GDT: 5/07/12 - DET (14-13) AT SEA (13-17) - 10:10 p.m. ET

Fister returns to face former Seattle teammates
Right-hander dealt to Detroit at Trade Deadline last summer

By Joey Nowak / MLB.com | 5/6/2012 8:00 PM ET

Doug Fister's return from the disabled list comes just in time to create a dramatic storyline as the Tigers and Mariners get set for a three-game series starting Monday in Seattle.

Fister was acquired by the Tigers from the Mariners in a Trade Deadline deal last season, and helped guide Detroit to the American League Championship Series by going 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA in 11 regular-season games.

He'll make his first trip back to Seattle this week, in also his first start back since he was sidelined on April 7 with a left side strain.

"There's a lot of emotion to going back to where I started," said Fister, Seattle's seventh-round selection in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. "But at the same point, it's still the same game. I'm going out there and facing hitters and going out there with me and I think [catcher Alex Avila]. We'll work together and again, it's not a focus of who I'm facing. It's just the matter of getting on the mound and throwing strikes."

He threw four innings (68 pitches) in a rehab start with Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday. He said he threw a successful bullpen session later in the week and everything felt fine. Now, Fister says, it's just a matter of making sure he's not cautious when he takes the hill.

"That's one of the things that I really focus on not letting happen," he said. "That's one of the things that could really cause problems. When you're tentative or when you're scared or not doing things normal, that's when you get hurt. That's when things are not right. I'm going about my business the same way. Whether it's the approach, whether it's the preparation or just the execution it's just the same way."

To heighten the excitement surrounding the series, Detroit will be looking to avenge Seattle's three-game sweep at Comerica Park in late April. The Mariners outscored the Tigers, 21-9, in that set.

Seattle will counter Monday with right-hander Blake Beavan, who struggled with his fastball command and gave up a season-high five runs on seven hits and two homers in 5 1/3 innings of a 5-4 loss to the Rays on Wednesday.

"I'm just looking forward to going out there and trying to get back on track with my mechanics and getting my command back on track," Beavan said. "I was way out of whack mechanically, trying to do too much with deception and add stuff I didn't need. I had probably my best bullpen I've had all year, so I'll be ready."

Meanwhile, the Mariners will try to be ready for their old teammate, Fister.

"He's a competitor, that's why he was such a good teammate," Seattle shortstop Brendan Ryan said. "He genuinely pulled for each and every guy. But he comes after you. I know he's going to have the two-seamer and cutter and throw that big curveball in. And he's smart and he'll be tough to bunt off of. But it'll be fun to go up against him because you know he'll be battling just as hard as you are. He was one of the best teammates you could have."

Tigers: Miggy slugging
• Miguel Cabrera has hit safely in 13 of his last 17 games, dating back to April 17. During that stretch, he is batting .333 (23-for-69) with three doubles, four homers and 13 RBIs.

• Fister said Sunday he does not expect to have any limitations when he takes the mound.

"There's been nothing like that," Fister said of any limitations. "We're going to have to dictate it about how the game's going and what I'm feeling."

Mariners: Montero in a groove
• When Seattle's Jesus Montero spends the game behind the plate, his performance alongside it also benefits. In 10 games in which Montero has caught, he has hit .444 (16-for-36) with three doubles, three homers and eight RBIs. He has recorded a hit in eight of his nine starts at catcher. He went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in Sunday's win as a designated hitter.

• Seattle enters Monday's series opener against Detroit with 16 homers in its last 13 games, dating back to April 24.

Worth noting
• The series against Seattle is the first leg of the Tigers' nine-game road trip that includes stops in Seattle, Oakland and Chicago.

• After Sunday's series-clinching win over Minnesota, the Mariners are 10-4 when outhitting their opponent and 12-4 when scoring four or more runs.




Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Fister will return to the mound for the first time since he left his season opener with a strained costochondral muscle April 7. He'll also return to the mound where he spent the first 2 1/2 seasons of his Major League career as a Seattle Mariner.


