GDT119: 8/14/13 - DET (69-49) AT CWS (46-72) - 2:10 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.32 ERA)

Porcello returns to U.S. Cellular Field for the second time in three weeks hoping to duplicate his success from July 23, when he tossed seven scoreless innings and kept the ball in the park. He's unbeaten in his last six starts.



White Sox: LHP John Danks (2-9, 4.52 ERA)

Danks gave up three runs on four hits while walking five and striking out a season-high nine in a loss to the Twins. Despite pitching at least six innings in his last nine starts, he is 1-6 over that span.





Martinez tries to help get Tigers back on track
Porcello squares off with Danks; Detroit has lost four of five

By Michael Periatt / MLB.com | 8/14/2013 1:30 AM ET

Something about the White Sox brings out the best in Victor Martinez.

In 138 career games against Chicago, Martinez has accumulated a .324 batting average, 20 homers and 27 doubles. His 162 career hits and 84 RBIs against the White Sox rank third all-time.

Through the first two games of a three-game set against Chicago this week, he has three hits in six at-bats, but lately the Detroit designated hitter has had success against more than just Chicago.

And as Martinez has shined, so have the Tigers.

Aided by what appears to be a rejuvenated Martinez -- he's hitting .364 with 15 doubles, five homers and 33 RBIs in his last 47 games -- the Tigers have won 17 of their last 22 games and 26 of 37 dating back to July 2.

Martinez missed all of last season with a torn ACL and struggled to find his rhythm through the first few months of the season, but he appears to be regaining his previous form.

"He's swinging at more strikes, he's showing more patience and he's a great hitter," said Detroit manager Jim Leyland. "He's calmed down since the beginning of the season. I think all the anxiety about getting back to playing and everything, I think he was in a hurry kind of because he just hadn't played and now he's just settled back in. He's back into the routine of a Major League Baseball player and I think that's it."

All the past success hasn't been enough to help the Tigers against the White Sox this week, though. Chicago has taken the first two games of the series, while Detroit has lost four of five.

Rick Porcello is slated to take the mound for the start. He's allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his last seven outings, six of which have been quality starts. He has a 2.62 ERA in that span compared to a 4.32 mark on the year.

So what's been the difference?

"His breaking ball's been better, his offspeed stuff's been better, he's attacking the hitters pretty good," Leyland said. "He's just been doing a very good job. That's why he's in the rotation, because we think he's capable of that."

John Danks will take the mound for the White Sox, who have won six of their last nine games. The lefty has recorded a quality start in each of his last three starts, but he has no wins to show for it. In 15 starts this season he's 2-9 with a 4.52 ERA.

Tigers: Middle infield gets new look
Shortstop Jose Iglesias and second baseman Omar Infante appear to be settling into their roles as the everyday Detroit middle infielders.

Iglesias, who came over from Boston just before the Trade Deadline, and Infante, who played in his second game since coming off the disabled list, have combined for five double plays in their first two games together.

Though they've only played together a short time, Leyland thinks the pair should quickly develop a double-play chemistry.

"Yeah, they'll be fine," he said. "I've always thought that people make a little bit too much out of that. I think that there is something to learning each other a little bit. I do agree with that. But they make more about that than [needed].

"Everybody says, 'Well, he knows exactly what this guy's going to do and that guy's going to do.' Well, get a ground ball to short and there's a guy on first, you're going to throw it to the second baseman covering second and he throws it to the first baseman for a double play. Once and a while, there's a ball hit up the middle where the other one knows the other one is going to get it or something. But they'll be fine."

White Sox: Club reportedly puts Konerko through waivers
White Sox captain Paul Konerko was put through waivers Tuesday, according to a report from FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal.

The move doesn't necessarily mean Konerko is going anywhere. Putting a player on waivers is fairly common in August and even if someone did pick up Konerko, his 10/5 no-trade veto power means he would have to approve going to a different team.

"Everybody goes through waivers," White Sox executive vice president Ken Williams said. "I can't say I'll be here till the end of the year. Assuming all natural things, yeah, I would be surprised [if Konerko wasn't here]."

Worth noting
• The White Sox have lost 13 of their last 16 games against teams from the AL Central, including six of nine against Detroit.

• Alexei Ramirez extended his hitting streak to 10 games Tuesday after going 2-for-4. He's 18-for-46 (.391) with two home runs and eight RBIs in that span.

• Miguel Cabrera's streak of four straight games with a home run came to an end after he went 0-for-5 Tuesday.


Michael Periatt 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.) rehab assignment

• C Alex Avila (Delayed concussive symptoms., placed on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to August 11, 2013.)






