GDT84: 7/4/13 - DET (45-38) AT TOR (41-43) - 7:07 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (8-5, 3.77 ERA)

Verlander allowed nine hits and walked four Saturday in a no-decision against the Rays. He and manager Jim Leyland were pleased with the changes Verlander has made in his delivery, altering the tilt of his shoulders.



Blur Jays: RHP Esmil Rogers (3-3, 3.12 ERA)

Rogers tossed six shutout innings against the Red Sox in his last start. He has emerged as an effective option in the Blue Jays rotation and has recorded three quality starts in his last four outings, while posting a 2.27 ERA in June.





Verlander hopes history repeats at Rogers Centre
After tossing no-no in last trip to Toronto, righty faces Rogers in finale

By Bobby Nightengale / MLB.com | 7/4/2013 12:05 AM ET

The last time Justin Verlander entered Rogers Centre to face the Blue Jays, his ERA was at 3.75. He then proceeded to toss his second career no-hitter, before ultimately winning the American League Most Valuable Player Award. He will enter Thursday's start with a 3.77 ERA, and the Tigers are hoping he can regain some of that magic after Detroit's 6-2 win on Wednesday.


"I feel like that start kind of made me the pitcher that I am," Verlander said. "It was really the first time in my career where I had a pitch or two not working great but I was able to find my rhythm with those as the game went along and totally use some other pitches. My slider was huge for me that game. It just kind of felt like that matured me as a pitcher, and I was able to use those lessons moving forward."

Verlander hasn't pitched with his usual dominance this season, but he altered the tilt of his shoulders before his last start. The change in mechanics paid immediate dividends, as Verlander pitched more than seven innings for the first time this year, allowing three runs on nine hits in eight innings against the Rays on Saturday.

"I thought Verlander was really locked in from about the fifth inning on," manager Jim Leyland said. "He was absolutely terrific. I thought that was the best that he's thrown in a long time. As the game went on, his stuff got much, much better."

Esmil Rogers will face off against Verlander in only his seventh start this season after working out of the bullpen. Although he occasionally lost faith in his off-speed pitches in his first few starts, he pitched six scoreless innings against the Red Sox on Saturday, with six strikeouts.

"You've got to attack those guys and come in the zone early," manager John Gibbons said. "That changes everything. It puts them on the defensive a little bit, and then you can come in the zone and expand late when you're ahead late."

While Verlander said he doesn't have any superstitions for throwing a no-hitter in Toronto, that didn't stop him from remembering what he did last time.

"A lot of memories, fond memories, just being able to have my teammates, a lot of the same guys here," Verlander said. "We actually got together at the same place we went to after the no-hitter, some of us. Very cool. A lot of fond memories, like I said, but a different time."

Blue Jays: Encarnacion may return Thursday
After Adam Lind returned to the Blue Jays' lineup for Wednesday's game, Edwin Encarnacion might be able to play on Thursday.

Encarnacion, who leads the team with 23 home runs and 66 RBIs, has been dealing with left hamstring issues since Sunday.

"If you rush that, and you re-injure it or make it worse, then you're shot," Gibbons said on Wednesday. "So buy him that extra day."

• Despite the rocky season for Ricky Romero, general manager Alex Anthopoulos said he has seen some positive signs from the left-hander.

"You're starting to see some of the strikeouts come back, which is important because he's getting ahead and he's able to use his changeup," Anthopoulos said. "From a consistency standpoint, you want to see him have the results he needs to have at that level start after start. So I want to see him do it for a while."

Romero was sent to Triple-A Buffalo in the middle of May after struggling through two starts with the Blue Jays. In his last start in the Minors, he allowed three earned runs on six hits while striking out seven in six innings against Charlotte.

Tigers: Leyland finally happy with bullpen
Through multiple role changes and then a stretch of bad starts that taxed the relievers, Leyland is happier with how the bullpen is coming together.

"I feel pretty comfortable right now with our bullpen," Leyland said. "This is the most comfortable I've felt all year with the bullpen. I think we've finally got it to where it's very workable. I like it."

Leyland is going to end multi-inning roles for right-hander Al Alburquerque and lefty Phil Coke, leaving righty Luke Putkonen and left-hander Darin Downs as the only long relievers.

• Matt Tuiasosopo began his Minor League rehab assignment batting cleanup Wednesday for Triple-A Toledo. Leyland is hoping he will return when he's eligible to come off of the 15-day disabled list on Friday, but Tuiasosopo also has the option of staying with the Mud Hens over the weekend if he feels that he needs more at-bats.

