GDT: 7/22/10 - DET (49-44) VS TOR (48-47) - 1:05 p.m. ET

Jays try to snap out of blues in Motown

By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com

The Blue Jays crept out of Kansas City quietly on Wednesday after losing two of three to the Royals, a far cry from the rousing sweep of the Orioles coming out of the All-Star break.

Nothing can turn a mood around more effectively than sending a top starter to the mound. That's exactly what Toronto will do when it heads to Detroit and gives the ball to Ricky Romero to kick off the four-game series on Thursday afternoon.

Romero shook off a rough start right before the All-Star break with a strong outing after the Midsummer Classic. He went seven innings, allowing just two unearned runs in beating the Orioles. The Jays could use that kind of outing if they want to get back to their winning ways.

"When I pitch down in the zone -- ground balls all day -- that's when I'm at my best," Romero said after the victory. "I think we did a good job emphasizing that before the break when I threw my bullpen [session] in Toronto.

"I think sometimes I try to overthrow and try to get to the plate too quick. I felt like [last Friday], I took my time and had a good rhythm and got a lot of ground-ball outs."

Romero got 12 groundouts in that start against Baltimore, and he's got a 3.16 groundout/airout ratio, good for second best in the American League. The Tigers, for what it's worth, are fifth in the AL with a 1.46 GO/AO.

Standing in the way of the Blue Jays' good time is All-Star Justin Verlander. The right-hander had a no-decision against the Indians in his first start after the break, a six-inning outing during which he gave up three runs, walking five and striking out nine. Verlander hasn't pitched well against Toronto in the past, giving up 19 earned runs in 15 innings over three starts (11.40 ERA). He last faced the Jays on Sept. 14 of last year, getting a no-decision in a 6-5 win after giving up 10 hits and five runs in seven innings.

Blue Jays: Lewis, Escobar day-to-day
It remains to be seen just how much Toronto will be able to count on one of its outfielders and its new shortstop during this four-game series.

Fred Lewis led off and started in left field on Wednesday afternoon, but he came out in the sixth inning with ankle soreness. Yunel Escobar, who's played just four games with the Blue Jays thus far, has missed the last two contests with a right hand contusion. Both players are listed as day-to-day.

Tigers: Sizemore back with big club
Infielder Scott Sizemore is back with Detroit, called up after right-hander Casey Fien was optioned to Toledo. Given the Opening Day job at second base, Sizemore hit .206 over 30 games before being sent down to Triple-A. He didn't sulk, hitting .329/.392/.515 over 41 games with Toledo before being recalled. He could see some time at third base as the Tigers continue to be creative in ways to replace the injured Brandon Inge.

Worth noting
The Tigers' seven-game losing streak had Detroit eight games back in the AL Central heading into their Wednesday-night game against the Rangers. With a 4-1 victory in the series finale, the Tigers will look to build a different kind of streak against the Blue Jays. ... The Tigers have won 18 of the club's past 23 games at home dating back to June 2. For the season, Detroit has compiled a 33-15 record at Comerica Park and is tops among all AL clubs with a .688 winning percentage at home in 2010. ... The Blue Jays had their 13-game home run streak snapped Wednesday.



Pitching matchup

TIGERS: RHP Justin Verlander (11-5, 3.86 ERA)
Verlander did not receive a decision for the first time since April 11 on Saturday, when he scattered six hits and five walks over six innings of three-run ball against the Indians. The 27-year-old right-hander is 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA in his past three starts.

BLUE JAYS: LHP Ricky Romero (7-6, 3.50 ERA)
Romero ended a three-start losing streak and picked up his first victory since June 16 with a strong seven-inning showing against the Orioles on Friday. The lefty allowed two runs (none earned) on five hits over seven innings.


From MLB Tigers Game Notes


INJURY UPDATE:
3B Brandon Inge (non-displaced fracture of fifth metacarpal in left hand, 15-day DL on July 20), (out 4 to 6 weeks)
RHP Zach Miner (right elbow tendinitis, 60-day DL on March 26),
LHP Bobby Seay (left shoulder strain, 60-day DL on March 26),
RHP Joel Zumaya (non-displaced fracture of the olecranon, 60-day DL on June 29).


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Friday, July 23
TIGERS (RHP Rick Porcello (4-7, 5.63 ERA)) VS Blue Jays (RHP Shaun Marcum (8-4, 3.36 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Saturday, July 24
TIGERS (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (5-6, 4.98 ERA)) VS Blue Jays (LHP Brett Cecil (8-5, 3.99 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Sunday, July 25
TIGERS (RHP Armando Galarraga (3-3, 4.50 ERA)) VS Blue Jays (RHP Jesse Litsch (1-4, 5.79 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
DeWayne Wise lines out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Yunel Escobar grounds out, third baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Jose Bautista doubles (20) on a ground ball to left fielder Johnny Damon.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Vernon Wells walks.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Lind walks. Jose Bautista to 3rd. Vernon Wells to 2nd.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Aaron Hill pops out to shortstop Danny Worth.



Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Austin Jackson lines out sharply to pitcher Ricky Romero.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Johnny Damon flies out to center fielder Vernon Wells.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to center fielder Vernon Wells.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Lyle Overbay doubles (21) on a fly ball to right fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
John Buck homers (14) on a fly ball to right center field. Lyle Overbay scores.

TOR 2, DET 0




B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Edwin Encarnacion grounds out, third baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
DeWayne Wise triples (2) on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Yunel Escobar grounds out, third baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Jose Bautista out swinging.



Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out to center fielder Vernon Wells.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to left fielder DeWayne Wise.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Scott Sizemore grounds out, shortstop Yunel Escobar to first baseman Lyle Overbay.

TOR 2, DET 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Vernon Wells pops out to third baseman Scott Sizemore.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Adam Lind grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Aaron Hill doubles (14) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Lyle Overbay grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.



Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Gerald Laird out swinging.


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


B:2 S:2 O:3 - Danny Worth lines into double play,
second baseman Aaron Hill to first baseman Lyle Overbay. Ramon Santiago
doubled off 1st.

TOR 2, DET 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
John Buck out swinging.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Edwin Encarnacion flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
DeWayne Wise singles on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Yunel Escobar grounds into a force out, shortstop Danny Worth to second baseman Ramon Santiago. DeWayne Wise out at 2nd.



Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Austin Jackson grounds out, pitcher Ricky Romero to first baseman Lyle Overbay.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Johnny Damon doubles (24) on a line drive to right fielder Jose Bautista.


B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez walks.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Vernon Wells. Johnny Damon scores. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.

TOR 2, DET 1




B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn out swinging, catcher John Buck to third baseman Edwin Encarnacion. Magglio Ordonez out at home.

TOR 2, DET 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Jose Bautista grounds out, catcher Gerald Laird to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Vernon Wells pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Adam Lind called out on .



Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Scott Sizemore pops out to first baseman Lyle Overbay.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird bunt grounds out, pitcher Ricky Romero to first baseman Lyle Overbay.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to center fielder Vernon Wells.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Danny Worth singles on a line drive to right fielder Jose Bautista. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jose Bautista. Ramon Santiago scores. Danny Worth to 2nd.

TOR 2, DET 2




B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Johnny Damon singles on a line drive to left fielder DeWayne Wise. Danny Worth to 3rd. Austin Jackson to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Edwin Encarnacion. Austin Jackson out at 3rd.

TOR 2, DET 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Aaron Hill reaches on throwing error by third baseman Scott Sizemore.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
With Lyle Overbay batting, Aaron Hill caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Laird to shortstop Danny Worth.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Lyle Overbay called out on .


B:0 S:2 O:3 -
John Buck flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.



Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera hits a ground-rule double (29) on a line drive to left-center field.


B:0 S:0 O:1 - Ryan Raburn reaches on a fielder's
choice out, first baseman Lyle Overbay to third baseman Edwin
Encarnacion. Miguel Cabrera out at 3rd.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Scott Sizemore lines out softly to shortstop Yunel Escobar.


B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Gerald Laird flies out to left fielder DeWayne Wise.

TOR 2, DET 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Edwin Encarnacion grounds out, shortstop Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
DeWayne Wise out swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:3 - Yunel Escobar doubles (13) on a line
drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Yunel Escobar out at 3rd,
center fielder Austin Jackson to shortstop Danny Worth to third baseman
Scott Sizemore.



Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago bunt grounds out, pitcher Ricky Romero to first baseman Lyle Overbay.


B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Danny Worth walks.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Austin Jackson out swinging and Danny Worth caught stealing 2nd, catcher John Buck to second baseman Aaron Hill.

TOR 2, DET 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

Inning 8
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Jose Bautista pops out to third baseman Scott Sizemore.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Vernon Wells singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Lind flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
With Aaron Hill batting, Vernon Wells steals (5) 2nd base.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Aaron Hill flies out to left fielder Johnny Damon.



Bottom Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Johnny Damon walks.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Shawn Camp replaces Ricky Romero.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to left fielder DeWayne Wise. Johnny Damon to 2nd.


B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera doubles (30) on a line drive to left fielder DeWayne Wise. Johnny Damon scores. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.

DET 3, TOR 2




B:0 S:2 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Vernon Wells. Magglio Ordonez scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

DET 4, TOR 2




B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Scott Sizemore grounds out, third baseman Edwin Encarnacion to first baseman Lyle Overbay. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Gerald Laird out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Vernon Wells. Miguel Cabrera scores. Ryan Raburn to 3rd.

DET 5, TOR 2




B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago called out on .

DET 5, TOR 2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces third baseman Scott Sizemore, batting 6th, playing third base.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Justin Verlander.


B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Lyle Overbay out swinging.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
John Buck grounds out, shortstop Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Edwin Encarnacion singles on a ground ball to left fielder Johnny Damon.


B:0 S:3 O:3 -
DeWayne Wise out swinging.

DET 5, TOR 2 FINAL BOX SCORE > CLICK HERE <