GDT106: 7/31/13 - DET (60-45) VS WSH (52-55) - 1:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (10-8, 3.99 ERA)

Verlander lost for the third time in four outings Thursday, and has given up at least five runs in each of the losses. He says he's tinkering with some mechanics, but has struck out just 31 in eight starts.



Nationals: LHP Gio Gonzalez (7-3, 2.97 ERA)

Gonzalez struck out a season-high 11 batters for the second straight game on Thursday, but once again he didn't factor in the decision. He allowed three runs on eight hits and walked four in 5 2/3 innings.




Gio-Verlander matchup to wrap short series in Detroit
Nats lefty looking to keep rolling; Tigers righty looking to find form

By Andrew Simon / MLB.com | 7/30/2013 9:53 PM ET

Since early May, Gio Gonzalez and Justin Verlander have been headed in opposite directions.

The two will square off on Wednesday afternoon at Comerica Park as the Nationals and Tigers finish their two-game set. Detroit will be gunning for its fifth straight victory and a season split with Washington, which came to town as winners of three in a row but lost the series opener, 5-1, on Tuesday.

Early this year, Verlander looked to be in his typical Cy Young Award form, while Gonzalez struggled on the heels of a career-best season. But over the past few months, that dynamic has flipped.

Since the beginning of May, Gonzalez has a 2.20 ERA over 15 starts. Since May 16, Verlander owns a 5.21 mark over 14 outings.

Gonzalez (7-3, 2.97) has notched 11 strikeouts in each of his past two games, a season high for punchouts. His outing on Thursday snapped a string of nine straight quality starts, but Gonzalez still held the Pirates to three runs through 5 2/3 innings, despite eight hits and four walks.

"Today was just one of those weird games," Gonzalez said afterward. "You just have to learn to go with it and try to keep them down as much as possible."

Verlander (10-8, 3.99) already has given up 61 earned runs this season, only nine fewer than in all of 2012 and six fewer than in '11. That includes five runs or more in three of his past four starts, with a 5.96 ERA and a 13-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio over that span.

The right-hander has been working on his mechanics with pitching coach Jeff Jones and said he was encouraged by his outing against the White Sox on Thursday, despite seven runs in six innings. Still, it's been a trying period for the six-time All-Star.

"It's testing me a lot," Verlander said. "These are things you learn from as you go through your career. Every year is not going to be easy. The last two years came easy for me. This year is coming extremely difficult for me."

Nationals: Rendon in a funk
Rookie second baseman Anthony Rendon has been caught in a significant slump of late. The 23-year-old went 0-for-3 with a walk on Tuesday, making him 3-for-40 with no extra-base hits and two free passes in his past 10 contests.

Rendon's average has dropped from .301 to .256 since July 14, and he has two RBIs since July 7. Manager Davey Johnson has been batting him exclusively in the No. 2 spot in the lineup.

• Pitching coach Steve McCatty has been hospitalized in Washington since before Sunday's game due to an irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure, but the club expects him to be released on Wednesday. The plan is for McCatty to rejoin the club for the start of the team's series in Milwaukee on Friday, leaving Johnson to double as pitching coach for the Detroit series.

Tigers: Veras back in familiar role
Jose Veras saved 19 games this season as the Astros' closer, but after Monday's trade to the Tigers, he'll return to being a setup man. Joaquin Benoit will continue closing for Detroit, and lefty Drew Smyly also will be in the mix as a setup man.

"I don't think about a spot. I don't mind," said Veras, a eight-year veteran now with his seventh team. "I just focus to get my job, to get my three [outs]. No matter what situation, I have to do what I have to do, take care of that part, and let the other guys take care of the rest. I was a setup man for five years, and then this was my first time as a closer. And then I came here and I said I'm available in any moment you need me."

Veras notched a 2.93 ERA over 43 innings with Houston, racking up 44 strikeouts. He made his Tigers debut in Tuesday's eighth inning, retiring the side in order.

Worth noting
• Gonzalez last faced the Tigers in 2011, when he gave up one run in 13 innings over two starts. In his only career outing at Comerica Park, with the A's in '08, he surrendered nine runs (eight earned) over 1 2/3 innings.

• Verlander's only start against the Nationals came in 2010, when he struck out 11 and walked none while giving up three runs in eight innings.

• Third baseman Miguel Cabrera left Tuesday's game after seven innings, and manager Jim Leyland said afterward that Cabrera tweaked an abdominal muscle while charging a grounder in the fifth. Leyland did not know the severity of the injury. Cabrera missed four games last week with an abdominal issue.