Mariners: RHP Blake Beavan (1-3, 4.45 ERA)

The big right-hander struggled with his fastball command and gave up a season-high five runs and two homers in 5 1/3 innings in a 5-4 loss at Tampa Bay on Wednesday. Beavan only walked two, but it doubled his AL-low total from his first four starts.






INJURY UPDATE:
• RHP Al Alburquerque (right elbow surgery, 60-day disabled list on April 4).
• RHP Luis Marte (strained left hamstring, 15-day disabled list on April 4).
• C Victor Martinez (left knee surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 12).






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• TUESDAY, May 8:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (2-1, 2.38 ERA)) AT Mariners (RHP Kevin Millwood (0-3, 5.34 ERA)), 10:10 p.m. ET FSD HD, / 1270 AM & 97.1 FM)


• WEDNESDAY, May 9:
Tigers (LHP Drew Smyly (1-0, 1.61 ERA)) AT Mariners (LHP Jason Vargas (3-2, 3.09 ERA)), 10:10 p.m. ET FSD HD, / 1270 AM & 97.1 FM)


• THURSDAY, May 10:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (1-3, 6.32 ERA)) AT Athletics (?HP TBA (TBA ERA)), 10:05 p.m. ET FSD HD, / 1270 AM & 97.1 FM)


• FRIDAY, May 11:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (3-2, 4.91 ERA)) AT Athletics (?HP TBA (TBA ERA)), 10:05 p.m. ET FSD HD, / 1270 AM & 97.1 FM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

DET Batting

Jackson, A, CF
Dirks, LF
Cabrera, Mi, 3B
Fielder, 1B
Young, D, DH
Avila, C
Peralta, Jh, SS
Boesch, RF
Raburn, 2B-RF


SEA Batting

Ackley, 2B
Ryan, SS
Suzuki, I, RF
Montero, C
Seager, 3B
Jaso, DH
Smoak, 1B
Carp, LF
Saunders, M, CF

DET - Top 1st
B:1 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Brendan Ryan to first baseman Justin Smoak.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Andy Dirks doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Michael Saunders.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Michael Saunders.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Prince Fielder doubles (3) on a pop up to shortstop Brendan Ryan. Andy Dirks scores.
1 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:3
Delmon Young flies out to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.


SEA - Bot 1st
B:1 S:1 O:1
Dustin Ackley grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Brendan Ryan grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Ichiro Suzuki doubles (7) on a line drive to right fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Jesus Montero flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.

1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:3 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Dustin Ackley to first baseman Justin Smoak.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Brennan Boesch flies out to left fielder Mike Carp in foul territory.


SEA - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Kyle Seager grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:1 O:2
John Jaso grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Justin Smoak grounds out sharply, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Prince Fielder.

1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Mike Carp.

With Andy Dirks batting, Austin Jackson steals (5) 2nd base.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to left fielder Mike Carp. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Miguel
Cabrera grounds into double play, pitcher Blake Beavan to third baseman
Kyle Seager to second baseman Dustin Ackley to first baseman Justin
Smoak. Andy Dirks out at 2nd.


SEA - Bot 3rd
B:3 S:3 O:1
Mike Carp called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:1
Michael Saunders singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Doug Fister.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Dustin Ackley grounds into a force out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Michael Saunders out at 2nd. Dustin Ackley to 1st.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Brendan Ryan grounds into a force out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Dustin Ackley out at 2nd.

1 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
Pitcher Change: Hisashi Iwakuma replaces Blake Beavan.

Seattle Mariners pitcher Blake Beavan left the game due to an injured elbow.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Prince Fielder singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Mike Carp.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Delmon Young out swinging.

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

B:0 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki. Prince Fielder to 3rd.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Brennan Boesch singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Michael Saunders. Prince Fielder scores. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.
2 - 0

B:0 S:3 O:3
Ryan Raburn called out on .


SEA - Bot 4th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Ichiro Suzuki lines out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jesus Montero grounds out softly, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Doug Fister.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Kyle Seager called out on .

