GDT138: 9/2/13 - DET (80-57) AT BOS (82-56) - 1:35 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (11-7, 3.81 ERA)

The Red Sox roughed up Fister for six runs on 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings June 21 in Detroit, and six runs on 11 hits over five innings last May at Fenway. He has one win and one quality start in seven career meetings with Boston.



Red Sox: RHP John Lackey (8-11, 3.19 ERA)

Lackey continues to be the victim of little to no run support, but he keeps pitching well. The righty gave up seven hits and three runs over seven innings in his last start and took a no-decision. Lifetime vs. the Tigers, he's 6-2 with a 3.87 ERA.





Tigers, Red Sox battle for AL's best record at Fenway
Fister tries to improve against Boston as Lackey looks for run support

By Adam Berry / MLB.com | 9/1/2013 7:28 PM ET

Two of the American League's best teams are set to square off this week at Fenway Park. How these three games shake out between the Tigers and Red Sox could have a big impact on who owns the best record in the AL -- and home-field advantage -- come October.

But that's not how they're looking at it. Not yet, anyway.

"We've just got to win games. It doesn't matter who you're playing," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "We've just got to continue to win games and see how it plays out."

"I wouldn't say [this series is] a measuring stick," added Red Sox manager John Farrell. "This is another series that we'll prepare for ... and continue our process and go out and continue to execute hopefully the way we have."

Both Detroit and Boston have done that so far this season, entering Monday as the only two AL teams with at least 80 wins. They'll look to solidify their status as the AL's top clubs starting Monday afternoon, when Doug Fister and John Lackey square off at Fenway Park.

"They're a very good team. We know we're going to get good starting pitching thrown at us, a top offense in the game," Farrell said. "Any time you look at a guy like [Miguel] Cabrera or [Prince] Fielder, guys in the middle of that order, it will be important for us to contain the guys ahead of them, to hopefully do what we can to keep them off base and go out and continue to pitch the way our starters have."

Fister has had some difficulty dealing with the Red Sox lately, giving up six runs on 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings on June 21 and six runs on 11 hits over five innings last season. In seven career matchups with Boston, Fister has just one win and one quality start to go along with a 5.20 ERA.

Lackey, meanwhile, is 6-2 with a 3.87 ERA in his career against Detroit. But to maintain that, he'll need a little more run support than he's been getting lately. Despite four quality starts and a 3.09 ERA in August, the veteran right-hander went just 1-3.

Lackey and the Red Sox will face their former infielder, Jose Iglesias, for the first time since he was dealt to the Tigers in the July 30 deal that brought Jake Peavy to Boston. Iglesias hit a surprising .330/.376/.409 in 63 games for the Red Sox and has continued to hit well for the Tigers while providing excellent defense at shortstop.

"It's hard. He's obviously an incredible defensive player, a developing player. He's grown up a lot, helped us win this year, and he's going to be a good player in the big leagues for a long time," Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said of Iglesias. "We were certainly sad to see him go. He's a guy who's fun to watch because of what he does defensively."

Tigers: Cabrera day to day with injury
Miguel Cabrera sat out for the second straight game in Sunday's 4-0 loss to the Indians as he continues to receive treatment on the abdominal strain that also forced him out of Thursday and Friday's games. Leyland believes that Cabrera is making progress, although he's still uncertain when Cabrera will return.

"He was moving around a little bit today, smiling, came down on the bench a little bit," Leyland said after Sunday's game. "He got treated all day. I can't tell you when he'll play. I don't really know the answer to that."

• Reliever Octavio Dotel won't pitch again this season, as the Tigers recalled him from his Minor League rehab assignment, but did not activate him from the disabled list due to persistent forearm tightness. The injury forced Dotel from his outing with Triple-A Toledo on Friday, with team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski noting that the veteran reliever is "just not feeling 100 percent."

Red Sox: Bard designated for assignment
Once an elite setup man out of Boston's bullpen, Daniel Bard was designated for assignment Sunday, possibly bringing an end to his time with the Red Sox.

If Bard goes unclaimed by another team, he could stay in the Red Sox organization.

Bard was sent to the Minors last June and has spent most of his time there since with what Farrell described as "a combination of delivery issues that were being ironed out and certainly confidence issues." Farrell noted that the Red Sox "haven't turned our back on him" and hope to get him back on track, but they needed a roster spot.

