GDT127: 8/22/13 - DET (74-52) VS MIN (55-70) - 1:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (12-9, 3.51 ERA)

Verlander seems to be inching closer to his dominant form, with his breaking-ball pitches working better. In his last four starts, he is 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA and has struck out 28 in 29 innings.



Twins: LHP Andrew Albers (2-1, 1.85 ERA)

Albers faces the high-powered Tigers offense after surrendering five runs over seven innings in a loss Saturday. His only career road start came on Aug. 6 in Kansas City, where he shut out the Royals over 8 1/3 innings.





Albers faces tough test against Verlander in finale
Tigers ace seeks third victory vs. Twins this season

By Kelly Erickson / MLB.com | 8/21/2013 11:11 PM ET

The Tigers and the Twins provide an interesting matchup in Thursday's series finale: the veteran versus the rookie.

After opening his Major League career with 17 1/3 scoreless innings, Andrew Albers will make just his fourth Major League start as he looks to rebound from his first loss -- against the White Sox last Friday at Target Field -- and continue keeping teams off the scoreboard.

Albers has a 1.85 ERA in his brief tenure this season. And while he was roughed up in his last start, giving up five runs on eight hits and walk over seven innings, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire says the young lefty has a plan.

"He understands what he has and doesn't have," Gardenhire said. "He's not going to fool anybody. He's going to need to be around the zone and not keep the ball in the same place too often to be successful. But he understands that and knows he has to change speeds and execute, and we've seen him do that."

Tigers manager Jim Leyland wasn't shy about the fact that they haven't seen Albers pitch much yet, but did note his numbers are impressive.

"I haven't seen much of him," Leyland said. "He's not an overpowering guy. He's a left-handed stylish type pitcher, pretty good. His numbers are very good."

Justin Verlander is slated to start opposite the rookie. The right-hander has a 12-9 record this season with a 3.51 ERA. While he took a loss in his most recent start as well -- against Kansas City last Friday -- he only allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out six in an eight-inning outing.

"I feel that my stuff has been better, specifically my breaking ball," Verlander said after the loss. "So I'm definitely happy where I'm heading going into the last month of the year and hopefully the postseason."

Verlander has only faced the Twins twice this season, with both appearances occurring in April. He opened the season on April 1 with a win at Target Field, tossing five scoreless innings, allowing only four hits with seven strikeouts. He also earned a win on April 30, giving up just one run on five hits and two walks in seven innings. He also struck out eight.

Twins: Arcia could spend time on DL
Outfielder Oswaldo Arcia was held out of the Twins lineup both Tuesday and Wednesday night because of a sore wrist he tweaked on a diving play in the outfield against the White Sox on Aug. 15.

He is day to day and has been taking anti-inflammatory medicine while receiving treatment on the wrist.

He's a candidate to be placed on the 15-day disabled list if he doesn't get through batting practice on Thursday, according to Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony. Gardenhire mentioned Darin Mastroianni and Chris Parmelee as candidates to be recalled from Triple-A Rochester if Arcia goes on the DL.

"He didn't tell the trainers, so I think Dave was a little upset with him for not saying anything," Gardenhire said Wednesday. "You have to get treatment if your wrist is bothering you. And, obviously, his wrist is still bothering him, but he didn't let anybody know that. So it's a bad way to go about your business. And now I don't know how many days we'll be without him."

Tigers: Catchers ailments grow
Brayan Pena is the latest addition to the Tigers' growing list of injured catchers. Pena fouled a ball off his right foot during Tuesday's game, leaving Detroit with just one full-time catcher on Wednesday.

Pena jammed his right big toe on the foul ball and stayed in the game, hitting a single, but was clearly struggling on his way to first. Bryan Holaday pinch-ran for Pena, who is day to day.

"I woke up and I couldn't move my toe," Pena said. "I was kind of scared last night, because I couldn't even move it. I couldn't even land [on] my toes and I didn't want to hurt my team, especially in that situation."

Pena indicated that he could catch if needed, but Victor Martinez is currently pegged as the backup if something were to happen to Holaday. If Martinez catches, it would mark his first time behind the plate since 2011, but Leyland indicated he wouldn't catch until this weekend against the Mets.

"I'm contemplating -- contemplating only -- catching him a game in New York," Leyland said.

Worth noting
• The Tigers enter Thursday's game having won 74 of their last 107 games at Comerica Park since July 4, 2012. The mark leads the American League with a .692 winning percentage during that span.

