GDT36: 5/13/13 - DET (20-15) VS HOU (10-28) - 7:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez (3-3, 1.97 ERA)

No American League pitcher has a lower ERA without a winning record than Sanchez, who has lost three out of his last four outings despite six consecutive quality starts. Detroit scored four runs total in those three losses.



Astros: RHP Bud Norris (4-3, 3.40 ERA)

Norris is coming off arguably his best game in the Majors, pitching into the ninth inning for the first time in his career. Still, he continues to struggle on the road. He's 1-2 with a 5.93 ERA away from home this year.





Astros hope to build momentum in Motown
Houston makes first trip to Detroit as AL team; Norris opposes Anibal

By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com | 5/12/2013 7:49 PM ET

The Astros may not know what they're going to get from game to game, but manager Bo Porter has begun to see one theme: All-out effort. Houston will begin its first road series in Detroit as an American League team on Monday, and Porter hopes to see the same intensity.

"These guys are going to battle down to the last out," Porter said. "They're going to battle and grind and give everything they have. We're never out of a ballgame because of the resilience of this ballclub."

Houston fell to a four-game series sweep at home against Detroit earlier this month, and the four games provided a stark study in contrasts. The Tigers won the first two games against the Astros in their final at-bat -- including a 14-inning victory -- and then outscored them 26-2 in the last two games.

The Tigers are coming off a first-place showdown against the Indians, and Detroit lost an extra-inning game to drop into a tie atop the American League Central. Monday's game will pit Houston's Bud Norris against Detroit veteran Anibal Sanchez, who ranks fifth on the AL's ERA charts (1.97).

Sanchez has completed at least six innings in six of his first seven starts this season, and he hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any outing. Sanchez has allowed just one home run all season, and he's struck out (58) more than five times as many batters as he's walked (11).

The Astros were swept by the Rangers over the weekend and went 2-8 over their 10-game homestand, so they may be ready to hit the road. Houston has a 4-12 record on the road so far in its first season as a member of the AL West, but Norris has consistently gone deep in the game for the Astros.

Norris pitched into the ninth inning of his last start for the first time in his career, and he's allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his first eight starts. Most of his success has come at home, though, and the 28-year-old has posted a 1-2 record with a 5.93 ERA in three road starts this season.

The Astros fell behind 12-1 in their series finale against Texas and scored six runs in the final two innings to tighten the final scoreline. The Tigers, meanwhile, were on the verge of a two-game lead in the Central before the Indians tied the game in the ninth and pushed ahead in the 10th to tie the division.

Astros: Altuve remains hot
Jose Altuve leads all big-league second basemen in batting average (.336), and he also ranks third in the Major League in hits (51). Altuve has turned a league-high 38 double plays, and he's hit safely in 30 of his first 36 games. The 23-year-old is batting .343 (24-for-70) in 16 road games this season.

Tigers: V-Mart hanging in
The Tigers haven't gotten much offense from veteran Victor Martinez this season, but he's been healthy enough to be a consistent presence in the lineup. Martinez, who missed all of last year with a left knee injury, is batting .212 with one home run and 15 RBIs in his first 34 games.

Martinez has played 31 of his games at designated hitter, and he's batted out of the fifth slot of the lineup 31 times.

Worth noting
• This is Houston's first trip to Detroit since a three-game series in June 2006. The Astros are 4-5 all-time in Detroit, but all of that was in Interleague Play.

• Detroit is 17-2 when leading after eight innings.

• Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson missed Sunday's game with a sore right hamstring.

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:


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

• OF Austin Jackson (pulled right hamstring, 15-day DL retroactive to May 12, 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








• TUE, May 14:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (4-1, 3.14 ERA)) VS
ASTROS: (RHP Lucas Harrell (3-3, 4.67 ERA))
7:08 p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• WED, May 15:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (5-0, 3.61 ERA)) VS
ASTROS: (LHP Dallas Keuchel (0-1, 4.43 ERA))
1:08 p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• THU, May 16:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (4-3, 1.93 ERA)) AT
RANGERS: (RHP Yu Darvish (6-1, 2.73 ERA))
8:05 p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• FRI, May 17:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (1-2, 6.68 ERA)) AT
RANGERS: (RHP Nick Tepesch (3-3, 4.03 ERA))
8:05 p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

Andy Dirks, LF (1-for-4 off Norris)
Torii Hunter, RF (0-for-3, 2 K’s off Norris)
Miguel Cabrera, 3B (1-for-3, double, K off Norris)
Prince Fielder, 1B (5-for-20, double, HR, 3 walks, 6 K’s off Norris)
Victor Martinez, DH (1-for-3 off Norris)
Alex Avila, C (0-for-3, K off Norris)
Jhonny Peralta, SS (1-for-2, walk, K off Norris)
Don Kelly, CF (0-for-3, K off Norris)
Omar Infante, 2B (3-for-12, K off Norris)

P: Anibal Sanchez


ASTROS

Robbie Grossman, CF
Jimmy Paredes, RF
Jose Altuve, 2B (2-for-7 against Sanchez)
Jason Castro, C (2-for-8, 2 doubles, 3 K’s against Sanchez)
Chris Carter, 1B (0-for-3, 2 K’s against Sanchez)
Carlos Pena, DH (3-for-10, HR, 2 walks, 3 K’s against Sanchez)
J.D. Martinez, LF (1-for-6, double, 2 K’s against Sanchez)
Matt Dominguez, 3B
Marwin Gonzalez, SS (1-for-1 against Sanchez)

P: Bud Norris

HOU - Top 1st
B:0 S:2 O:0
Robbie Grossman singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jimmy Paredes grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder. Robbie Grossman to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Jose Altuve grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

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


DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:0 O:0
Andy Dirks doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Torii Hunter doubles (11) on a fly ball to center fielder Robbie Grossman. Andy Dirks scores.
1 - 0

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

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

B:0 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman Chris Carter.

