley 1-0, Wright, W 0-3.
Batters faced: Verlander 24, Downs, D 9, Humber 23, Bedard 14, Blackley 2, Wright, W 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Blackley 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Tim Welke. 1B: Mike Everitt. 2B: Marty Foster. 3B: Scott Barry.
Weather: 68 degrees, sunny.
Wind: 13 mph, In from CF.
T: 3:14.
Att: 23,228.