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• THU, Aug 15:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (10-7, 2.58 ERA)) VS
ROYALS: (RHP Jeremy Guthrie (12-8, 4.10 ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / WXYT 1270)


• FRI, Aug 16:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (12-8, 3.57 ERA)) VS
ROYALS: (RHP James Shields (7-8, 3.33 ERA))
1:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• FRI, Aug 16:
TIGERS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA)) VS
ROYALS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• SAT, Aug 17:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (10-6, 3.60 ERA)) VS
ROYALS: (RHP Wade Davis (6-9, 5.29 ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• SUN, Aug 18:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (17-1, 2.85 ERA)) VS
ROYALS: (LHP Bruce Chen (5-0, 1.62 ERA))
1:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off John Danks)

   Austin Jackson, CF (13-for-33, 3 HR, 4 walks, 6 K’s)
   Torii Hunter, RF (13-for-40, 3 HR, 3 walks, 5 K’s)
   Miguel Cabrera, 3B (9-for-31, 7 walks, 4 K’s)
   Prince Fielder, 1B (5-for-9, HR, walk, K)
   Victor Martinez, DH (7-for-38, 3 HR, 2 walks, 4 K’s)
   Matt Tuisosopo, LF (1-for-11, walk, 5 K’s)
   Omar Infante, 2B (1-for-9, HR, walk, 4 K’s)
   Jose Iglesias, SS (1-for-3, HR, K)
   Bryan Holaday, C

P: Rick Porcello

WHITE SOX (career numbers off Porcello)

   Alejandro De Aza, CF (5-for-23, 3 walks, 3 K’s)
   Gordon Beckham, 2B (7-for-19, HR, 2 walks, 3 K’s)
   Alexei Ramirez, SS (7-for-39, HR, K)
   Adam Dunn, DH (6-for-17, 2 HR, walk, 5 K’s)
   Avisail Garcia, RF
   Jeff Keppinger, 1B (1-for-9, 2 K’s)
   Conor Gillaspie, 3B (4-for-9, HR, K)
   Tyler Flowers, C (0-for-7, walk, 3 K’s)
   Jordan Danks, CF

P: John Danks

DET - Top 1st
B:3 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Jeff Keppinger.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Torii Hunter walks.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Jordan Danks.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to right fielder Avisail Garcia. Torii Hunter to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds into a force out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to second baseman Gordon Beckham. Prince Fielder out at 2nd.


CWS - Bot 1st
B:3 S:2 O:0
Alejandro De Aza singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Gordon Beckham lines out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Alexei Ramirez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jose Iglesias. Alejandro De Aza to 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Adam Dunn walks. Alejandro De Aza to 3rd. Alexei Ramirez to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Avisail Garcia singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jose Iglesias. Alejandro De Aza scores. Alexei Ramirez to 3rd. Adam Dunn to 2nd.

CWS 1 - 0

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jeff Keppinger out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Austin Jackson. Alexei Ramirez scores. Adam Dunn to 3rd.
CWS 2 - 0

B:3 S:1 O:2
Conor Gillaspie singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Adam Dunn scores. Avisail Garcia to 3rd.
CWS 3 - 0

B:0 S:1 O:3
Tyler Flowers grounds into a force out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to second baseman Omar Infante. Conor Gillaspie out at 2nd.

CWS 3 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo grounds out, third baseman Conor Gillaspie to first baseman Jeff Keppinger.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Omar Infante flies out to right fielder Avisail Garcia.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Jose Iglesias grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Jeff Keppinger.


CWS - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Jordan Danks strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alejandro De Aza bunt grounds out, catcher Bryan Holaday to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Gordon Beckham singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Alexei Ramirez grounds into a force out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to second baseman Omar Infante. Gordon Beckham out at 2nd.

CWS 3 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:0
Bryan Holaday singles on a ground ball to left fielder Alejandro De Aza.

B:0 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to right fielder Avisail Garcia. Bryan Holaday to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Torii Hunter lines out to right fielder Avisail Garcia.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera homers (38) on a fly ball to left field. Bryan Holaday scores. Austin Jackson scores.
TIED 3 - 3

B:0 S:0 O:2
Prince Fielder lines out to first baseman Jeff Keppinger.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Jeff Keppinger.


CWS - Bot 3rd
B:3 S:3 O:1
Adam Dunn strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Avisail Garcia singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Jeff Keppinger pops out to first baseman Prince Fielder in foul territory.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Conor Gillaspie grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo flies out to right fielder Avisail Garcia.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Omar Infante pops out to second baseman Gordon Beckham.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Jose Iglesias bunt pops out to first baseman Jeff Keppinger.


CWS - Bot 4th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Tyler Flowers strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Jordan Danks singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Alejandro De Aza pops out to second baseman Omar Infante.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Gordon Beckham singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo. Jordan Danks to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Alexei Ramirez flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Bryan Holaday flies out to right fielder Avisail Garcia.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson lines out to center fielder Jordan Danks.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Torii Hunter singles on a line drive to center fielder Jordan Danks.

