GDT91: 7/11/13 - DET (50-40) VS CWS (35-53) - 1:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez (7-5, 2.70 ERA)

The Tigers hope to use Sanchez's last start before the All-Star break to build his arm back up for the second half. He threw 73 pitches over five innings of one-run ball in his return from the DL his last time out in Cleveland.



White Sox: LHP Chris Sale (5-8, 2.78 ERA)

Somehow, some way, Sale has now gone seven starts without a victory. He has six losses and a no-decision in that run, along with a 3.10 ERA, 62 strikeouts and a .196 average against over 49 1/3 innings, and also was named an All-Star Saturday.






Tigers' Sanchez aims to up pitch count vs. White Sox
Lefty Sale eyes offensive support, first win since May 17

By Jason Mastrodonato / MLB.com | 7/10/2013 11:13 PM ET

The Tigers have an offense ranked second in baseball and a starting rotation ranked in the top 10, even while their ace, Justin Verlander, has an uncharacteristic, yet still productive ERA of 3.71.

Worries are hard to find in Detroit these days, where the Tigers have won seven of nine.

And the last of their lingering concerns may have been eliminated with the encouraging status of Anibal Sanchez.

Thursday against the White Sox, Sanchez will make his second start since returning from the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder strain. He's been on a pitch count since coming back, reaching 73 pitches in his most recent outing against the Indians, holding them to three hits and one run over five innings.

Sanchez doesn't like working under a pitch count, but he's getting stronger.

"It's part of my process," he said. "I am building my arm. I don't know how many I will have next time, but it's going to be better."

Sanchez, making $16.8 million this season after signing with the Tigers in the offseason, has appeared worthy of his new contract through his first 14 starts, in which he's struck out 105 batters over 86 2/3 innings while posting a 2.70 ERA.

With a healthy Sanchez, Verlander and Max Scherzer, who is undefeated at 13-0, the Tigers are in good shape.

"I was pleasantly surprised the way he threw the ball," manager Jim Leyland said of Sanchez. "I did not think he would throw with that velocity."

Meanwhile, the White Sox struggling season has only been highlighted whenever Chris Sale takes the mound.

One of two All-Star selections for the White Sox, Sale hasn't won in his past seven starts, despite posting a 3.10 ERA. He's 5-8 on the season with a 2.78 ERA.

Of all qualified pitchers in the Majors, no one has received less run support than Sale, who is being backed by 2.56 runs per start.

"Yeah, it's a mental grind and especially when you go through something like this," Sale said after his last start. "It's even more you got to be on your 'A' game.

"You can't get down on yourself or down on your team. Keep plugging along. I know that it's part of the game."

Tigers: V-Mart streaking toward break
Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder continue to torment opposing pitchers this season -- they each had three more hits Wednesday night in an 8-5 victory over Chicago.

And with Victor Martinez playing like his former self of late, the heart of the order has gotten a whole lot stronger.

Martinez, who hit .221 in April and .235 in May, went 3-for-4 on Wednesday to extend his hitting streak to 12 games and is hitting .291 (41-for-141) with five homers and 22 RBIs in 37 games since the start of June.

White Sox: Beckham on a tear
Two straight seasons with a batting average of .234 or below did something to one White Sox former first-round Draft pick.

Gordon Beckham, Chicago's 26-year-old second baseman, is showing tremendous improvement at the plate this season. With his second home run Wednesday, Beckham is hitting .484 (15-for-31) over his last nine games and .340 on the season.

"I feel like I turned the corner in terms of, 'Let's go play baseball.' I know what I'm trying to do," Beckham said. "I've been here long enough to understand what you go through and the highs and the lows. So I'm trying to manage those as good as I can.

"It's a lot easier to do obviously with the success, but the successes come because of the way I've handled it internally. So, you know, yeah, it's a good thing. I'm just in a good spot. Mentally, physically, everything, I just feel good. I feel like I'm not in constant scramble mode going into a game and just not knowing that I've got it."

Worth noting
• Jose Valverde recorded his last save for the Tigers on June 11 and has since been demoted to the Minors. In his absence, Joaquin Benoit has gone 5-for-5 in save opportunities without allowing a run.

• Chicago's Alex Rios went hitless in four at-bats Wednesday after going 6-for-6 on Tuesday.

Jason Mastrodonato is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @jmastrodonato. 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.)

• LHP Darin Downs (Left shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis, placed on the 15-day disabled list July 7, 2013.)

• 2B Omar Infante (Left ankle sprain, placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 4, 2013.)




