GDT132: 8/27/13 - DET (77-54) VS OAK (73-57) - 7:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (12-9, 3.68 ERA)

Verlander struggled in his last outing on Thursday, allowing six runs on 10 hits in seven innings while striking out six. Otherwise, he's pitched well this month. He has won his last four starts against Oakland.



Athletics: LHP Tommy Milone (9-9, 4.30 ERA)

Milone took a no-decision after allowing three runs -- one earned -- on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings against the Indians on Aug. 18. The lefty, who will be going on eight days' rest, has a 5.00 ERA on the road.





A's look to gain ground in AL West behind Milone
Oakland lefty trying to stay in rotation; Verlander starts for Tigers

By Jeff Kirshman / MLB.com | 8/27/2013 2:41 AM ET

The teams' mindsets can be interpreted from their tinkering. While both the A's and Tigers have postseason aspirations, Oakland's appearance for the second straight season after falling in the American League Division Series to Detroit last fall is far less certain.

Oakland sits 2 1/2 games back in the AL West behind the Rangers, while the Tigers are much more comfortable with their 5 1/2-game lead in the AL Central.

The A's starting rotation is in flux, as evidenced by the tentative use of many key cogs. Consider Tommy Milone auditioning for the same job he lost to Sonny Gray earlier this month when he takes the mound Tuesday for the second game of a four-game series at Comerica Park.

The southpaw currently figures to be the odd man out upon the return of Bartolo Colon from the disabled list. The club could potentially opt to try out Milone in the bullpen, or they could simply send him back down again.

"You know what? I really can't afford to think like that," Milone said. "I just have to go out there and take it one game at a time, and hopefully they stick with me. I'm going to try to prepare for each start just like I would normally.

"I feel like this is the type of pitcher I am, minus not being able to go late in the game. The biggest thing as a starting pitcher is to keep your team in the game, and I feel like I was able to do that, and I felt good on top of that, so that was a plus."

Toeing the rubber opposite Milone is Justin Verlander -- a mainstay in Detroit's rotation for years who has uncharacteristically struggled this season. Verlander allowed six runs on 10 hits in seven innings while striking out six against the Twins during his last outing. Otherwise, he's pitched well this month, and he has won his last four starts against Oakland. It's been an up-and-down season for Verlander, one he describes as frustrating.

"It's been quite the grind for me all year, a real battle. All in all, you look at the numbers and it could be a whole lot worse. I wouldn't call it good, I'd call it frustrating. When you're able to go out there and give your team a chance to win, I guess that's a positive you can take away from it."

A's will likely use Anderson in the bullpen
A's lefty Brett Anderson is expected to be activated within the next three days in Detroit, but he won't be returning to the same role when that happens.

Manager Bob Melvin said Monday that Anderson is likely to be used out of the bullpen when lifted off the disabled list, going so far as to say he's not even an option for Thursday's start should Colon not be able to go, which was before considered a possibility.

"I think we're going to have a tough time starting Brett at this point, based on him being out four months, making just two rehab starts, throwing only 3 1/3 his last time out," Melvin said. "Whether we're able to get him in a role where we can stretch him out some, we can potentially do that, but we also feel he has the potential to be a nice option out of the bullpen for us, in whatever role that might be."

If Miggy powers up, Triple Crown will be his again
The path for another Triple Crown for Miguel Cabrera appears to finally be clearing. If he can have another power-hitting September like he did last year, he could well run away with it.

Cabrera's 1-for-4 night with a two-run home run in Monday's series opener against the A's and his 7-for-13, two-homer, five-RBI series against the Mets pushed his average to .359, 29 points ahead of his nearest AL competitor in the batting race, Mike Trout, after Monday. He also moved 12 RBIs up on Chris Davis for the AL lead (130). The only category left is home runs, and Cabrera (43) moved within three of Davis on Monday.

Cabrera is obliterating many of the numbers that won him a Triple Crown last year, and his final month was arguably his strongest power month last season with 11 homers after Sept. 1. That year, though, was outside his norm; his .308 average, .390 on-base percentage, .535 slugging percentage and .925 OPS for his career in September and October are his lowest of any month.

Worth noting
• The A's placed Josh Reddick on the disabled list Monday and have now used the DL four times in the last 33 days after a 77-day streak without placing a player on the DL

• Omar Infante is batting .370 with seven runs scored and five RBIs in 13 games since returning from the disabled list.

• Tigers starting pitchers have recorded a quality start in 30 of the last 40 games dating back to July 12 against Texas, posting a 22-8 record and a 2.73 ERA during the stretch.

