GDT44: 5/22/13 - DET (24-19) AT CLE (26-18) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (4-4, 3.17 ERA)

Verlander pitched against the Indians on May 11 and allowed four runs in five innings in a 7-6 loss. He is now 14-14 with a 4.57 ERA in 31 career starts against the Indians. That's his most starts against any opponent.



Indians: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (3-2, 5.31 ERA)

Jimenez has struck out at least eight in three straight starts (had a season-high nine K's in his last outing). He's 3-0 with a 1.90 ERA over his past four appearances. He won in Detroit on May 11, allowing one run in six innings.







Tigers, Tribe seek statement win in series finale
Verlander looks to rebound, while Ubaldo tries to extend success

By Adam Berry / MLB.com | 5/21/2013 10:52 PM ET

Justin Verlander didn't want to spend too much time looking at video or tweaking his mechanics after one of the worst starts of his impressive career Thursday.

Instead, he put in a little extra work on the mound to prepare for Wednesday's matchup with Ubaldo Jimenez and the American League Central-leading Indians at Progressive Field.

After giving up eight runs in 2 2/3 innings against the Rangers his last time out, Verlander utilized an extra day between starts and threw two side sessions over the weekend in Texas to try to nail down his mechanics and regain some degree of consistency in his fastball command. Verlander said the extra work went "all right," and he'd withhold final judgment until after Wednesday's start.

"What he's starting to do right now is just repeat his delivery, hit the location, especially with his fastball. Because, to me, his breaking stuff and his changeup have been really good," Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones said. "It's just been mostly fastball location, trying to make sure he does the same thing with his body.

"Everybody goes through a little something from time to time. I think we're kind of spoiled that he hasn't gone through very much in quite a while. Everybody goes through stuff and looks at stuff, and then try to make adjustments. Usually, during the season, you're making small adjustments, and that's basically what we're doing."

Verlander had his share of difficulties in his last start against the Tribe on May 11, walking five and allowing four runs (three earned) in five innings. This could be a big start for Verlander and the Tigers, as they look to build on Tuesday's 5-1 win, slow down the streaking Indians and regain some ground in the AL Central in the finale of this two-game series. But Cleveland has plenty on the line, as well.

The Indians won five in a row before losing Tuesday's opener, and they've still won 18 of their past 23. They can keep the Tigers at bay and send a message to the rest of the AL Central by salvaging a series split, and Jimenez can try to prove that his recent success is more than just a hot streak.

Jimenez is 3-0 with a 1.90 over his past four appearances, and he has at least eight strikeouts in three straight starts, including a season-high nine Friday against Seattle. He's nearly cut his ERA in half since April 21, and that stretch included a victory against the Tigers on May 11, when he allowed one run in six innings, also opposite Verlander.

Jimenez managed to hold Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera to just one single in that game. He'd probably feel fortunate to do the same Wednesday considering what the reigning Triple Crown winner is capable of at the plate.

Cabrera homered Tuesday, giving him four in his past two games.

"I mean, pretty special hitter," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. "The problem with it is, there's times you have to pitch with him, there's times you have to get him out. There's times where you'll take a single, as opposed to [not] keeping it in the ballpark. Because I guarantee, if you pitch around him all day, they're going to score."

Tigers: Dotel back on schedule
• Octavio Dotel is once again throwing on schedule as he works his way back from elbow inflammation, which has sidelined him for a month. The Tigers shut down Dotel more than a week ago, when he felt some discomfort while throwing. He went on a six-day medication cycle and is now throwing without pain at the Tigers' Spring Training complex in Florida.

Dotel will eventually have to work his way through a Minor League rehab assignment, so his return is not imminent. Detroit has struggled to fill his middle-relief role.

• Al Alburquerque has reported to Triple-A Toledo after being optioned last Wednesday. He wasn't with the Mud Hens this weekend, as he had to attend to a personal matter in the Dominican Republic.

• Brayan Villarreal, also with the Mud Hens, is working on repeating his delivery from inning to inning. He has put together consecutive strong outings after walking the bases loaded last Thursday.

Indians: Perez deletes Twitter account
• Closer Chris Perez deleted his @ChrisPerez54 Twitter account after two rough outings and issued a statement saying he did so to "minimize any potential off-the-field distractions" and focus more on the Indians and their "shared goals moving forward."

"I don't know about it being a good idea or a bad idea," Francona said. "I understand his reasoning was to focus more on what we're doing. So I thought his thought process was really good. I don't think I've looked at a Twitter in my life. I don't even know if I know how. But I like his reasoning, so I'm cool with it."

• Nick Swisher and his wife, JoAnna, welcomed a daughter into their family, and Swisher was placed on the paternity leave list Tuesday, meaning he'll miss one to three games. In the meantime, Cleveland recalled infielder Cord Phelps from Triple-A Columbus.