To track MLB play-by-play: http://m.mlb.com/scores/


On the Internet

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•  SCOREBOARD
•  Official Press Pass game notes


On television

• , MLBN

• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule


On radio

• AND/OR
• XM Channel Schedule







• FRI, Jul 12:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (6-5, 4.07 ERA)) VS
RANGERS: (RHP Justin Grimm (7-6, 5.88 ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• SAT, Jul 13:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (13-0, 3.06 ERA)) VS
RANGERS: (LHP Derek Holland (7-4, 3.19 ERA))
7:15  p.m. ET (FOX / FM 97.1)


• SUN, Jul 14:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlanderr (9-6, 3.71 ERA)) VS
RANGERS: (LHP Martin Perez (3-1, 2.08 ERA))
1:08  p.m. ET (FS-D, TBS / FM 97.1)
------
• Sunday, July 14
• Taco Bell All-Star Sunday at Citi Field featuring:
• SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game
2 p.m. ET live on MLB.com, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD and followed live on MLB.com's Gameday.
• Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game
televised by ESPN at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Monday, July 15,


• MON, Jul 15:
• 2013 Home Run Derby
Broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8 p.m. ET.


• TUE, Jul 16:
• 84th All-Star Game - NL vs AL
televised nationally by FOX Sports - 8:00 pm, from Citi Field, NY

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off Chris Sale)

   Austin Jackson, CF (2-for-11, 2 walks, 5 K’s)
   Torii Hunter, RF
   Miguel Cabrera, 3B (1-for-11, 3 walks, 3 K’s)
   Prince Fielder, 1B (1-for-9, 3 K’s)
   Victor Martinez, DH (1-for-5, walk, K)
   Jhonny Peralta, SS (4-for-11, 2 walks, 2 K’s)
   Matt Tuiasosopo, LF
   Brayan Pena, C (0-for-8, 2 K’s)
   Hernan Perez, 2B

P: Anibal Sanchez


WHITE SOX (career numbers off Sanchez)

   Alejandro De Aza, CF
   Alexei Ramirez, SS
   Alex Rios, RF
   Adam Dunn, DH (6-for-22, 2 walks, 8 K’s)
   Jeff Keppinger, 1B
   Conor Gillaspie, 3B (1-for-3)
   Dayan Viciedo, LF
   Gordon Beckham, 2B
   Josh Phegley, C

P: Chris Sale

CWS - Top 1st
B:2 S:0 O:0
Alejandro De Aza singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:0 S:2 O:0
Alexei Ramirez doubles (22) on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo. Alejandro De Aza scores.
CWS 1 - 0

B:1 S:0 O:1
Alex Rios lines out to third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Anibal Sanchez intentionally walks Adam Dunn.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Jeff Keppinger strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Conor Gillaspie flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.


DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, third baseman Conor Gillaspie to first baseman Jeff Keppinger.

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

CWS 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

CWS - Top 2nd
B:3 S:2 O:0
Dayan Viciedo hit by pitch.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Gordon Beckham called out on strikes.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Josh Phegley flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Alejandro De Aza doubles (17) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Dayan Viciedo to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Alexei Ramirez grounds out, second baseman Hernan Perez to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:1 O:0
Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alejandro De Aza. Prince Fielder to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds into a double play, third baseman Conor Gillaspie to first baseman Jeff Keppinger. Prince Fielder out at 3rd. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo homers (6) on a fly ball to right field. Victor Martinez scores.
DET 2 - 1


B:3 S:2 O:2
Brayan Pena singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Hernan Perez strikes out swinging.

DET 2 - 1 AFTER 2 INNINGS

CWS - Top 3rd
B:1 S:0 O:1
Alex Rios grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Adam Dunn strikes out swinging.

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

B:0 S:2 O:3
Conor Gillaspie lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson lines out to third baseman Conor Gillaspie.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Torii Hunter triples (3) on a line drive to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds into a double play, first baseman Jeff Keppinger to shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Jeff Keppinger. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.

 DET 2 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

CWS - Top 4th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Dayan Viciedo grounds out, second baseman Hernan Perez to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Gordon Beckham singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Josh Phegley flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Alejandro De Aza strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 4th
B:1 S:1 O:0
Victor Martinez hits a ground-rule double (18) on a line drive down the left-field line.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Jhonny Peralta walks.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo called out on strikes.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Brayan Pena flies out to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Hernan Perez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Dayan Viciedo. Victor Martinez out at home on the throw, left fielder Dayan Viciedo to catcher Josh Phegley.

 DET 2 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

CWS - Top 5th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Alexei Ramirez grounds out, second baseman Hernan Perez to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Alex Rios walks.