2 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:2
Andy Dirks flies out to center fielder Michael Saunders.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Brendan Ryan to first baseman Justin Smoak.


SEA - Bot 5th
B:1 S:2 O:1
John Jaso grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Justin Smoak flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Mike Carp flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

2 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Prince Fielder out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Delmon Young grounds out to first baseman Justin Smoak.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Dustin Ackley to first baseman Justin Smoak.


SEA - Bot 6th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Michael Saunders out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Dustin Ackley singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Brendan Ryan grounds into a force out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Dustin Ackley out at 2nd. Brendan Ryan to 1st.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Ichiro Suzuki pops out to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

2 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
Pitcher Change: Shawn Kelley replaces Hisashi Iwakuma.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Brennan Boesch flies out to center fielder Michael Saunders.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Ryan Raburn flies out to center fielder Michael Saunders.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Charlie Furbush replaces Shawn Kelley.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to center fielder Michael Saunders. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Andy Dirks walks. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Kyle Seager to first baseman Justin Smoak.


SEA - Bot 7th
Defensive Substitution: Ramon Santiago replaces right fielder Brennan Boesch, batting 8th, playing second base.

Defensive switch from second base to right field for Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Jesus Montero lines out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Kyle Seager flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:1 O:2
John Jaso doubles (4) on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Justin Smoak lines out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

2 - 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Prince Fielder pops out to shortstop Brendan Ryan.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Delmon Young pops out to first baseman Justin Smoak in foul territory.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila out swinging.


SEA - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Doug Fister.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Casper Wells replaces Mike Carp.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Casper Wells grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Michael Saunders out swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Dustin Ackley called out on .

2 - 0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Casper Wells remains in the game as the left fielder.

Pitcher Change: Steve Delabar replaces Charlie Furbush.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago pops out to second baseman Dustin Ackley.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Ryan Raburn out swinging.


SEA - Bot 9th
Pitcher Change: Octavio Dotel replaces Phil Coke.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Brendan Ryan walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:0 O:0
Ichiro Suzuki walks. Brendan Ryan to 2nd.

With Jesus Montero batting, wild pitch by Octavio Dotel, Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Ichiro Suzuki to 2nd.

With Jesus Montero batting, passed ball by Alex Avila, Brendan Ryan scores. Ichiro Suzuki to 3rd.
2 - 1

B:3 S:2 O:0
Jesus Montero doubles (5) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Ichiro Suzuki scores.
TIED 2 - 2

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Munenori Kawasaki replaces Jesus Montero.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Duane Below replaces Octavio Dotel.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Kyle Seager out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Duane Below to first baseman Prince Fielder. Munenori Kawasaki to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
John Jaso out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Ryan Raburn. Munenori Kawasaki scores.

DET LOSES 2 - 3

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE

Game Over R H E

Tigers	2	9	0
Mariners	3	5	0

WP: Delabar (1-0, 3.94)
LP: Dotel (1-1, 4.35)

Game Info



Dotel pitched to 3 batters in the 9th.

WP: Dotel.
Pitches-strikes: Fister 73-51, Coke 8-7, Dotel 15-4, Below 3-3, Beavan 39-29, Iwakuma 48-35, Kelley 12-8, Furbush 26-15, Delabar 11-8.
Groundouts-flyouts: Fister 10-4, Coke 1-0, Dotel 0-0, Below 1-1, Beavan 3-4, Iwakuma 3-1, Kelley 0-2, Furbush 1-0, Delabar 0-0.
Batters faced: Fister 25, Coke 3, Dotel 3, Below 2, Beavan 12, Iwakuma 12, Kelley 3, Furbush 6, Delabar 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Below 1-1, Furbush 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Wally Bell. 1B: Brian Knight. 2B: Mike Winters. 3B: Mike Muchlinski.
Weather: 67 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 2 mph, L to R.
T: 2:31.
Att: 14,462.