GDT40: 5/17/13 - DET (22-17) AT TEX (27-14) - 8:05 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (1-2, 6.68 ERA)

Porcello had three consecutive quality starts since his disastrous first inning against the Angels, but only one win to show for it. He has 18 strikeouts over 19 1/3 innings in that stretch, including six Sunday against Cleveland.



Rangers: RHP Nick Tepesch (3-3, 4.03 ERA)

Tepesch stopped a two-game skid by beating the Astros on Sunday. He allowed one run on four hits in six innings while striking out a season-high eight batters. Tepesch has made three starts in Arlington and is 1-1 with a 3.45 ERA there.








Porcello tasked with cooling off Rangers' bats
Texas looks to push winning streak to four behind Tepesch

By Joey Nowak / MLB.com | 5/17/2013 12:31 AM ET

The Rangers have an admirer in Jim Leyland, but that doesn't mean the Tigers manager enjoys it when Detroit has to visit Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

The two teams, which entered a four-game series leading their respective American League divisions, opened the set on Thursday night, as Texas ace Yu Darvish bested Detroit stud Justin Verlander. Right-handers Rick Porcello and Nick Tepesch will do the honors in the second game on Friday.

"I look at this as [the Rangers] have a real, real, really good team and a real tough opponent," Leyland said. "I respect everybody we play, but you have to respect this team after what they've done the last few years and what they've done this year where they don't have Josh [Hamilton] back and they've made some moves and they just keep marching on."

Detroit has lost four of its last six. The Tigers took two out of three from the Astros in their last series, and have the four-game series against the Rangers before two more against the Indians from May 21-22. Detroit dropped two out of three against Cleveland last week.

Texas, meanwhile, is coming off a 6-3 road trip that included stops in Chicago, Milwaukee, Houston and Oakland. The Rangers have won seven of eight and 18 of 26 overall.

"There are some places where their players don't get the national attention that others get," Leyland said. "Minnesota and Texas, a little bit. These guys don't seem to get the national attention other places get. I don't know why that is. These guys really got good players. They're good.

"It's a credit to Ron Washington and a credit to their players. Saying all that, we think we're a pretty good team, too. This is a really good team and Ron does such a good job with it."

Porcello is looking to earn his second win of the year on Friday, and lower his 6.68 ERA in the meantime. Porcello has thrown three consecutive quality starts since his first-inning meltdown against the Angels on April 20, but he has just one victory to show for it. He's struck out 18 over 19 1/3 innings.

Tepesch, 3-3 with a 4.03 ERA, stopped a two-game losing streak when he beat the Astros on Sunday. He's 1-1 with a 3.45 ERA in Arlington.

"He threw the ball over the plate and executed the game plan very well," Washington said. "He had a good sinker working [against Houston], and his breaking ball had bite. He did a lot of good things."

Tigers: Bottom of the lineup contributing
• The ninth spot in the Tigers lineup this year is responsible for a .304 batting average, eight doubles, four triples, four home runs and 22 RBIs. Entering Thursday night, the Tigers led the league in average, hits, RBIs and extra-base hits from the ninth spot.

• Evan Reed made his Tigers debut on Thursday, throwing 2 2/3 innings of relief, surrendering a Nelson Cruz solo home run and striking out one.

Rangers: Infielders carrying Rangers
Leyland said second baseman Ian Kinsler and third baseman Adrian Beltre have much to do with the Rangers' extended success over the years. Each scored two runs in the series opener on Thursday.

"I think Kinsler is one of the best players in the American League," Leyland said. "I just have the utmost respect for him. You don't hear that much about him, but I think this guy is one of the best players in the American League."

Beltre had a season-high seven-game hitting streak snapped Thursday night, but he is still hitting .382 with six extra-base hits and nine RBIs over his last eight.

"The third baseman is without question one of the best players in the American League," Leyland said. "I won't say who it was, but I had one of my coaches tell me the other day that he is one of the five best players in the American League. He's just a terrific player. He's a terrific defender and he's a terrific hitter."

Worth noting
• As of Thursday night, there were 5,500 tickets still available for Friday night's game. There were 1,750 available for Saturday's and 11,000 available for Sunday's series finale.

• Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter is two home runs shy of 300 in his Major League career. He would become the 17th active player with 300 or more.

‪Joey Nowak is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @joeynowak. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.








INJURY UPDATE:


• RHP Octavio Dotel (Right elbow inflammation, 15-day DL retroactive to April 20, 2013).

• OF Austin Jackson (pulled right hamstring, 15-day DL retroactive to May 12, 2013).








To track MLB play-by-play: http://m.mlb.com/scores/


On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• SCOREBOARD
• Official Press Pass game notes


On television

• , MLBN
• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule


On radio

• AND/OR
• XM Channel Schedule








• SAT, May 18:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (4-3, 2.05 ERA)) AT
RANGERS: (RHP Justin Grimm (2-3, 4.28 ERA))
8:05 p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• SUN, May 19:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (5-1, 3.06 ERA)) AT
RANGERS: (LHP Derek Holland (3-2, 2.93 ERA))
8:05 p.m. ET (ESPN / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

Andy Dirks, LF
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 3B
Prince Fielder, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Alex Avila, C
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Don Kelly, CF
Ramon Santiago, 2B

P: Rick Porcello


RANGERS

Elvis Andrus, SS (2-for-14 vs. Porcello)
Leury Garcia, 2B
Lance Berkman, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B (5-for-18, 2 K’s vs. Porcello)
Nelson Cruz, RF (4-for-18, 6 K’s vs. Porcello)
Mitch Moreland, 1B (3-for-6, K vs. Porcello)
Geovany Soto, C (3-for-5, HR vs. Porcello)
David Murphy, LF (9-for-15, HR, walk, K vs. Porcello)
Leonys Martin, CF (0-for-2 vs. Porcello)

P: Nick Tepesch

DET - Top 1st
B:2 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks grounds out, second baseman Leury Garcia to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, second baseman Leury Garcia to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

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

B:0 S:0 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Leury Garcia to first baseman Mitch Moreland.


TEX - Bot 1st
B:1 S:2 O:1
Elvis Andrus grounds out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Leury Garcia lines out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Lance Berkman singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

With Adrian Beltre batting, Lance Berkman advances to 2nd on a balk.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Adrian Beltre called out on strikes.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez walks.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out to first baseman Mitch Moreland. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Don
Kelly grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Adrian Beltre.
Victor Martinez out at 3rd. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd. Don Kelly to 1st.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Ramon Santiago grounds out, first baseman Mitch Moreland to pitcher Nick Tepesch.


TEX - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Nelson Cruz grounds out sharply, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Mitch Moreland grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Geovany Soto strikes out swinging.

0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:2 S:1 O:0
Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to center fielder Leonys Martin.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Torii Hunter grounds out, third baseman Adrian Beltre to first baseman Mitch Moreland. Andy Dirks to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles
on a line drive to center fielder Leonys Martin. Andy Dirks out at home
on the throw, center fielder Leonys Martin to catcher Geovany Soto.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Leury Garcia. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Leury Garcia to first baseman Mitch Moreland.


TEX - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:3 O:1
David Murphy strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Leonys Martin triples (3) on a line drive to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Elvis Andrus lines out to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Leury Garcia called out on strikes.

0-0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:4 S:2 O:0
Alex Avila walks.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Leonys Martin.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Don Kelly grounds into a force out, second baseman Leury Garcia to shortstop Elvis Andrus. Alex Avila out at 2nd. Don Kelly to 1st.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Ramon Santiago grounds into a force out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to second baseman Leury Garcia. Don Kelly out at 2nd.


TEX - Bot 4th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Lance Berkman singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Adrian Beltre singles on a sharp ground ball to third baseman Miguel Cabrera. Lance Berkman to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Nelson Cruz grounds into a double play, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder. Lance Berkman to 3rd. Adrian Beltre out at 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Mitch Moreland grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Rick Porcello.

