GDT79: 6/29/13 - DET (43-35) AT TB (41-39) - 7:15 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (8-5, 3.90 ERA)

Verlander hasn't pitched longer than five innings in his last two starts, something he hasn't done since April 2010. He allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out four Sunday in a no-decision against the Red Sox.



Rays: RHP Chris Archer (2-3, 4.21 ERA)

Archer picked up his second win of the season Sunday in New York when he held the Yankees to one run in six innings. He has top-of-the-rotation stuff, but had struggled with his command, which has led to high pitch counts and short starts.






Verlander looks to rebound against Rays
Archer faces Tigers looking to retain spot in rotation

By Bobby Nightengale / MLB.com | 6/28/2013 11:07 PM ET

With David Price set to return from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, Chris Archer may be pitching for a spot in the Rays rotation when he faces the Tigers and Justin Verlander on Saturday night at Tropicana Field.

It's likely that either Archer or Alex Colome -- who pitched six innings in Friday's 6-3 loss to Detroit -- will be sent down to Triple-A Durham to make room for Price. Archer allowed one earned run in six innings against the Yankees last Sunday, but has struggled to go deep into games this season due to high pitch counts.

"Whatever we decide to do, it's going to be tough," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I like what both of them have been doing. I honestly don't have a strong opinion right now. We just discussed that. I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other. I think both these young guys have represented themselves well."

Verlander hasn't been his usual dominant self, pitching only five innings in each of his last two starts. He's failed to pitch longer than five innings in five of his last nine starts. The Tigers need their starters to go deeper into games to help the relievers establish their roles and to keep them fresh.

"I've got to get it straightened out," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "I'll take full responsibility for that. We need some sense of order."

Verlander has struggled with his command lately, unable to get a strike on 20 of his 34 offspeed pitches in his last start, according to Brooks Baseball. He feels, however, that it can be fixed.

"The stuff is there, just a lot of location, really," Verlander said after his last start. "The offspeed stuff wasn't very good today, the changeup and curveball weren't very good. It's just leaving a lot of stuff over the middle of the plate, whether it being to put guys away or early in the count, or whatever it is."


Rays: Longoria knocked out of game due to foot
• Evan Longoria left Friday's game after the second inning after irritating the plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

Longoria hit a ground ball to second base in the second inning, and started limping while running down the line. Longoria has battled plantar fasciitis for about a month.

The Rays will re-evaluate Longoria on Saturday.

• Price will return to the mound on Tuesday to face the Astros.

Last year's American League Cy Young award winner has been on the disabled list since May 16 with a strained left triceps.

"He's ready to go. We felt that pretty strongly. He feels very good," Maddon said. "There was no reason to have him throw those 90 pitches in Port Charlotte, so we'll just have him do it for us. He was adamant that he felt great, the medical staff feels good about it, so let's do it with us."

The left-hander was 1-4 with a 5.24 ERA in nine games before his injury and has made two rehab starts for Class A Charlotte in the past week.

• Alex Cobb played catch for the first time since being struck on the right side of his head with a line drive on June 15.

"It's great," Maddon said. "Anytime I walk by him, he tells me he's having a good day and that's good to hear. We'll just take our time with him and follow his lead."

Tigers: Sanchez set for rehab start
• After throwing about 40 pitches in a simulated game Thursday, right-hander Anibal Sanchez is ready to pitch in a game. However, it will be a Minor League rehab game on Monday.

Sanchez will throw around 60 pitches at either Class A Lakeland, Gulf Coast League or Double-A Erie, depending on weather conditions. If his start goes as planned, he could return to the rotation on July 6 against the Indians.

• Although rookie reliever Bruce Rondon returned to the Tigers bullpen Friday, he won't be closing games just yet.

"He's not being brought back as the closer. Period. Which he is aware of," Leyland said.

The Tigers optioned right-hander Evan Reed to Triple-A Toledo prior to Friday's game to make room for Rondon on the 25-man roster. Rondon had a 1-1 record with 14 saves and a 1.52 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings at Toledo.

Worth noting
• Since Aug. 11, 2010, the Rays have lost 15 of their last 19 games to the Tigers, while Detroit pitchers have compiled a 2.36 ERA.

• It's either all or nothing for Matt Joyce against Justin Verlander. In 14 career at-bats, Joyce has six hits -- including two home runs -- and six strikeouts.

Bobby Nightengale is an associate reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @nightengalejr. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.






INJURY UPDATE:


• RHP Octavio Dotel (Right elbow inflammation, transferred from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list on June 8, 2013.)