1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

HOU - Top 2nd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Chris Carter strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Carlos Pena flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:2 S:0 O:2
J. D. Martinez doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

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


DET - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out to first baseman Chris Carter.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jimmy Paredes.

Injury Delay. (Altuve and Paredes collide trying to catch fly ball)

Defensive Substitution: Ronny Cedeno replaces second baseman Jose Altuve, batting 3rd, playing shortstop.

Defensive switch from shortstop to second base for Marwin Gonzalez.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Don Kelly flies into a double play, left fielder J. Martinez to first baseman Chris Carter. Jhonny Peralta doubled off 1st.

1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

HOU - Top 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:0
Marwin Gonzalez singles on a line drive to center fielder Don Kelly.

With Robbie Grossman batting, Marwin Gonzalez steals (4) 2nd base.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Robbie Grossman singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Marwin Gonzalez scores. Robbie Grossman to 2nd on the throw.
TIED 1 - 1

B:0 S:1 O:0
Jimmy Paredes singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Robbie Grossman to 3rd.

With Ronny Cedeno batting, Jimmy Paredes steals (1) 2nd base.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Ronny Cedeno grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder. Robbie Grossman scores. Jimmy Paredes to 3rd.
HOU 2 - 1

B:2 S:1 O:2
Jason Castro flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Chris Carter called out on strikes.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Omar Infante flies out to left fielder J. D. Martinez.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Torii Hunter lines out to second baseman Marwin Gonzalez.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera called out on strikes.

HOU 2 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

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

B:0 S:1 O:2
J. D. Martinez flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

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


DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Prince Fielder doubles (9) on a line drive to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Victor Martinez homers (2) on a line drive to right field. Prince Fielder scores.
3 - 2

B:3 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Chris Carter.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to left fielder J. D. Martinez.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Don Kelly singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jimmy Paredes. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante walks. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd. Don Kelly to 2nd.

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve left the game due to an injured head (dislocated jaw).

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks hits a grand slam (4) to right field. Jhonny Peralta scores. Don Kelly scores. Omar Infante scores.
7 - 2

B:1 S:0 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, second baseman Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Chris Carter.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Matt Dominguez to first baseman Chris Carter.

7 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

HOU - Top 5th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Marwin Gonzalez bunt grounds out, pitcher Anibal Sanchez to first baseman Prince Fielder.

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

B:4 S:2 O:2
Jimmy Paredes walks.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Ronny Cedeno strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Chris Carter.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder J. D. Martinez.

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

7 - 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

HOU - Top 6th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Jason Castro strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Chris Carter strikes out swinging.

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


DET - Bot 6th
Pitching Change: Paul Clemens replaces Bud Norris.

Injury Delay.

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

B:0 S:1 O:1
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder J. Martinez.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Omar Infante grounds into a double play, shortstop Ronny Cedeno to second baseman Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Chris Carter. Jhonny Peralta out at 2nd.

7 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

HOU - Top 7th
B:3 S:2 O:0
J. D. Martinez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Don Kelly.

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

B:2 S:2 O:3
Marwin Gonzalez grounds into a double play, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. J. D. Martinez out at 2nd.


DET - Bot 7th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Andy Dirks grounds out, pitcher Paul Clemens to first baseman Chris Carter.

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

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

7 - 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

HOU - Top 8th
Pitching Change: Jose Ortega replaces Anibal Sanchez.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Robbie Grossman flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.

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

Houston Astros pitcher Bud Norris left the game due to an injured back.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Ronny Cedeno hit by pitch.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Jason Castro grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 8th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Prince Fielder strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out, pitcher Paul Clemens to first baseman Chris Carter.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Chris Carter.

7 - 2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

HOU - Top 9th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Chris Carter flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Carlos Pena singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter, deflected by shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

With J. D. Martinez batting, Carlos Pena advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.

B:1 S:1 O:2
J. D. Martinez flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Matt Dominguez grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.


TIGERS WIN 7-2

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Sanchez, An
L: Norris, B


Game Info

HBP: Cedeno, R (by Ortega, J).
Pitches-strikes: Norris, B 71-47, Clemens 37-23, Sanchez, An 113-77, Ortega, J 32-19.
Groundouts-flyouts: Norris, B 8-3, Clemens 4-1, Sanchez, An 9-3, Ortega, J 3-3.
Batters faced: Norris, B 24, Clemens 9, Sanchez, An 27, Ortega, J 8.
Umpires: HP: Jim Joyce. 1B: Cory Blaser. 2B: Jeff Nelson. 3B: Ed Hickox.
Weather: 54 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 7 mph, R to L.
T: 2:50.
Att: 31,161.