0-0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:0 S:2 O:0
Andy Dirks singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Leonys Martin.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Torii Hunter grounds out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Mitch Moreland. Andy Dirks to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera doubles (12) on a line drive to left fielder David Murphy. Andy Dirks scores.
1 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder hit by pitch.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Prince Fielder to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Leonys Martin. Miguel Cabrera scores.
2 - 0

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


TEX - Bot 5th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Geovany Soto homers (2) on a fly ball to left field.
2 - 1

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

B:2 S:2 O:2
Leonys Martin flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Elvis Andrus strikes out swinging.

2 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
Pitching Change: Joseph Ortiz replaces Nick Tepesch.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Don Kelly grounds out sharply, first baseman Mitch Moreland to pitcher Joseph Ortiz.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Ramon Santiago flies out to center fielder Leonys Martin.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Andy Dirks grounds out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Mitch Moreland.


TEX - Bot 6th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Leury Garcia strikes out swinging, catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Lance Berkman grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Adrian Beltre walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Jose Ortega replaces Rick Porcello.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Nelson Cruz singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Don Kelly. Adrian Beltre to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Mitch Moreland grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

2 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
Pitching Change: Jason Frasor replaces Joseph Ortiz.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Torii Hunter flies out sharply to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Robbie Ross replaces Jason Frasor.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Prince Fielder lines out to center fielder Leonys Martin.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds into a force out, second baseman Leury Garcia to shortstop Elvis Andrus. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.


TEX - Bot 7th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Geovany Soto strikes out swinging.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Jose Ortega.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jeff Baker replaces David Murphy.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Jeff Baker strikes out swinging.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Craig Gentry replaces Leonys Martin.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Craig Gentry reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Elvis Andrus flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.

2 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Jeff Baker remains in the game as the left fielder.

Craig Gentry remains in the game as the center fielder.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Adrian Beltre to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Don Kelly flies out to center fielder Craig Gentry.


TEX - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Drew Smyly.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Leury Garcia singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Lance Berkman pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Adrian Beltre singles on a line drive to center fielder Don Kelly. Leury Garcia to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Nelson Cruz grounds into a double play, second baseman Ramon Santiago to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder. Adrian Beltre out at 2nd.

2 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
B:4 S:0 O:0
Ramon Santiago walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Omar Infante replaces Ramon Santiago.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks ground bunts into a force out, catcher Geovany Soto to shortstop Elvis Andrus. Omar Infante out at 2nd. Andy Dirks to 1st.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Cory Burns replaces Robbie Ross.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.


TEX - Bot 9th
Defensive Substitution: Avisail Garcia replaces left fielder Andy Dirks, batting 1st, playing center field.

Defensive switch from center field to left field for Don Kelly.

Omar Infante remains in the game as the second baseman.

Pitching Change: Jose Valverde replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Mitch Moreland grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Geovany Soto walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Ian Kinsler replaces Geovany Soto.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jeff Baker grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Ian Kinsler to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Craig Gentry grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.


TIGERS WIN 2-1

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Porcello
L: Tepesch
S: Valverde (4)

Game Info

Balk: Porcello.
HBP: Fielder (by Tepesch).
Pitches-strikes: Porcello 106-74, Ortega, J 11-6, Smyly 12-7, Benoit 7-6, Valverde 15-9, Tepesch 96-57, Ortiz 7-4, Frasor 11-5, Ross, R 21-13, Burns 7-5.
Groundouts-flyouts: Porcello 7-1, Ortega, J 1-0, Smyly 1-1, Benoit 1-0, Valverde 3-0, Tepesch 12-1, Ortiz 2-0, Frasor 0-1, Ross, R 3-1, Burns 0-1.
Batters faced: Porcello 22, Ortega, J 3, Smyly 3, Benoit 4, Valverde 4, Tepesch 25, Ortiz 3, Frasor 2, Ross, R 7, Burns 2.
Inherited runners-scored: Ortega, J 1-0, Ross, R 1-0, Burns 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Ron Kulpa. 1B: Mike Muchlinski. 2B: Phil Cuzzi. 3B: Jerry Meals.
Weather: 87 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 8 mph, In from RF.
T: 3:11.
Att: 42,778.