GDT: 8/23/11 - DET (69-58) AT TB (69-57) - 7:10 p.m. ET

Price aims to continue roll against top teams
Penny looks to keep Tigers rolling vs. Rays

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | 8/22/2011 11:52 PM ET

In his last two starts, Rays starter David Price shut down the two best teams, record-wise, in the American League.

His reward for holding the Yankees and Red Sox to a total of one run in 16 innings? He gets to face the red-hot AL Central-leading Tigers, who are riding a four-game winning streak that included a weekend sweep of their closest challenger in the division, the Indians.

At this point, the Rays are fighting to get back into the AL playoff race. But Price's name has been very prominent in the postseason picture recently.

Pitching against the league's best is a prospect Price said he enjoys.

"I'm sure it's taxing, but it's fun," Price said. "You have to show up to the yard that day with your good stuff in order to help your team try and win. Obviously, it's not the most fun thing to do. But whenever you go out there and pitch well against these teams, it feels good."

The Tigers hand the ball to Brad Penny, looking to build on their 5 1/2 game lead in the division.

Penny has struggled a bit this season, his ERA hovering just below five for most of the past few months. But, for the most part, he has helped eat innings for the Tigers. Penny has yet to face the Rays this season, and Price has yet to face the Tigers.

Despite the Tigers slowly becoming heavy favorites to earn the playoff spot from the AL Central and the Rays battling to get back in the race, Tampa Bay actually sports a slightly better record than Detroit.

With a win Tuesday, the Tigers would jump the Rays for the league's fourth-best record, behind the Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers.

Tigers: Plenty of relief
• Even though Jose Valverde allowed a ninth-inning homer to Evan Longoria on Monday, Detroit's bullpen has been lights out recently, posting a 1.74 ERA during the last 17 games. Opposing hitters are batting at just a .176 clip and have struck out 52 times in 55 1/3 innings during that span.

• Catcher Alex Avila is hitting .424 in August. He added his fifth homer in 18 games this month in the second inning of Monday's game.

Rays: No rest for Tampa Bay
• The Rays are in the midst of playing 20 games in 20 days, and have gotten off to a good start to that stretch, with a 5-2 mark so far.

• Johnny Damon's walk-off home run on Sunday made him just the second Ray with two walk-off homers in the same season. Carl Crawford also achieved the feat during the 2003 season.

Worth noting
• Back spasms kept Victor Martinez out of the lineup Monday, a prospect that must have made Rays fans breathe a sigh of relief. He has torched Tampa Bay pitching throughout his career, especially at Tropicana Field.

He is hitting .379 (89-for-235) against the Rays, which is the best mark among active players. At the Trop, Martinez is even better, batting .419 (49-for-117) with seven of the eight homers he has hit in his career against the Rays.

Tigers: RHP Brad Penny (8-9, 4.97 ERA)

Penny recovered from three difficult starts to duel the Twins Wednesday night, but he'll get the challenge of putting his sinker to work for ground balls on the artificial turf at Tropicana Field, where he's 0-3 lifetime.


Rays: LHP David Price (11-10, 3.59 ERA)

Price claimed his 11th win of the season Wednesday against the Red Sox when he pitched eight scoreless innings and allowed just three hits at Fenway Park. Price is 4-6 with a 3.59 ERA in 13 starts at Tropicana Field this season.


Game Information



RESCHEDULED GAMES: The following is the information on the rescheduled Tigers games postponed at Comerica Park this season:
- Thursday, September 1 versus Kansas City at 1:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 15)

INJURY UPDATE:

• INF Carlos Guillen (sore left wrist, 15-day disabled list on August 13),
• RHP Al Alburquerque (concussion, 7-day disabled list on August 12).
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 60-day DL on May 11)



To track MLB play-by-play, to help post GDT outcomes: http://m.mlb.com/scores/

On the Internet
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• Gameday
• Official Press Pass game notes

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• Wednesday, August 24:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (13-7, 4.23 ERA)) AT
Rays (RHP Wade Davis (8-7, 4.43 ERA)),
7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Thursday, August 25:
Tigers (RHP Doug Fister (2-1, 4.57 ERA)) AT
Rays (RHP Jeremy Hellickson (11-8, 3.04 ERA)),
1:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Friday, August 26:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (11-8, 5.17 ERA)) AT
Twins (RHP Anthony Swarzak (3-3, 3.12 ERA)),
8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

A Jackson CF
M Ordonez RF
D Young LF
M Cabrera 1B
V Martinez DH
A Avila C
J Peralta SS
R Raburn 2B
B Inge 3B


RAYS

D Jennings CF
J Damon DH
E Longoria 3B
B Zobrist RF
M Joyce LF
C Kotchman 1B
S Rodriguez 2B
K Shoppach C
R Brignac SS

DET - Top 1st
B:1 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ben Zobrist.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Delmon Young flies out to center fielder Desmond Jennings.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out to first baseman Casey Kotchman.

