GDT121: 8/16/13 - DET (71-49) VS KC (62-57) - 1:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (12-8, 3.57 ERA)

The debate continues over whether Verlander has his stuff back or is just having a down year. The verdict from his last start was inconclusive. He gave up two homers and four runs over seven innings, but also struck out nine Yankees.



Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (0-0, 4.91 ERA)

Coming back from Tommy John surgery, Duffy made his first big league start in 14 months on Aug. 7 against the Twins and went 3 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on six hits. He did well enough that he's the 26th player permitted for this twin bill.





Verlander aims to start Tigers off right in twin bill
Royals call on Duffy for opener as Shields faces Alvarez in nightcap

By Mark Emery / MLB.com | 8/16/2013 1:00 PM ET

While the Royals saw their many wins in recent weeks had a minimal effect on the American League Central standings, they yearned for the chance to play the front-running Tigers, who have matched Kansas City's roll step for step.

The Royals swung and missed against the 2012 division champions on Thursday night, as the Tigers rolled to a 4-1 win in the opener of a five-game series at Comerica Park.

Detroit looks to continue its winning ways in Friday's day-night doubleheader. The first game will pit Tigers ace Justin Verlander against southpaw Danny Duffy. In the nightcap, Royals ace James Shields will oppose lefty Jose Alvarez.

Detroit (71-49) owns an 8 1/2-game advantage over the third-place Royals (62-57) in the AL Central standings. Kansas City is 19-8 since the All-Star break, while the Tigers are playing at a 19-7 clip.

Though Kansas City has lost ground in the division race, the Royals have vaulted themselves over .500 to become relevant in the AL playoff picture.

"It's nice to be a part of it, even if it's just a little part of it," Duffy said. "I'll go out there and do my job tomorrow and hopefully it all goes well."

With four runs on Thursday, the Tigers' total is 613 on the season, tied with Boston for the Major League lead. And the Royals, just like everyone else, know that success begins with Miguel Cabrera, last season's AL Most Valuable Player and Triple Crown winner.

"He's not one of the best," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "In my estimation, he's absolutely the best right-handed hitter in the game. With Prince Fielder coming up, this lineup is deadly from one through six. You can't pitch around any of these guys so you just have to pitch very carefully.

"You try not to throw them the same pitch twice in the same location twice. You have to move the ball around, hope that it's a good pitch and hope for a good outcome."

Though Royals pitchers kept Cabrera in the yard on Thursday, the same didn't hold true for Fielder, who hit a two-run shot off Jeremy Guthrie for his 18th home run. That total is far off the pace of Cabrera, who has 38 home runs to go with a .359 batting average and 115 RBIs.

When it comes to Cabrera, Tigers skipper Jim Leyland agrees with Yost.

"I think you just have to realize, right now he's the best hitter in baseball," Leyland said. "He hits like a little guy and gets results like a big guy. That's another reason he doesn't strike out very much. You don't see him out of control very often."

Royals: Duffy seeking first win vs. Detroit
Duffy (0-0, 4.91 ERA) has made just one big league start this season -- a no-decision on On Aug. 7 against Minnesota. Over 3 2/3 innings, he gave up six hits and two runs, while racking up seven strikeouts against two walks.

In four career games against the Tigers, Duffy is 0-3 with a 5.16 ERA across 22 2/3 innings.

• After struggling through a seven-run outing on Aug. 6, Shields (7-8, 3.33 ERA) then went out and held the Red Sox to three runs (two earned) in seven innings. He allowed seven hits, with three walks, five strikeouts and one hit batter. Shields is 5-2 with a 3.56 ERA in 12 career outings against Detroit.

• Emilio Bonifacio played third base and hit sixth in Kansas City's lineup on Thursday, his first game with the Royals since being acquired in a trade with the Blue Jays. He went 1-for-4 with a strikeout and a stolen base. Bonifacio has 13 steals on the season.

Tigers: Verlander dominant against Royals
Verlander (12-8, 3.57 ERA) snapped a streak of three straight quality starts in his last appearance, during which he allowed four runs in seven innings at Yankee Stadium. He finished with nine strikeouts and seven hits (two home runs), and one walk. Over 26 games, Verlander is 15-3 with a 2.74 ERA in his career against Kansas City.

• Alvarez (1-2, 5.03 ERA) will serve as the Tigers' 26th man during the doubleheader. The Tigers are 2-2 in his outings, the first of which occurred on June 9 against Cleveland. Alvarez has never faced the Royals.

• Batting from the leadoff spot on Thursday, left fielder Andy Dirks went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and two doubles.

Worth noting
• The Royals are 5-4 in the season series against the Tigers.

• Since 2009, Detroit is 47-34 overall against Kansas City.


Mark Emery 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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• FRI, Aug 16:
TIGERS: (LHP Jose Alvarez (1-2, 5.03 ERA)) VS
ROYALS: (RHP James Shields (7-8, 3.33 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)


• MON, Aug 19:
OFF DAY


• TUE, Aug 20:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (11-7, 2.50 ERA)) VS
Twins: (RHP Mike Pelfrey (4-10, 5.26 ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off Duffy)

   Austin Jackson, CF (2-for-10, HR, 4 K’s)
   Torii Hunter, RF
   Miguel Cabrera, 3B (3-for-10, 2 walks, 3 K’s)
   Prince Fielder, DH (0-for-3, K)
   Victor Martinez, 1B (2-for-7, walk)
   Matt Tuiasosopo, LF
   Omar Infante, 2B
   Jose Iglesias, SS
   Bryan Holaday, C

P: Justin Verlander

ROYALS (career numbers off Verlander)

   Chris Getz, 2B (6-for-27, walk, 3 K’s)
   Eric Hosmer, 1B (6-for-29, 4 walks, 7 K’s)
   Billy Butler, DH (25-for-59, 2 HR, 7 walks, 8 K’s)
   Alex Gordon, LF (11-for-55, 2 HR, 7 walks, 21 K’s)
   Justin Maxwell, RF
   Emilio Bonifacio, 3B
   George Kottaras, C
   Alcides Escobar, SS (6-for-31, walk, 4 K’s)
   Jarrod Dyson, CF (3-for-10, 2 walks, 3 K’s)

P: Danny Duffy

KC - Top 1st
B:0 S:1 O:1
Chris Getz flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Eric Hosmer grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Victor Martinez.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Billy Butler singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Alex Gordon grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Victor Martinez.


