GDT83: 7/3/13 - DET (44-38) AT TOR (41-42) - 7:07 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Max Scherzer (12-0, 3.10 ERA)

Max Scherzer, the first pitcher since Roger Clemens in 1986 to start a season 12-0, goes for his 13th win against the Blue Jays. Scherzer held the Rays to four hits over seven innings in his last start, striking out nine.



Blue Jays: RHP Josh Johnson (1-2, 5.21 ERA)

Johnson pitched just 3 1/3 innings in his last start, giving up five runs and eight hits against the Red Sox. Since returning from a triceps injury in early June, he's recorded a 1-1 record with a 4.08 ERA.





Scherzer seeks first 13-0 start since Clemens in '86
Johnson, Blue Jays aim to hand Tigers righty first loss of season

By Zack Meisel / MLB.com | 7/2/2013 10:43 PM ET

On July 2, 1986, Red Sox hurler Roger Clemens suffered his first loss of the season.

The Blue Jays were the responsible party. They scratched across four runs and marred The Rocket's won-loss record, which had stood at 14-0.

On Wednesday, Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer will attempt to become the first pitcher to start a season 13-0 since Clemens 27 years ago.

Scherzer's opponent? Those pesky Blue Jays.

Scherzer has earned a victory each of his last five times out and in seven of his last eight starts. During that stretch, he has compiled a 2.25 ERA.

Clemens averaged more than eight innings per start and tossed five complete games during his winning streak in '86. Scherzer has logged fewer than seven frames per outing, and is the first pitcher to start 10-0 without recording a complete game. However, Scherzer's 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings trump Clemens' mark of 9.1.

Historical comparisons aside, Detroit manager Jim Leyland is just pleased that the 28-year-old has emerged as a top-notch pitcher.

"He's obviously been tremendous and a couple times we obviously scored at the right time," Leyland said. "He's been as good as it gets."

Leyland cautions, though, that Scherzer isn't much different from last year, when he went 16-7 with a 3.74 ERA.

"He's added a little curveball, a show-me pitch, which helped him some," Leyland said. "But other than that, he's pretty much [the same]."

Scherzer has fared well against Toronto throughout his career. He has a 3-0 record and 1.59 ERA in five outings against the club, allowing two runs or fewer in each start.

Jose Bautista is 6-for-11 with three doubles and a home run in his career against Scherzer. Edwin Encarnacion is 5-for-15 with a solo homer.

Josh Johnson will take the hill for the Blue Jays. The righty lasted only 1 1/3 innings against Detroit on April 11, when he surrendered six runs on seven hits.

Tigers: Porcello gets ban
• Right-hander Rick Porcello received a six-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for hitting Ben Zobrist with a pitch last week. The plunking came a day after Rays closer Fernando Rodney threw a pitch high and tight to Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera. Porcello is appealing the suspension.

Both Porcello and Leyland declined to comment on Tuesday. Rays skipper Joe Maddon wasn't pleased with Porcello's pitch.

"I thought it was absolutely uncalled for," Maddon said. "That's totally premeditated. There's no question about that."

Blue Jays: Lineup missing key bats
Encarnacion, Adam Lind and J.P. Arencibia all sat out Tuesday's contest. Toronto expects to get the trio back soon. Thus, the team doesn't plan to make any roster moves.

"I think we're just going to wait and see if guys are feeling better," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "It looks like they'll both be playing tomorrow. If it was something that was going to go into eight or nine days, then maybe you might have to do something."

Worth noting
• Scherzer has allowed only six hits per nine innings this season. His previous best in a full season came last year, when he yielded 8.6 hits per nine frames.

• Scherzer has tallied six or more strikeouts in all 16 of his starts this year.

Zack Meisel is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @zackmeisel. 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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• 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: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (6-5, 2.76 ERA)) AT
INDIANS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
4:05  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• SUN, Jul 07:
TIGERS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA)) AT
INDIANS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
1:05  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off Josh Johnson)

   Austin Jackson, cf (1-for-2)
   Torii Hunter, rf (3-for-4)
   Miguel Cabrera, 3b (1-for-1, walk)
   Prince Fielder, 1b (5-for-12, 3 walks)
   Victor Martinez, dh (1-for-1)
   Jhonny Peralta, ss (1-for-1)
   Andy Dirks, lf (0-for-1, K)
   Omar Infante, 2b (2-for-8, walk, 2 K’s)
   Alex Avila, c (1-for-1)

P: Max Scherzer




BLUE JAYS (career numbers off Scherzer)

   Jose Reyes, SS
   Jose Bautista, RF (6-for-11, HR, 3 walks, K)
   Adam Lind, DH (1-for-5, HR, walk)
   Colby Rasmus, CF (1-for-5, walk)
   Rajai Davis, LF (2-for-10, 2 walks, K)
   Maicer Izturis, 3B (3-for-10, 2 walks, 2 K’s)
   Mark DeRosa, 1B (0-for-2, K)
   J.P. Arencibia, C (1-for-4, walk)
   Emilio Bonifacio, 2B (2-for-3, K)

P: Josh Johnson

DET - Top 1st
B:1 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson lines out to center fielder Colby Rasmus.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Torii Hunter strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera pops out to second baseman Emilio Bonifacio.


TOR - Bot 1st
B:3 S:3 O:1
Jose Reyes strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jose Bautista doubles (16) on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Adam Lind called out on strikes.