Francona slotted Michael Brantley in the cleanup spot for Tuesday's game, so the left fielder has appeared in every spot in the order through 43 games this season. Brantley drove in the lone Indians run Tuesday, hitting a sacrifice fly in the first.

Worth noting
• Cabrera's sixth-inning homer Tuesday night was his 12th of the season and the 333rd of his career, which gave him sole possession of the 100th spot on the list of all-time home run leaders.

• The Indians have gone 18-8 this season in games following a win and 7-10 after a loss.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. 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).






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• THU, May 23:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (2-2, 5.92 ERA)) VS
TWINS: (LHP Scott Diamond (3-4, 4.99 ERA))
7:08 p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• FRI, May 24:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (4-4, 2.77 ERA)) VS
TWINS: (RHP Samuel Deduno (0-0, -.-- ERA))
7:08 p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• SAT, May 25:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (5-1, 3.62 ERA)) VS
TWINS: (RHP Kevin Correia (4-4, 3.90 ERA))
4:08 p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• SUN, May 26:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (6-0, 3.61 ERA)) VS
TWINS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
1:08 p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

Andy Dirks, LF (4-for-24, 5 K’s off Jimenez)
Torii Hunter, RF (2-for-13, 2 K’s off Jimenez)
Miguel Cabrera, 3B (13-for-38, HR, 6 walks, 6 K’s off Jimenez)
Prince Fielder, 1B (10-for-35, 6 walks, 7 K’s off Jimenez)
Victor Martinez, DH (6-for-18, 2 HR, 1 walk, 2 K’s off Jimenez)
Jhonny Peralta, SS (7-for-23, HR, 4 walks, 2 K’s off Jimenez)
Brayan Pena, C (4-for-5 off Jimenez)
Don Kelly, CF (2-for-11, walk, K off Jimenez)
Omar Infante, 2B (3-for-14, 3 K’s off Jimenez)

P: Justin Verlander


INDIANS

Michael Bourn, CF (2-for-5 off Verlander)
Jason Kipnis, 2B (2-for-12, 4 walks, 4 K’s off Verlander)
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS (8-for-47, 4 walks, 19 K’s off Verlander)
Michael Brantley, LF (11-for-26, 3 walks, 3 K’s off Verlander)
Carlos Santana, 1B (4-for-20, 2 HR, 4 walks, 4 K’s off Verlander)
Jason Giambi, DH (4-for-17, 2 HR, 2 walks, 9 K’s off Verlander)
Michael Reynolds, 3B (3-for-15, HR, 9 K’s off Verlander)
Ryan Raburn, RF
Yan Gomes, C

P: Ubaldo Jimenez

DET - Top 1st
B:0 S:1 O:0
Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to center fielder Michael Bourn.

With Torii Hunter batting, Andy Dirks steals (5) 2nd base.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Torii Hunter singles on a line drive to left fielder Michael Brantley. Andy Dirks to 3rd.

B:3 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera doubles (13) on a line drive to left fielder Michael Brantley. Andy Dirks scores. Torii Hunter to 3rd.
1 - 0

B:2 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder lines out to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Ryan Raburn. Torii Hunter scores.
2 - 0

B:0 S:3 O:3
Jhonny Peralta strikes out swinging.


CLE - Bot 1st
B:1 S:3 O:1
Michael Bourn called out on strikes.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Jason Kipnis called out on strikes.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Asdrubal Cabrera doubles (13) on a fly ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Michael Brantley singles on a ground ball to center fielder Don Kelly. Asdrubal Cabrera scores.
2 - 1

B:2 S:1 O:2
Carlos Santana singles on a ground ball to center fielder Don Kelly. Michael Brantley to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Jason Giambi grounds out softly to pitcher Justin Verlander.

2 - 1 AFTER 1 INNINGS

DET - Top 2nd
B:1 S:0 O:1
Brayan Pena grounds out, second baseman Jason Kipnis to first baseman Carlos Santana.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly flies out to right fielder Ryan Raburn in foul territory.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Omar Infante grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Carlos Santana.


CLE - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:0 O:0
Mark Reynolds singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Ryan Raburn singles on a fly ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. Mark Reynolds to 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Yan Gomes lines out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Michael Bourn singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. Mark Reynolds scores. Ryan Raburn to 3rd.
TIED 2 - 2

B:3 S:3 O:2
Jason Kipnis strikes out swinging. Michael Bourn steals (7) 2nd base.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Asdrubal Cabrera walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Michael Brantley grounds into a force out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Omar Infante. Asdrubal Cabrera out at 2nd.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks grounds out, second baseman Jason Kipnis to first baseman Carlos Santana.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Torii Hunter walks.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera walks. Torii Hunter to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Prince Fielder hits a ground-rule double (12) on a line drive down the left-field line. Torii Hunter scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.
3 - 2

B:1 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Michael Brantley. Miguel Cabrera scores.
4 - 2

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta doubles (11) on a ground ball to right fielder Ryan Raburn. Prince Fielder scores.
5 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Brayan Pena doubles (2) on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Raburn. Jhonny Peralta scores.
6 - 2

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

B:3 S:1 O:3
Omar Infante grounds into a force out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to second baseman Jason Kipnis. Don Kelly out at 2nd.


