GDT38: 5/15/13 - DET (22-15) VS HOU (10-30) - 1:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Max Scherzer (5-0, 3.61 ERA)

The Tigers have scored 27 runs in Scherzer's last two starts, including eight innings of three-hit, one-run ball with eight strikeouts in Houston May 4. A win would give him his second 6-0 start in his last three seasons.



Astros: LHP Dallas Keuchel (0-1, 4.43 ERA)

Keuchel is making his second start of the season after throwing six innings and allowing two runs on Friday against the Rangers at Minute Maid Park. He had a 4.96 ERA in six relief appearances prior to Friday's start.









Tigers eye sweep of Astros behind Scherzer
Fireballer looking to continue club's dominant starting pitching

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 5/14/2013 11:06 PM ET

Tigers starters don't necessarily take the mound thinking of one-upping the previous day's performance, but if one guy throws a gem ...

"We just want to keep the bar that high," said right-hander Max Scherzer, who will start Wednesday's finale against the Astros. "If we're able to measure ourselves against each other and push each other to be the best that we can, that's only good for our ballclub. That's going to make us win games, because when you have good pitching, a lot of good things happen."

That's been the case for Tigers starters, who are 15-7 with a 3.08 ERA in their last 30 games -- the last of which was Doug Fister's seven-inning performance in Tuesday's 6-2 win.

Scherzer will look to follow Fister -- and lead the Tigers to a sweep of their new American League companions -- like he did the last time he faced the Astros. Scherzer tossed eight innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts on May 4 in a 17-2 romp of the Astros in Houston.

"You just know with our type of offense, they're going to score runs," Scherzer said. "Most of the time, we're going to score five, six runs. So if you can go out there and just prevent them from having a big inning and pitch effectively into the sixth, seventh inning, you've got a great shot to help the team to win."

That's precisely what the Tigers have done against the Astros this season, outscoring them, 50-12, en route to six wins in as many tries. Houston will send left-hander Dallas Keuchel to the mound on Wednesday, hoping the 25-year-old can repeat the quality start he delivered his last time out in his first start of the season.

Keuchel tossed four innings of scoreless relief against the Tigers on May 2 before allowing four runs in the 14th inning of a 7-3 loss. On Wednesday, he'll get another crack against one of the AL's toughest lineups.

"You're never at ease when you look at this lineup, no matter who you're sending out there," said Astros manager Bo Porter, whose squad has dropped six straight.

Astros: Elmore filling in at second
Infielder Jake Elmore, recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City before Tuesday's game, will get all of the at-bats while Jose Altuve is on the bereavement list.

"When you come to the ballpark, you always want to play, so yeah, it's exciting and it shows the confidence they have in me," Elmore said. "I look forward to proving them right."

Elmore went 1-for-4 on Tuesday.

"He's played well down in Triple-A, and this is an opportunity for us to give a chance to see him," Porter said.

Altuve, whose grandmother died, is expected back Saturday.

• Reliever Jose Veras has held opponents to a .125 average in his last 10 games.

Tigers: Garcia in line to start in center
Avisail Garcia is expected to start in center field on Wednesday as the Tigers divvy up playing time there while Austin Jackson is on the disabled list with a pulled left hamstring. It would be Garcia's first career start in center.

• Shortstop Jhonny Peralta has hit safely in 24 of his last 28 games, batting .355 with seven doubles, three homers and 16 RBIs in that stretch. He received the night off on Tuesday.

• First baseman Prince Fielder has reached safely in 24 consecutive games at Comerica Park dating back to last season.

Worth noting
• The Astros last won in Detroit on July 14, 2000.

• Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter is two home runs shy of 300 for his Major League career.

• The Astros have turned a Major League-high 54 double plays this season.









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).










