GDT82: 7/2/13 - DET (43-38) AT TOR (41-41) - 7:07 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (6-5, 3.50 ERA)

Fister has delivered quality starts in six of his last seven outings but won only one of them thanks to a dearth of run support. The latest saw seven innings of one-run ball against the Angels wasted in a no-decision Thursday.



Blue Jays: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (1-1, 5.24 ERA)

Wang struggled mightily in his previous outing against the Red Sox. He lasted 1 2/3 innings and gave up all seven runs of a 7-4 loss. He has two quality starts in four appearances this season.





Fister looking to stay hot vs. Wang, Blue Jays
Detroit right-hander has six quality starts in last seven outings

By Adam Berry / MLB.com | 7/1/2013 5:40 PM ET

All of a sudden, the Tigers are no longer sitting atop the American League Central and the Blue Jays are back at .500.

Toronto's 8-3 win over Detroit on Monday moved the Blue Jays to 41-41 -- still last in the AL East -- and pushed the Tigers to 43-38 -- a half-game back of the Indians in the AL Central. It's the first time since May 23 Detroit hasn't been in first place.

That's not to say, of course, that anyone's going to start taking Detroit lightly, as it heads into Tuesday night's game at Rogers Centre, the second of a four-game set in Canada.

"There's some pretty good hitters that you have to get out," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said of the Tigers. "They have some proven big league hitters that have always been big run producers, so you figure you have to score. You figure it's going to be that kind of series. We have to score some runs I would think."

The key for Toronto on Tuesday will be getting to Detroit right-hander Doug Fister, which has been no easy task for the Blue Jays since he joined the Tigers. Fister has delivered eight innings of one-run ball in each of his two starts against Toronto, the first coming last July at Rogers Centre, the second on April 11 at Comerica Park. Only one of the 15 hits he's allowed over those two outings went for extra bases.

There's no doubt the Tigers, who have lost six of their last seven, could use a similar outing from Fister on Tuesday given their starters' recent bout of early exits.

Fister would seem to be the man for the job, as he's put together quality starts in six of his last seven outings, even if he only has one win to show for it.

The Blue Jays will start right-hander Chien-Ming Wang, who's coming off a rough outing against the Red Sox, giving up seven runs in only 1 2/3 innings. It won't get any easier on Tuesday, as he'll be tasked with keeping Detroit's star-studded lineup in check.

"They're good -- defending American League champs," Gibbons said. "You look at the depth of their starting rotation, they come at you with some of the best pitchers in the game, and they have a tremendous offense.

"You try to go toe-for-toe with them, you definitely have to match them on the mound. But the key, in a lot of ways, to beating this team is you have to keep [Austin] Jackson and [Torii] Hunter off base before you get to [Miguel] Cabrera, [Prince] Fielder and [Victor] Martinez. Top to bottom, they're loaded with good hitters, so it's not going to be easy, that's for sure."

Tigers: Avila activated off DL
The Tigers activated catcher Alex Avila from the 15-day disabled list following Monday's game, ending his rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo after it took a more positive turn. Avila was 8-for-25 over his last six games for the Mud Hens, easing concerns about his right forearm bruise and his ability to hit when he returns to the Tigers' lineup.

Detroit optioned catcher Bryan Holaday to make room for Avila on the active roster.

• Anibal Sanchez could be making his next start for the Tigers, most likely in Cleveland on Saturday. Sanchez stayed behind in Florida when the Tigers flew north on Sunday and was scheduled to make a rehab start Monday in Lakeland, building up his endurance by throwing about 60 pitches or so with the hope that he'll be ready the next time his spot in the rotation comes up.

Blue Jays: Encarnacion fighting injuries
Edwin Encarnacion was a late scratch from the Jays' lineup on Monday due to a sore left hamstring. He was initially listed at designated hitter, batting third, but was taken out of the lineup about 30 minutes before the game began.

In addition to the sore hamstring, Encarnacion has been dealing with a sore wrist "for a few days," Gibbons said, but he hadn't been sidelined by either injury until Monday.

• Adam Lind was also too banged up to play on Monday, as he's battling soreness in his back. Mark DeRosa, who's playing through a sore neck himself, wound up starting at first base, and he hit a three-run homer. Toronto hasn't needed to make a roster move despite a short bench, but that could change if Encarnacion, Lind or DeRosa need more time off. Lind was hopeful he could avoid the disabled list.

