GDT97: 7/21/13 - DET (52-44) AT KC (45-49) - 2:10 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (7-5, 4.02 ERA)

After allowing six earned runs in each of his previous two starts, Fister only gave up two earned runs in six innings against the Rangers on July 12. He went 8-4 with a 2.67 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in the second half last season.



Royals: RHP James Shields (4-6, 3.21 ERA)

The Royals have won eight straight games pitched by Shields, but he has six no-decisions in that span. Shields has won just twice in his last 13 outings, but he's consistently worked deep and has thrown less than 100 pitches just once this year.





Shields looks to help Royals put brooms on Tigers
Ace right-hander matches up against Fister at Kauffman Stadium

By Bobby Nightengale / MLB.com | 7/20/2013 11:50 PM ET

Though James Shields has only two victories in his last 14 starts, the Royals have won eight of the last nine games he's started. With its ace on the hill, Kansas City goes for the three-game sweep against the Tigers on Sunday following Saturday's 6-5 win at Kauffman Stadium.

Shields has faced Detroit twice this season -- a no-decision in both outings. He's allowed a combined five runs in 15 innings while striking out 10 and walking five.

"Every time you face them it's a battle," Shields said. "You've got to come out and bring your A-game. They're going to make you work."

Tigers starter Doug Fister can also understand the tough luck Shields has had this season, since he has only two wins dating to May 14, despite seven quality starts.

While a lack of run support cost Fister a chance for a few more wins in the first half, he's typically dominated in the second half. Fister went 8-4 with a 2.67 ERA after the All-Star break last year, and 8-3 with a 2.47 ERA after the break in 2011.

"I think he's a very good pitcher, and I think from what we've seen, there's reason to believe that he'll be very good," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "I mean, he hasn't been in the big leagues that long, so when you talk about track record, what are you talking about? But I think from what we've seen that he'll have a very good second half."

Royals: Shoulder stiffness bothering Paulino
It's been a long road back to the Major Leagues for Felipe Paulino, who underwent Tommy John surgery last year. While his elbow has recovered well, he's now struggling with stiffness in his right shoulder.

"I've been throwing a lot in the Minor Leagues, it's not only [Double-A Northwest] Arkansas, but I threw in Arizona before my first official rehab start in Arkansas," Paulino said. "I've thrown 32 or 35 innings so that is a lot after one year. I think that's why my shoulder is tight, because of the work."

Paulino is set to pitch two innings in a simulated game on Monday after throwing 65 pitches in a simulated game on June 25. Though he was originally slated to return to the Royals this month, Paulino says he's listening to his body's cues and doesn't have a timetable set up after this upcoming week.

• Opposing baserunners have tested Salvador Perez's arm throughout the season, and they've failed many times.

Perez has thrown out 14 runners in 41 attempts, tied for the third-most in the American League. The Tigers' Andy Dirks was the latest casualty on Friday.

"If Sal's given the opportunity, nine times out of 10 he's going to throw you out. But you have to have the opportunity," manager Ned Yost said.

Perez caught 18 runners in 43 attempts last season, leading the AL with a 41.9 percent rate among catchers who were in at least 70 games.

Tigers: Benoit happy as closer
Despite some reports to the contrary, Joaquin Benoit never told the Tigers that he didn't want to become the club's closer.

"That's the goal of everybody, to be in the position where everybody's going to recognize you," Benoit said. "If you ask anybody in the bullpen if they want to be the closer for the team, most of the answers are going to be yes, that they want to be."

Although Leyland hasn't named a closer, Benoit says that he's happy with his current role and that he wasn't going to demand to be the team's closer in Spring Training, when the Tigers were testing out Bruce Rondon for the role.

• While many people are looking for the Tigers to upgrade their bullpen through a trade, Jeremy Bonderman could be an option at Triple-A Toledo.

Despite early indications that he would take a vacant spot in the Mud Hens rotation, Bonderman pitched a perfect eighth inning in relief on Friday.

Worth noting
• Sunday's starting pitchers have struggled in the first inning this year. Fister has allowed 14 earned runs for a 6.63 ERA in the opening frame while Shields has given up 17 earned runs for a 7.65 ERA.

• The Royals are 6-1 in their last seven one-run games following two one-run victories against the Tigers this weekend.


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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• 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: (LHP John Danks (2-7, 4.52  ERA))
8:10  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• THU, Jul 25:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (10-7, 3.69 ERA)) AT
WHITE SOX: (RHP Jake Peavy (7-4, 4.19 ERA))
2:10  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off Shields)

   Austin Jackson, CF (6-for-16, walk, 3 K’s)
   Torii Hunter, RF (12-for-38, 9 K’s)
   Miguel Cabrera, 3B (14-for-32, HR, 3 walks, 5 K’s)
   Prince Fielder, 1B DH (3-for-11, 2 walks)
   Victor Martinez, DH 1B (7-for-25, 8 K’s)
   Jhonny Peralta, SS (10-for-26, 3 HR, 3 walks, 6 K’s)
   Andy Dirks, LF (1-for-3)
   Brayan Pena, C (4-for-8, walk, K)
   Ramon Santiago, 2B (6-for-20, 5 K’s)

P: Doug Fister


ROYALS (career numbers against Fister)

   Alex Gordon, LF (5-for-21, 4 K’s)
   Eric Hosmer, 1B (3-for-11, walk)
   Billy Butler, DH (7-for-23, 2 walks, 3 K’s)
   Salvador Perez, C (3-for-16, K)
   Lorenzo Cain, RF (2-for-3)
   Mike Moustakas, 3B (5-for-13, HR, 3 K’s)
   Miguel Tejada, 2B
   Alcides Escobar, SS (6-for-21, HR, walk, 4 K’s)
   Jarrod Dyson, CF (1-for-6, K)

P: James Shields

DET - Top 1st
B:1 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson called out on strikes.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Torii Hunter strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera homers (31) on a line drive to left field.
DET 1 - 0

B:2 S:2 O:3
Prince Fielder flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson.