• The Red Sox made their first wave of September callups Sunday. Speedy outfielder Quintin Berry (a former Tiger), utility infielder John McDonald, catcher Ryan Lavarnway and right-hander Rubby De La Rosa were all added to the active roster, and infielder Brandon Snyder was activated from the disabled list. Boston will continue to add players to its expanded roster, with more coming when Triple-A Pawtucket's season ends.

Worth noting
• Before giving up six runs to the White Sox on Sunday, the Red Sox had allowed three runs or fewer in 11 straight games, their longest such streak since 1988.

• Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez is batting .386 (86-for-223) with 17 doubles, five homers, 33 RBIs and 30 runs scored in 56 games since July 1.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. 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.)





To track MLB play-by-play: http://m.mlb.com/scores/


On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
•  SCOREBOARD
•  Official Press Pass game notes


On television

•


• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule


On radio

• AND/OR
• XM Channel Schedule




• TUE, Sep 3:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (19-1, 2.90 ERA)) AT
Red Sox: (LHP Jon Lester (12-8, 3.99 ERA))
7:10  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• WED, Sep 4:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (11-7, 4.44 ERA)) AT
Red Sox: (RHP Ryan Dempster (7-9, 4.75 ERA))
7:10  p.m. ET (FS-D, ESPN / FM 97.1)


• THU, Sep 5:
OFF DAY

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off John Lackey)

   Austin Jackson, CF (1-for-4, 2 K’s)
   Torii Hunter, RF (12-for-52, 2 HR, 3 walks, 10 K’s)
   Prince Fielder, 1B (3-for-6)
   Victor Martinez, DH (10-for-26, 4 walks, 3 K’s)
   Andy Dirks, LF (1-for-2, walk)
   Omar Infante, 2B (3-for-12, 6 K’s)
   Don Kelly, 3B (2-for-3)
   Alex Avila, C (0-for-4, 2 walks, K)
   Jose Iglesias, SS

P: Doug Fister

RED SOX (career numbers vs. Fister)

   Jacoby Ellsbury, CF (3-for-6, 2 walks)
   Shane Victorino, RF (3-for-3, HR)
   Dustin Pedroia, 2B (3-for-10, walk)
   David Ortiz, DH (5-for-17, 2 walks, 5 K’s)
   Daniel Nava, LF (3-for-10, walk, K)
   Mike Napoli, 1B (2-for-13, K)
   Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C (5-for-8, HR)
   Stephen Drew, SS (1-for-6, K)
   Will Middlebrooks, 3B (1-for-2, walk, K)

P: John Lackey

DET - Top 1st
B:2 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson doubles (23) on a line drive to left fielder Daniel Nava.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Torii Hunter strikes out on a foul tip.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Prince Fielder flies out to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out sharply, second baseman Dustin Pedroia to first baseman Mike Napoli.


BOS - Bot 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
Jacoby Ellsbury walks.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Shane Victorino hit by pitch. Jacoby Ellsbury to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Dustin Pedroia grounds into a double play, pitcher Doug Fister to shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder. Jacoby Ellsbury to 3rd. Shane Victorino out at 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:3
David Ortiz grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Doug Fister.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:0 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks grounds out, second baseman Dustin Pedroia to first baseman Mike Napoli.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Omar Infante flies out to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Don Kelly strikes out swinging.


BOS - Bot 2nd
B:4 S:0 O:0
Daniel Nava walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Mike Napoli walks. Daniel Nava to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounds into a double play, second baseman Omar Infante to shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder. Daniel Nava to 3rd. Mike Napoli out at 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Stephen Drew flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila called out on strikes.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jose Iglesias doubles (14) on a line drive to left fielder Daniel Nava.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Torii Hunter grounds out softly, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to first baseman Mike Napoli.


BOS - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Will Middlebrooks grounds out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Jacoby Ellsbury strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Shane Victorino grounds out softly to pitcher Doug Fister.

0-0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:0 S:2 O:0
Prince Fielder doubles (30) on a line drive to right fielder Shane Victorino.

With Victor Martinez batting, passed ball by Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Prince Fielder to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out softly, pitcher John Lackey to first baseman Mike Napoli. Victor Martinez out on batter interference.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks flies out softly to right fielder Shane Victorino.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Omar Infante flies out to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.