Andrew Simon is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @HitTheCutoff. 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.) On Rehab

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





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• THU, Aug 1:
OFF DAY


• FRI, Aug 2:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (9-5, 3.67 ERA)) VS
WHITE SOX: (LHP Chris Sale, (6-10, 2.69 ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• SAT, Aug 3:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (15-1, 3.01 ERA)) VS
WHITE SOX: (LHP Hector Santiago (3-6, 3.33 ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• SUN, Aug 4:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.49 ERA)) VS
WHITE SOX: (LHP John Danks (2-8, 4.57 ERA))
1:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers vs. Gio Gonzalez)

   Austin Jackson, CF (0-for-6, walk, 2 K’s)
   Torii Hunter, RF (3-for-13, HR, walk, 3 K’s)
   Matt Tuiasosopo, LF (1-1, HR)
   Prince Fielder, 1B (3-for-8, walk)
   Victor Martinez, DH (9-for-26, HR, 3 walks, 6 K’s)
   Jhonny Peralta, SS (8-for-27, 2 walks, 6 K’s)
   Hernan Perez, 2B
   Ramon Santiago, 3B (1-for-2)
   Alex Avila, C

P: Justin Verlander

NATIONALS (career numbers off Verlander)

   Denard Span, CF (15-for-42, 3 K’s)
   Bryce Harper, RF
   Ryan Zimmerman, DH (0-for-3, 2 K’s)
   Jayson Werth, RF
   Adam LaRoche, 1B
   Ian Desmond, SS (0-for-2, K)
   Anthony Rendon, 2B
   Kurt Suzuki, C (6-for-23, walk, 3 K’s)
   Steve Lombardozzi, 2B

P: Gio Gonzalez

WSH - Top 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
Denard Span walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Bryce Harper singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Denard Span to 2nd.

With Ryan Zimmerman batting, wild pitch by Justin Verlander, Denard Span to 3rd. Bryce Harper to 2nd.


B:4 S:2 O:0
Ryan Zimmerman walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Jayson Werth out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Torii Hunter. Denard Span scores. Bryce Harper to 3rd.
WSH 1 - 0

B:1 S:3 O:2
Adam LaRoche strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Ian Desmond grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Hernan Perez. Ryan Zimmerman out at 2nd.


DET - Bot 1st
B:0 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Jayson Werth.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Torii Hunter hits a ground-rule double (26) on a fly ball down the right-field line.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo flies out to right fielder Jayson Werth. Torii Hunter to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Prince Fielder flies out to center fielder Denard Span.

WSH 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

WSH - Top 2nd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Anthony Rendon called out on strikes.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Kurt Suzuki flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Steve Lombardozzi grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:1 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to left fielder Bryce Harper.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Jhonny Peralta doubles (29) on a fly ball to left fielder Bryce Harper. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Hernan Perez strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Ramon Santiago doubles (7) on a ground ball to left fielder Bryce Harper. Victor Martinez scores. Jhonny Peralta scores.
DET 2 - 1

B:2 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila homers (8) on a fly ball to left field. Ramon Santiago scores.
DET 4 - 1

B:2 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson lines out to third baseman Anthony Rendon.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter homers (11) on a fly ball to left field.
DET 5 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Anthony Rendon.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Prince Fielder called out on strikes.

 DET 5 - 1 AFTER 2 INNINGS

WSH - Top 3rd
B:2 S:1 O:0
Denard Span singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Bryce Harper pops out to second baseman Hernan Perez.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Ryan Zimmerman pops out to catcher Alex Avila in foul territory.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Jayson Werth walks. Denard Span to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Adam LaRoche strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Denard Span.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Jayson Werth.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Hernan Perez grounds out, second baseman Steve Lombardozzi to first baseman Adam LaRoche.

DET 5 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

WSH - Top 4th
B:4 S:2 O:0
Ian Desmond walks.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Anthony Rendon strikes out swinging. Ian Desmond steals (13) 2nd base.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Kurt Suzuki grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Steve Lombardozzi grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Justin Verlander.


DET - Bot 4th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Ramon Santiago strikes out swinging.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Denard Span, deflected by second baseman Steve Lombardozzi. Alex Avila to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Torii Hunter singles on a line drive to right fielder Jayson Werth. Alex Avila scores. Austin Jackson to 2nd.
DET 6 - 1

B:2 S:0 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo singles on a ground ball to left fielder Bryce Harper. Austin Jackson scores. Torii Hunter to 3rd.
DET 7 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to right fielder Jayson Werth. Torii Hunter scores. Matt Tuiasosopo to 3rd.
DET 8 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to right fielder Jayson Werth. Matt Tuiasosopo scores. Prince Fielder to 2nd.
DET 9 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Ross Ohlendorf replaces Gio Gonzalez.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Denard Span.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Hernan Perez singles on a line drive to right fielder Jayson Werth. Prince Fielder scores. Victor Martinez to 2nd.
DET 10 - 1

Injury Delay.

