GDT122: 8/16/13 - DET (71-50) VS KC (63-57) - 7:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: LHP Jose Alvarez (1-2, 5.03 ERA)

The Tigers will call up Alvarez for the nightcap of the doubleheader for his first Tigers start since July 1. He made four starts filling in for an injured Anibal Sanchez. He's 8-6 with a 2.79 ERA for Triple-A Toledo



Royals: RHP James Shields (7-8, 3.33 ERA)

Shields bounced back from his worst start of the season with seven strong innings against the Red Sox on Sunday. He allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits, three walks and five strikeouts. He's won three of his past four starts.





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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• 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 James Shields)

   Austin Jackson, CF (7-for-20, walk, 6 K’s)
   Torii Hunter, RF (12-for-41, 11 K’s)
   Miguel Cabrera, 3B (15-for-35, 2 HR, 3 walks, 5 K’s)
   Prince Fielder, 1B (5-for-14, 2 walks)
   Victor Martinez, DH (9-for-28, 8 K’s)
   Andy Dirks, LF (2-for-6, HR, K)
   Brayan Pena, C (4-for-10, walk, K)
   Ramon Santiago, 2B (7-for-23, 5 K’s)
   Jose Iglesias, SS

P: Jose Alvarez

ROYALS

   Jamey Carroll, 3B
   Eric Hosmer, 1B
   Billy Butler, DH
   Alex Gordon, LF
   Salvador Perez, C
   David Lough, RF
   Emilio Bonifacio, CF
   Alcides Escobar, SS
   Chris Getz, 2B

P: James Shields

KC - Top 1st
B:0 S:1 O:1
Jamey Carroll flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Eric Hosmer singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks.

With Billy Butler batting, Eric Hosmer steals (10) 2nd base.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Billy Butler grounds out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder. Eric Hosmer to 3rd.

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


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

With Torii Hunter batting, Austin Jackson caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Salvador Perez to second baseman Chris Getz.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera doubles (23) on a line drive to center fielder Emilio Bonifacio.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

KC - Top 2nd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Salvador Perez grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:3 O:2
David Lough strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Emilio Bonifacio lines out to shortstop Jose Iglesias.


DET - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez lines out sharply to right fielder David Lough.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks walks.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Brayan Pena singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder David Lough. Andy Dirks to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago pops out to shortstop Alcides Escobar on the infield fly rule.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Jose Iglesias pops out to shortstop Alcides Escobar.

0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

KC - Top 3rd
B:3 S:3 O:1
Alcides Escobar strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Chris Getz strikes out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Jamey Carroll walks.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Eric Hosmer homers (14) on a fly ball to right field. Jamey Carroll scores.
KC 2 - 0

B:4 S:1 O:2
Billy Butler walks.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Alex Gordon flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson walks.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Torii Hunter singles on a line drive to right fielder David Lough. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out softly, pitcher James Shields to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Austin Jackson to 3rd. Torii Hunter to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to right fielder David Lough.

KC 2 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

KC - Top 4th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Salvador Perez grounds out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:3 S:1 O:1
David Lough doubles (14) on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Emilio Bonifacio pops out to shortstop Jose Iglesias.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Alcides Escobar flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.


DET - Bot 4th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Andy Dirks grounds out, first baseman Eric Hosmer to pitcher James Shields.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Brayan Pena flies out to right fielder David Lough.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Ramon Santiago grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

KC 2 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

KC - Top 5th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Chris Getz singles on a bunt ground ball to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Jamey Carroll grounds into a force out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Ramon Santiago. Chris Getz out at 2nd. Jamey Carroll to 1st.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3
Billy Butler pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.


DET - Bot 5th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Jose Iglesias flies out to center fielder Emilio Bonifacio.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Emilio Bonifacio.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Torii Hunter hit by pitch.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera lines out sharply to left fielder Alex Gordon.

KC 2 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

KC - Top 6th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Alex Gordon lines out to third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:1 S:3 O:2
David Lough strikes out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Emilio Bonifacio walks. Salvador Perez to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Jeremy Bonderman replaces Jose Alvarez.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Alcides Escobar grounds into a force out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to third baseman Miguel Cabrera. Salvador Perez out at 3rd.


DET - Bot 6th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Andy Dirks flies out to right fielder David Lough.

KC 2 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

KC - Top 7th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Chris Getz singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

With Jamey Carroll batting, throwing error by Jeremy Bonderman on the pickoff attempt, Chris Getz to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Jamey Carroll out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Andy Dirks. Chris Getz scores.
KC 3 - 0

B:1 S:3 O:2
Eric Hosmer strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Billy Butler singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

Pitching Change: Phil Coke replaces Jeremy Bonderman.

Coaching visit to mound.

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


DET - Bot 7th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Brayan Pena grounds out, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Ramon Santiago walks.

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

B:0 S:0 O:3
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder David Lough.

KC 3 - 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

KC - Top 8th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Salvador Perez lines out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:2 O:1
David Lough singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Emilio Bonifacio grounds into a force out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Ramon Santiago. David Lough out at 2nd. Emilio Bonifacio to 1st.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Phil Coke.

With Alcides Escobar batting, Emilio Bonifacio steals (15) 2nd base.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Alcides Escobar grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Luke Hochevar replaces James Shields.

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

B:1 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Emilio Bonifacio.

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

KC 3 - 0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

KC - Top 9th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Chris Getz grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jamey Carroll reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jamey Carroll to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Al Alburquerque intentionally walks Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Billy Butler pops out to shortstop Jose Iglesias on the infield fly rule.

With Alex Gordon batting, passed ball by Brayan Pena, Jamey Carroll to 3rd.

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


DET - Bot 9th
Pitching Change: Greg Holland replaces Luke Hochevar.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Andy Dirks called out on strikes.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Brayan Pena grounds into a double play, first baseman Eric Hosmer to shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Victor Martinez out at 2nd.


TIGERS LOSE 0-3

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Shields
L: Alvarez, Jo
S: Holland, G


Game Info

IBB: Hosmer (by Alburquerque).
HBP: Hunter, To (by Shields).
Pitches-strikes: Shields 106-59, Hochevar 16-12, Holland, G 16-11, Alvarez, Jo 97-59, Bonderman 19-13, Coke 16-13, Alburquerque 22-12.
Groundouts-flyouts: Shields 7-8, Hochevar 1-1, Holland, G 1-0, Alvarez, Jo 4-4, Bonderman 1-0, Coke 1-0, Alburquerque 3-0.
Batters faced: Shields 28, Hochevar 3, Holland, G 3, Alvarez, Jo 25, Bonderman 5, Coke 4, Alburquerque 6.
Inherited runners-scored: Bonderman 2-0, Coke 1-0, Alburquerque 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Quinn Wolcott. 1B: Bob Davidson. 2B: John Hirschbeck. 3B: Mike Muchlinski.
Weather: 76 degrees, clear.
Wind: 7 mph, In from LF.
T: 2:55.
Att: 40,980.
Venue: Comerica Park.
August 16, 2013