GDT150: 9/16/13 - DET (86-63) VS SEA (66-83) - 7:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (12-8, 4.56 ERA)

Porcello tossed his first complete game against the White Sox last Tuesday, allowing one run on seven hits while striking out five. Since July, he's 8-2 with eight quality starts.



Mariners: LHP Joe Saunders (11-14, 5.18 ERA)

The 32-year-old southpaw has struggled of late, going 1-4 with 7.53 ERA in his last seven starts. Saunders has allowed the most hits of any starter in the Majors this season and opponents are hitting .315 against him.




Tigers, Mariners meet for first time since April
Clubs have traveled opposite paths since they last played

By Jacob Thorpe / MLB.com | 9/15/2013 5:15 PM ET

The Tigers haven't played the Mariners since traveling to Seattle in mid-April, and will face a very different team in Monday's series opener. The Mariners regularly start a number of rookies who weren't on the club when the teams last met, and that number has been bolstered by September callups.

"They got quite a few new guys," manager Jim Leyland said. "I don't know much about them, other than what I see on TV. It seemed like we were in Boston two months ago, and that was only 10 days ago. We haven't seen those guys since April, and that's a long time plus a lot of the faces are new."

Detroit will face a familiar foe on the mound, however, in Joe Saunders. In nine career starts against the Tigers, the lefty has gone 1-2 with a 5.26 ERA.

Saunders has struggled of late, going 1-4 with a 7.53 ERA over his last seven starts. He lasted just three innings, while allowing seven hits and six runs, in a 13-2 loss to the Astros in his most recent outing.

"He's a great competitor, but I haven't seen the command," manager Eric Wedge said. "He still has the velocity on the fastball. You saw him get some good punchouts inside to right-handers -- which usually means if you're getting there, you're OK. He has made it difficult for himself, just going deep in counts and working counts."

Saunders will look to turn his recent slump around against a pitcher coming off one of the best games of his career. Rick Porcello tossed his first career complete game for the Tigers in his last start, allowing just one earned run.

"He's just getting more mature, and he's getting better," Leyland said. "He's learning how to make some adjustments when things aren't going right, as far as mentally and emotionally and learning how to slow things down a little bit."

Mariners: Brad Miller likely out against Tigers

• Shortstop Brad Miller will likely miss most of the Seattle's four-game series against the Tigers, after straining his left hamstring on Saturday. Rookie Carlos Triunfel will start in his place.

"He's sore and tight," Wedge said on Sunday. "We'll just take it day to day and see how he feels. But it's going to be at least a couple days."


Tigers: Iglesias out of the lineup on Sunday

• Shortstop Jose Iglesias was kept out of Sunday's series finale against the Royals with shin splints in both legs. Still, the Tigers' trainers say that the aches in the rookie's legs shouldn't affect his defensive range or his speed on the basepaths.

"I don't really understand when a guy has shin splints, I'm talking about from a medical standpoint, how a guy can run that fast," Leyland said. "But [the trainers] say he can."

Worth noting

• Felix Hernandez will throw a bullpen session on Monday at Comerica Park, as the Mariners test the minor oblique strain in his left side that has sidelined him since Sept. 2. If all goes well, Hernandez likely will start Wednesday's game, with Hisashi Iwakuma to follow on Thursday. But for now, starters for those two games are yet to be determined.

Jacob Thorpe 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.)





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• TUE, Sep 17:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (14-7, 2.50 ERA)) VS
MARINERS (RHP Brandon Maurer (4-8, 7.18 ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• WED, Sep 18:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (13-11, 3.66 ERA)) VS
MARINERS (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• THU, Sep 19:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (12-9, 3.67 ERA)) VS
MARINERS (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off Saunders)

   Austin Jackson, CF (0-for-4, walk, 2 K’s)
   Torii Hunter, RF (3-for-6, K)
   Miguel Cabrera, 3B (5-for-15, 4 walks, 4 K’s)
   Prince Fielder, 1B (0-for-6, 2 walks, 2 K’s)
   Victor Martinez, DH (4-for-15, 2 K’s)
   Omar Infante, 2B (6-for-14)
   Matt Tuiasosopo, LF (2-for-6, 2 K’s)
   Alex Avila, C
   Jose Iglesias, SS (2-for-5, K)