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

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:1 S:1 O:0
Prince Fielder singles on a sharp ground ball to pitcher Josh Johnson.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Emilio Bonifacio. Prince Fielder to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to center fielder Colby Rasmus. Prince Fielder scores. Victor Martinez to 2nd.
DET 1 - 0

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

B:2 S:0 O:2
Omar Infante lines out to right fielder Jose Bautista.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila homers (6) on a fly ball to left field. Victor Martinez scores. Jhonny Peralta scores.
DET 4 - 0

B:1 S:0 O:3
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Jose Bautista.


TOR - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Rajai Davis strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Maicer Izturis flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Mark DeRosa triples (1) on a pop up to second baseman Omar Infante.

B:1 S:2 O:3
J. P. Arencibia flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

 
DET 4 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:0
Torii Hunter reaches on a fielding error by pitcher Josh Johnson.

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

B:0 S:3 O:1
Prince Fielder strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to center fielder Colby Rasmus. Torii Hunter scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.
DET 5 - 0

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Colby Rasmus.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks reaches on a fielding error by pitcher Josh Johnson. 

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Omar Infante lines out to right fielder Jose Bautista.


TOR - Bot 3rd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Emilio Bonifacio walks.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Jose Reyes pops out to pitcher Max Scherzer in foul territory.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Jose Bautista grounds into a double play, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Emilio Bonifacio out at 2nd.

DET 5 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a ground ball to center fielder Colby Rasmus.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson called out on strikes.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Torii Hunter singles on a line drive to left fielder Rajai Davis. Alex Avila to 2nd.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Emilio Bonifacio to first baseman Mark DeRosa.


TOR - Bot 4th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Adam Lind strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Colby Rasmus hit by pitch.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Rajai Davis grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Omar Infante. Colby Rasmus out at 2nd. Rajai Davis to 1st.

Injury Delay. (Infante injured in a take out slide by Rasmus on Omar)


Defensive Substitution: Ramon Santiago replaces second baseman Omar Infante, batting 8th, playing second base.

Detroit Tigers second baseman Omar Infante left the game due to an injured leg.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Maicer Izturis flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

DET 5 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez homers (7) on a fly ball to right field.
DET 6 - 0

B:3 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Maicer Izturis to first baseman Mark DeRosa.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Andy Dirks grounds out, first baseman Mark DeRosa to pitcher Josh Johnson.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago walks.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila lines out sharply to first baseman Mark DeRosa.


TOR - Bot 5th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Mark DeRosa flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:3 O:2
J. P. Arencibia strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Emilio Bonifacio grounds out softly to pitcher Max Scherzer.

DET 6 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
Pitching Change: Todd Redmond replaces Josh Johnson.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Rajai Davis.

B:0 S:2 O:0
Torii Hunter hit by pitch. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

On-field Delay.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera lines into a double play, shortstop Jose Reyes to second baseman Emilio Bonifacio. Austin Jackson doubled off 2nd.

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


TOR - Bot 6th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Jose Reyes singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Jose Bautista singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks. Jose Reyes to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Adam Lind strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Colby Rasmus singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. Jose Reyes scores. Jose Bautista to 2nd.
DET 6 - 1


Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Rajai Davis strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Maicer Izturis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks. Jose Bautista scores. Colby Rasmus to 2nd.
DET 6 - 2

B:2 S:2 O:3
Mark DeRosa flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

DET 6 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Colby Rasmus.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Colby Rasmus.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Andy Dirks flies out to left fielder Rajai Davis.


TOR - Bot 7th
B:1 S:1 O:1
J. P. Arencibia flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Emilio Bonifacio singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

Pitching Change: Bruce Rondon replaces Max Scherzer.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Jose Reyes pops out softly to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Jose Bautista grounds into a force out, fielded by second baseman Ramon Santiago. Emilio Bonifacio out at 2nd.

DET 6 - 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Ramon Santiago flies out to left fielder Rajai Davis in foul territory.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Alex Avila strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Austin Jackson grounds out, pitcher Todd Redmond to first baseman Mark DeRosa.


TOR - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Bruce Rondon.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Adam Lind flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Colby Rasmus singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Rajai Davis called out on strikes.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Maicer Izturis strikes out swinging.

 DET 6 - 2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitching Change: Dustin McGowan replaces Todd Redmond.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Torii Hunter strikes out swinging.

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

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


TOR - Bot 9th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces third baseman Miguel Cabrera, batting 3rd, playing third base.

Pitching Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Drew Smyly.

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

B:2 S:3 O:2
J. P. Arencibia strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Emilio Bonifacio singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Jose Reyes flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

 
TIGERS WIN 6-2

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Scherzer
L: Johnson, Jo


Game Info

HBP: Hunter, To (by Redmond), Rasmus, C (by Scherzer).
Pitches-strikes: Scherzer 113-79, Rondon, B 6-3, Smyly 15-13, Benoit 18-14, Johnson, Jo 105-63, Redmond 42-27, McGowan 18-11.
Groundouts-flyouts: Scherzer 3-6, Rondon, B 1-0, Smyly 0-1, Benoit 0-1, Johnson, Jo 6-2, Redmond 1-4, McGowan 0-0.
Batters faced: Scherzer 27, Rondon, B 2, Smyly 4, Benoit 4, Johnson, Jo 27, Redmond 10, McGowan 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Rondon, B 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Mike Estabrook. 1B: Jerry Layne. 2B: Hunter Wendelstedt. 3B: Alan Porter.
Weather: 70 degrees, overcast.
Wind: 7 mph, In from RF.
T: 3:11.
Att: 28,958.
Venue: Rogers Centre.
July 3, 2013