"Right now, hopefully it's just a couple days," he said. "I came out of the game so it would only be a couple days instead of trying to play through it and turn it into a month. That's the reason."

Worth noting
• The Tigers have been outscored, 42-26, over their past seven games.

• With Monday's victory, Toronto has won seven straight and 11 of its last 13 games at home.

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, 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.)

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







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• WED, Jul 03:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (12-0, 3.10 ERA)) AT
BLUE JAYS: (RHP Josh Johnson (1-2, 5.21 ERA))
7:07  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• THU, Jul 04:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (8-5, 3.77 ERA)) AT
BLUE JAYS: (RHP Esmil Rogers (3-3, 3.12 ERA))
7:07  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• FRI, Jul 05:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (4-6, 5.21 ERA)) AT
INDIANS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:05  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• SAT, Jul 06:
TIGERS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA)) AT
INDIANS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
4:05  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:


Detroit
Jackson, A, CF
Hunter, To, RF
Cabrera, M, 3B
Fielder, 1B
Martinez, V, DH
Peralta, Jh, SS
Dirks, LF
Infante, 2B
Avila, C

Toronto
Reyes, SS
Davis, R, LF
Bautista, RF
Rasmus, C, CF
DeRosa, 1B
Izturis, M, 3B
Thole, C
Bonifacio, 2B
Kawasaki, DH

DET - Top 1st
B:2 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Jose Reyes to first baseman Mark DeRosa.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Torii Hunter singles on a ground ball to center fielder Colby Rasmus.

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

B:0 S:1 O:2
Prince Fielder lines out to right fielder Jose Bautista.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, pitcher Chien-Ming Wang to first baseman Mark DeRosa.




TOR - Bot 1st
B:3 S:1 O:0
Jose Reyes singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter, deflected by first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Rajai Davis hit by pitch. Jose Reyes to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Jose Bautista singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks. Jose Reyes scores. Rajai Davis to 2nd.
TOR 1 - 0

With Colby Rasmus batting, passed ball by Alex Avila, Rajai Davis to 3rd. Jose Bautista to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Colby Rasmus hits a ground-rule double (13) on a fly ball to left field. Rajai Davis scores. Jose Bautista scores.
TOR 3 - 0

B:1 S:3 O:1
Mark DeRosa strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Maicer Izturis grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Colby Rasmus to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Josh Thole singles on a ground ball to third baseman Miguel Cabrera. Colby Rasmus scores.
TOR 4 - 0

B:1 S:2 O:2
Emilio Bonifacio doubles (14) on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks. Josh Thole to 3rd.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Munenori Kawasaki grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

 TOR 4 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Colby Rasmus.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Andy Dirks singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Colby Rasmus. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Omar Infante doubles (18) on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Rajai Davis. Jhonny Peralta scores. Andy Dirks to 3rd.
TOR 4 - 1


B:2 S:0 O:0
Alex Avila doubles (5) on a fly ball to left fielder Rajai Davis. Andy Dirks scores. Omar Infante scores.
TOR 4 - 3

Coaching visit to mound.

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

B:0 S:1 O:1
Torii Hunter singles on a line drive to right fielder Jose Bautista. Alex Avila to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera homers (26) on a fly ball to right center field. Alex Avila scores. Torii Hunter scores.
DET 6 - 4

B:0 S:0 O:2
Prince Fielder grounds out, pitcher Chien-Ming Wang to first baseman Mark DeRosa.

B:3 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Colby Rasmus.

Pitching Change: Juan Perez replaces Chien-Ming Wang.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta walks. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Andy Dirks flies out to center fielder Colby Rasmus.


TOR - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Jose Reyes grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Rajai Davis lines out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Jose Bautista walks.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Colby Rasmus homers (15) on a line drive to center field. Jose Bautista scores.
TIED 6 - 6

B:1 S:2 O:3
Mark DeRosa flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

TIED 6 - 6 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Omar Infante strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Alex Avila called out on strikes.