P: Rick Porcello

MARINERS (career numbers off Porcello)

   Dustin Ackley, CF (1-for-3)
   Abraham Almonte, RF
   Kyle Seager, 3B
   Kendrys Morales, DH (3-for-13, walk, 3 K’s)
   Raul Ibanez, LF (0-for-6)
   Justin Smoak, 1B (2-for-8, HR, walk, K)
   Mike Zunino, C
   Nick Franklin, 2B
   Carlos Triunfel, SS

P: Joe Saunders

Seattle - Top of 1st
Rick Porcello pitching for Detroit

1.Dustin Ackley singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

2.Abraham Almonte called out on strikes.

With Kyle Seager batting, wild pitch by Rick Porcello, Dustin Ackley to 2nd.

3.Kyle Seager flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo. Dustin Ackley to 3rd.

4.Kendrys Morales lines out to shortstop Jose Iglesias.


Detroit - Bottom of 1st
Joe Saunders pitching for Seattle

1.Austin Jackson lines out, pitcher Joe Saunders to shortstop Carlos Triunfel to first baseman Justin Smoak.

2.Torii Hunter singles on a ground ball to left fielder Raul Ibanez.

3.Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Raul Ibanez. Torii Hunter to 3rd.

With Prince Fielder batting, wild pitch by Joe Saunders, Torii Hunter scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.
DET 1 - 0

4.Prince Fielder flies out to center fielder Dustin Ackley.

5.Victor Martinez grounds out, shortstop Carlos Triunfel to first baseman Justin Smoak.

DET 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

Seattle - Top of 2nd
Rick Porcello pitching for Detroit

1.Raul Ibanez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

2.Justin Smoak pops out to third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

3.Mike Zunino strikes out swinging.

4.Nick Franklin grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.


Detroit - Bottom of 2nd
Joe Saunders pitching for Seattle

1.Omar Infante doubles (24) on a line drive to center fielder Dustin Ackley.

2.Matt Tuiasosopo grounds out, shortstop Carlos Triunfel to first baseman Justin Smoak. Omar Infante to 3rd.

3.Alex Avila strikes out swinging.

4.Jose Iglesias grounds out, third baseman Kyle Seager to first baseman Justin Smoak.

DET 1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

Seattle - Top of 3rd
Rick Porcello pitching for Detroit

1.Carlos Triunfel grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

2.Dustin Ackley grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

3.Abraham Almonte homers (2) on a fly ball to right field.
TIED 1 - 1

4.Kyle Seager walks.

5.Kendrys Morales strikes out swinging, catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Prince Fielder.


Detroit - Bottom of 3rd
Joe Saunders pitching for Seattle

1.Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to center fielder Dustin Ackley.

2.Torii Hunter grounds into a double play, second baseman Nick Franklin to shortstop Carlos Triunfel to first baseman Justin Smoak. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

3.Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Dustin Ackley.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

Seattle - Top of 4th
Rick Porcello pitching for Detroit

1.Raul Ibanez strikes out swinging.

2.Justin Smoak singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

3.Mike Zunino strikes out swinging.

4.Nick Franklin flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.


Detroit - Bottom of 4th
Joe Saunders pitching for Seattle

1.Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Nick Franklin to first baseman Justin Smoak.

2.Victor Martinez grounds out, third baseman Kyle Seager to first baseman Justin Smoak.

3.Omar Infante strikes out swinging.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

Seattle - Top of 5th
Rick Porcello pitching for Detroit

1.Carlos Triunfel strikes out swinging.

2.Dustin Ackley called out on strikes.

3.Abraham Almonte singles on a soft ground ball to first baseman Prince Fielder.

4.Kyle Seager pops out to third baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.


Detroit - Bottom of 5th
Joe Saunders pitching for Seattle

1.Matt Tuiasosopo reaches on a throwing error by first baseman Justin Smoak.

2.Alex Avila grounds into a force out, pitcher Joe Saunders to shortstop Carlos Triunfel to second baseman Nick Franklin. Matt Tuiasosopo out at 2nd. Alex Avila to 1st.

