GDT108: 8/3/13 - DET (62-45) VS CWS (40-67) - 7:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Max Scherzer (15-1, 3.01 ERA)

Scherzer allowed one hit in six shutout innings while striking out seven with zero walks against the Phillies last Saturday. He's just the fourth pitcher since 1979 to win at least 15 of his first 16 decisions.



White Sox: LHP John Danks (2-8, 4.57 ERA)

Danks pitched well enough to win his last start, but he didn't get much support from the offense or defense in Monday's no-decision against the Indians. He wasn't happy with his command (four walks) but felt his stuff carried him through.




Scherzer looks to build on stellar season vs. White Sox
Danks takes mound for Chicago aiming to end club's eight-game slide

By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com | 8/2/2013 9:30 PM ET

While it's been a magical season for Max Scherzer, the Tigers right-hander is realizing how hard it can be to keep an edge over division opponents.

Just facing the White Sox lineup on July 22, Scherzer (15-1, 3.01 ERA) will quickly take the mound against them again on Saturday at Comerica Park.

In that outing, he allowed two runs on four hits in eight innings of work for the win. He also struck out four.

"You can tell they have an approach to try to get me. They're really trying to figure me out, be aggressive with me," Scherzer said. "It's probably because of the times I've pitched against them in the past. This is the Major Leagues. This is a team that's faced me for four years now. Now I'm facing a guy maybe 30 times. Now how do you get him out the 31st time? That's the million-dollar question."

While getting hitters out on a consistent basis can be difficult, he thinks of it as a fun challenge.

"I respect what they can do. I never take them for granted," Scherzer said. "I know their lineup is very capable of producing runs. I have to come up with a plan and execute pitches for a full start."

Meanwhile, left-hander John Danks will be on the hill for the White Sox as he continues his comeback from season-ending arthroscopic shoulder surgery last August.

Danks has managed to hold his own in a year full of ups and downs. In 13 starts this season, the left-hander is 2-8 with a 4.57 ERA.

"They have kind of told me that the year is a work in progress. I'm going to need a full year of throwing and getting back out there to, I guess, regain all the strength and get it back to where it needs to be," Danks said. "I'm pleased I'm able to go out there every fifth day and throw and do my throwing in between starts. Nothing hurts. It feels good.

"That's a small victory. Certainly I'm not going out there just to get my work in. I'm trying to win ballgames and unfortunately haven't done that."

A loser in three of his last five starts, Danks took the no-decision in his previous outing against the Indians, allowing one earned run on two hits in six innings of work.

White Sox: Ramirez's power numbers falling
• During his first four Major League seasons, Alexi Ramirez hit 69 total home runs with a single-season high of 21 as a rookie in 2008.

However, those numbers have dipped the last two seasons. He hit only nine in 2012 and has hit just one long ball this season, which came on April 3 -- the second game of the season.

After Friday's game against the Tigers, Ramirez has now gone 105 games and 427 at-bats without a home run.

"I have been working as hard as I always have and things haven't come out the way I want them to," said Ramirez through translator and White Sox coach Lino Diaz. "I really don't have an explanation to say why the numbers are down. My swing is the same. I've been hitting in a spot where I need to get more on base and I need to be a little bit in control of my at-bats and moving the runner or hitting behind the runner. Things like that. It's a little bit different."

Tigers: Cabrera scratched
• Detroit third baseman Miguel Cabrera was scratched from Friday night's starting lineup against the White Sox after taking ground balls during batting practice prior to the game.

Newly acquired infielder Jose Iglesias filled in for Cabrera at third base after making 33 starts at the hot corner with the Red Sox this season. Ramon Santiago slid into second, which had been filled by Iglesias in manager Jim Leyland's initial lineup. Left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo hit third in Cabrera's place.

Dealing with a left abdominal strain for the past week, Cabrera was held out of Wednesday's game due to the injury. He aggravated the injury on a slow ground ball in Tuesday's game and left in the eighth inning.

Worth noting
• In his debut with the Tigers, Iglesias went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

• While Danks has walked just 13 batters in 82 2/3 innings this year, he's surrendered 17 home runs in 13 starts.

Quinn Roberts is a 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.) On Rehab

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





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• SUN, Aug 4:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.49 ERA)) VS
WHITE SOX: (RHP Andre Rienzo (0-0, 0.00 ERA))
1:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• MON, Aug 5:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (9-7, 2.59 ERA)) AT
INDIANS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:05  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• TUE, Aug 6:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (11-8, 3.88 ERA)) AT
INDIANS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:05  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• WED, Aug 7:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (10-5, 3.52 ERA)) AT
INDIANS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:05  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off John Danks)

   Austin Jackson, CF (12-for-29, 3 HR, 4 walks, 5 K’s)
   Torii Hunter, RF (12-for-37, 2 HR, 3 walks, 5 K’s)
   Matt Tuiasosopo, LF (1-for-8, walk, 3 K’s)
   Prince Fielder, 1B (5-for-7, HR)
   Victor Martinez, DH (7-for-35, 3 HR, 2 walks, 4 K’s)
   Jhonny Peralta, SS (10-for-46, HR, 7 walks, 11 K’s)
   Jose Iglesias, 3B
   Brayan Pena, C (2-for-9)
   Ramon Santiago, 2B (0-for-2)

P: Max Scherzer

WHITE SOX (career numbers off Scherzer)

   Alejandro De Aza, CF (4-for-20, HR, walk, 8 K’s)
   Alexei Ramirez, SS (3-for-33, 3 walks, 3 K’s)
   Alex Rios, RF (3-for-27, walk, 8 K’s)
   Adam Dunn, DH (7-for-24, 2 HR, 4 walks, 10 K’s)
   Paul Konerko, 1B (8-for-32, 2 HR, walk, 13 K’s)
   Conor Gillaspie, 3B (1-for-3, HR, K)
   Dayan Viciedo, LF (5-for-15, 2 HR, 6 K’s)
   Gordon Beckham, 2B (5-for-24, 2 walks, 7 K’s)
   Josh Phegley, C (1-for-3)

P: John Danks

CWS - Top 1st
B:1 S:2 O:1
Alejandro De Aza flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Alexei Ramirez grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Alex Rios flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.


DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson lines out sharply to left fielder Dayan Viciedo.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Torii Hunter homers (12) on a fly ball to left field.
DET 1 - 0

B:0 S:3 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo strikes out swinging.

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

B:0 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez lines out to right fielder Alex Rios.

DET 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

CWS - Top 2nd
B:1 S:0 O:0
Adam Dunn singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Paul Konerko strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Conor Gillaspie flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Dayan Viciedo strikes out on a foul tip.


DET - Bot 2nd
B:3 S:1 O:0
Jhonny Peralta homers (11) on a fly ball to center field.
DET 2 - 0

B:1 S:1 O:1
Jose Iglesias grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila flies out to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Alex Rios.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to center fielder Alejandro De Aza. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Torii Hunter pops out to catcher Josh Phegley in foul territory.

DET 2 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

CWS - Top 3rd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Gordon Beckham walks.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Josh Phegley flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alejandro De Aza grounds into a force out, third baseman Jose Iglesias to second baseman Ramon Santiago. Gordon Beckham out at 2nd. Alejandro De Aza to 1st.

With Alexei Ramirez batting, Alejandro De Aza steals (13) 2nd base.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Alexei Ramirez walks.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Alex Rios flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:3 S:3 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Prince Fielder grounds out sharply, first baseman Paul Konerko to pitcher John Danks.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Dayan Viciedo.

DET 2 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

CWS - Top 4th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Adam Dunn grounds out, pitcher Max Scherzer to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Paul Konerko lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Conor Gillaspie lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


DET - Bot 4th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Jhonny Peralta called out on strikes.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Jose Iglesias homers (2) on a fly ball to left field.
DET 3 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila pops out to shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Austin Jackson lines out to right fielder Alex Rios.

DET 3 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

CWS - Top 5th
B:4 S:2 O:0
Dayan Viciedo walks.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Gordon Beckham strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Josh Phegley pops out to third baseman Jose Iglesias in foul territory.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Alejandro De Aza strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Torii Hunter lines out to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo grounds out softly, pitcher John Danks to first baseman Paul Konerko.

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

DET 3 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

CWS - Top 6th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Alexei Ramirez lines out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Alex Rios grounds out, third baseman Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Adam Dunn called out on strikes.


DET - Bot 6th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Dayan Viciedo.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Conor Gillaspie to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Jose Iglesias strikes out on a foul tip.

DET 3 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

CWS - Top 7th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo, batting 3rd, playing left field.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Paul Konerko strikes out swinging.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3
Dayan Viciedo grounds into a double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder. Conor Gillaspie out at 2nd.


DET - Bot 7th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

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

DET 3 - 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

CWS - Top 8th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Gordon Beckham flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jordan Danks replaces Josh Phegley.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Jordan Danks flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Alejandro De Aza singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Don Kelly.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Jose Veras replaces Max Scherzer.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Alexei Ramirez flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.


DET - Bot 8th
Defensive Substitution: Tyler Flowers replaces center fielder Alejandro De Aza, batting 1st, playing catcher.

Jordan Danks remains in the game as the center fielder.

Pitching Change: Matt Lindstrom replaces John Danks.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Torii Hunter grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

Coaching visit to mound.


Pitching Change: Donnie Veal replaces Matt Lindstrom.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Paul Konerko.

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

B:1 S:3 O:3
Victor Martinez strikes out swinging, catcher Tyler Flowers to first baseman Paul Konerko.

DET 3 - 0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

CWS - Top 9th
Pitching Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Jose Veras.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Alex Rios singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

With Adam Dunn batting, Alex Rios steals (24) 2nd base.

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

B:0 S:1 O:2
Paul Konerko grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder. Alex Rios to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Conor Gillaspie flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


TIGERS WIN 3-0

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Scherzer
L: Danks, Jh
S: Benoit


Game Info

Pitches-strikes: Danks, Jh 107-70, Lindstrom 2-2, Veal 16-8, Scherzer 107-71, Veras 2-2, Benoit 14-11.
Groundouts-flyouts: Danks, Jh 6-3, Lindstrom 1-0, Veal 1-0, Scherzer 5-7, Veras 0-1, Benoit 1-1.
Batters faced: Danks, Jh 28, Lindstrom 1, Veal 3, Scherzer 28, Veras 1, Benoit 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Veras 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Jordan Baker. 1B: Tim McClelland. 2B: Marvin Hudson. 3B: Paul Emmel.
Weather: 79 degrees, clear.
Wind: 8 mph, Out to CF.
T: 2:33.
Att: 43,906.
Venue: Comerica Park.
August 3, 2013