DET - Bot 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson walks.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds into a double play, shortstop Alcides Escobar to second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

KC - Top 2nd
B:0 S:2 O:0
Justin Maxwell singles on a sharp ground ball to shortstop Jose Iglesias.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Emilio Bonifacio strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
George Kottaras lines out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:1 O:3
With Alcides Escobar batting, Justin Verlander picks off Justin Maxwell at 1st on throw to Victor Martinez.


DET - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Victor Martinez strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo grounds out, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Omar Infante flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson.

0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

KC - Top 3rd
B:1 S:0 O:1
Alcides Escobar pops out to shortstop Jose Iglesias.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Jarrod Dyson strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Chris Getz grounds out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Victor Martinez.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:0
Jose Iglesias hit by pitch.

Injury Delay.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Bryan Holaday strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Justin Maxwell.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter walks. Jose Iglesias to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Emilio Bonifacio to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

0-0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

KC - Top 4th
B:1 S:1 O:0
Eric Hosmer homers (13) on a fly ball to left field.
KC 1 - 0

B:3 S:2 O:1
Billy Butler lines out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

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

B:2 S:3 O:3
Justin Maxwell strikes out swinging.




DET - Bot 4th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to right fielder Justin Maxwell.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Matt Tuiasosopo lines out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson.

KC 1 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

KC - Top 5th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Emilio Bonifacio walks.

With George Kottaras batting, Emilio Bonifacio steals (14) 2nd base.

B:3 S:3 O:1
George Kottaras strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Alcides Escobar grounds out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Victor Martinez. Emilio Bonifacio to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Jarrod Dyson flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.


DET - Bot 5th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

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

B:2 S:2 O:3
Bryan Holaday lines out to right fielder Justin Maxwell.

KC 1 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

KC - Top 6th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Chris Getz strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Eric Hosmer lines out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Billy Butler singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Alex Gordon flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


DET - Bot 6th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter lines out sharply to center fielder Jarrod Dyson.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a sharp ground ball to shortstop Alcides Escobar, deflected by third baseman Emilio Bonifacio.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds out, third baseman Emilio Bonifacio to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

KC 1 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

KC - Top 7th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Justin Maxwell doubles (12) on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Emilio Bonifacio hits a ground-rule double (17) on a line drive to right field. Justin Maxwell scores.
KC 2 - 0

B:2 S:1 O:1
George Kottaras lines out to shortstop Jose Iglesias.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Alcides Escobar pops out softly to first baseman Victor Martinez.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Jarrod Dyson flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.


DET - Bot 7th
Pitching Change: Kelvin Herrera replaces Danny Duffy.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out, pitcher Kelvin Herrera to shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Andy Dirks replaces Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Andy Dirks strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Omar Infante strikes out on a foul tip.

KC 2 - 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

KC - Top 8th
Andy Dirks remains in the game as the left fielder.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Chris Getz pops out to catcher Bryan Holaday in foul territory.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Eric Hosmer lines out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Billy Butler walks.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Alex Gordon singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Billy Butler to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Justin Maxwell flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.


DET - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Aaron Crow replaces Kelvin Herrera.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Ramon Santiago replaces Jose Iglesias.

B:0 S:2 O:0
Ramon Santiago homers (1) on a line drive to right field.
KC 2 - 1


Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Brayan Pena replaces Bryan Holaday.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Brayan Pena grounds out, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson lines out to right fielder Justin Maxwell.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Torii Hunter flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson.

KC 2 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

KC - Top 9th
Ramon Santiago remains in the game as the shortstop.

Brayan Pena remains in the game as the catcher.

Pitching Change: Phil Coke replaces Justin Verlander.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Emilio Bonifacio grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Victor Martinez.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Salvador Perez replaces George Kottaras.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Phil Coke.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Salvador Perez flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Alcides Escobar called out on strikes.


DET - Bot 9th
Salvador Perez remains in the game as the catcher.

Pitching Change: Greg Holland replaces Aaron Crow.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.

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

B:1 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds into a double play, second baseman Chris Getz to shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Prince Fielder out at 2nd.


TIGERS LOSE 1-2

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE



W: Duffy
L: Verlander
S: Holland, G


Game Info


HBP: Iglesias (by Duffy).
Pitches-strikes: Duffy 96-55, Herrera, K 11-7, Crow 14-10, Holland, G 11-6, Verlander 124-82, Coke 3-2, Alburquerque 8-5.
Groundouts-flyouts: Duffy 7-4, Herrera, K 1-0, Crow 1-1, Holland, G 1-0, Verlander 4-5, Coke 1-0, Alburquerque 0-1.
Batters faced: Duffy 22, Herrera, K 3, Crow 4, Holland, G 3, Verlander 32, Coke 1, Alburquerque 2.
Umpires: HP: James Hoye. 1B: Mike Muchlinski. 2B: Bob Davidson. 3B: John Hirschbeck.
Weather: 77 degrees, sunny.
Wind: 6 mph, R to L.
T: 2:39.
Att: 38,714.
Venue: Comerica Park.
August 16, 2013