Tuiasosopo was placed on the DL with an intercostal strain that occurred during batting practice on June 20, scratching him against the Red Sox. Avisail Garcia is expected to return to Toledo once Tuiasosopo is back with the team.

Worth noting
• The Tigers have won 18 of their last 28 games against the Blue Jays since Sept. 13, 2009.

• Maicer Izturis is batting .407 against Verlander in his career, the second highest among players with more than 25 at-bats against the right-hander.







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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• 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: (RHP Doug Fister (6-5, 3.80 ERA)) AT
INDIANS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
1:05  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• MON, Jul 08:
TIGERS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA)) AT
INDIANS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:05  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off Esmil Rogers)

   Austin Jackson, CF (0-for-4, K)
   Andy Dirks, LF (1-for-2, 2 walks)
   Torii Hunter, RF (3-for-4)
   Prince Fielder, 1B (4-for-10, HR, walk)
   Victor Martinez, DH (0-for-1)
   Jhonny Peralta, SS (1-for-4, K)
   Alex Avila, C (2-for-3, K)
   Ramon Santiago, 2B
   Don Kelly, 3B (0-for-1)

P: Justin Verlander




BLUE JAYS (career numbers off Verlander)

   Jose Reyes, SS (3-for-4, walk)
   Jose Bautista, RF (3-for-10, HR, walk, 2 K’s)
   Edwin Encarnacion, DH (2-for-16, 2 HR, 3 K’s)
   Adam Lind, 1B (4-for-14, 2 HR, walk, K)
   Colby Rasmus, CF (2-for-5, 2 walks, K’s)
   Maicer Izturis, 3B (11-for-27, 2 walks, 4 K’s)
   Rajai Davis, LF (2-for-11, 3 K’s)
   J.P. Arencibia, C (0-for-2, walk)
   Munenori, Kawasaki, 2B

P: Esmil Rogers

DET - Top 1st
B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to center fielder Colby Rasmus.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Andy Dirks doubles (6) on a line drive to center fielder Colby Rasmus. Austin Jackson scores.
DET 1 - 0

B:3 S:1 O:1
Torii Hunter grounds out, shortstop Jose Reyes to first baseman Adam Lind. Andy Dirks to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder singles on a sharp line drive to center fielder Colby Rasmus. Andy Dirks scores.
DET 2 - 0

With Victor Martinez batting, wild pitch by Esmil Rogers, Prince Fielder to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Rajai Davis.

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


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

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jose Bautista flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Edwin Encarnacion strikes out on a foul tip.

DET 2 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:2 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Munenori Kawasaki to first baseman Adam Lind.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Ramon Santiago called out on strikes.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Don Kelly lines out to shortstop Jose Reyes.


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

B:0 S:0 O:2
Colby Rasmus flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Maicer Izturis flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

 DET 2 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Rajai Davis.

B:4 S:0 O:0
Andy Dirks walks. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:0
Torii Hunter doubles (21) on a line drive to left fielder Rajai Davis. Austin Jackson scores. Andy Dirks to 3rd.
DET 3 - 0

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

B:0 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez reaches on a fielder's choice out, pitcher Esmil Rogers unassisted. Andy Dirks out at home. Torii Hunter to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta doubles (22) on a line drive to right fielder Jose Bautista. Torii Hunter scores. Victor Martinez to 3rd.
DET 4 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila lines out to center fielder Colby Rasmus.


TOR - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Rajai Davis lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:2
J. P. Arencibia flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter in foul territory.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Munenori Kawasaki grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Prince Fielder.

 DET 4 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Munenori Kawasaki to first baseman Adam Lind.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Jose Bautista.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks reaches on a fielding error by center fielder Colby Rasmus. Don Kelly to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Torii Hunter grounds out, third baseman Maicer Izturis to first baseman Adam Lind.


TOR - Bot 4th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Jose Reyes grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

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

B:1 S:1 O:2
Edwin Encarnacion singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Adam Lind strikes out swinging.

 DET 4 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:4 S:0 O:0
Prince Fielder walks.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to left fielder Rajai Davis. Prince Fielder to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds into a double play, shortstop Jose Reyes to second baseman Munenori Kawasaki to first baseman Adam Lind. Prince Fielder to 3rd. Victor Martinez out at 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Munenori Kawasaki to first baseman Adam Lind.


