GDT102: 7/26/13 - DET (56-45) VS PHI (49-53) - 7:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (8-5, 3.90 ERA)

Fister is showing signs of another late-season run, the kind of finish that has helped the Tigers rally to win the last two AL Central titles. He induced 10 groundouts over six innings of one-run ball Sunday in Kansas City.



Phillies: LHP Cole Hamels (4-12, 4.16 ERA)

Hamels walked two and allowed three earned runs in the first inning of his most recent outing before settling down. He is 2-6 both at home and on the road, but his ERA has been far better away (3.80) compared with at Citizens Bank Park (4.52).




Fister, Hamels square off in series opener at Comerica
Phillies making trip to Detroit for first time since the 2002 season

By Bobby Nightengale / MLB.com | 7/25/2013 6:14 PM ET

The Tigers have never defeated the Phillies at Comerica Park, as they were swept at home in the teams' lone series in 2002. It'll be up to Doug Fister to change Detroit's fortunes when he goes opposite of Cole Hamels on Friday.

Fister, who went 16-7 with a 2.58 ERA following the All-Star break in 2011-12, allowed one run on six hits in six innings against the Royals on Sunday in his first post-break start.

"We've pitched pretty good," manager Jim Leyland said. "We got in some jams last night we got out of. Overall we've pitched pretty good. We've got pretty good starting pitching. I'm happy with it."

Meanwhile, the Phillies are hoping to make up some ground in the National League East. While Hamels hasn't been his usual dominant self, he's thrown better on the road, with a 3.80 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings.

"You can't always go out with your best stuff, but you have to make adjustments," Hamels said after allowing four earned runs in five innings to the Mets on Saturday. "I wasn't able to make the adjustments as quickly as I would have liked in that first inning."

The Tigers' lineup may not pose as tough of a challenge as usual on Friday, since Miguel Cabrera has sat out the past three games with an aggravated left hip flexor and Torii Hunter left Thursday's game with a sore left Achilles.

Phillies: Brown goes on seven-day DL
All-Star left fielder Domonic Brown was placed on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion after trying to make a diving catch on Tuesday.

The Phillies called up Steve Susdorf from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace Brown on the roster. Susdorf was batting .335 with one home run and 25 RBIs in 70 games.

"You can't afford blows, but you've got to be able to take a blow, though," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "We're supposed to take the blows."



Tigers: Bullpen struggling with leads
While the Tigers' bullpen hasn't blown any leads this week, they haven't been able to avoid pressure situations either.

Leyland was forced to bring in Joaquin Benoit twice in non-save situations against the White Sox because other relievers ran into trouble in the ninth inning.

"Those consequences of the last couple nights put us in a little bit of a bind," Leyland said. "That's something that has to be addressed. ... I'm not upset about it, it's just a common fact. If we have to use our closer with five-, six-run leads in the ninth inning, we've got problems. That should not happen."

• Omar Infante is expected to play second base on Thursday in his second rehab game with Class A West Michigan. Left-handed reliever Darin Downs will also make his first rehab appearance on Thursday.

If all goes well for Infante, who went 1-for-3 with a single on Wednesday, he could be activated from the 15-day disabled list on Friday.

Worth noting
• Fister has hit a Major League-high 14 batters this year.

• Cabrera is 6-for-8 in his career against Hamels, with three extra-base hits, four RBIs and four walks.

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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• SAT, Jul 27:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (14-1, 3.14 ERA)) VS
PHILLIES: (LHP Cliff Lee (10-4, 3.05 ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• SUN, Jul 28:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (7-6, 4.49 ERA)) VS
PHILLIES: (RHP Jonathan Pettibone (5-4, 3.97 ERA))
1:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• MON, Jul 29:
OFF DAY

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off Cole Hamels)

   Austin Jackson, CF
   Andy Dirks, RF (1-for-3, K)
   Matt Tuiasosopo, LF
   Prince Fielder, 1B (8-for-29, 2 HR, 2 walks, 8 K’s)
   Victor Martinez, DH (2-for-8, HR, walk, 2 K’s)
   Jhonny Peralta, SS (1-for-2)
   Hernan Perez, 2B
   Ramon Santiago, 3B
   Alex Avila, C

P: Doug Fister

PHILLIES (career numbers off Fister)

   Michael Young, 3B (6-for-23, K)
   Kevin Frandsen, 1B (4-for-6)
   Jimmy Rollins, SS
   Chase Utley, 2B
   Delmon Young, DH (4-for-12)
   Darin Ruf, LF
   John Mayberry Jr., CF
   Laynce Nix, RF (0-for-3, K)
   Carlos Ruiz, C

P: Cole Hamels

PHI - Top 1st
B:1 S:0 O:1
Michael Young grounds out, third baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Kevin Frandsen pops out to second baseman Hernan Perez.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Jimmy Rollins grounds out sharply, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Doug Fister.


