GDT41: 5/18/13 - DET (23-17) AT TEX (27-15) - 8:05 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez (4-3, 2.05 ERA)

When Sanchez keeps his pitches down, as he did Monday against the Astros, he's nasty. He's struck out 42 batters over 27 innings in his last four starts, starting with his 17-strikeout game against the Braves on April 26.



Rangers: RHP Justin Grimm (2-3, 4.28 ERA)

Grimm is 0-3 with a 7.02 ERA in his last three starts. He was the American League Rookie of the Month for April when he went 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA in three starts after taking over for Matt Harrison in the rotation. He is 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA at home.








Grimm looking for positive results against Tigers
Rangers trying to get back on track against Sanchez in third installment

By Andrew Simon / MLB.com | 5/18/2013 12:40 AM ET

Rangers right-hander Justin Grimm, who has struggled over his last three starts, must now face the team that handed him the worst outing of his short Major League career.

Grimm will take the ball against the Tigers on Saturday night in the third of a four-game series at Rangers Ballpark. The 24-year-old will oppose Anibal Sanchez as Texas tries to reclaim the series lead after having its three-game win streak snapped with Friday's 2-1 loss.

In only his second big league start last June 25 in Arlington, Grimm did not record an out in the second inning, surrendering six runs on eight hits.

Grimm did not get his next chance to start a game in the Majors until this season, going 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA over his first three outings. But in his last three, he is 0-3 with a 7.02 ERA.

The University of Georgia product has gotten himself in trouble with nine walks in 16 2/3 innings, while also serving up four home runs.

"I think he has been very competitive," manager Ron Washington said. "He just has to make certain he gets his pitches down in the zone. He's got a couple balls up lately and they've left the ballpark. Just being in the process and out there pitching, he'll find it. When he takes the mound, I feel good. He's a young guy and he's facing quality hitters he hasn't seen before. He has to have that command."

Sanchez, on the other hand, has not faced much in the way of setbacks this season.

Despite a modest 4-3 record, the right-hander sports a 2.05 ERA and has yet to allow more than three runs in any of his eight starts. He has struck out eight or more on six occasions, including 42 in his past 27 innings. On Monday, Sanchez held the Astros to two runs on six hits over seven innings.

This will be only his second career start at Rangers Ballpark. The previous one, in 2011, saw him give up seven runs in 3 2/3 innings.

Tigers: Leyland not worried about V-Mart
Designated hitter Victor Martinez has not done much hitting this year, in his comeback from the knee surgery that cost him all of 2012. The four-time All-Star has a .213/.271/.300 batting line after going 1-for-3 with a walk on Friday.

Martinez hasn't exactly picked it up lately either, batting .200 in May. But manager Jim Leyland has faith in Martinez's track record.

"The book says he hits," Leyland said. "Just look at the media guide; it says he hits, and before all is said and done, he will hit."

• Relievers Darin Downs and Evan Reed, who both pitched 2 2/3 innings on Thursday, might be unavailable for a second straight day on Saturday, according to Leyland.

Rangers: Kinsler dealing with rib-cage injury
Second baseman Ian Kinsler did not play on Friday because of a bruised right rib cage. He said the injury first occurred last weekend in Houston and that he aggravated it on Thursday reacting to getting hit by a pitch from Justin Verlander.

Leury Garcia got his third start at second base and fifth overall in Kinsler's absence, which is not expected to be long-term. Garcia went 1-for-4 on Friday, and the 22-year-old rookie is 7-for-25 on the season.

• Catcher Geovany Soto went deep for the second consecutive game on Friday after going without a homer in his first 14 contests.

Worth noting
• Lance Berkman has the most experience against Sanchez of any Rangers hitter, going 5-for-13 with a double, a triple and three walks in 16 plate appearances.

• The Tigers' win on Friday kept them tied with the Indians atop the American League Central.

Andrew Simon is a 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, 15-day DL retroactive to April 20, 2013).

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








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• 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)


• MON, May 20:
OFF DAY


• TUE, May 21:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (5-0, 3.98 ERA)) AT
INDIANS: (RHP Corey Kluber (3-2, 5.40 ERA))
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• WED, May 22:
TIGERS: (RHP [bJustin Verlander [/b] (4-4, 3.17 ERA)) AT
INDIANS: (RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (3-2, 5.31 ERA))
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

Andy Dirks, LF
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 3B (2-for-2 off Grimm)
Prince Fielder, 1B (0-for-2, K off Grimm)
Victor Martinez, DH
Alex Avila, C
Jhonny Peralta, SS (1-for-1 off Grimm)
Omar Infante, 2B
Avisail Garcia, CF

P: Anibal Sanchez


RANGERS

Elvis Andrus, SS (0-for-7, 2 K’s against Sanchez)
David Murphy, LF (1-for-3 against Sanchez)
Lance Berkman, DH (5-for-13, 3 walks, 2 K’s against Sanchez)
Adrian Beltre, 3B (2-for-3, K against Sanchez)
Nelson Cruz, RF (1-for-2, HR, K against Sanchez)
Mitch Moreland, 1B (0-for-2, K against Sanchez)
Robinson Chirinos, C
Leonys Martin, CF
Leury Garcia, 2B

P: Justin Grimm

DET - Top 1st
B:2 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks pops out to third baseman Adrian Beltre.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter flies out to center fielder Leonys Martin.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Leonys Martin.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Prince Fielder flies out to left fielder David Murphy.

TEX - Bot 1st
B:0 S:0 O:0
Elvis Andrus singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks.

With David Murphy batting, Elvis Andrus steals (11) 2nd base, . Elvis Andrus advances to 3rd, on a throwing error by catcher Alex Avila.

B:2 S:3 O:1
David Murphy strikes out swinging.