• RHP Anibal Sanchez (Right shoulder stiffness, placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 16, 2013.)

• C Alex Avila (Left forearm injury, placed on the 15-day disabled list June 17, 2013.)

• LF Matt Tuiasosopo (Left strained intercostal, placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 20, 2013.)







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• SUN, Jun 30:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (4-5, 5.27 ERA)) AT
RAYS: (RHP Jeremy Hellickson (6-3, 5.11 ERA))
1:40  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• MON, Jul 01:
TIGERS: (LHP Jose Alvarez (1-1, 3.78 ERA)) AT
BLUE JAYS: (RHP R.A. Dickey (7-8, 4.72 ERA))
1:07  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• TUE, Jul 02:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (6-5, 3.50 ERA)) AT
BLUE JAYS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:07  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• WED, Jul 03:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (12-0, 3.10 ERA)) AT
BLUE JAYS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:07  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

   Austin Jackson, CF
   Andy Dirks, LF
   Miguel Cabrera, 3B
   Prince Fielder, 1B
   Victor Martinez, DH
   Jhonny Peralta, SS
   Don Kelly, RF
   Omar Infante, 2B
   Brayan Pena, C (0-for-1, walk, K against Archer)

P: Justin Verlander


RAYS (career numbers off Verlander)

   Matt Joyce, LF (6-for-14, 2 HR, walk, 6 K’s)
   Desmond Jennings, CF (3-for-7, 2 HR, K)
   Ben Zobrist, 2B (5-for-28, HR, 2 walks, 7 K’s)
   James Loney, 1B
   Wil Myers, RF
   Luke Scott, DH (4-for-17, HR, walk, 4 K’s)
   Yunel Escobar, SS (2-for-12, 2 walks)
   Jose Molina, C (1-for-7, 3 K’s)
   Kelly Johnson, 3B (0-for-11, 6 K’s)

P: Chris Archer

DET - Top 1st
B:4 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson walks.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Andy Dirks called out on strikes.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds out sharply, third baseman Kelly Johnson to first baseman James Loney. Austin Jackson to 2nd.


B:4 S:1 O:2
Prince Fielder walks.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Victor Martinez strikes out swinging.


TB - Bot 1st
B:0 S:2 O:1
Matt Joyce grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Justin Verlander.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Desmond Jennings grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Ben Zobrist singles on a line drive to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:2 S:2 O:2
James Loney singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Ben Zobrist to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Wil Myers flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

 0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Kelly Johnson to first baseman James Loney.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly grounds out, shortstop Yunel Escobar to first baseman James Loney.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Omar Infante doubles (15) on a line drive to left fielder Matt Joyce.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Brayan Pena grounds out, third baseman Kelly Johnson to first baseman James Loney.


TB - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Luke Scott flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Yunel Escobar singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Jose Molina strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Kelly Johnson lines out to second baseman Omar Infante.

  0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson homers (4) on a fly ball to right field.
DET 1 - 0

B:0 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks grounds out, second baseman Ben Zobrist to first baseman James Loney.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Joyce.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Prince Fielder flies out to center fielder Desmond Jennings.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Desmond Jennings. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

With Jhonny Peralta batting, wild pitch by Chris Archer, Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Matt Joyce. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez scores.
DET 3 - 0

B:1 S:1 O:3
Don Kelly grounds out, second baseman Ben Zobrist to first baseman James Loney.


TB - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:1
Matt Joyce lines out to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Desmond Jennings triples (4) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Ben Zobrist grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Desmond Jennings scores.
DET 3 - 1


B:1 S:0 O:3
James Loney lines out sharply to right fielder Don Kelly.

 DET 3 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Omar Infante flies out to center fielder Desmond Jennings.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Brayan Pena grounds out softly, second baseman Ben Zobrist to first baseman James Loney.

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


TB - Bot 4th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Wil Myers singles on a soft ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Luke Scott grounds into a double play, second baseman Omar Infante to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder. Wil Myers out at 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Yunel Escobar walks.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Jose Molina walks. Yunel Escobar to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Kelly Johnson grounds into a force out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Omar Infante. Jose Molina out at 2nd.

  DET 3 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks grounds out, shortstop Yunel Escobar to first baseman James Loney.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder lines out to left fielder Matt Joyce.

With Victor Martinez batting, wild pitch by Chris Archer, Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

With Victor Martinez batting, wild pitch by Chris Archer, Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Ben Zobrist to first baseman James Loney.


