GDT: 6/27/11 - DET (42-36) VS TOR (39-39) - 6:05 p.m. ET

Blue Jays, Tigers set for makeup game

By Evan Drellich / MLB.com | 6/26/2011 6:57 PM ET

As amazing as Justin Verlander's June and season have been, teammate Max Scherzer could finish the first three months of the season with the same number of wins as the Detroit ace if he can notch a victory Monday.

The Tigers and Blue Jays play a one-game make-up at Comerica Park -- a game re-scheduled from May 17 -- and a win for Scherzer would be the right-hander's fourth in five tries. He won three straight before taking a loss against the Dodgers on Tuesday, when he let up six runs in as many innings.

It's been an up-and-down season for the soon-to-be 27-year-old, who has a 4.61 ERA but has also gone at least seven innings without an earned run on three occasions.

"It's a combination of everything," Scherzer said. "Some of those hits, that's baseball. You live with it. You turn the page and move on. Sometimes, they're going to hit the ball right at people. But for me, it's all about what happens the next start."

Both the Tigers and Blue Jays come in with consecutive wins: two for the former, three the latter. Detroit stormed back for seven runs in the eighth inning against Arizona on Sunday in an 8-3 win, while the Blue Jays shut out the Cards behind Ricky Romero's complete game, 5-0.

Monday's starter for Toronto is just getting his feet wet in the bigs. Zach Stewart, a 24-year-old right-hander, has made two starts and pitched very well his first time out against the Orioles (seven runs, two innings). But he failed to make it out of the fourth inning last time out, against the Braves on Tuesday.

"I just left a few balls out over the middle of the plate and the mistakes I made they took care of and did their job on," Stewart said afterward. "I guess that's what you find out is the difference, in the Major Leagues and Minor Leagues, is the amount of mistakes they let you make, and I made too many.

"During the game, I felt like there were some pitches, some at-bats, where I felt in control and I did well. Then the next at-bat, I just let one slip or [did] not hit the spot I needed to."

Blue Jays: Bautista to see time at third base
The man tied for the Major League lead in home runs is slated to man the hot corner this week, possibly as soon as Monday.

"We always had a tentative target of Monday, possibly Tuesday," manager John Farrell said. "That's still our plan going forward."

Bautista prepared for third base for most of Spring Training, until a late switch saw him land in the outfield. The Jays have gotten very poor production out of their third baseman this year.

Farrell said he wanted to be sure Bautista is ready for the move.

"You have to respect the fact [that he will tell us] when he's comfortable," he said.

Tigers: Guillen starts rehab games Monday
Carlos Guillen is scheduled to begin a Minor League rehab assignment at Class A Lakeland on Monday as he works back from microfracture surgery on his left knee.

He will be the designated hitter on Monday -- his first pro game since last August, when a slide from the Yankees' Brett Gardner on the basepaths ended Guillen's season.

Worth noting
• The Blue Jays haven't allowed a home run in 28 games this season, and are 19-9 in those contests.

• The Tigers are 30-19 since May 3, good for a .612 winning percentage.


Tigers: RHP Max Scherzer (9-3, 4.61 ERA)

Scherzer gets another chance to become the first Tigers pitcher to 10 wins by the end of June since Kenny Rogers and Justin Verlander in 2006. He'll be making his third start against the Blue Jays this year.


Blue Jays: RHP Zach Stewart (0-1, 5.91 ERA)

Stewart failed to get out of the fourth inning in his last start against Atlanta. He allowed five runs on 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings during the second outing of his Major League career. Stewart was 4-3 with a 4.29 ERA at Double-A this season.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers scored seven runs in the eighth inning to rally for an 8-3 win over the Diamondbacks yesterday afternoon. Al Alburquerque (5-1) earned the win in relief for Detroit. Jhonny Peralta led the Tigers with three hits, including a home run, and two RBI, while Miguel Cabrera finished with two hits and two RBI. The Tigers continue a 10-game homestand tonight with one game versus Toronto, rescheduled after a postponed game on May 17. The homestand continues with a three-game series against both the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants.