BOS - Bot 4th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Dustin Pedroia flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:2 O:2
David Ortiz pops out to second baseman Omar Infante.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Daniel Nava singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Mike Napoli strikes out swinging.

0-0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Don Kelly pops out to first baseman Mike Napoli.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Alex Avila called out on strikes.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Jose Iglesias flies out softly to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.


BOS - Bot 5th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Jarrod Saltalamacchia called out on strikes.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Stephen Drew called out on strikes.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Will Middlebrooks singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Jacoby Ellsbury flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

0-0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Shane Victorino.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, second baseman Dustin Pedroia to first baseman Mike Napoli.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Dustin Pedroia to first baseman Mike Napoli.




BOS - Bot 6th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Shane Victorino singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Dustin Pedroia grounds into a double play, shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder. Shane Victorino out at 2nd. (WOW, NICE PLAY JOSE!)

B:1 S:2 O:3
David Ortiz grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder.

0-0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to left fielder Daniel Nava.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Andy Dirks triples (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Victor Martinez scores.
DET 1 - 0

B:4 S:2 O:0
Omar Infante walks.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly grounds into a double play, second baseman Dustin Pedroia to first baseman Mike Napoli to shortstop Stephen Drew. Andy Dirks scores. Omar Infante out at 2nd.
DET 2 - 0

B:1 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila lines out to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.


BOS - Bot 7th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Daniel Nava doubles (24) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Mike Napoli walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Jarrod Saltalamacchia ground bunts into a force out, catcher Alex Avila to third baseman Don Kelly. Daniel Nava out at 3rd. Mike Napoli to 2nd. Jarrod Saltalamacchia to 1st.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Stephen Drew grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Doug Fister. Mike Napoli to 3rd. Jarrod Saltalamacchia to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Will Middlebrooks grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Prince Fielder.

DET 2 - 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Jose Iglesias flies out to right fielder Shane Victorino.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to left fielder Daniel Nava.

With Torii Hunter batting, Austin Jackson steals (7) 2nd base.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Torii Hunter singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Austin Jackson to 3rd. Torii Hunter to 2nd on the throw.

Pitching Change: Matt Thornton replaces John Lackey.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Prince Fielder out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Shane Victorino. Austin Jackson scores.
DET 3 - 0

B:0 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, shortstop Stephen Drew to first baseman Mike Napoli.


BOS - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Phil Coke replaces Doug Fister.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Jacoby Ellsbury grounds out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder.

Pitching Change: Bruce Rondon replaces Phil Coke.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Shane Victorino strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Dustin Pedroia doubles (36) on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

Coaching visit to mound.

With David Ortiz batting, wild pitch by Bruce Rondon, Dustin Pedroia to 3rd.

B:2 S:3 O:3
David Ortiz strikes out on a foul tip.

DET 3 - 0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks lines out to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Omar Infante grounds out, shortstop Stephen Drew to first baseman Mike Napoli.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Daniel Nava. Don Kelly advances to 2nd, on a fielding error by left fielder Daniel Nava.

Injury Delay. (AVILA HITS FOUL BALL OFF HIS LEFT LEG)


B:0 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila strikes out swinging.


BOS - Bot 9th
Pitching Change: Jose Veras replaces Bruce Rondon.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Daniel Nava doubles (25) on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Mike Napoli pops out to second baseman Omar Infante.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Daniel Nava to 3rd.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Stephen Drew strikes out swinging.


TIGERS WIN 3-0

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Fister
L: Lackey
S: Veras


Game Info

WP: Rondon, B.
HBP: Victorino (by Fister).
Pitches-strikes: Fister 112-63, Coke 3-2, Rondon, B 19-13, Veras 23-13, Lackey 111-72, Thornton 15-12.
Groundouts-flyouts: Fister 10-3, Coke 1-0, Rondon, B 0-0, Veras 1-0, Lackey 7-7, Thornton 2-0.
Batters faced: Fister 27, Coke 1, Rondon, B 3, Veras 4, Lackey 29, Thornton 6.
Inherited runners-scored: Thornton 2-1.
Umpires: HP: Eric Cooper. 1B: Paul Schrieber. 2B: Jeff Kellogg. 3B: Angel Hernandez.
Weather: 81 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 7 mph, Out to LF.
T: 2:59.
Att: 36,188.
Venue: Fenway Park.
September 2, 2013