With Adam Dunn batting, Alex Rios caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Brayan Pena to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Adam Dunn strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter flies out to left fielder Dayan Viciedo.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera homers (30) on a fly ball to right field.
DET 3 - 1

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

 DET 3 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

CWS - Top 6th
B:1 S:0 O:0
Jeff Keppinger reaches on a fielding error by center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Conor Gillaspie walks. Jeff Keppinger to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Dayan Viciedo called out on strikes.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Gordon Beckham singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Jeff Keppinger to 3rd. Conor Gillaspie to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Josh Phegley hits a grand slam (3) to left field. Jeff Keppinger scores. Conor Gillaspie scores. Gordon Beckham scores.
CWS 5 - 3

Pitching Change: Luke Putkonen replaces Anibal Sanchez.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Alejandro De Aza flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

On-field Delay. (Putkonen throws pitch that sales behind Ramirez and Ramirez charges mound)

Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland ejected by HP umpire Chad Fairchild.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Luke Putkonen ejected by HP umpire Chad Fairchild.

Pitching Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Luke Putkonen.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alexei Ramirez singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

On-field Delay.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Brent Morel replaces Alexei Ramirez.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Alex Rios singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Brent Morel to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Adam Dunn grounds out, second baseman Hernan Perez to pitcher Al Alburquerque.


DET - Bot 6th
Brent Morel remains in the game as the first baseman.

Defensive switch from first base to second base for Jeff Keppinger.


Defensive switch from second base to shortstop for Gordon Beckham.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to right fielder Alex Rios.

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

B:0 S:3 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Brayan Pena flies out to right fielder Alex Rios.

CWS 5 - 3 AFTER 6 INNINGS

CWS - Top 7th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Jeff Keppinger singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Conor Gillaspie flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Dayan Viciedo grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder. Jeff Keppinger to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Gordon Beckham called out on strikes.


DET - Bot 7th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Hernan Perez grounds out, second baseman Jeff Keppinger to first baseman Brent Morel.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Conor Gillaspie to first baseman Brent Morel.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Torii Hunter doubles (23) on a fly ball to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Matt Lindstrom replaces Chris Sale.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Alex Rios.

CWS 5 - 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

CWS - Top 8th
Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez left the game due to an injured leg.

Pitching Change: Phil Coke replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Josh Phegley grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Alejandro De Aza homers (11) on a fly ball to right field.
CWS 6 - 3

B:4 S:1 O:1
Brent Morel walks.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Alex Rios walks. Brent Morel to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Adam Dunn walks. Brent Morel to 3rd. Alex Rios to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Evan Reed replaces Phil Coke.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Jeff Keppinger grounds into a double play, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Hernan Perez to first baseman Prince Fielder. Adam Dunn out at 2nd.




DET - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Matt Thornton replaces Matt Lindstrom.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder grounds out, third baseman Conor Gillaspie to first baseman Brent Morel.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez pops out to second baseman Jeff Keppinger.

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

CWS 6 - 3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

CWS - Top 9th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Conor Gillaspie walks.

With Dayan Viciedo batting, throwing error by Evan Reed on the pickoff attempt, Conor Gillaspie to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Dayan Viciedo flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Gordon Beckham reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to catcher Brayan Pena. Conor Gillaspie out at home.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Josh Phegley strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 9th
Defensive switch from center field to left field for Alejandro De Aza.

Defensive Substitution: Blake Tekotte replaces left fielder Dayan Viciedo, batting 7th, playing center field.

Pitching Change: Addison Reed replaces Matt Thornton.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Andy Dirks replaces Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Andy Dirks pops out to shortstop Gordon Beckham.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Brayan Pena pops out to second baseman Jeff Keppinger.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Don Kelly replaces Hernan Perez.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Don Kelly grounds out, second baseman Jeff Keppinger to first baseman Brent Morel.


TIGERS LOSE 3-6

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Sale
L: Sanchez, An
S: Reed, A


Game Info

IBB: Dunn, A (by Sanchez, An).
HBP: Viciedo (by Sanchez, An).
Pitches-strikes: Sale 124-82, Lindstrom 3-2, Thornton 12-8, Reed, A 17-11, Sanchez, An 102-59, Putkonen 3-2, Alburquerque 23-18, Coke 19-6, Reed, E 25-16.
Groundouts-flyouts: Sale 5-3, Lindstrom 0-1, Thornton 1-0, Reed, A 1-0, Sanchez, An 4-3, Putkonen 0-1, Alburquerque 2-1, Coke 1-0, Reed, E 2-1.
Batters faced: Sale 29, Lindstrom 1, Thornton 3, Reed, A 3, Sanchez, An 27, Putkonen 1, Alburquerque 7, Coke 5, Reed, E 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Lindstrom 1-0, Reed, E 3-0.
Ejections: Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland ejected by HP umpire Chad Fairchild (6th); Detroit Tigers pitcher Luke Putkonen ejected by HP umpire Chad Fairchild (6th)
Umpires: HP: Chad Fairchild. 1B: Jeff Kellogg. 2B: Eric Cooper. 3B: Will Little.
Weather: 76 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 10 mph, L to R.
T: 3:18.
Att: 40,444.
Venue: Comerica Park.
July 11, 2013