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• 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)


• SAT, May 18:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (4-3, 2.05 ERA)) AT
RANGERS: (RHP Justin Grimm (2-3, 4.28 ERA))
8:05 p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• SUN, May 19:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (5-1, 3.06 ERA)) AT
RANGERS: (?HP ? (0-0, -.-- ERA))
8:05 p.m. ET (ESPN / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

Omar Infante, 2B (0-for-2 off Kuechel)
Torii Hunter, RF (0-for-3 off Kuechel)
Miguel Cabrera, 3B (0-for-1, 2 walks off Kuechel)
Prince Fielder, 1B (0-for-2, walk off Kuechel)
Victor Martinez, DH
Jhonny Peralta, SS (2-for-2 off Kuechel)
Matt Tuiasosopo, LF (0-for-1, walk, K off Kuechel)
Brayan Pena, C (1-for-2, K off Kuechel)
Avisail Garcia, CF

P: Max Scherzer


ASTROS

Robbie Grossman, CF (1-for-2, walk, K off Scherzer)
Jake Elmore, 2B
Carlos Pena, DH (0-for-8, 3 K’s off Scherzer)
Chris Carter, 1B (0-for-2, K off Scherzer)
J.D. Martinez, LF
Carlos Corporan, C (1-for-3, HR off Scherzer)
Jimmy Paredes, RF
Matt Dominguez, 3B (1-for-3, K off Scherzer)
Marwin Gonzalez, SS

P: Dallas Kuechel

HOU - Top 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
Robbie Grossman walks.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Jake Elmore strikes out swinging and Robbie Grossman caught stealing 2nd, catcher Brayan Pena to second baseman Omar Infante.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Carlos Pena flies out to center fielder Avisail Garcia.


DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:3 O:1
Omar Infante strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter lines out to right fielder Jimmy Paredes.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera lines out to right fielder Jimmy Paredes.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

HOU - Top 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Chris Carter pops out to first baseman Prince Fielder in foul territory.

B:0 S:0 O:2
J. D. Martinez lines out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

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

B:1 S:3 O:3
Jimmy Paredes strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Jake Elmore to first baseman Chris Carter.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out, shortstop Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Chris Carter.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jimmy Paredes. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Brayan Pena singles on a ground ball to shortstop Marwin Gonzalez. Jhonny Peralta scores. Matt Tuiasosopo to 2nd.
TIED 1 - 1

B:2 S:0 O:2
Avisail Garcia homers (1) on a fly ball to left center field. Matt Tuiasosopo scores. Brayan Pena scores.
4 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:3
Omar Infante grounds out, shortstop Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Chris Carter.

4 - 1 AFTER 2 INNINGS

HOU - Top 3rd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Matt Dominguez strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Marwin Gonzalez grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

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


DET - Bot 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Torii Hunter flies out to right fielder Jimmy Paredes.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder J. D. Martinez.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds into a double play, second baseman Jake Elmore to shortstop Marwin Gonzalez to first baseman Chris Carter. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.

4 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

HOU - Top 4th
B:2 S:1 O:0
Jake Elmore doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Avisail Garcia.

With Carlos Pena batting, Jake Elmore advances to 3rd on a balk.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Carlos Pena singles on a ground ball to center fielder Avisail Garcia. Jake Elmore scores.
4 - 2

B:4 S:0 O:0
Chris Carter walks. Carlos Pena to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:0
J. D. Martinez homers (3) on a fly ball to left center field. Carlos Pena scores. Chris Carter scores.
HOU 5 - 4

B:1 S:2 O:1
Carlos Corporan flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jimmy Paredes doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Avisail Garcia.

With Matt Dominguez batting, Jimmy Paredes picked off and caught stealing 3rd base, pitcher Max Scherzer to second baseman Omar Infante to third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Matt Dominguez pops out to third baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.


DET - Bot 4th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Victor Martinez strikes out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta walks.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo singles on a line drive to center fielder Robbie Grossman. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Brayan Pena grounds into a double play, third baseman Matt Dominguez to second baseman Jake Elmore to first baseman Chris Carter. Matt Tuiasosopo out at 2nd.

HOU 5 - 4 AFTER 4 INNINGS

HOU - Top 5th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Marwin Gonzalez grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Max Scherzer.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Robbie Grossman lines out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Jake Elmore strikes out swinging.


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

B:1 S:0 O:2
Omar Infante flies out to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Torii Hunter flies out to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

HOU 5 - 4 AFTER 5 INNINGS

HOU - Top 6th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Carlos Pena called out on strikes.

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

B:1 S:2 O:3
J. D. Martinez grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 6th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Jake Elmore to first baseman Chris Carter.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Marwin Gonzalez.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to left fielder J. D. Martinez. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo singles on a ground ball to left fielder J. D. Martinez. Victor Martinez scores. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.
TIED 5 - 5

Pitching Change: Travis Blackley replaces Dallas Keuchel.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Brayan Pena pops out to second baseman Jake Elmore.