3.Jose Iglesias grounds into a double play, second baseman Nick Franklin to first baseman Justin Smoak. Alex Avila out at 2nd.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

Seattle - Top of 6th
Rick Porcello pitching for Detroit

1.Kendrys Morales strikes out swinging.

2.Raul Ibanez walks.

3.Justin Smoak reaches on a force attempt, throwing error by second baseman Omar Infante. Raul Ibanez to 2nd.

4.Mike Zunino strikes out swinging.

5.Nick Franklin called out on strikes.


Detroit - Bottom of 6th
Joe Saunders pitching for Seattle

1.Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.

2.Torii Hunter grounds out, shortstop Carlos Triunfel to first baseman Justin Smoak.

3.Miguel Cabrera walks.

4.Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to left fielder Raul Ibanez. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

5.Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Abraham Almonte. Miguel Cabrera scores. Prince Fielder to 3rd.
DET 2 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

6.Omar Infante singles on a line drive to left fielder Raul Ibanez. Prince Fielder scores. Victor Martinez to 2nd.
DET 3 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Tom Wilhelmsen replaces Joe Saunders.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Don Kelly replaces Matt Tuiasosopo.

7.Don Kelly grounds out, first baseman Justin Smoak to pitcher Tom Wilhelmsen.

DET 3 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

Seattle - Top of 7th
Drew Smyly pitching for Detroit

Don Kelly remains in the game as the left fielder.

Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Rick Porcello.

1.Carlos Triunfel bunt grounds out, pitcher Drew Smyly to first baseman Prince Fielder.

2.Dustin Ackley flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

3.Abraham Almonte strikes out swinging.


Detroit - Bottom of 7th
Tom Wilhelmsen pitching for Seattle

1.Alex Avila singles on a sharp line drive to catcher Mike Zunino, deflected by pitcher Tom Wilhelmsen.

Injury Delay.

2.Jose Iglesias out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Tom Wilhelmsen to first baseman Justin Smoak. Alex Avila to 2nd.

3.Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Kyle Seager to first baseman Justin Smoak.

4.Torii Hunter singles on a ground ball to center fielder Dustin Ackley. Alex Avila scores.
DET 4 - 1

5.Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Abraham Almonte.

DET 4 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

Seattle - Top of 8th
Drew Smyly pitching for Detroit

1.K Seager struck out swinging.

2.K Morales flied out to right.

3.R Ibanez doubled to deep center.

4.J Smoak singled to left, R Ibanez scored.
DET 4 - 2

Pitching Change: J Veras relieved D Smyly.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter M Saunders hit for M Zunino.

5.M Saunders flied out to right.


Detroit - Bottom of 8th
Oliver Perez pitching for Seattle

H Blanco remains in the game as the catcher.

Pitching Change: O Perez relieved T Wilhelmsen.

1.P Fielder walked.

2.V Martinez flied out to center.

3.O Infante grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, P Fielder out at second.

DET 4 - 2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

Seattle - Top of 9th
Joaquin Benoit pitching for Detroit

Pitching Change: J Benoit relieved J Veras.

1.N Franklin walked.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter E Chavez hit for C Triunfel.

2.E Chavez grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, N Franklin out at second.

3.D Ackley struck out swinging.


TIGERS WIN 4-2

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: R. Porcello (13-8)
L: J. Saunders (11-15)
S: J. Benoit (21)


GAME INFO:

WP: Saunders, J, Porcello.
Pitches-strikes: Saunders, J 83-47, Wilhelmsen 20-14, Perez, O 12-6, Porcello 105-70, Smyly 29-18, Veras 6-3, Benoit 12-6.
Groundouts-flyouts: Saunders, J 10-2, Wilhelmsen 3-1, Perez, O 1-1, Porcello 4-2, Smyly 1-2, Veras 0-1, Benoit 1-0.
Batters faced: Saunders, J 24, Wilhelmsen 6, Perez, O 3, Porcello 26, Smyly 7, Veras 1, Benoit 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Wilhelmsen 2-0, Veras 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Chris Guccione. 1B: Tom Hallion. 2B: Phil Cuzzi. 3B: Ron Kulpa.
Weather: 62 degrees, clear.
Wind: 7 mph, Out to RF.
T: 2:50.
Att: 34,063.
Venue: Comerica Park.
September 16, 2013