GDT92: 7/12/13 - DET (50-41) VS TEX (53-39) - 7:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (6-5, 4.07 ERA)

Fister's ERA stood at 3.50 before giving up six runs over six innings in each of his last two outings. Both times, he allowed a four-run first inning, and it came with two out in his last start against Cleveland.



Rangers: RHP Justin Grimm (7-6, 5.88 ERA)

Grimm has pitched just four innings in his last two starts and has allowed 10 home runs in his last seven starts. He's 3-3 with a 6.81 ERA in eight road starts this season. Grimm defeated the Tigers on May 18 at home allowing two runs on 6 2/3 innings. He's 1-1 with a 9.39 ERA in two career starts against Detroit.






Struggling pitchers run into dangerous offenses
Grimm, Fister try to keep All-Star lineups quiet at Comerica Park

By Master Tesfatsion / MLB.com | 7/11/2013 10:30 PM ET

Doug Fister and Justin Grimm will look to break out of their respective slumps in their final first-half starts Friday at Comerica Park.

Fister has allowed six runs in as many innings in each of his last two outings. He gave up four runs in the first innings of both no-decisions, lifting his ERA from 3.50 to 4.07. Fister gave up two of his season-high three walks with two outs in the first Sunday against the Indians, which started the four-run inning.

"You can defend against a guy putting it in play, but it's tough to defend against a walk," catcher Alex Avila said. "It is uncharacteristic. He was a little off. I have no worries about Doug getting back and having a good start his next time out."

Tigers manager Jim Leyland felt Fister might've been a little too careful against the middle of the Indians' lineup. It won't get any easier against All-Star outfielder Nelson Cruz and Adrian Beltre in the heart of the Rangers' order. Cruz is hitting .309 with two home runs and seven RBIs in July, while Beltre is a sizzling .500 this month with six home runs and 11 RBIs.

"I got a little bit into the nibbling on the corners and walked a couple guys, which kind of started the ball rolling," Fister said. "I've got to fix that. I can't do that. I have to attack guys like I've done in the past."

Grimm has pitched just four innings in his past two starts. He hasn't had a quality start in his last seven outings, dating back to May 30 against the D-backs. He fell victim to a big inning in nearly every game during that stretch, and he is 2-3 with a 9.00 ERA in those starts, allowing 10 home runs.

He'll somehow have to avoid allowing the long ball against one of the best lineups in the American League. The Tigers hit two home runs Thursday, including Miguel Cabrera's 30th this season, to lead the Majors with 18 home runs in July. They also lead the Majors this month in runs and RBIs.

"They're a great team and we've got to deal with their three best pitchers," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "That should make for an interesting weekend. And I get to see Miguel Cabrera for three days, Prince Fielder for three days. I've got to deal with Torii Hunter for three days.

"Can we go home for the break and just forfeit those games?"

Cabrera has the highest batting average (.384) against the Rangers among an active opponent with at least 50 at-bats. Last year's American League Triple Crown winner also has the third-highest slugging percentage (.642) and third-highest on-base percentage (.433) among an active opponent against the Rangers. Cabrera has 12 home runs and 60 RBIs in 56 games against Texas.

"He's on pace to have 200 RBIs and 90 home runs; if he does that, it's Little League," Washington said, with a little exaggeration. "You just hope when he puts a swing on a pitch, someone is there to catch it. But you don't get off easy with Prince. I try to pitch around Cabrera and you see what happens ... double, home run, because he goes out of the zone to get it. If you execute on Prince, you might get lucky. You can't get lucky on Cabrera. I said you 'might' get lucky on Prince."

Tigers: Porcello begins suspension
Rick Porcello began a five-game suspension Thursday after making his final first-half start Wednesday against the White Sox. He had his suspension reduced from six days for hitting Rays second baseman Ben Zobrist on his right shoulder in the first inning of a June 30 start, a day after Fernando Rodney threw a pitch up and in on Cabrera.

