GDT139: 9/3/13 - DET (81-57) AT BOS (82-57) - 7:10 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Max Scherzer (19-1, 2.90 ERA)

Scherzer allowed a season-high six runs (five earned) on eight hits in five innings on Thursday, taking a no-decision. He's looking to become the second pitcher in Major League history to open a season with a 20-1 record.



Red Sox: LHP Jon Lester (12-8, 3.99 ERA)

Lester hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in five straight starts. But the Tigers' offense has given him trouble in the past. Lester has a 5.26 ERA in six career starts vs. Detroit.





Scherzer seeks win No. 20 against Lester, Red Sox
Tigers righty aims to join Clemens as only pitchers to start 20-1

By Adam Berry / MLB.com | 9/2/2013 5:22 PM ET

Max Scherzer wasn't at his best his last time out, leaving Thursday's outing against the A's in line for his second loss. But he still has a chance to make history Tuesday.

Torii Hunter's walk-off homer capped Detroit's comeback against Oakland on Thursday, avoiding a series sweep and giving Scherzer a no-decision to preserve his 19-1 record. When he and the Tigers face the Red Sox on Tuesday night, Scherzer will be looking to become just the second pitcher in Major League history to open a season with a 20-1 record, joining Roger Clemens in 2001.

"This is a team thing. In the grand scheme of things, I probably should have taken the loss. Torii bailed me out," said Scherzer, whose ERA climbed to 2.90. "I mean, it is what it is. Obviously it's an accomplishment, but I don't know how much that dictates how well you pitch."

As well as he's pitched this season, he is going to have to rebound from Thursday's rough performance. He gave up a season-high six runs (five earned) on eight hits in only five innings. On the bright side, however, Scherzer has reversed what had been a tough stretch against Boston for the Tigers by winning two of their last three meetings.

The right-hander threw seven innings of two-run ball at Comerica Park on June 22, when the Tigers beat the Red Sox, 10-3.

On the other side, Boston lefty Jon Lester doesn't have a great history with Detroit. The Tigers have given him fits in the past -- their current hitters have combined for a career .413 average and 1.081 OPS in 124 plate appearances against Lester -- and he owns a 5.26 ERA in six starts against Detroit.

The good news for Lester, however, is that he's pitched well as of late. He hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in five straight starts, a streak of five straight quality outings during which he's posted a 1.80 ERA over 35 innings. Opponents have hit just .198 against him during that span.

Lester's last start might have been his worst during this stretch, as he threw only 67 of 112 pitches for strikes over six innings and suffered a loss to the Orioles. Still, he held one of the Majors' best offenses to only three runs over six innings.

"I felt like I had a pretty good fastball," Lester said Thursday, "just not a lot of command of really anything."

"What it did was it cut his night short," added Red Sox manager John Farrell. "The last couple times out it's been eight, seven innings. He's been on a good run here."

Tigers: Cabrera could return Wednesday; Jackson back
• Miguel Cabrera was once again out of the lineup Monday, but the show he put on during batting practice Monday morning may indicate that he's not that far off. Cabrera hit with the team and didn't look limited. If he continues to head in the right direction Tuesday, he could be back in the starting lineup Wednesday.

Detroit was able to put Austin Jackson back in the leadoff spot Monday after he sat out Sunday following a Saturday night collision with the center-field wall at Comerica Park.

• The Tigers recalled right-hander Luke Putkonen on Monday after optioning him to Class A Lakeland on Saturday, though he didn't have to report there. Detroit will add Jeremy Bonderman, Jose Alvarez and Bryan Holaday from Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday.

Red Sox: Ellsbury, Victorino return to lineup
• Shane Victorino, who left Sunday's game with a hip contusion, and Jacoby Ellsbury, who exited early after aggravating a left thumb injury, were back in Boston's lineup Monday afternoon. Ellsbury went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout from the leadoff spot, while Victorino finished 1-for-3.

Farrell said it's fair to expect that just about everyone will be playing through minor dings down the stretch, with those two the latest examples.

"Most everyday player is dealing with something," Farrell said. "Everyone here recognizes the situation we're in and the need to answer the bell every day. ... I think that probably stems from when their teammate looks them in the eye and asks, 'Are they ready to go today?' I think it's hard to tell your teammate 'No' than it would be maybe me. That's one of the characteristics of this team in that there is accountability to one another in here."