Entering Thursday, Tigers starting pitchers have posted a quality start in 27 of their past 35 games, with a 20-8 record and a 2.56 ERA in that span.


Kelly Erickson is an associate 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, transferred from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list on June 8, 2013.) rehab assignment

• C Alex Avila (Delayed concussive symptoms., placed on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to August 11, 2013.)




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• FRI, Aug 23:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (10-6, 3.63 ERA)) AT
Mets: (RHP Carlos Torres (2-2, 3.00 ERA))
7:10  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• SAT, Aug 24:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (18-1, 2.82 ERA)) AT
Mets: (RHP Matt Harvey (9-4, 2.25 ERA))
4:05  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• SUN, Aug 25:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (9-7, 4.52 ERA)) AT
Mets: (RHP Dillon Gee (9-8, 3.60 ERA))
1:10  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• MON, Aug 26:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (11-7, 2.45 ERA)) VS
Athletics: (RHP Sonny Gray (1-1, 1.44 ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

   Austin Jackson, CF
   Torii Hunter, RF
   Miguel Cabrera, 3B
   Prince Fielder, 1B
   Victor Martinez, DH
   Matt Tuiasosopo, LF
   Omar Infante, 2B
   Jose Iglesias, SS
   Bryan Holaday, C

P: Justin Verlander

TWINS (career numbers off Verlander)

   Brian Dozier, 2B (0-for-2, K)
   Chris Herrmann, C
   Justin Morneau, 1B (12-for-47, 2 HR, 6 walks, 14 K’s)
   Josh Willingham, DH (2-for-14, walk, 7 K’s)
   Ryan Doumit, RF (0-for-11, 3 K’s)
   Trevor Plouffe, 3B (3-for-20, HR, walk, 3 K’s)
   Clete Thomas, CF
   Wilkin Ramirez, LF (2-for-3, K)
   Doug Bernier, SS

P: Andrew Albers

MIN - Top 1st
B:2 S:2 O:0
Brian Dozier singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Chris Herrmann doubles (4) on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Brian Dozier scores.
MIN 1 - 0

B:3 S:3 O:1
Justin Morneau strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Josh Willingham strikes out swinging.

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


DET - Bot 1st
B:3 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Clete Thomas.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, third baseman Trevor Plouffe to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Ryan Doumit.

MIN 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNINGS

MIN - Top 2nd
B:1 S:0 O:1
Trevor Plouffe flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Clete Thomas singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Wilkin Ramirez grounds into a force out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to second baseman Omar Infante. Clete Thomas out at 2nd. Wilkin Ramirez to 1st.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Doug Bernier pops out to first baseman Prince Fielder in foul territory.


DET - Bot 2nd
B:3 S:1 O:1
Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to center fielder Clete Thomas. Prince Fielder out at 2nd, center fielder Clete Thomas to second baseman Brian Dozier.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a fly ball to right fielder Ryan Doumit.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Omar Infante singles on a line drive to left fielder Wilkin Ramirez. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Jose Iglesias called out on strikes.

MIN 1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

MIN - Top 3rd
B:2 S:1 O:1
Brian Dozier flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Chris Herrmann flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Justin Morneau flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:0
Bryan Holaday homers (1) on a fly ball to left field.
TIED 1 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to center fielder Clete Thomas.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Torii Hunter out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Andrew Albers to first baseman Justin Morneau. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Doumit. Austin Jackson scores.
DET 2 - 1


B:0 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Clete Thomas.

DET 2 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

MIN - Top 4th
B:4 S:0 O:0
Josh Willingham walks.

B:0 S:2 O:0
Ryan Doumit singles on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Josh Willingham to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Trevor Plouffe strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Clete Thomas strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Wilkin Ramirez singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Josh Willingham scores. Ryan Doumit to 2nd.

TIED 2 - 2

B:0 S:0 O:3
Doug Bernier flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo grounds out, shortstop Doug Bernier to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Omar Infante lines out to second baseman Brian Dozier.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Jose Iglesias grounds out to first baseman Justin Morneau.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

MIN - Top 5th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Brian Dozier pops out to third baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Chris Herrmann singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Justin Morneau walks. Chris Herrmann to 2nd.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Josh Willingham called out on strikes.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Ryan Doumit homers (11) on a fly ball to right center field. Chris Herrmann scores. Justin Morneau scores.