Rangers: Font, Ortiz replace Lindblom, Darvish
The Rangers recalled pitchers Joseph Ortiz and Wilmer Font on Thursday to bolster their bullpen before the All-Star Break. The club optioned Josh Lindblom to Triple-A Round Rock after he pitched Wednesday. He replaced Yu Darvish in the rotation, who went on the disabled list Tuesday with a strained trapezius muscle in his right shoulder.

Darvish plans to attend the All-Star Game, but he will not be able to pitch. He's eligible to come off the disabled list July 22.

Worth noting
• Justin Grimm is 1-1 with a 9.39 ERA in two career starts against the Tigers. The current Detroit roster has a .364 (12-of-33) batting average against Grimm. Doug Fister is 2-4 with a 6.00 ERA in eight career starts. Current Rangers are hitting .301 (44-of-146) against him.

• The Rangers have won seven of the last nine meetings against the Tigers, but they're just 7-15 in the regular season at Comerica Park since the start of 2008.

Master Tesfatsion is an associate reporter for MLB.com. 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.)




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• 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 (numbers off Justin Grimm)

   Austin Jackson, CF (1-for-2)
   Torii Hunter, RF (2-for-3)
   Miguel Cabrera, 3B (3-for-5)
   Prince Fielder, 1B (1-for-4)
   Victor Martinez, DH (1-for-2, walk)
   Jhonny Peralta, SS (2-for-4)
   Andy Dirks, LF (0-for-3)
   Alex Avila, C (0-for-3, K)
   Ramon Santiago, 2B (1-for-1)

P: Doug Fister




RANGERS (career numbers against Doug Fister)

   Ian Kinsler, 2B (7-for-22, HR, K)
   David Murphy, DH (9-for-20, 4 HR, walk, K)
   Nelson Cruz, RF (8-for-22, HR, 2 walks, 2 K’s)
   Adrian Beltre, 3B (8-for-20, K)
   A.J. Pierzynski, C (2-for-19, HR, 2 K’s)
   Elvis Andrus, SS (6-for-22, walk, 2 K’s)
   Mitch Moreland, 1B (1-for-12, K)
   Jurickson Profar, LF
   Leonys Martin, CF (1-for-2, K)

P: Justin Grimm

TEX - Top 1st
B:1 S:3 O:1
Ian Kinsler strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
David Murphy flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Nelson Cruz walks.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Adrian Beltre flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.


DET - Bot 1st
B:0 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson doubles (14) on a ground ball to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Torii Hunter doubles (24) on a line drive to left fielder Jurickson Profar. Austin Jackson scores.
DET 1 - 0

B:4 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Prince Fielder singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Torii Hunter to 3rd. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez walks. Torii Hunter scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Prince Fielder to 2nd.
DET 2 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:0
Jhonny Peralta doubles (25) on a line drive to left fielder Jurickson Profar. Miguel Cabrera scores. Prince Fielder scores. Victor Martinez to 3rd.
DET 4 - 0

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

B:0 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jurickson Profar. Victor Martinez scores. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd.
DET 5 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:3
Ramon Santiago grounds into a double play, second baseman Ian Kinsler to shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Mitch Moreland. Alex Avila out at 2nd.

DET 5 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

TEX - Top 2nd
B:0 S:1 O:0
A. J. Pierzynski singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Elvis Andrus grounds into a double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder. Pierzynski out at 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Mitch Moreland singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Jurickson Profar grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Leonys Martin.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Torii Hunter singles on a line drive to center fielder Leonys Martin. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Leonys Martin. Austin Jackson scores.
DET 6 - 0

B:1 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder flies out to left fielder Jurickson Profar.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez doubles (19) on a line drive to left fielder Jurickson Profar. Torii Hunter scores.
DET 7 - 0

On-field Delay.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Andy Dirks pops out to catcher A. J. Pierzynski in foul territory.