• Clay Buchholz is set to make his third rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Pawtucket in Game 1 of the Governors' Cup playoffs. That could change, however, as his wife, Lindsay, is scheduled to give birth to the couple's second child that day. Farrell said the Red Sox are "flexible enough both here and at Pawtucket that we can adjust by a day without disrupting any of their plans."

Worth noting
• With a win Tuesday, the Tigers can claim the series victory and take hold of the best record in the American League. The two clubs will enter the night even in the loss column, with Detroit one win behind Boston.

• Red Sox closer Koji Uehara has a streak of 24 consecutive scoreless innings, the second-longest active run in all of baseball.

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.)





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• 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


• FRI, Sep 6:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (12-7, 2.68 ERA)) AT
ROYALS: (RHP James Shields (10-8, 3.03 ERA))
8:10  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• SAT, Sep 7:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (12-10, 3.59 ERA)) AT
ROYALS: (LHP Danny Duffy (2-0, 1.35 ERA))
7:10  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• SUN, Sep 8:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (12-7, 3.66 ERA)) AT
ROYALS: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
2:10  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off Lester)

   Austin Jackson, CF (2-for-10, walk, K)
   Torii Hunter, RF (13-for-56, 2 HR, 3 walks, 11 K’s)
   Miguel Cabrera, 3B (4-for-12, HR, walk, 3 K’s)
   Prince Fielder, 1B (4-for-9)
   Victor Martinez, DH (11-for-29, 4 walks, 3 K’s)
   Omar Infante, 2B (3-for-14, walk, 6 K’s)
   Matt Tuiasosopo, LF (0-for-2, walk, 2 K’s)
   Brayan Pena, C (6-for-14, 2 K’s)
   Jose Iglesias, SS (1-for-3)

P: Max Scherzer

RED SOX (career numbers off Scherzer)

   Shane Victorino, CF (10-for-43, HR, 4 walks, 7 K’s)
   Daniel Nava, RF (1-for-6, K)
   Dustin Pedroia, 2B (3-for-13, 2 HR, K)
   David Ortiz, DH (7-for-13, 3 HR, 2 walks, 2 K’s)
   Mike Carp, 1B (2-for-5, walk, 3 K’s)
   Jonny Gomes, LF (0-for-3, 2 K’s)
   Stephen Drew, SS (1-for-9, 4 K’s)
   David Ross, C (1-for-2)
   Will Middlebrooks, 3B (0-for-3, 3 K’s)

P: Jon Lester

DET - Top 1st
B:3 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson doubles (24) on a fly ball to center fielder Shane Victorino.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Torii Hunter pops out to first baseman Mike Carp in foul territory.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Daniel Nava. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Prince Fielder strikes out on a foul tip.


BOS - Bot 1st
B:0 S:3 O:1
Shane Victorino strikes out on a foul tip.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Daniel Nava strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Dustin Pedroia strikes out swinging.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:0 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Shane Victorino.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante singles on a ground ball to center fielder Shane Victorino.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo called out on strikes.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Brayan Pena singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jonny Gomes. Omar Infante to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Jose Iglesias doubles (15) on a line drive to center fielder Shane Victorino. Omar Infante scores. Brayan Pena out at home on the throw, center fielder Shane Victorino to shortstop Stephen Drew to catcher David Ross.
DET 1 - 0

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

B:0 S:0 O:2
Mike Carp flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jonny Gomes singles on a ground ball to third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Stephen Drew flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

DET 1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson called out on strikes.

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

B:2 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.


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

B:1 S:3 O:2
Will Middlebrooks called out on strikes.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Shane Victorino strikes out swinging.

DET 1 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder grounds out, shortstop Stephen Drew to first baseman Mike Carp.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out, shortstop Stephen Drew to first baseman Mike Carp.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Omar Infante grounds out, third baseman Will Middlebrooks to first baseman Mike Carp.


BOS - Bot 4th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Daniel Nava lines out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Dustin Pedroia pops out to second baseman Omar Infante.