Pitching Change: Craig Stammen replaces Ross Ohlendorf.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Ramon Santiago walks. Victor Martinez to 3rd. Hernan Perez to 2nd.

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

DET 10 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

WSH - Top 5th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Denard Span singles on a ground ball to second baseman Hernan Perez.

B:2 S:0 O:0
Bryce Harper singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo. Denard Span to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Ryan Zimmerman grounds into a double play, second baseman Hernan Perez to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder. Denard Span to 3rd. Bryce Harper out at 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Jayson Werth walks.

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


DET - Bot 5th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, shortstop Ian Desmond to first baseman Adam LaRoche.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo walks.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Prince Fielder flies out to center fielder Denard Span.

DET 10 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

WSH - Top 6th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Ian Desmond called out on strikes.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Anthony Rendon flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Kurt Suzuki grounds out, third baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 6th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez lines out to shortstop Ian Desmond.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Anthony Rendon to first baseman Adam LaRoche.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Hernan Perez grounds out, pitcher Craig Stammen to first baseman Adam LaRoche.

DET 10 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

WSH - Top 7th
Pitching Change: Phil Coke replaces Justin Verlander.

Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces first baseman Prince Fielder, batting 4th, playing first base.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Steve Lombardozzi pops out to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Denard Span grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Don Kelly.

Injury Delay.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Bryce Harper strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 7th
Pitching Change: Ian Krol replaces Craig Stammen.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Ramon Santiago walks.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to center fielder Denard Span. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to left fielder Bryce Harper.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter doubles (27) on a line drive to right fielder Jayson Werth. Ramon Santiago scores. Alex Avila to 3rd. Torii Hunter out at 2nd, right fielder Jayson Werth to second baseman Steve Lombardozzi to shortstop Ian Desmond.
DET 11 - 1

B:0 S:1 O:3
Matt Tuiasosopo pops out to second baseman Steve Lombardozzi.

DET 11 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

WSH - Top 8th
Pitching Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Phil Coke.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Ryan Zimmerman grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Jayson Werth grounds out, pitcher Al Alburquerque to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Adam LaRoche pops out to third baseman Ramon Santiago in foul territory.


DET - Bot 8th
Defensive Substitution: Roger Bernadina replaces left fielder Bryce Harper, batting 2nd, playing left field.

Pitching Change: Ryan Mattheus replaces Ian Krol.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder Roger Bernadina.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jayson Werth.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Andy Dirks replaces Victor Martinez.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta walks. Andy Dirks to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Hernan Perez grounds into a double play, pitcher Ryan Mattheus to shortstop Ian Desmond to first baseman Adam LaRoche. Jhonny Peralta out at 2nd.

DET 11 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

WSH - Top 9th
Andy Dirks remains in the game as the designated hitter.

Pitching Change: Evan Reed replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Ian Desmond grounds out to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Anthony Rendon singles on a ground ball to third baseman Ramon Santiago.

With Kurt Suzuki batting, Anthony Rendon advances to 2nd on a balk.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Kurt Suzuki grounds out softly, pitcher Evan Reed to first baseman Don Kelly. Anthony Rendon to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Steve Lombardozzi flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.


TIGERS WIN 11-1 AND SWEEP NATS

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W: Verlander
L: Gonzalez, Gio


Game Info

WP: Verlander.
Balk: Reed, E.
Pitches-strikes: Gonzalez, Gi 77-46, Ohlendorf 11-5, Stammen 32-20, Krol 20-13, Mattheus 14-7, Verlander 103-61, Coke 11-9, Alburquerque 12-9, Reed, E 12-8.
Groundouts-flyouts: Gonzalez, Gi 2-5, Ohlendorf 0-1, Stammen 3-1, Krol 0-1, Mattheus 1-1, Verlander 6-3, Coke 1-0, Alburquerque 2-0, Reed, E 2-1.
Batters faced: Gonzalez, Gi 23, Ohlendorf 3, Stammen 8, Krol 5, Mattheus 4, Verlander 26, Coke 3, Alburquerque 3, Reed, E 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Ohlendorf 2-1, Stammen 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Brian Gorman. 1B: Manny Gonzalez. 2B: Tony Randazzo. 3B: Larry Vanover.
Weather: 73 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 10 mph, R to L.
T: 3:00.
Att: 40,894.
Venue: Comerica Park.
July 31, 2013