DET 7 - 0 AFTER 2 INNING

TEX - Top 3rd
B:0 S:2 O:1
Leonys Martin flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Ian Kinsler doubles (14) on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:3 S:2 O:2
David Murphy grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder. Ian Kinsler to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Nelson Cruz pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Ramon Santiago grounds out to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

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

DET 7 - 0 AFTER 3 INNING

TEX - Top 4th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Adrian Beltre grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski homers (9) on a fly ball to right center field.
DET 7 - 1


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

B:1 S:2 O:2
Mitch Moreland lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

With Jurickson Profar batting, Elvis Andrus steals (19) 2nd base.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Jurickson Profar singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. Elvis Andrus scores.
DET 7 - 2


B:0 S:2 O:2
Leonys Martin singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Jurickson Profar to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Ian Kinsler walks. Jurickson Profar to 3rd. Leonys Martin to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:3
David Murphy strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 4th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Torii Hunter strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a fly ball to center fielder Leonys Martin.

Injury Delay.

Pitching Change: Joseph Ortiz replaces Justin Grimm.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds into a force out, third baseman Adrian Beltre to second baseman Ian Kinsler. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.

DET 7 - 2 AFTER 4 INNING

TEX - Top 5th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Nelson Cruz called out on strikes.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Adrian Beltre flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:1 O:3
A. J. Pierzynski grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds out to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Andy Dirks lines out softly to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

Injury Delay.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila called out on strikes.

 DET 7 - 2 AFTER 5 INNING

TEX - Top 6th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Elvis Andrus strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Mitch Moreland flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

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

With Leonys Martin batting, wild pitch by Doug Fister, Jurickson Profar to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

On-field Delay.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Leonys Martin strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 6th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Ramon Santiago lines out to third baseman Adrian Beltre.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson lines out to second baseman Ian Kinsler.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Torii Hunter lines out to second baseman Ian Kinsler.

 DET 7 - 2 AFTER 6 INNING

TEX - Top 7th
Pitching Change: Bruce Rondon replaces Doug Fister.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Ian Kinsler called out on strikes.

B:0 S:2 O:2
David Murphy grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Nelson Cruz strikes out on a foul tip.


DET - Bot 7th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Prince Fielder singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Adrian Beltre.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez lines out to center fielder Leonys Martin.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Leonys Martin.

 DET 7 - 2 AFTER 7 INNING

TEX - Top 8th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Adrian Beltre grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Bruce Rondon.

B:0 S:1 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Elvis Andrus grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Pierzynski out at 2nd. Elvis Andrus to 1st.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Mitch Moreland strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Wilmer Font replaces Joseph Ortiz.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks flies out to left fielder Jurickson Profar in foul territory.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila walks.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago pops out to third baseman Adrian Beltre.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

 DET 7 - 2 AFTER 8 INNING

TEX - Top 9th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Jurickson Profar grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Leonys Martin reaches on a missed catch error by first baseman Prince Fielder, assist to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Ian Kinsler singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks. Leonys Martin to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:2
David Murphy grounds into a force out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Leonys Martin to 3rd. Ian Kinsler out at 2nd. David Murphy to 1st.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Drew Smyly.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Nelson Cruz strikes out swinging.


TIGERS WIN 7-2

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Fister
L: Grimm


Game Info

WP: Fister.
Pitches-strikes: Grimm 70-45, Ortiz 40-27, Font 16-8, Fister 106-73, Rondon, B 10-10, Smyly 28-21, Benoit 3-3.
Groundouts-flyouts: Grimm 3-2, Ortiz 2-1, Font 0-2, Fister 5-5, Rondon, B 2-0, Smyly 4-0, Benoit 0-0.
Batters faced: Grimm 21, Ortiz 12, Font 4, Fister 27, Rondon, B 4, Smyly 7, Benoit 1.
Inherited runners-scored: Ortiz 1-0, Benoit 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Quinn Wolcott. 1B: Scott Barry. 2B: Tim Welke. 3B: Mike Everitt.
Weather: 79 degrees, clear.
Wind: 5 mph, L to R.
T: 2:49.
Att: 41,686.
Venue: Comerica Park.
July 12, 2013