CLE - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Carlos Santana strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jason Giambi flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

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

6 - 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks flies out to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Torii Hunter singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.

With Prince Fielder batting, wild pitch by Ubaldo Jimenez, Torii Hunter to 2nd.

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

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


CLE - Bot 4th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Ryan Raburn strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Yan Gomes singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Michael Bourn strikes out swinging.

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

6 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
Pitching Change: David Huff replaces Ubaldo Jimenez.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Brayan Pena singles on a ground ball to left fielder Michael Brantley. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Don Kelly singles on a ground ball to center fielder Michael Bourn. Jhonny Peralta scores. Brayan Pena to 2nd.
7 - 2

B:2 S:1 O:0
Omar Infante singles on a line drive to left fielder Michael Brantley. Brayan Pena scores. Don Kelly to 3rd.
8 - 2

B:0 S:3 O:1
Andy Dirks strikes out swinging.

With Torii Hunter batting, Omar Infante caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Yan Gomes to second baseman Jason Kipnis, Don Kelly scores.
9 - 2

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


CLE - Bot 5th
B:1 S:0 O:0
Asdrubal Cabrera doubles (14) on a fly ball to center fielder Don Kelly.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Mike Aviles replaces Asdrubal Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Michael Brantley singles on a ground ball to center fielder Don Kelly. Mike Aviles scores.
9 - 3

B:0 S:0 O:0
Carlos Santana homers (8) on a fly ball to right center field. Michael Brantley scores.
9 - 5

B:0 S:3 O:1
Jason Giambi strikes out swinging.


RAIN DELAY

PLAY BALL
1 HOUR RAIN DELAY

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

B:2 S:3 O:3
Ryan Raburn called out on strikes.

9 - 5 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
Mike Aviles remains in the game as the shortstop.

Pitching Change: Bryan Shaw replaces David Huff.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera pops out to second baseman Jason Kipnis.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Jason Kipnis to first baseman Carlos Santana.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Michael Brantley.


CLE - Bot 6th
Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Justin Verlander.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Yan Gomes homers (5) on a fly ball to left field.
9 - 6

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

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

B:2 S:2 O:2
Mike Aviles doubles (5) on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Michael Brantley singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks. Mike Aviles scores. Michael Brantley to 2nd on the throw.
9 - 7

Coaching visit to mound.

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

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

9 - 7 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta lines out to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Brayan Pena singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Don Kelly lines out to center fielder Michael Bourn.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Omar Infante flies out to center fielder Michael Bourn.


CLE - Bot 7th
Pitching Change: Luke Putkonen replaces Drew Smyly.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Mark Reynolds strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Ryan Raburn grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Yan Gomes called out on strikes.

9 - 7 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Defensive Substitution: Drew Stubbs replaces right fielder Ryan Raburn, batting 8th, playing right field.

Pitching Change: Rich Hill replaces Bryan Shaw.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Torii Hunter strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera homers (13) on a fly ball to center field. Andy Dirks scores.
11 - 7

B:4 S:1 O:1
Prince Fielder walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Michael Bourn.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Jhonny Peralta strikes out swinging.


CLE - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Luke Putkonen.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Michael Bourn strikes out swinging, catcher Brayan Pena to first baseman Prince Fielder.

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

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

11 - 7 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Brayan Pena grounds out, pitcher Rich Hill to first baseman Carlos Santana.

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

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


CLE - Bot 9th
Pitching Change: Jose Valverde replaces Joaquin Benoit.

Injury Delay.

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

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

B:2 S:1 O:3
Jason Giambi flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.


TIGERS WIN 11-7 AND SWEEP SERIES

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE

W: Verlander
L: Jimenez, U


Game Info

WP: Jimenez, U.
HBP: Fielder (by Jimenez, U).
Pitches-strikes: Verlander 110-75, Smyly 27-16, Putkonen 13-8, Benoit 19-11, Valverde 15-10, Jimenez, U 96-58, Huff 29-18, Shaw 23-19, Hill, R 32-21.
Groundouts-flyouts: Verlander 4-1, Smyly 3-0, Putkonen 1-0, Benoit 2-0, Valverde 1-1, Jimenez, U 4-3, Huff 0-0, Shaw 1-2, Hill, R 1-1.
Batters faced: Verlander 26, Smyly 7, Putkonen 3, Benoit 3, Valverde 3, Jimenez, U 23, Huff 6, Shaw 7, Hill, R 9.
Umpires: HP: Marty Foster. 1B: Scott Barry. 2B: Tim Welke. 3B: Mike Everitt.
Weather: 82 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 18 mph, Out to RF.
T: 3:33 (1:50 delay).
Att: 16,562.