GDT111: 8/6/13 - DET (65-45) AT CLE (62-50) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (11-8, 3.88 ERA)

Verlander's fastball command remains inconsistent, but his curveball is becoming an out pitch for him again when he works ahead in the count. His six innings of one-run ball on Wednesday against Washington broke his two-game skid.



Indians: RHP Justin Masterson (13-7, 3.33 ERA)

The All-Star sinkerballer has won three straight starts. He has turned in four straight quality starts, over which time he owns a 1.29 ERA across 28 innings. In his last four starts, Masterson has 29 strikeouts, nine walks and a .158 average against.





Aces square off in battle for AL Central supremacy
Against Masterson, Verlander leads Tigers in search for 10th straight

By Bobby Nightengale / MLB.com | 8/5/2013 11:20 PM ET

The Tigers extended their winning streak to nine games after their ninth-inning rally led to a 4-2 win on Monday. To push that streak to double digits, they'll have to top Justin Masterson for the third time this season.

In two starts against Detroit, Masterson is 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA. Masterson, however, has won three consecutive starts, allowing a combined two runs on 11 hits in 21 1/3 innings while striking out 23.

At Progressive Field, Masterson is 8-2 with a 2.54 ERA in 13 starts, though one of those losses was to the Tigers on July 5. He has been one of the many Indians pitchers who has contributed to a stretch of 15 wins in their last 21 games.

"Every single starter's been going out there since the All-Star break and doing a tremendous job," said Masterson. "The bullpen's been coming in and doing great. ... The guys are out there scoring runs, putting up what we need and playing defense. Not just myself, but everyone seems to be in a real good spot right now."

Meanwhile, Justin Verlander will take the mound for the Tigers. Despite a 5.82 ERA against the Indians this year, he has a 2-1 record. In his last start, Verlander was able to use his curveball effectively to combat some control issues with his fastball, allowing one run on four hits in six innings while striking out six and walking five.

"I felt like I had some strides forward today," Verlander said after his last start. "My curveball has been better and that's a good sign, but with some of the adjustments I've made, I lost a little bit of feel for my fastball, but that'll come."

Indians: Salazar gets the nod for Wednesday
The Indians decided to call up Danny Salazar from Triple-A Columbus to start against the Tigers on Wednesday, bringing a sense of urgency surrounding this four-game set.

"We thought it was a good time," manager Terry Francona said. "We're trying to balance Danny's innings, competitiveness, things like that, and we wanted to get to a point where we didn't have to bring Danny [up] and mess his innings up.

Salazar had a 4-2 record with a 2.73 ERA in 13 starts at Columbus. He will slide into the rotation slot formerly held by Ubaldo Jimenez, who has posted a 6.92 ERA against the Tigers this season. Jimenez will start on Friday instead.

Salazar, a right-hander, has only made one appearance in the big leagues, making a spot start against the Blue Jays on July 11. In that start, Salazar allowed one run on two hits in six innings while walking one and striking out seven.

Tigers: Infante headed for rehab
Although the Tigers lost Jhonny Peralta to a 50-game suspension, they may get one of their regular infielders back before the end of the week.

Omar Infante will play at least two rehab games at Triple-A Toledo, beginning on Tuesday. He will be the designated hitter in Tuesday's game before playing seven innings at second base on Wednesday.

"We'll see after that," Infante said.

Infante spent two games on rehab at Class A West Michigan two weeks ago, but he left after aggravating his sprained left ankle while running the bases.

Worth noting
• Torii Hunter has hit three home runs in his career against Masterson, the most Masterson has allowed to any player.

• Michael Brantley owns a .406 batting average against Verlander in 32 at-bats.

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.)

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






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• WED, Aug 7:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (10-5, 3.52 ERA)) AT
INDIANS: (RHP Danny Salazar (1-0, 1.50 ERA))
7:05  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• THU, Aug 8:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (16-1, 2.85 ERA)) AT
INDIANS: (RHP Zach McAllister (4-6, 3.47 ERA))
7:05  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• FRI, Aug 9:
TIGERS: (RHP TBA (TBA ERA)) AT
YANKEES: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:05  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / WXYT 1270)


• SAT, Aug 10:
TIGERS: (RHP TBA (TBA ERA)) AT
YANKEES: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
1:05  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• SUN, Aug 11:
TIGERS: (RHP TBA (TBA ERA)) AT
YANKEES: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
1:05  p.m. ET (FS-D, TBS / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off Justin Masterson)

   Austin Jackson, CF (6-for-26, 5 walks, 11 K’s)
   Torii Hunter, RF (10-for-26, 3 HR, 2 walks, 5 K’s)
   Miguel Cabrera, 3B (12-for-34, 2 HR, 6 walks, 6 K’s)
   Prince Fielder, 1B (6-for-16, HR, 3 walks, K)
   Victor Martinez, DH (9-for-19, 5 walks, K)
   Don Kelly, LF (8-for-21, HR, walk)
   Alex Avila, C (6-for-22, 3 walks, 7 K’s)
   Jose Iglesias, SS (0-for-2, 2 K’s)
   Ramon Santiago, 2B (2-for-16, 3 walks, 4 K’s)

P: Justin Verlander


INDIANS (career numbers off Justin Verlander)

   Michael Bourn, CF (5-for-12, walk, 6 K’s)
   Nick Swisher, 1B (12-for-65, 3 HR, 10 walks, 24 K’s)
   Jason Kipnis, 2B (3-for-19, 4 walks, 8 K’s)
   Asdrubal Cabrera, SS (10-for-49, 5 walks, 19 K’s)
   Michael Brantley, LF (13-for-32, 3 walks, 3 K’s)
   Carlos Santana, DH (6-for-26, 3 HR, 4 walks, 5 K’s)
   Ryan Raburn, RF (1-for-3, 2 K’s)
   Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B (3-for-10)
   Yan Gomes, C (1-for-2)

P: Justin Masterson

DET - Top 1st
B:0 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Nick Swisher.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, second baseman Jason Kipnis to first baseman Nick Swisher.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out softly, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall to first baseman Nick Swisher.