WINNING WAYS: Detroit has won 30 of the club’s last 49 games dating back to May 3, a .612 winning percentage. The Tigers are second among all American League clubs with a .612 winning percentage during that stretch. The Boston Red Sox have compiled a 32-17 record during the stretch, a .653 winning percentage.

ON THE OFFENSIVE IN JUNE: The Tigers are batting .297 (248x835) with 123 runs scored, 38 doubles, eight triples and 27 home runs in 24 games during June. Detroit is second among American League clubs with a .297 batting average and 123 runs scored during June, while the club is third with 27 home runs and a .459 slugging percentage.

HAPPY AT HOME: The Tigers have compiled a 127-74 record at Comerica Park since the start of the 2009 season, a .632 winning percentage. Detroit is second among all major league clubs with a .632 winning percentage at home during that stretch, trailing a .654 winning percentage by the New York Yankees.

SCHERZER SEEKS HIS 10TH WIN TONIGHT: Max Scherzer enters his start this evening versus Toronto looking for his 10th win of the season. With a win tonight, he would join Justin Verlander to become the first pair of Tigers pitcher with 10 wins in the club’s first 79 games of the season since Kenny Rogers and Verlander did so in Detroit’s first 79 games of the 2006 season.

VICTOR AT THE BAT: Victor Martinez is hitting .387 (41x106) with eight doubles, two home runs and 19 RBI over his last 28 games dating back to May 27. He is third among all American League players with a .387 batting average during that stretch.

BOESCH IS BASHING: Brennan Boesch is hitting .398 (35x88) with six doubles, six home runs and 13 RBI over his last 22 games dating back to June 3. He is second among all American League players with a .398 batting average and 35 hits during that stretch, while he is sixth with a .670 slugging percentage and tied for eighth with six home runs.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled a 2.70 ERA (96.2IP/29ER) and 96 strikeouts over the club’s last 33 games dating back to May 22. During the 33-game stretch, club relievers have limited opponents to a .209 batting average (72x344).

DRIVING THEM IN WHEN THEY COUNT: Miguel Cabrera singled to drive in two runs in the eighth inning yesterday to give Detroit a 3-2 lead over Arizona, a lead the club would not relinquish as it posted an 8-3 win. Since joining the Tigers in 2008, Cabrera is second among all American League players with 90 go-ahead RBI and 48 game-winning RBI.

TIGERS INFIELD DRIVES IN RUNS: Miguel Cabrera, Brandon Inge and Jhonny Peralta each finished with two RBI yesterday in Detroit’s 8-3 win over Arizona. It marked the first time three Tigers infielders finished with at least two RBI in a single game since July 5, 2010 versus Baltimore, when Cabrera (two RBI), Carlos Guillen (three RBI) and Inge (four RBI) all accomplished the feat. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)

ALBURQUERQUE’S PILING UP THE WINS: Al Alburquerque earned his fifth win of the season in relief yesterday afternoon versus Arizona. Alburquerque is the first Tigers pitcher to earn five wins in his first 25 career outings as a reliever since Mike Henneman did so to begin his major league career in 1987.

GUILLEN SLATED TO JOIN LAKELAND TODAY: Carlos Guillen is scheduled to begin an injury rehabilitation assignment with Single A Lakeland this evening.

THOMAS ON INJURY REHAB WITH TOLEDO: Brad Thomas joined Triple A Toledo to begin an injury rehabilitation assignment on June 14. He has appeared in five games, posting a 0-1 record, 2.25 ERA (8.0IP/2ER) and seven strikeouts.

RESCHEDULED GAMES: The following is the information on the rescheduled Tigers games postponed at Comerica Park this season:
- Thursday, September 1 versus Kansas City at 1:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 15)

INJURY UPDATE:
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 15-day disabled list on May 11), Rehab with Toledo
• INF Carlos Guillen (left knee microfracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30),
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).


