GDT96: 7/20/13 - DET (52-43) AT KC (44-49) - 8:10 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (10-6, 3.50 ERA)

Verlander took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Rangers before allowing a double with two outs. He left the game with a tight right quad muscle, but it's not expected to linger into his next start.



Royals: RHP Jeremy Guthrie (8-7, 4.25 ERA)

After not losing in 18 straight starts over two years, Guthrie finished the first half with seven losses in his last 12 starts along with three wins. But his eight victories before the break were the most in his career.






Tigers seek equalizer behind ace Verlander in KC
Royals counter with righty Guthrie in bid to secure series victory

By Bobby Nightengale / MLB.com | 7/19/2013 11:55 PM ET

Justin Verlander took a no-hitter into the seventh inning last Sunday, and he'll look for a series-evening outing against the Royals on Saturday after Kansas City took the series opener with a 1-0 win on Friday.

Verlander hasn't pitched with his usual dominance this season, going 10-6 with a 3.50 ERA in the first half. After starting on Sunday, he was unable to pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game. Normally, Verlander will throw two side sessions when he has an extra day of rest like he does this week. Instead, the only throwing Verlander did was on Thursday at Comerica Park before the Tigers left for Kansas City.

"I just felt like my body was telling me to get a little rest," Verlander said, "and I did."

Though it was a break from routine, pitching coach Jeff Jones said it could do him some good, especially with how hard Verlander has worked in the past couple of months trying to find his form.

"I think it's going to rejuvenate him," Jones said. "It's been a battle for him. He's worked as hard as you can work trying to figure some things out. We've spent a lot of time in the video room working on various things that he's gotten away from that he's done in the past. I think he's starting the throw the ball really well."

Meanwhile, Jeremy Guthrie will start for the Royals on the one-year anniversary of his acquisition from the Rockies. The right-hander went 8-7 with a 4.25 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 120 2/3 innings before the break.

With higher expectations heading into this season, the Royals are hoping to make up ground in the American League Central standings with a strong series against the first-place Tigers.

"We start off fresh," Royals All-Star left fielder Alex Gordon said. "Everyone's coming in and got their rest in. We know we didn't end the way we wanted to especially with [a three-game sweep before the break at] Cleveland, luckily we have Detroit right off the bat and can make up for it."

Royals: Herrera returns to bullpen
Kelvin Herrera rejoined the Royals' bullpen on Friday, throwing a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

"I feel great, I feel ready to go, ready to help this team," Herrera said.

Herrera pitched a total of 13 1/3 innings for Triple-A Omaha and Double-A Northwest Arkansas, giving up just three hits and two runs with three walks, two hit batters and 21 strikeouts in his second Minor League stint this season.

• One of the Royals' top prospects, right-hander Kyle Zimmer, was promoted to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Friday and is scheduled to make his Naturals debut on Saturday.

Zimmer was the fifth overall selection in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, and went 4-8 with a 4.82 ERA in 18 starts at Class A Advanced Wilmington. He struck out 113 batters in 89 2/3 innings.

Tigers: Infante likely out for the Royals set
While Omar Infante was hoping to return to the Tigers immediately following the All-Star break, it's unlikely he will be able to play this weekend with his sprained left ankle.

"We have to evaluate him first," head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said. "Once he's a full-go, then he'll go out on a rehab assignment. He's not a full-go yet."

Infante, who stayed in Florida during the All-Star break, has been running at half-speed and fielding ground balls side to side, and he began taking full batting practice on Thursday. He will be re-evaluated on Saturday.

• Left-handed reliever Darin Downs has been progressing from left rotator cuff tendinitis and his next step will likely be some soft of session against hitters. He threw off the mound on Wednesday and Friday, and is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list on Monday, though he'll likely need a Minor League rehab assignment.

• Brayan Villarreal will miss two to four weeks before he can resume throwing with a right thumb injury. He has a 2-2 record with a 3.15 ERA in 28 appearances at Triple-A Toledo since being optioned on April 23.

Worth noting
• Lorenzo Cain is on a seven-game hitting streak.

• Torii Hunter is batting .429 with 12 runs scored, three homers and 13 RBIs since July 2.