B:0 S:0 O:3
David Ortiz flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET 1 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo called out on strikes.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Brayan Pena reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Will Middlebrooks.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Jose Iglesias strikes out on a foul tip.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Daniel Nava. Brayan Pena to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Torii Hunter singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jonny Gomes. Brayan Pena to 3rd. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds into a force out, shortstop Stephen Drew to second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Torii Hunter out at 2nd.


BOS - Bot 5th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Mike Carp strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jonny Gomes singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Stephen Drew hits a ground-rule double (23) on a fly ball to right-center field. Jonny Gomes to 3rd.

B:0 S:3 O:2
David Ross strikes out on a foul tip.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Will Middlebrooks singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Jonny Gomes scores. Stephen Drew scores.
BOS 2 - 1


With Shane Victorino batting, Will Middlebrooks steals (2) 2nd base.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Shane Victorino pops out to first baseman Prince Fielder.

BOS 2 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Prince Fielder singles on a sharp ground ball to shortstop Stephen Drew, deflected by pitcher Jon Lester.

Injury Delay.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Shane Victorino.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Omar Infante singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jonny Gomes. Prince Fielder to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Brayan Pena flies out to center fielder Shane Victorino.


BOS - Bot 6th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Daniel Nava flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Dustin Pedroia flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:4 S:0 O:2
David Ortiz walks.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Mike Carp strikes out on a foul tip.

BOS 2 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Jose Iglesias strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Will Middlebrooks to first baseman Mike Carp.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Torii Hunter grounds out, shortstop Stephen Drew to first baseman Mike Carp.


BOS - Bot 7th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Jonny Gomes pops out to shortstop Jose Iglesias.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Stephen Drew walks.

B:3 S:2 O:1
David Ross hit by pitch. Stephen Drew to 2nd.

Injury Delay.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Will Middlebrooks flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Shane Victorino pops out to catcher Brayan Pena in foul territory.

BOS 2 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitching Change: Brandon Workman replaces Jon Lester.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Daniel Nava.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Craig Breslow replaces Brandon Workman.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Dustin Pedroia to first baseman Mike Carp.

B:3 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jonny Gomes.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Danny Worth replaces Victor Martinez.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Junichi Tazawa replaces Craig Breslow.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Omar Infante strikes out swinging.


BOS - Bot 8th
Danny Worth remains in the game as the designated hitter.

Defensive Substitution: Andy Dirks replaces left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo, batting 7th, playing left field.

B:4 S:0 O:0
Daniel Nava walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Dustin Pedroia singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks. Daniel Nava to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Phil Coke replaces Max Scherzer.

B:1 S:2 O:1
David Ortiz flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Mike Napoli replaces Mike Carp.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Luke Putkonen replaces Phil Coke.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Mike Napoli singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks. Daniel Nava to 3rd. Dustin Pedroia to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Jonny Gomes pops out to shortstop Jose Iglesias on the infield fly rule.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Stephen Drew grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Jose Iglesias. Mike Napoli out at 2nd.

BOS 2 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Mike Napoli remains in the game as the first baseman.

Pitching Change: Koji Uehara replaces Junichi Tazawa.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks pops out to second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Brayan Pena strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Jose Iglesias strikes out swinging.


TIGERS LOSE 1-2

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W: Lester
L: Scherzer
S: Uehara


Game Info

Scherzer pitched to 2 batters in the 8th.

HBP: Ross, D (by Scherzer).
Pitches-strikes: Scherzer 111-70, Coke 4-3, Putkonen 10-7, Lester 111-81, Workman 3-1, Breslow 7-3, Tazawa 4-3, Uehara 9-7.
Groundouts-flyouts: Scherzer 2-6, Coke 0-1, Putkonen 1-0, Lester 7-4, Workman 0-1, Breslow 1-0, Tazawa 0-0, Uehara 0-0.
Batters faced: Scherzer 30, Coke 1, Putkonen 3, Lester 29, Workman 1, Breslow 2, Tazawa 1, Uehara 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Coke 2-0, Putkonen 2-0, Tazawa 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Paul Schrieber. 1B: Jeff Kellogg. 2B: Mike Muchlinski. 3B: Eric Cooper.
Weather: 76 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 11 mph, In from RF.
T: 2:56.
Att: 32,071.
Venue: Fenway Park.
September 3, 2013