With Miguel Cabrera batting, wild pitch by John Danks, Torii Hunter to 2nd.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.


CWS - Bot 5th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Adam Dunn singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Avisail Garcia flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Jeff Keppinger singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo. Adam Dunn to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Conor Gillaspie flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Tyler Flowers grounds into a force out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to second baseman Omar Infante. Jeff Keppinger out at 2nd.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Jeff Keppinger.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Alejandro De Aza.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo singles on a ground ball to right fielder Avisail Garcia. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Omar Infante singles on a ground ball to left fielder Alejandro De Aza. Victor Martinez scores. Matt Tuiasosopo to 2nd.

DET 4 - 3

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Jose Iglesias strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Bryan Holaday hit by pitch. Matt Tuiasosopo to 3rd. Omar Infante to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Conor Gillaspie. Matt Tuiasosopo scores. Omar Infante scores. Bryan Holaday to 3rd.

DET 6 - 3

B:0 S:0 O:3
Torii Hunter grounds into a force out, third baseman Conor Gillaspie to second baseman Gordon Beckham. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.


CWS - Bot 6th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Jordan Danks flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Alejandro De Aza strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Gordon Beckham singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Alexei Ramirez grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

DET 6 - 3 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Jeff Keppinger.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Prince Fielder strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez lines out to first baseman Jeff Keppinger.


CWS - Bot 7th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo, batting 6th, playing left field.

Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Rick Porcello.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Adam Dunn singles on a ground ball to third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Avisail Garcia grounds into a double play, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Adam Dunn out at 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jeff Keppinger reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Jose Iglesias.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Conor Gillaspie walks. Jeff Keppinger to 2nd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Dayan Viciedo replaces Tyler Flowers.

Coaching visit to mound.


Pitching Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Drew Smyly.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Dayan Viciedo flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET 6 - 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Defensive Substitution: Josh Phegley replaces Dayan Viciedo, batting 8th, playing catcher.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Don Kelly pops out to second baseman Gordon Beckham.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante singles on a line drive to left fielder Alejandro De Aza.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Ramon Troncoso replaces John Danks.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Jose Iglesias grounds into a force out, first baseman Jeff Keppinger to shortstop Alexei Ramirez. Omar Infante out at 2nd. Jose Iglesias to 1st.


B:3 S:2 O:3
Bryan Holaday reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Conor Gillaspie. Jose Iglesias out at 3rd, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to second baseman Gordon Beckham to pitcher Ramon Troncoso.


CWS - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Jose Veras replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Jordan Danks grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Alejandro De Aza walks.

With Gordon Beckham batting, Alejandro De Aza steals (14) 2nd base.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Gordon Beckham walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Alexei Ramirez singles on a soft line drive to second baseman Omar Infante. Alejandro De Aza scores. Gordon Beckham to 2nd.
DET 6 - 4


Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Jose Veras.

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

B:1 S:3 O:3
Avisail Garcia strikes out swinging.

DET 6 - 4 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Jeff Keppinger.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out softly, catcher Josh Phegley to first baseman Jeff Keppinger.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Jeff Keppinger.


CWS - Bot 9th
Defensive Substitution: Ramon Santiago replaces third baseman Miguel Cabrera, batting 3rd, playing third base.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Jeff Keppinger singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Conor Gillaspie walks. Jeff Keppinger to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Josh Phegley out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Joaquin Benoit to second baseman Omar Infante. Jeff Keppinger to 3rd. Conor Gillaspie to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Jordan Danks strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Alejandro De Aza grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.


TIGERS WIN 6-4

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W: Porcello
L: Danks, Jh
S: Benoit


Game Info

WP: Danks, Jh.
HBP: Holaday (by Danks, Jh).
Pitches-strikes: Porcello 102-65, Smyly 16-7, Alburquerque 4-3, Veras 16-8, Benoit 27-18, Danks, Jh 107-73, Troncoso 26-15.
Groundouts-flyouts: Porcello 6-5, Smyly 2-0, Alburquerque 0-1, Veras 1-0, Benoit 2-0, Danks, Jh 9-4, Troncoso 5-0.
Batters faced: Porcello 30, Smyly 4, Alburquerque 1, Veras 4, Benoit 7, Danks, Jh 34, Troncoso 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Alburquerque 2-0, Benoit 2-0, Troncoso 1-0.
Umpires: HP: D.J. Reyburn. 1B: Laz Diaz. 2B: Mark Wegner. 3B: Mike Winters.
Weather: 68 degrees, sunny.
Wind: 11 mph, L to R.
T: 3:06.
Att: 20,058.
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field.
August 14, 2013