TIED 5 - 5 AFTER 6 INNINGS

HOU - Top 7th
B:4 S:2 O:0
Carlos Corporan walks.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Jimmy Paredes grounds into a force out, second baseman Omar Infante to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Carlos Corporan out at 2nd. Jimmy Paredes to 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Matt Dominguez flies out to center fielder Avisail Garcia.

B:1 S:2 O:3
With Marwin Gonzalez batting, Jimmy Paredes caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Brayan Pena to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.


DET - Bot 7th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Avisail Garcia lines out to third baseman Matt Dominguez.

Pitching Change: Edgar Gonzalez replaces Travis Blackley.

Coaching visit to mound.

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

With Torii Hunter batting, Carlos Corporan picks off Omar Infante at 1st on throw to Chris Carter.

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

Injury Delay.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.

TIED 5 - 5 AFTER 7 INNINGS

HOU - Top 8th
Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Max Scherzer.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Marwin Gonzalez strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Robbie Grossman singles on a line drive to center fielder Avisail Garcia.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jake Elmore singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Drew Smyly. Robbie Grossman to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Carlos Pena called out on strikes.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Drew Smyly.

With Chris Carter batting, wild pitch by Al Alburquerque, Robbie Grossman to 3rd. Jake Elmore to 2nd.

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


DET - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Wesley Wright replaces Edgar Gonzalez.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Prince Fielder strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Robbie Grossman.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Hector Ambriz replaces Wesley Wright.

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

TIED 5 - 5 AFTER 8 INNINGS

HOU - Top 9th
B:4 S:1 O:0
J. D. Martinez walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Brandon Barnes replaces J. D. Martinez.

Pitching Change: Phil Coke replaces Al Alburquerque.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Carlos Corporan doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo. Brandon Barnes scores.
HOU 6 - 5

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Trevor Crowe replaces Carlos Corporan.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jimmy Paredes out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder. Trevor Crowe to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Matt Dominguez out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Torii Hunter. Trevor Crowe scores.
HOU 7 - 5

B:1 S:1 O:3
Marwin Gonzalez grounds out, pitcher Phil Coke to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 9th
Defensive switch from center field to left field for Robbie Grossman.

Brandon Barnes remains in the game as the center fielder.

Trevor Crowe remains in the game as the right fielder.

Defensive Substitution: Jason Castro replaces right fielder Jimmy Paredes, batting 7th, playing catcher.

Pitching Change: Jose Veras replaces Hector Ambriz.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Don Kelly replaces Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly grounds out to first baseman Chris Carter.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Brayan Pena walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Andy Dirks replaces Avisail Garcia.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Andy Dirks pops out to shortstop Marwin Gonzalez.

With Omar Infante batting, Brayan Pena advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Omar Infante walks.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter hit by pitch. Brayan Pena to 3rd. Omar Infante to 2nd.

Injury Delay.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Brandon Barnes.


TIGERS LOSE 5-7

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W: Ambriz
L: Alburquerque
S: Veras (5)



Game Info


Alburquerque pitched to 1 batter in the 9th.

WP: Alburquerque.
Balk: Scherzer.
HBP: Hunter, To (by Veras).
Pitches-strikes:
Keuchel 88-55, Blackley 3-2, Gonzalez, E 14-8, Wright, W 12-7, Ambriz 5-3, Veras 26-16, Scherzer 101-58, Smyly 11-9, Alburquerque 12-5, Coke 8-6.
Groundouts-flyouts: Keuchel 7-4, Blackley 0-0, Gonzalez, E 0-0, Wright, W 0-1, Ambriz 0-0, Veras 1-1, Scherzer 4-3, Smyly 0-0, Alburquerque 0-0, Coke 2-1.
Batters faced: Keuchel 25, Blackley 2, Gonzalez, E 3, Wright, W 2, Ambriz 1, Veras 6, Scherzer 26, Smyly 4, Alburquerque 2, Coke 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Blackley 2-0, Alburquerque 2-0, Coke 1-1.
Umpires: HP: Jeff Nelson. 1B: Ed Hickox. 2B: Jim Joyce. 3B: Cory Blaser.
Weather: 82 degrees, sunny.
Wind: 15 mph, Out to LF.
T: 3:03.
Att: 40,315.