Jeff Kirshman 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







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• WED, Aug 28:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (11-6, 3.54 ERA)) VS
Athletics: (RHP Dan Straily (6-7, 4.56 ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• THU, Aug 29:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (19-1, 2.73 ERA)) VS
Athletics: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
1:08  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• FRI, Aug 30:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (10-7, 4.49 ERA)) VS
Indians: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• SAT, Aug 31,:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (11-7, 2.61 ERA)) VS
Indians: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off Milone)

   Austin Jackson, CF (1-for-8, 2 K’s)
   Torii Hunter, RF (3-for-4, HR, walk)
   Miguel Cabrera, 3B (4-for-8, walk, K)
   Prince Fielder, 1B (2-for-8, walk, 2 K’s)
   Victor Martinez, DH
   Omar Infante, 2B (2-for-7, walk, 2 K’s)
   Matt Tuiasosopo, LF
   Alex Avila, C
   Jose Iglesias, SS

P: Justin Verlander

ATHLETICS (career numbers off Verlander)

   Coco Crisp, CF (9-for-30, HR, 4 K’s)
   Josh Donaldson, 3B (3-for-13, 2 walks, 2 K’s)
   Jed Lowrie, SS (1-for-5, 2 walks, 2 K’s)
   Brandon Moss, RF (1-for-11, walk, 5 K’s)
   Yoenis Cespedes, LF (3-for-9, walk)
   Seth Smith, DH (2-for-14, HR, 5 walks, 4 K’s)
   Alberto Callaspo, 2B (4-for-17, 2 walks, 4 K’s)
   Daric Barton, 1B (2-for-12, 4 walks, 5 K’s)
   Stephen Vogt, C (0-for-3)

P: Tommy Milone

OAK - Top 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
Coco Crisp walks.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Josh Donaldson singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Coco Crisp to 2nd.

With Jed Lowrie batting, wild pitch by Justin Verlander, Coco Crisp to 3rd. Josh Donaldson to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Jed Lowrie doubles (37) on a fly ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. Coco Crisp scores. Josh Donaldson scores.
OAK 2 - 0

B:0 S:3 O:1
Brandon Moss strikes out on a foul tip.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Yoenis Cespedes strikes out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Seth Smith walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Alberto Callaspo flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.


DET - Bot 1st
B:4 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Torii Hunter singles on a line drive to right fielder Brandon Moss. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera walks. Austin Jackson to 3rd. Torii Hunter to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Prince Fielder singles on a line drive to right fielder Brandon Moss. Austin Jackson scores. Torii Hunter scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.
TIED 2 - 2

B:2 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds into a double play, shortstop Jed Lowrie to second baseman Alberto Callaspo to first baseman Daric Barton. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Prince Fielder out at 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Omar Infante reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Alberto Callaspo. Miguel Cabrera scores. Omar Infante to 2nd.
DET 3 - 2

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

DET 3 - 2 AFTER 1 INNING

OAK - Top 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Daric Barton grounds out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Stephen Vogt grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Coco Crisp flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


DET - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out to first baseman Daric Barton.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Jose Iglesias pops out to third baseman Josh Donaldson.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Austin Jackson grounds out, pitcher Tommy Milone to first baseman Daric Barton.

DET 3 - 2 AFTER 2 INNINGS

OAK - Top 3rd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Josh Donaldson lines out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jed Lowrie flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Brandon Moss walks.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Yoenis Cespedes doubles (19) on a line drive to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo. Brandon Moss scores.
TIED 3 - 3

B:0 S:1 O:3
Seth Smith grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Justin Verlander.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Torii Hunter flies out to center fielder Coco Crisp.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to left fielder Yoenis Cespedes.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder walks.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to right fielder Brandon Moss. Prince Fielder to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Omar Infante grounds into a force out, fielded by second baseman Alberto Callaspo. Victor Martinez out at 2nd.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 3 INNINGS

OAK - Top 4th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Alberto Callaspo flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Daric Barton lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Stephen Vogt strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 4th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Matt Tuiasosopo strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila flies out to center fielder Coco Crisp.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Jose Iglesias strikes out swinging.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 4 INNINGS

OAK - Top 5th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Coco Crisp flies out to left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Josh Donaldson reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Omar Infante.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jed Lowrie grounds into a force out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to second baseman Omar Infante. Josh Donaldson out at 2nd. Jed Lowrie to 1st.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Brandon Moss homers (22) on a fly ball to left center field. Jed Lowrie scores.

OAK 5 - 3

B:1 S:1 O:3
Yoenis Cespedes flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Josh Donaldson to first baseman Daric Barton.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out, third baseman Josh Donaldson to first baseman Daric Barton.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to left fielder Yoenis Cespedes.

OAK 5 - 3 AFTER 5 INNINGS

OAK - Top 6th
Pitching Change: Bruce Rondon replaces Justin Verlander.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Seth Smith homers (7) on a fly ball to right center field.
OAK 6 - 3

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

Coaching visit to mound.

Injury Delay.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Daric Barton walks. Alberto Callaspo to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Stephen Vogt singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. Alberto Callaspo to 3rd. Daric Barton to 2nd.


Coaching visit to mound.

RAIN DELAY

GAME CALLED DUE TO RAIN


TIGERS LOSE 3-6 FINAL/6 INNINGS

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Milone
L: Verlander


Game Info

WP: Verlander.
Pitches-strikes: Milone 84-46, Verlander 104-68, Rondon, B 15-8.
Groundouts-flyouts: Milone 7-4, Verlander 5-4, Rondon, B 0-0.
Batters faced: Milone 21, Verlander 23, Rondon, B 4.
Umpires: HP: Will Little. 1B: Gary Darling. 2B: Jerry Meals. 3B: Paul Emmel.
Weather: 81 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 4 mph, In from CF.
T: 2:06 (1:20 delay).
Att: 34,356.
Venue: Comerica Park.
August 27, 2013