DET - Bot 1st
B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson doubles (16) on a fly ball to right fielder Laynce Nix.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks pops out to catcher Carlos Ruiz in foul territory.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo grounds out, second baseman Chase Utley to first baseman Kevin Frandsen. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds out, first baseman Kevin Frandsen to pitcher Cole Hamels.

 0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

PHI - Top 2nd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Chase Utley grounds out, third baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Delmon Young lines out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Darin Ruf grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder John Mayberry.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta doubles (28) on a line drive to left fielder Darin Ruf.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Hernan Perez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Darin Ruf. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Ramon Santiago called out on strikes and Jhonny Peralta caught stealing home, catcher Carlos Ruiz to second baseman Chase Utley to catcher Carlos Ruiz.

  0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

PHI - Top 3rd
B:2 S:1 O:0
John Mayberry reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Hernan Perez.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Laynce Nix flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Carlos Ruiz singles on a line drive to right fielder Andy Dirks. John Mayberry to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Michael Young singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo. John Mayberry scores. Carlos Ruiz to 2nd.
PHI 1 - 0

B:0 S:3 O:2
Kevin Frandsen strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Jimmy Rollins strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila strikes out swinging.

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

B:2 S:2 O:3
Andy Dirks grounds out, first baseman Kevin Frandsen to pitcher Cole Hamels.

PHI 1 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

PHI - Top 4th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Chase Utley grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Delmon Young flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Darin Ruf singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

Injury Delay.

B:2 S:3 O:3
John Mayberry strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo grounds out, second baseman Chase Utley to first baseman Kevin Frandsen.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder flies out to right fielder Laynce Nix in foul territory.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out sharply, third baseman Michael Young to first baseman Kevin Frandsen.

PHI 1 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

PHI - Top 5th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Laynce Nix called out on strikes.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Carlos Ruiz grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Michael Young grounds out sharply, pitcher Doug Fister to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder John Mayberry.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Hernan Perez walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ramon Santiago doubles (6) on a ground ball to left fielder Darin Ruf. Hernan Perez to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila doubles (7) on a fly ball to center fielder John Mayberry. Hernan Perez scores. Ramon Santiago scores.
DET 2 - 1


B:1 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Michael Young to first baseman Kevin Frandsen.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Michael Young. Alex Avila to 3rd.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo walks. Andy Dirks to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Prince Fielder flies out to center fielder John Mayberry.

DET 2 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

PHI - Top 6th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Kevin Frandsen grounds out, third baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Jimmy Rollins called out on strikes.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Chase Utley called out on strikes.




DET - Bot 6th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out sharply, shortstop Jimmy Rollins to first baseman Kevin Frandsen.

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

B:0 S:0 O:3
Hernan Perez flies out to center fielder John Mayberry.

DET 2 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

PHI - Top 7th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Delmon Young grounds out, third baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Darin Ruf flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

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




DET - Bot 7th
B:4 S:2 O:0
Ramon Santiago walks.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila strikes out on a foul tip.

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

B:0 S:0 O:3
Andy Dirks flies out to left fielder Darin Ruf.

DET 2 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

PHI - Top 8th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Laynce Nix grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Doug Fister.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Carlos Ruiz flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Michael Young walks.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Kevin Frandsen grounds out softly, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Luis Garcia replaces Cole Hamels.


Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Don Kelly replaces Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly grounds out sharply, shortstop Jimmy Rollins to first baseman Kevin Frandsen.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Prince Fielder walks.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds into a double play, first baseman Kevin Frandsen to shortstop Jimmy Rollins to first baseman Kevin Frandsen. Prince Fielder out at 2nd.

DET 2 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

PHI - Top 9th
Defensive switch from right field to left field for Andy Dirks.

Don Kelly remains in the game as the right fielder.

Pitching Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Doug Fister.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Jimmy Rollins singles on a line drive to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Chase Utley flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

With Delmon Young batting, Jimmy Rollins steals (11) 2nd base.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Delmon Young strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Darin Ruf grounds out, second baseman Hernan Perez to first baseman Prince Fielder.


TIGERS WIN 2-1

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Fister
L: Hamels
S: Benoit


Game Info

Pitches-strikes: Hamels 112-74, Garcia, Lu 15-7, Fister 109-71, Benoit 11-9.
Groundouts-flyouts: Hamels 7-6, Garcia, Lu 2-0, Fister 13-4, Benoit 1-1.
Batters faced: Hamels 29, Garcia, Lu 3, Fister 29, Benoit 4.
Umpires: HP: Eric Cooper. 1B: Paul Schrieber. 2B: Chad Fairchild. 3B: Jeff Kellogg.
Weather: 76 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 12 mph, In from RF.
T: 2:24.
Att: 42,317.
Venue: Comerica Park.
July 26, 2013