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


TOR - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:2 O:1
Maicer Izturis grounds out softly, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Josh Thole grounds out softly, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Doug Fister.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Emilio Bonifacio flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

 TIED 6 - 6 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:1 S:0 O:0
Torii Hunter singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Rajai Davis.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Jose Bautista.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Prince Fielder strikes out swinging. Torii Hunter steals (2) 2nd base.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, third baseman Maicer Izturis to first baseman Mark DeRosa.


TOR - Bot 4th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Munenori Kawasaki called out on strikes.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Jose Reyes pops out to second baseman Omar Infante.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Rajai Davis grounds out softly, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

TIED 6 - 6 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
Pitching Change: Aaron Loup replaces Juan Perez.

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

B:3 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks grounds out, first baseman Mark DeRosa to pitcher Aaron Loup.

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


TOR - Bot 5th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Jose Bautista singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Colby Rasmus strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Mark DeRosa flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Maicer Izturis grounds out, pitcher Doug Fister to first baseman Prince Fielder.

TIED 6 - 6 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
Pitching Change: Brett Cecil replaces Aaron Loup.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Rajai Davis.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson doubles (11) on a line drive to left fielder Rajai Davis.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Torii Hunter flies out to right fielder Jose Bautista.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Brett Cecil intentionally walks Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Prince Fielder lines out sharply to left fielder Rajai Davis.


TOR - Bot 6th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Josh Thole flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Emilio Bonifacio grounds out softly to pitcher Doug Fister.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Munenori Kawasaki strikes out swinging.

TIED 6 - 6 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Victor Martinez strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Jhonny Peralta called out on strikes.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Andy Dirks strikes out on a foul tip.


TOR - Bot 7th
Pitching Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Doug Fister.

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

B:1 S:1 O:2
Rajai Davis pops out to second baseman Omar Infante.

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

B:0 S:3 O:3
Colby Rasmus strikes out swinging.

 TIED 6 - 6 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitching Change: Neil Wagner replaces Brett Cecil.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Omar Infante singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Colby Rasmus.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Neil Wagner to first baseman Mark DeRosa. Omar Infante to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Colby Rasmus. Omar Infante to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jose Reyes, deflected by pitcher Neil Wagner. Omar Infante scores.
DET 7 - 6

B:2 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera called out on strikes.


TOR - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Mark DeRosa lines out to second baseman Omar Infante.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Maicer Izturis pops out to second baseman Omar Infante.

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

DET 7 - 6 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitching Change: Darren Oliver replaces Neil Wagner.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Prince Fielder pops out to catcher Josh Thole in foul territory.

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

B:3 S:3 O:3
Jhonny Peralta strikes out on a foul tip.




TOR - Bot 9th
Pitching Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Drew Smyly.

Defensive Substitution: Ramon Santiago replaces third baseman Miguel Cabrera, batting 3rd, playing third base.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Emilio Bonifacio bunt grounds out, pitcher Joaquin Benoit to first baseman Prince Fielder.

On-field Delay.

Toronto Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons ejected by HP umpire Alan Porter.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Munenori Kawasaki strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Jose Reyes grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

 
TIGERS WIN 7-6

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Alburquerque
L: Wagner
S: Benoit


Game Info

IBB: Cabrera, M (by Cecil).
HBP: Davis, R (by Fister).
Pitches-strikes: Fister 104-66, Alburquerque 15-9, Smyly 16-11, Benoit 12-9, Wang 40-24, Perez, J 41-25, Loup 17-10, Cecil 28-17, Wagner 11-8, Oliver, D 16-9.
Groundouts-flyouts: Fister 8-4, Alburquerque 1-0, Smyly 1-0, Benoit 2-0, Wang 3-0, Perez, J 1-2, Loup 1-0, Cecil 0-2, Wagner 1-1, Oliver, D 0-0.
Batters faced: Fister 27, Alburquerque 4, Smyly 3, Benoit 3, Wang 14, Perez, J 9, Loup 3, Cecil 8, Wagner 5, Oliver, D 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Perez, J 1-0.
Ejections: Toronto Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons ejected by HP umpire Alan Porter (9th)
Umpires: HP: Alan Porter. 1B: Mike Estabrook. 2B: Jerry Layne. 3B: Hunter Wendelstedt.
Weather: 69 degrees, clear.
Wind: 7 mph, Out to CF.
T: 2:48.
Att: 27,189.
Venue: Rogers Centre.
July 2, 2013