MIN 5 - 2

B:0 S:0 O:2
Trevor Plouffe singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Clete Thomas flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.


DET - Bot 5th
B:4 S:2 O:0
Bryan Holaday walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson hit by pitch. Bryan Holaday to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Torii Hunter strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera lines out to shortstop Doug Bernier.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Doug Bernier. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

MIN 5 - 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

MIN - Top 6th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Wilkin Ramirez strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Doug Bernier singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo, deflected by third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Brian Dozier doubles (28) on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo. Doug Bernier scores.

MIN 6 - 2

B:0 S:2 O:2
Chris Herrmann flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Justin Verlander intentionally walks Justin Morneau.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Josh Willingham flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.


DET - Bot 6th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to right fielder Ryan Doumit.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo grounds out to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Omar Infante singles on a ground ball to shortstop Doug Bernier.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Jose Iglesias doubles (12) on a line drive to left fielder Wilkin Ramirez. Omar Infante to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Bryan Holaday singles on a ground ball to shortstop Doug Bernier. Omar Infante scores. Jose Iglesias to 3rd.
MIN 6 - 3


Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Josh Roenicke replaces Andrew Albers.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson homers (10) on a fly ball to left field. Jose Iglesias scores. Bryan Holaday scores.
TIED 6 - 6

B:4 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter walks.

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

TIED 6 - 6 AFTER 6 INNINGS

MIN - Top 7th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Ryan Doumit grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Trevor Plouffe pops out to shortstop Jose Iglesias in foul territory.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Clete Thomas grounds out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 7th
Pitching Change: Casey Fien replaces Josh Roenicke.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Prince Fielder flies out to right fielder Ryan Doumit.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Wilkin Ramirez.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Matt Tuiasosopo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Clete Thomas.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Omar Infante lines out to center fielder Clete Thomas.

TIED 6 - 6 AFTER 7 INNINGS

MIN - Top 8th
Pitching Change: Bruce Rondon replaces Justin Verlander.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Wilkin Ramirez flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Doug Bernier walks.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Brian Dozier grounds out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder. Doug Bernier to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Bruce Rondon.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Chris Herrmann doubles (5) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Doug Bernier scores.
MIN 7 - 6

B:0 S:0 O:3
Justin Morneau flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.


DET - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Jared Burton replaces Casey Fien.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jose Iglesias pops out to shortstop Doug Bernier.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Brayan Pena replaces Bryan Holaday.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Brayan Pena strikes out on a foul tip.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.

MIN 7 - 6 AFTER 8 INNINGS

MIN - Top 9th
Brayan Pena remains in the game as the catcher.

Pitching Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Drew Smyly.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Josh Willingham strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Ryan Doumit strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:0 O:3
Trevor Plouffe grounds out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 9th
Pitching Change: Glen Perkins replaces Jared Burton.

Defensive Substitution: Pedro Florimon replaces shortstop Doug Bernier, batting 9th, playing shortstop.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Torii Hunter pops out to shortstop Pedro Florimon.

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

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Don Kelly replaces Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ryan Doumit. Don Kelly to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds into a double play, shortstop Pedro Florimon to second baseman Brian Dozier to first baseman Justin Morneau. Prince Fielder out at 2nd.


TIGERS LOSE 6-7

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Fien
L: Rondon, B
S: Perkins


Game Info

IBB: Morneau (by Verlander).
HBP: Jackson, A (by Albers, A).
Pitches-strikes: Albers, A 96-64, Roenicke 17-10, Fien 12-8, Burton 11-7, Perkins 9-4, Verlander 121-76, Rondon, B 12-4, Smyly 4-3, Alburquerque 16-7.
Groundouts-flyouts: Albers, A 6-4, Roenicke 0-0, Fien 0-2, Burton 0-0, Perkins 1-0, Verlander 4-8, Rondon, B 1-1, Smyly 0-1, Alburquerque 1-0.
Batters faced: Albers, A 27, Roenicke 3, Fien 4, Burton 3, Perkins 4, Verlander 34, Rondon, B 3, Smyly 2, Alburquerque 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Roenicke 2-2, Smyly 1-1.
Umpires: HP: Bill Welke. 1B: Brian O'Nora. 2B: Fieldin Culbreth. 3B: Jordan Baker.
Weather: 83 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 10 mph, Out to LF.
T: 2:59.
Att: 39,653.
Venue: Comerica Park.
August 22, 2013