CLE - Bot 1st
B:2 S:2 O:0
Michael Bourn singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Nick Swisher strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Jason Kipnis grounds into a double play, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder. Michael Bourn out at 2nd.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Prince Fielder walks.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Victor Martinez walks. Prince Fielder to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Don Kelly singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ryan Raburn. Prince Fielder to 3rd. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Jose Iglesias strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Ramon Santiago grounds into a force out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to second baseman Jason Kipnis. Don Kelly out at 2nd.




CLE - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:1 O:0
Asdrubal Cabrera doubles (24) on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Michael Brantley singles on a line drive to left fielder Don Kelly. Asdrubal Cabrera to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Carlos Santana reaches on a fielder's choice out, first baseman Prince Fielder to third baseman Miguel Cabrera to catcher Alex Avila. Asdrubal Cabrera out at home. Michael Brantley to 3rd. Carlos Santana to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Ryan Raburn grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder. Michael Brantley scores. Carlos Santana to 3rd.
CLE 1 - 0


B:0 S:0 O:3
Lonnie Chisenhall pops out to catcher Alex Avila in foul territory.

CLE 1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Torii Hunter strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds into a force out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to second baseman Jason Kipnis. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.


CLE - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:0 O:1
Yan Gomes pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Michael Bourn grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Justin Verlander.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Nick Swisher grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

CLE 1 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out to first baseman Nick Swisher.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly singles on a line drive to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Jose Iglesias grounds into a force out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to second baseman Jason Kipnis. Don Kelly out at 2nd.


CLE - Bot 4th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Jason Kipnis called out on strikes.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Asdrubal Cabrera strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Michael Brantley grounds out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder.

CLE 1 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Ramon Santiago hit by pitch.

Injury Delay.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to left fielder Michael Brantley. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Torii Hunter grounds into a force out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to second baseman Jason Kipnis. Ramon Santiago scores. Austin Jackson out at 2nd. Torii Hunter to 1st.
TIED 1 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera doubles (21) on a fly ball to center fielder Michael Bourn. Torii Hunter scores.
DET 2 - 1

B:1 S:0 O:2
Prince Fielder grounds out to first baseman Nick Swisher. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez hit by pitch.

Injury Delay.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Don Kelly homers (5) on a fly ball to right field. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez scores.
DET 5 - 1

B:1 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Jose Iglesias grounds into a force out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to second baseman Jason Kipnis. Alex Avila out at 2nd.


CLE - Bot 5th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Carlos Santana grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Ryan Raburn strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Lonnie Chisenhall pops out to third baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

DET 5 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Jason Kipnis to first baseman Nick Swisher.

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

B:2 S:2 O:3
Torii Hunter grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Nick Swisher.


CLE - Bot 6th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Yan Gomes hit by pitch.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Michael Bourn singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Yan Gomes to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Nick Swisher flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter. Yan Gomes to 3rd.

With Jason Kipnis batting, Michael Bourn steals (17) 2nd base.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Jason Kipnis called out on strikes.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Asdrubal Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

DET 5 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Prince Fielder lines out to center fielder Michael Bourn.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out sharply, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Nick Swisher.


CLE - Bot 7th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Michael Brantley strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Carlos Santana grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Justin Verlander.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Ryan Raburn called out on strikes.

DET 5 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitching Change: Marc Rzepczynski replaces Justin Masterson.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Don Kelly grounds out, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall to first baseman Nick Swisher.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Alex Avila strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Jose Iglesias strikes out swinging.


CLE - Bot 8th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Lonnie Chisenhall flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3
Michael Bourn grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

DET 5 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitching Change: Matt Albers replaces Marc Rzepczynski.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Ramon Santiago grounds out softly, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Nick Swisher.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Nick Swisher.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Torii Hunter grounds out, second baseman Jason Kipnis to first baseman Nick Swisher.


CLE - Bot 9th
Defensive Substitution: Hernan Perez replaces third baseman Miguel Cabrera, batting 3rd, playing second base.

Defensive switch from second base to third base for Ramon Santiago.

Pitching Change: Jose Veras replaces Justin Verlander.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Nick Swisher flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Jason Kipnis strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Asdrubal Cabrera grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder.


TIGERS WIN 5-1

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Verlander
L: Masterson


Game Info

HBP: Santiago, R (by Masterson), Martinez, V (by Masterson), Gomes, Y (by Verlander).
Pitches-strikes: Verlander 112-75, Veras 7-5, Masterson 100-68, Rzepczynski 10-7, Albers 14-9.
Groundouts-flyouts: Verlander 10-2, Veras 1-1, Masterson 13-1, Rzepczynski 1-0, Albers 3-0.
Batters faced: Verlander 28, Veras 3, Masterson 32, Rzepczynski 3, Albers 3.
Umpires: HP: Phil Cuzzi. 1B: Chris Guccione. 2B: Ron Kulpa. 3B: Tom Hallion.
Weather: 79 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 9 mph, Out to CF.
T: 2:31.
Att: 24,676.
Venue: Progressive Field.
August 6, 2013