KC - Bot 1st
B:0 S:3 O:1
Alex Gordon strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Eric Hosmer pops out softly to third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Billy Butler reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Salvador Perez singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. Billy Butler to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Lorenzo Cain grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ramon Santiago. Salvador Perez out at 2nd.

DET 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:1 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez doubles (21) on a soft fly ball to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds out softly, second baseman Miguel Tejada to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks grounds out to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Brayan Pena grounds out, pitcher James Shields to first baseman Eric Hosmer.


KC - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Mike Moustakas grounds out softly, pitcher Doug Fister to first baseman Victor Martinez.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Miguel Tejada homers (3) on a fly ball to left center field.
TIED 1 - 1

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alcides Escobar grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Victor Martinez.

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

With Alex Gordon batting, Jarrod Dyson steals (13) 2nd base.

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

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:3 S:2 O:1
Ramon Santiago grounds out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

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

B:0 S:3 O:3
Torii Hunter strikes out swinging.


KC - Bot 3rd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Eric Hosmer called out on strikes.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Billy Butler singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Salvador Perez hit by pitch. Billy Butler to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Lorenzo Cain pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta on the infield fly rule.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Mike Moustakas strikes out swinging.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson.

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

B:1 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds into a double play, second baseman Miguel Tejada to shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Prince Fielder out at 2nd.


KC - Bot 4th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Tejada grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Victor Martinez.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Alcides Escobar singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Jarrod Dyson grounds into a double play, second baseman Ramon Santiago to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Victor Martinez. Alcides Escobar out at 2nd.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Lorenzo Cain.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks homers (7) on a fly ball to center field.
DET 2 - 1

B:2 S:2 O:2
Brayan Pena grounds out, second baseman Miguel Tejada to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Ramon Santiago flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson.


KC - Bot 5th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Alex Gordon pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Eric Hosmer grounds out, first baseman Victor Martinez to pitcher Doug Fister.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Billy Butler grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Victor Martinez.

DET 2 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Lorenzo Cain.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds into a double play, second baseman Miguel Tejada to shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Lorenzo Cain.


KC - Bot 6th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Salvador Perez grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Victor Martinez.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Lorenzo Cain singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Mike Moustakas strikes out swinging.

With Miguel Tejada batting, Lorenzo Cain steals (11) 2nd base.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Miguel Tejada walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Alcides Escobar grounds out softly, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Victor Martinez.

DET 2 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Prince Fielder singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Lorenzo Cain. Prince Fielder to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to pitcher James Shields. Prince Fielder to 3rd. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

Injury Delay.

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

B:1 S:1 O:2
Brayan Pena out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Jarrod Dyson. Prince Fielder scores.
DET 3 - 1

B:1 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to left fielder Alex Gordon. Victor Martinez to 3rd. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

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


KC - Bot 7th
Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Doug Fister.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Jarrod Dyson called out on strikes.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alex Gordon grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Victor Martinez.

On-field Delay. (What should have been strike three was called a foul ball, even though it never hit the bat!)


B:3 S:3 O:3
Eric Hosmer strikes out swinging.

DET 3 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitching Change: Kelvin Herrera replaces James Shields.

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

B:0 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

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


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

B:1 S:2 O:1
Billy Butler grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Victor Martinez.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Salvador Perez lines out softly to third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Lorenzo Cain strikes out on a foul tip.

DET 3 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Miguel Tejada to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta doubles (26) on a ground ball to right fielder Lorenzo Cain.

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

B:1 S:0 O:2
Brayan Pena out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Alex Gordon. Jhonny Peralta scores.
DET 4 - 1

With Ramon Santiago batting, Andy Dirks steals (7) 2nd base.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Ramon Santiago strikes out swinging.


KC - Bot 9th
Pitching Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Bruce Rondon.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Mike Moustakas singles on a ground ball to first baseman Victor Martinez.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Miguel Tejada grounds into a double play, second baseman Ramon Santiago to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Victor Martinez. Mike Moustakas out at 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Alcides Escobar grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Victor Martinez.


TIGERS WIN 4-1

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Fister
L: Shields
S: Benoit


Game Info

HBP: Perez, S (by Fister).
Pitches-strikes: Fister 103-72, Smyly 26-19, Rondon, B 10-8, Benoit 12-8, Shields 99-73, Herrera, K 29-21.
Groundouts-flyouts: Fister 10-0, Smyly 1-0, Rondon, B 1-0, Benoit 2-0, Shields 7-6, Herrera, K 2-0.
Batters faced: Fister 26, Smyly 3, Rondon, B 3, Benoit 3, Shields 28, Herrera, K 8.
Umpires: HP: Vic Carapazza. 1B: Wally Bell. 2B: Kerwin Danley. 3B: Lance Barksdale.
Weather: 82 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 10 mph, R to L.
T: 2:48.
Att: 20,513.
Venue: Kauffman Stadium.
July 21, 2013