TOR - Bot 5th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Colby Rasmus grounds out softly, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Maicer Izturis singles on a ground ball to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Rajai Davis walks. Maicer Izturis to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
J. P. Arencibia flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson. Maicer Izturis to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Munenori Kawasaki flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

 DET 4 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to right fielder Jose Bautista.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Don Kelly singles on a ground ball to left fielder Rajai Davis. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Rajai Davis. Ramon Santiago scores. Don Kelly to 2nd.
DET 5 - 0

Pitching Change: Neil Wagner replaces Esmil Rogers.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks flies out to center fielder Colby Rasmus. Don Kelly to 3rd. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Colby Rasmus. Don Kelly scores. Austin Jackson to 3rd.
DET 6 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:2
Prince Fielder singles on a soft ground ball to shortstop Jose Reyes. Austin Jackson scores.
DET 7 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Munenori Kawasaki to first baseman Adam Lind.


TOR - Bot 6th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Jose Reyes singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Jose Bautista called out on strikes.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Edwin Encarnacion walks. Jose Reyes to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Adam Lind grounds into a double play, pitcher Justin Verlander to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder. Edwin Encarnacion out at 2nd.

 DET 7 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Jhonny Peralta strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Alex Avila strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Munenori Kawasaki to first baseman Adam Lind.


TOR - Bot 7th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Colby Rasmus grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

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

B:1 S:3 O:3
Rajai Davis strikes out on a foul tip.

 DET 7 - 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Defensive Substitution: Emilio Bonifacio replaces shortstop Jose Reyes, batting 1st, playing second base.

Defensive switch from second base to shortstop for Munenori Kawasaki.

B:2 S:1 O:0
Don Kelly doubles (4) on a line drive to right fielder Jose Bautista.

B:0 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson homers (5) on a fly ball to center field. Don Kelly scores.
DET 9 - 0

B:4 S:1 O:0
Andy Dirks walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Torii Hunter singles on a ground ball to left fielder Rajai Davis. Andy Dirks to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Darren Oliver replaces Neil Wagner.

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

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

B:0 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Colby Rasmus.


TOR - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Phil Coke replaces Justin Verlander.

B:1 S:0 O:0
J. P. Arencibia singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Munenori Kawasaki grounds into a force out, pitcher Phil Coke to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Arencibia out at 2nd. Munenori Kawasaki to 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Emilio Bonifacio pops out softly to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Jose Bautista grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Prince Fielder.

DET 9 - 0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitching Change: Casey Janssen replaces Darren Oliver.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Emilio Bonifacio to first baseman Adam Lind.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Ramon Santiago doubles (4) on a line drive to left fielder Rajai Davis.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly hit by pitch.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson walks. Ramon Santiago to 3rd. Don Kelly to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks walks. Ramon Santiago scores. Don Kelly to 3rd. Austin Jackson to 2nd.
DET 10 - 0

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Aaron Loup replaces Casey Janssen.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Torii Hunter out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Jose Bautista. Don Kelly scores.
DET 11 - 0

B:1 S:1 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds out, pitcher Aaron Loup to first baseman Adam Lind.




TOR - Bot 9th
Defensive Substitution: Brayan Pena replaces first baseman Prince Fielder, batting 4th, playing first base.

Pitching Change: Darin Downs replaces Phil Coke.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Josh Thole replaces Edwin Encarnacion.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Josh Thole singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

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

B:1 S:2 O:2
Colby Rasmus grounds out to first baseman Brayan Pena. Josh Thole to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Maicer Izturis singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Josh Thole scores.
DET 11 - 1


B:1 S:3 O:3
Rajai Davis strikes out swinging.


TIGERS WIN 11-1

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Verlander
L: Rogers, E


Game Info

Rogers, E pitched to 3 batters in the 6th.
Wagner pitched to 4 batters in the 8th.

WP: Rogers, E.
HBP: Kelly, D (by Janssen).
Pitches-strikes: Verlander 102-68, Coke 6-5, Downs, D 17-12, Rogers, E 94-56, Wagner 39-25, Oliver, D 11-8, Janssen 23-11, Loup 6-3.
Groundouts-flyouts: Verlander 6-6, Coke 2-0, Downs, D 1-0, Rogers, E 7-1, Wagner 2-2, Oliver, D 0-1, Janssen 1-0, Loup 1-0.
Batters faced: Verlander 25, Coke 4, Downs, D 5, Rogers, E 28, Wagner 11, Oliver, D 3, Janssen 5, Loup 2.
Inherited runners-scored: Wagner 2-2, Oliver, D 2-0, Loup 3-1.
Umpires: HP: Jerry Layne. 1B: Hunter Wendelstedt. 2B: Alan Porter. 3B: Mike Estabrook.
Weather: 76 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 10 mph, Out to CF.
T: 3:05.
Att: 35,978.
Venue: Rogers Centre.
July 4, 2013