Bobby Nightengale 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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• SUN, Jul 21:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (7-5, 4.02 ERA)) AT
ROYALS: (RHP James Shields (4-6, 3.21 ERA))
2:10  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• MON, Jul 22:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (13-1, 3.19 ERA)) AT
WHITE SOX: (LHP Chris Sale (6-8, 2.85 ERA))
8:10  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• TUE, Jul 23:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (6-6, 4.80 ERA)) AT
WHITE SOX: (LHP Hector Santiago (3-5, 3.30 ERA))
8:10  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• WED, Jul 24:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (7-7, 2.85 ERA)) AT
WHITE SOX: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
8:10  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• THU, Jul 25:
TIGERS: (RHP TBA (TBA ERA)) AT
WHITE SOX: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
2:10  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off Jeremy Guthrie)

   Austin Jackson, CF (4-for-20, HR, 6 K’s)
   Torii Hunter, RF (10-for-29, 2 K’s)
   Miguel Cabrera, 3B (10-for-29, 3 HR, 4 walks, 5 K’s)
   Prince Fielder, 1B (5-for-12, 2 walks)
   Victor Martinez, DH (5-for-17, 2 walks, K)
   Jhonny Peralta, SS (7-for-22, 4 walks, K)
   Andy Dirks, LF (4-for-13, 2 K’s)
   Alex Avila, C (3-for-16, HR, 4 walks, 3 K’s)
   Ramon Santiago, 2B (2-for-10, K)

P: Justin Verlander


ROYALS (career numbers off Verlander)

   Alex Gordon, LF (11-for-53, 2 HR, 5 walks, 20 K’s)
   Eric Hosmer, 1B (4-for-26, 3 walks, 7 K’s)
   Billy Butler, DH (24-for-57, 2 HR, 6 walks, 8 K’s)
   Salvador Perez, C (4-for-13, K)
   Lorenzo Cain, CF (1-for-6, 3 K’s)
   Mike Moustakas, 3B (4-for-24, walk, 5 K’s)
   David Lough, RF (0-for-3, K)
   Alcides Escobar, SS (6-for-28, walk, 4 K’s)
   Chris Getz, 2B (6-for-25, walk, 3 K’s)

P: Jeremy Guthrie

DET - Top 1st
B:4 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson walks.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Torii Hunter called out on strikes.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera walks. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to right fielder David Lough. Austin Jackson scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.
DET 1 - 0


B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to right fielder David Lough. Miguel Cabrera scores. Prince Fielder to 3rd.
DET 2 - 0


Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Mike Moustakas to catcher Salvador Perez. Prince Fielder out at home. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Andy Dirks lines out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.


KC - Bot 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
Alex Gordon walks.

With Eric Hosmer batting, throwing error by Justin Verlander on the pickoff attempt, Alex Gordon to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Eric Hosmer pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Billy Butler singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks. Alex Gordon to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Salvador Perez out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Torii Hunter. Alex Gordon scores. Billy Butler to 2nd on the throw.
DET 2 - 1

B:2 S:2 O:3
Lorenzo Cain lines out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

DET 2 - 1 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:2 S:1 O:0
Alex Avila doubles (6) on a line drive to center fielder Lorenzo Cain.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Ramon Santiago singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Mike Moustakas. Alex Avila to 3rd.

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

B:0 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Alex Gordon. Alex Avila scores.
DET 3 - 1

B:0 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a soft line drive to right fielder David Lough. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Prince Fielder lines out to center fielder Lorenzo Cain.


KC - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Mike Moustakas flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

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

B:1 S:1 O:3
Alcides Escobar flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

DET 3 - 1 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks lines out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

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


KC - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:1
Chris Getz lines out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2
Eric Hosmer singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

With Billy Butler batting, passed ball by Alex Avila, Eric Hosmer to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Billy Butler walks.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Salvador Perez doubles (17) on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Eric Hosmer scores. Billy Butler scores. Salvador Perez out at 3rd on the throw, right fielder Torii Hunter to first baseman Prince Fielder to third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Ramon Santiago grounds out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Torii Hunter flies out to center fielder Lorenzo Cain.


KC - Bot 4th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Lorenzo Cain singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Mike Moustakas singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Lorenzo Cain to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:0
David Lough singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Lorenzo Cain to 3rd. Mike Moustakas to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Alcides Escobar lines out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Chris Getz grounds into a force out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Lorenzo Cain scores. Mike Moustakas to 3rd. David Lough out at 2nd. Chris Getz to 1st.
KC 4 - 3

With Alex Gordon batting, Chris Getz steals (6) 2nd base.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Alex Gordon walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Eric Hosmer walks. Mike Moustakas scores. Chris Getz to 3rd. Alex Gordon to 2nd.
KC 5 - 3

B:0 S:0 O:3
Billy Butler grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Miguel Cabrera. Alex Gordon out at 3rd.