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• Tuesday, June 28:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (6-5, 4.50 ERA)) VS Mets (RHP R.A. Dickey (3-7, 3.76 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Wednesday, June 29:
Tigers (LHP Phil Coke (1-7, 4.32 ERA)) VS Mets (LHP Chris Capuano (6-7, 3.99 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Thursday, June 30:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (10-3, 2.38 ERA)) VS Mets (RHP Mike Pelfrey (4-6, 4.78 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

Andy Dirks, CF
Don Kelly, 3B
Brennan Boesch, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Alex Avila, C
Ryan Raburn, 2B

P: Max Scherzer

BLUE JAYS

Yunel Escobar, SS
Eric Thames, LF
Jose Bautista, RF
Adam Lind, 1B
Aaron Hill, 2B
Corey Patterson, DH
Jose Molina, C
Jayson Nix, 3B
Rajai Davis, CF

P: Zach Stewart

TOR - Top 1st
B:3 S:3 O:1
Yunel Escobar called out on .

B:0 S:3 O:2
Eric Thames out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Jose Bautista called out on .

DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks grounds out, second baseman Aaron Hill to first baseman Adam Lind.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Don Kelly flies out to right fielder Jose Bautista.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Brennan Boesch grounds out, second baseman Aaron Hill to first baseman Adam Lind.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

TOR - Top 2nd
B:1 S:0 O:1
Adam Lind grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Aaron Hill singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Corey Patterson grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Aaron Hill to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Jose Molina out swinging.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Rajai Davis.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez doubles (20) on a line drive to center fielder Rajai Davis. Miguel Cabrera scores.
1 - 0

B:1 S:1 O:2
Magglio Ordonez lines into unassisted double play, second baseman Aaron Hill. Victor Martinez doubled off 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to center fielder Rajai Davis.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila singles on a ground ball to left fielder Eric Thames. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

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

1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

TOR - Top 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Jayson Nix grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Rajai Davis pops out to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

Injury Delay.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Yunel Escobar grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:4 S:0 O:0
Andy Dirks walks.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Don Kelly grounds into double play, second baseman Aaron Hill to shortstop Yunel Escobar to first baseman Adam Lind. Andy Dirks out at 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Brennan Boesch singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Jayson Nix.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jose Bautista. Brennan Boesch to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jose Bautista, deflected by pitcher Zach Stewart. Brennan Boesch scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.
2 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Jose Bautista in foul territory.

2 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

TOR - Top 4th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Eric Thames doubles (5) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

With Jose Bautista batting, wild pitch by Max Scherzer, Eric Thames to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Jose Bautista grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Eric Thames scores.
2 - 1

B:0 S:1 O:1
Adam Lind homers (16) on a fly ball to right field.
TIED 2 - 2

B:0 S:3 O:2
Aaron Hill called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:3
Corey Patterson grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 4th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Aaron Hill to first baseman Adam Lind.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Ryan Raburn lines out to center fielder Rajai Davis.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

TOR - Top 5th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Jose Molina out swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Jayson Nix out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Rajai Davis flies out to center fielder Andy Dirks.

DET - Bot 5th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks grounds out, shortstop Yunel Escobar to first baseman Adam Lind.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Don Kelly called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:2
Brennan Boesch doubles (19) on a line drive to right fielder Jose Bautista.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Jayson Nix to first baseman Adam Lind.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

TOR - Top 6th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Yunel Escobar singles on a line drive to center fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Eric Thames out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jose Bautista doubles (12) on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Yunel Escobar to 3rd.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Max Scherzer intentionally walks Adam Lind.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Aaron Hill grounds into double play, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Yunel Escobar out at home.

DET - Bot 6th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out, third baseman Jayson Nix to first baseman Adam Lind.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Rajai Davis.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds into a force out, third baseman Jayson Nix to second baseman Aaron Hill. Magglio Ordonez out at 2nd. Jhonny Peralta to 1st.

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

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

TOR - Top 7th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Corey Patterson singles on a bunt ground ball to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jose Molina out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Max Scherzer to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Corey Patterson to 2nd.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Jayson Nix called out on .

B:1 S:1 O:3
Rajai Davis pops out to third baseman Don Kelly in foul territory.

DET - Bot 7th
Pitcher Change: Jason Frasor replaces Zach Stewart.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to left fielder Eric Thames.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks out on a sacrifice bunt, second baseman Aaron Hill to first baseman Adam Lind. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.

Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland ejected by 1B umpire Ed Rapuano. (Dirks 1st called safe at 1st base then play over ruled by 2nd ump as out at 1st)

B:4 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly walks.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Brennan Boesch flies out to center fielder Rajai Davis.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera lines out, second baseman Aaron Hill to first baseman Adam Lind.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

TOR - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Max Scherzer.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Yunel Escobar grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Eric Thames called out on .

B:1 S:2 O:2
Jose Bautista singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Adam Lind grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Marc Rzepczynski replaces Jason Frasor.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Aaron Hill to first baseman Adam Lind.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Eric Thames.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Austin Jackson replaces Magglio Ordonez.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Shawn Camp replaces Marc Rzepczynski.

With Jhonny Peralta batting, Austin Jackson steals (13) 2nd base.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta triples (3) on a line drive to center fielder Rajai Davis. Austin Jackson scores.
3 - 2

B:4 S:0 O:1
Shawn Camp intentionally walks Alex Avila.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Ryan Raburn grounds into a force out, shortstop Yunel Escobar to second baseman Aaron Hill. Jhonny Peralta scores. Alex Avila out at 2nd. Ryan Raburn to 1st.
4- 2

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Luis Perez replaces Shawn Camp.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Andy Dirks grounds out, second baseman Aaron Hill to first baseman Adam Lind.

4- 2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

TOR - Top 9th
Defensive switch from center field to left field for Andy Dirks.

Defensive switch from third base to right field for Don Kelly.

Defensive Substitution: Brandon Inge replaces left fielder Brennan Boesch, batting 3rd, playing third base.

Austin Jackson remains in the game as the center fielder.

Defensive Substitution: Ramon Santiago replaces second baseman Ryan Raburn, batting 9th, playing second base.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Aaron Hill reaches on fielding error by shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Corey Patterson pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

With Jose Molina batting, Aaron Hill steals (10) 2nd base.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Jose Molina singles on a fly ball to right fielder Don Kelly, deflected by center fielder Austin Jackson. Aaron Hill to 3rd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner John McDonald replaces Jose Molina.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Juan Rivera replaces Jayson Nix.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Juan
Rivera grounds into double play, second baseman Ramon Santiago to
shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. John McDonald
out at 2nd.

BATTING
2B: Martinez, V (20, Stewart), Boesch (19, Stewart).
3B: Peralta, Jh (3, Camp).
TB: Boesch 3; Cabrera, Mi 2; Martinez, V 3; Ordonez 2; Peralta, Jh 4; Avila; Raburn.
RBI: Martinez, V 2 (46), Peralta, Jh (46), Raburn (26).
2-out RBI: Martinez, V.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Raburn; Ordonez; Cabrera, Mi 2.
SAC: Dirks.
GIDP: Kelly.
Team RISP: 2-for-9.
Team LOB: 9.

BASERUNNING
SB: Jackson, A (13, 2nd base off Camp/Molina, J).

FIELDING
E: Peralta, Jh (4, fielding).
DP: 2 (Cabrera, Mi-Avila-Cabrera, Mi, Santiago-Peralta, Jh-Cabrera, Mi).

PITCHING
WP: Scherzer.
IBB: Avila (by Camp), Lind (by Scherzer).
Pitches-strikes: Stewart 105-64, Frasor 17-12, Rzepczynski 3-2, Camp 13-6, Perez, L 3-2, Scherzer 95-67, Benoit 16-12, Valverde 12-8.
Groundouts-flyouts: Stewart 8-2, Frasor 1-1, Rzepczynski 1-0, Camp 1-0, Perez, L 1-0, Scherzer 8-1, Benoit 2-0, Valverde 2-0.
Batters faced: Stewart 26, Frasor 5, Rzepczynski 2, Camp 3, Perez, L 1, Scherzer 27, Benoit 4, Valverde 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Camp 1-1, Perez, L 1-0.
Ejections: Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland ejected by 1B umpire Ed Rapuano (7th).
Umpires: HP: Alfonso Marquez. 1B: Ed Rapuano. 2B: Brian O'Nora. 3B: Lance Barrett.
Weather: 79 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 16 mph, In from RF.
T: 3:01.
Att: 25,181.


W: Benoit (2-3)

SV: Valverde (18)