TB - Bot 1st
B:3 S:2 O:0
Desmond Jennings singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

With Johnny Damon batting, Desmond Jennings caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Alex Avila to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Johnny Damon grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Evan Longoria grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:3 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez doubles (27) on a fly ball to left fielder Matt Joyce.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out softly, first baseman Casey Kotchman to pitcher David Price. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, shortstop Reid Brignac to first baseman Casey Kotchman.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Ryan Raburn called out on .

TB - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:1 O:0
Ben Zobrist singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Matt Joyce flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Casey Kotchman called out on .

B:2 S:0 O:2
Sean Rodriguez singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Ben Zobrist to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Kelly Shoppach grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Brandon Inge. Ben Zobrist out at 3rd.

0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Brandon Inge out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson called out on .

B:1 S:2 O:3
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Ben Zobrist.

TB - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:0 O:0
Reid Brignac singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Desmond Jennings singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Reid Brignac to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Johnny Damon flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Evan Longoria grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Reid Brignac to 3rd. Desmond Jennings out at 2nd. Evan Longoria to 1st.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Ben Zobrist doubles (42) on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Reid Brignac scores. Evan Longoria to 3rd.
TB 1 - 0

B:2 S:2 O:3
Matt Joyce grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TB 1 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Delmon Young flies out to right fielder Ben Zobrist in foul territory.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Victor
Martinez grounds into double play, second baseman Sean Rodriguez to
shortstop Reid Brignac to first baseman Casey Kotchman. Miguel Cabrera
out at 2nd.

TB - Bot 4th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Casey Kotchman pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Sean Rodriguez pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Kelly Shoppach flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

TB 1 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila pops out to third baseman Evan Longoria in foul territory.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta pops out to first baseman Casey Kotchman.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Ryan Raburn flies out to center fielder Desmond Jennings.

TB - Bot 5th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Reid Brignac singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Desmond Jennings grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Reid Brignac out at 2nd. Desmond Jennings to 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Johnny Damon pops out to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Evan Longoria flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

TB 1 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Brandon Inge singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Evan Longoria.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Austin
Jackson grounds into double play, shortstop Reid Brignac to second
baseman Sean Rodriguez to first baseman Casey Kotchman. Brandon Inge out
at 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Ben Zobrist.

TB - Bot 6th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Ben Zobrist called out on .

B:3 S:2 O:1
Matt Joyce singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Casey
Kotchman grounds into double play, second baseman Ryan Raburn to
shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Matt Joyce out
at 2nd.

TB 1 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:1 S:0 O:0
Delmon Young singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt Joyce.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Miguel Cabrera singles on a fly ball to right fielder Ben Zobrist. Delmon Young to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Evan Longoria to catcher Kelly Shoppach. Delmon Young out at home. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

With Alex Avila batting, wild pitch by David Price, Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to center fielder Desmond Jennings. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez to 3rd.
TIED 1 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Desmond Jennings. Victor Martinez scores. Alex Avila to 2nd.
2 - 1

B:4 S:0 O:2
David Price intentionally walks Ryan Raburn.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Brandon Inge out swinging.


TB - Bot 7th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 2nd, playing right field.

Defensive Substitution: Ramon Santiago replaces second baseman Ryan Raburn, batting 8th, playing second base.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Sean Rodriguez flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter John Jaso replaces Kelly Shoppach.

B:4 S:2 O:1
John Jaso walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Daniel Schlereth replaces Brad Penny.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter B. J. Upton replaces Reid Brignac.

B:1 S:3 O:2
B. J. Upton out swinging.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Desmond Jennings singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. John Jaso to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Johnny Damon walks. John Jaso to 3rd. Desmond Jennings to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Daniel Schlereth.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Evan Longoria flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

2 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
John Jaso remains in the game as the catcher.

Defensive Substitution: Elliot Johnson replaces B. Upton, batting 9th, playing shortstop.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Evan Longoria to first baseman Casey Kotchman.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Don Kelly out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Delmon Young grounds out, second baseman Sean Rodriguez to first baseman Casey Kotchman.

TB - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Ryan Perry.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Ben Zobrist out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Matt Joyce called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:2
Casey Kotchman doubles (23) on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Phil Coke intentionally walks Sean Rodriguez.

B:1 S:3 O:3
John Jaso out swinging.

2 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Kyle Farnsworth replaces David Price.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Sean Rodriguez to first baseman Casey Kotchman.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Desmond Jennings.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila doubles (25) on a fly ball to left fielder Matt Joyce.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a soft ground ball to second baseman Sean Rodriguez. Alex Avila to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Ramon Santiago hit by pitch. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Brandon Inge pops out to third baseman Evan Longoria.

TB - Bot 9th
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Sam Fuld replaces Elliot Johnson.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Sam Fuld called out on .

B:2 S:3 O:2
Desmond Jennings out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Johnny Damon doubles (24) on a fly ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Phil Coke intentionally walks Evan Longoria.

Coaching visit to mound.

With Ben Zobrist batting, wild pitch by Phil Coke, Johnny Damon to 3rd. Evan Longoria to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Ben Zobrist grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.