With Lance Berkman batting, passed ball by Alex Avila, Elvis Andrus scores.
TEX 1 - 0

B:4 S:1 O:1
Lance Berkman walks.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Adrian Beltre singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. Lance Berkman to 2nd.

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

B:4 S:1 O:2
Mitch Moreland walks. Lance Berkman to 3rd. Adrian Beltre to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Robinson Chirinos grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Omar Infante. Mitch Moreland out at 2nd.

TEX 1-0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:4 S:1 O:0
Victor Martinez walks.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila called out on strikes.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder David Murphy. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Omar Infante grounds into a double play, shortstop Elvis Andrus to second baseman Leury Garcia to first baseman Mitch Moreland. Jhonny Peralta out at 2nd.


TEX - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:0
Leonys Martin singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

With Leury Garcia batting, Leonys Martin steals (4) 2nd base.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Leury Garcia strikes out swinging.

Injury Delay.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Elvis Andrus triples (3) on a line drive to center fielder Avisail Garcia, deflected by right fielder Torii Hunter. Leonys Martin scores.
TEX 2 - 0

B:3 S:2 O:1
David Murphy reaches on a throwing error by pitcher Anibal Sanchez. Elvis Andrus scores. David Murphy to 3rd.
TEX 3 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:1
Lance Berkman singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. David Murphy scores.
TEX 4 - 0

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Adrian Beltre singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. Lance Berkman to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Nelson Cruz grounds into a double play, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Adrian Beltre out at 2nd.

TEX 4-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:3 S:2 O:0
Avisail Garcia singles on a ground ball to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Torii Hunter doubles (12) on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Avisail Garcia scores.
TEX 4 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Leonys Martin.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder singles on a ground ball to left fielder David Murphy. Torii Hunter scores.
TEX 4 - 2

B:0 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez lines out sharply, first baseman Mitch Moreland to pitcher Justin Grimm.


TEX - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:0 O:0
Mitch Moreland homers (10) on a fly ball to left center field.
TEX 5 - 2

B:0 S:0 O:0
Robinson Chirinos singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Avisail Garcia.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Leonys Martin out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Prince Fielder. Robinson Chirinos to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Leury Garcia grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Robinson Chirinos to 3rd.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Elvis Andrus singles on a line drive to center fielder Avisail Garcia. Robinson Chirinos scores.
TEX 6 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Anibal Sanchez.

With David Murphy batting, Elvis Andrus steals (12) 2nd base.

B:3 S:2 O:3
David Murphy flies out to center fielder Avisail Garcia.

TEX 6-2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Leury Garcia to pitcher Justin Grimm.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Omar Infante lines out softly to pitcher Justin Grimm.


TEX - Bot 4th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Lance Berkman pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Adrian Beltre called out on strikes.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Nelson Cruz walks.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Mitch Moreland grounds out softly, catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Prince Fielder.

TEX 6-2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Avisail Garcia strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks lines out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter singles on a ground ball to center fielder Leonys Martin.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out softly, pitcher Justin Grimm to first baseman Mitch Moreland.


TEX - Bot 5th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Robinson Chirinos called out on strikes.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Leonys Martin grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Leury Garcia grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

TEX 6-2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Leury Garcia to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez doubles (8) on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Adrian Beltre to first baseman Mitch Moreland.


TEX - Bot 6th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Elvis Andrus doubles (6) on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:0 O:1
David Murphy grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Elvis Andrus to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Lance Berkman doubles (10) on a fly ball to center fielder Avisail Garcia. Elvis Andrus scores.
TEX 7 - 2

With Adrian Beltre batting, wild pitch by Drew Smyly, Lance Berkman to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Adrian Beltre grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Nelson Cruz flies out to center fielder Avisail Garcia.

TEX 7-2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante flies out to left fielder David Murphy.

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

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Michael Kirkman replaces Justin Grimm.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Andy Dirks lines out to left fielder David Murphy.


TEX - Bot 7th
Pitching Change: Phil Coke replaces Drew Smyly.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Mitch Moreland strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Robinson Chirinos grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

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

B:2 S:0 O:2
Craig Gentry singles on a ground ball to center fielder Avisail Garcia.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Leury Garcia strikes out swinging.

TEX 7-2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Craig Gentry remains in the game as the center fielder.

Pitching Change: Tanner Scheppers replaces Michael Kirkman.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Torii Hunter grounds out softly to pitcher Tanner Scheppers.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Adrian Beltre to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

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


TEX - Bot 8th
B:1 S:0 O:0
Elvis Andrus singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:4 S:2 O:0
David Murphy walks. Elvis Andrus to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Lance Berkman grounds into a double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Elvis Andrus to 3rd. David Murphy out at 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Adrian Beltre flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

TEX 7-2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitching Change: Joe Nathan replaces Tanner Scheppers.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez pops out to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder David Murphy.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Craig Gentry.


TIGERS LOSE 2-7

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W: Grimm
L: Sanchez, An


Game Info

WP: Smyly.
Pitches-strikes: Sanchez, An 74-48, Smyly 55-33, Coke 30-17, Grimm 105-62, Kirkman 4-2, Scheppers 7-6, Nathan 9-6.
Groundouts-flyouts: Sanchez, An 5-1, Smyly 5-2, Coke 2-1, Grimm 7-6, Kirkman 0-0, Scheppers 3-0, Nathan 0-2.
Batters faced: Sanchez, An 19, Smyly 13, Coke 8, Grimm 27, Kirkman 1, Scheppers 3, Nathan 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Smyly 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Mike Muchlinski. 1B: Phil Cuzzi. 2B: Jerry Meals. 3B: Ron Kulpa.
Weather: 88 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 16 mph, R to L.
T: 2:59.
Att: 46,782.