TB - Bot 5th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Matt Joyce reaches on a throwing error by first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Desmond Jennings strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ben Zobrist singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Don Kelly. Matt Joyce to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:1
James Loney singles on a line drive to right fielder Don Kelly. Matt Joyce scores. Ben Zobrist to 2nd.
DET 3 - 2

B:1 S:2 O:3
Wil Myers grounds into a double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. James Loney out at 2nd.

DET 3 - 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
Pitching Change: Alex Torres replaces Chris Archer.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Jhonny Peralta strikes out swinging.

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

B:0 S:0 O:3
Omar Infante grounds out, third baseman Kelly Johnson to first baseman James Loney.


TB - Bot 6th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Luke Scott grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Yunel Escobar flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Jose Molina walks.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Kelly Johnson lines out sharply to right fielder Don Kelly.

 DET 3 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Brayan Pena flies out to right fielder Wil Myers.

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

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

B:2 S:3 O:2
Avisail Garcia called out on strikes.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Kelly Johnson to first baseman James Loney.


TB - Bot 7th
Avisail Garcia remains in the game as the right fielder.

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

B:4 S:1 O:0
Matt Joyce walks.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Desmond Jennings called out on strikes.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Ben Zobrist singles on a ground ball to right fielder Avisail Garcia. Matt Joyce to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
James Loney grounds into a double play, second baseman Omar Infante to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder. Ben Zobrist out at 2nd.

 DET 3 - 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitching Change: Joel Peralta replaces Alex Torres.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Prince Fielder flies out to center fielder Desmond Jennings.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to center fielder Desmond Jennings. Victor Martinez advances to 2nd, on a fielding error by center fielder Desmond Jennings.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Wil Myers.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Don Kelly grounds out softly, third baseman Kelly Johnson to first baseman James Loney.


TB - Bot 8th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Wil Myers grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Luke Scott homers (5) on a line drive to right field.
TIED 3-3

B:1 S:1 O:2
Yunel Escobar grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Jose Molina strikes out swinging.

TIED 3-3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitching Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Joel Peralta.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante grounds out to first baseman James Loney.

On-field Delay.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Brayan Pena doubles (5) on a soft line drive to right fielder Wil Myers.

Injury Delay.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson pops out to third baseman Kelly Johnson.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Avisail Garcia strikes out swinging.


TB - Bot 9th
Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Justin Verlander.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Ryan Roberts replaces Kelly Johnson.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Ryan Roberts strikes out swinging, catcher Brayan Pena to first baseman Prince Fielder.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Sean Rodriguez replaces Matt Joyce.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Sean Rodriguez strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Desmond Jennings strikes out swinging.

 TIED 3-3 AFTER 9 INNINGS

DET - Top 10th
Sean Rodriguez remains in the game as the left fielder.

Ryan Roberts remains in the game as the third baseman.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder grounds out, first baseman James Loney to pitcher Fernando Rodney.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Desmond Jennings.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds into a force out, third baseman Ryan Roberts to second baseman Ben Zobrist. Victor Martinez out at 2nd.


TB - Bot 10th
Pitching Change: Bruce Rondon replaces Drew Smyly.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ben Zobrist flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:1
James Loney singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Sam Fuld replaces James Loney.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Wil Myers singles on a sharp line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Sam Fuld to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Luke Scott strikes out swinging.

With Yunel Escobar batting, wild pitch by Bruce Rondon, Sam Fuld to 3rd. Wil Myers to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Yunel Escobar singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Sam Fuld scores. Wil Myers to 3rd.

 
TIGERS LOSE 3-4 IN 10 INNINGS

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W: Rodney
L: Rondon, B



Game Info

WP: Rondon, B, Archer 3.
Pitches-strikes: Verlander 119-78, Smyly 14-10, Rondon, B 15-9, Archer 94-57, Torres, A 26-15, Peralta, Jo 11-8, Rodney 32-22.
Groundouts-flyouts: Verlander 11-3, Smyly 0-0, Rondon, B 0-1, Archer 9-1, Torres, A 2-1, Peralta, Jo 1-2, Rodney 3-0.
Batters faced: Verlander 35, Smyly 3, Rondon, B 5, Archer 23, Torres, A 7, Peralta, Jo 4, Rodney 8.
Umpires: HP: Dan Iassogna. 1B: Vic Carapazza. 2B: Mark Carlson. 3B: Brian Knight.
Weather: 72 degrees, dome.
Wind: Indoors.
T: 3:24.
Att: 23,809.
Venue: Tropicana Field.
June 29, 2013