KC 5 - 3 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder singles on a ground ball to right fielder David Lough.

Defensive Substitution: Elliot Johnson replaces second baseman Chris Getz, batting 9th, playing second base.

Injury Delay.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds into a force out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to second baseman Elliot Johnson. Prince Fielder out at 2nd. Victor Martinez to 1st.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Alex Gordon. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Andy Dirks singles on a soft ground ball to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Victor Martinez to 3rd. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila singles on a ground ball to shortstop Alcides Escobar, deflected by second baseman Elliot Johnson. Victor Martinez scores. Jhonny Peralta scores. Andy Dirks to 2nd.
TIED 5 - 5

B:0 S:1 O:3
Ramon Santiago grounds out, first baseman Eric Hosmer to pitcher Jeremy Guthrie.


KC - Bot 5th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Salvador Perez strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Lorenzo Cain pops out to first baseman Prince Fielder in foul territory.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Mike Moustakas homers (7) on a line drive to right field.
KC 6 - 5

B:0 S:1 O:3
David Lough flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

KC 6 - 5 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder David Lough.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out softly, third baseman Mike Moustakas to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera strikes out on a foul tip.


KC - Bot 6th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Alcides Escobar flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Elliot Johnson strikes out on a foul tip.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Alex Gordon reaches on a fielding error by first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Eric Hosmer singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. Alex Gordon to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Justin Verlander.

Kansas City Royals second baseman Chris Getz left the game due to an injured knee.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Billy Butler strikes out on a foul tip.

KC 6 - 5 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
Pitching Change: Tim Collins replaces Jeremy Guthrie.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder lines out to center fielder Lorenzo Cain.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder David Lough.

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

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Luke Hochevar replaces Tim Collins.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Matt Tuiasosopo flies out to center fielder Lorenzo Cain.


KC - Bot 7th
Matt Tuiasosopo remains in the game as the left fielder.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Salvador Perez lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Lorenzo Cain strikes out swinging.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Mike Moustakas singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:0 O:3
David Lough grounds out softly to first baseman Prince Fielder.

KC 6 - 5 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitching Change: Aaron Crow replaces Luke Hochevar.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to right fielder David Lough.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Don Kelly replaces Ramon Santiago.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Don Kelly walks. Alex Avila to 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Aaron Crow to second baseman Elliot Johnson. Alex Avila to 3rd. Don Kelly to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, third baseman Mike Moustakas to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Mike Moustakas to first baseman Eric Hosmer.


KC - Bot 8th
Don Kelly remains in the game as the second baseman.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Alcides Escobar lines out softly to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Elliot Johnson flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

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

KC 6 - 5 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitching Change: Greg Holland replaces Aaron Crow.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Prince Fielder lines out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez doubles (20) on a line drive to right fielder David Lough.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Hernan Perez replaces Victor Martinez.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder David Lough.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Matt Tuiasosopo grounds out, third baseman Mike Moustakas to first baseman Eric Hosmer.


TIGERS LOSE 5-6

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Guthrie
L: Verlander
S: Holland, G


Game Info

Pitches-strikes: Verlander 106-69, Alburquerque 15-11, Smyly 17-10, Guthrie 106-71, Collins 7-4, Hochevar 6-3, Crow 17-8, Holland, G 11-8.
Groundouts-flyouts: Verlander 3-6, Alburquerque 0-0, Smyly 1-1, Guthrie 6-3, Collins 0-1, Hochevar 0-1, Crow 3-0, Holland, G 1-1.
Batters faced: Verlander 29, Alburquerque 3, Smyly 5, Guthrie 30, Collins 3, Hochevar 1, Crow 5, Holland, G 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Alburquerque 2-0, Hochevar 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Lance Barksdale. 1B: Vic Carapazza. 2B: Wally Bell. 3B: Kerwin Danley.
Weather: 83 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 8 mph, L to R.
T: 3:04.
Att: 30,116.
Venue: Kauffman Stadium.
July 20, 2013