GDT: 6/30/11 - DET (43-38) VS NYM (41-39) - 1:05 p.m. ET

Tigers' Verlander takes aim at red-hot Mets

By Zack Meisel / MLB.com | 6/30/2011 1:52 AM ET

To Major League hitters who don't don a Detroit uniform, Justin Verlander might be the pitcher they least want to see toe the rubber. The Mets will try their hand against the right-hander, who will attempt Thursday to become the league's first 11-game winner.

Verlander (10-3, 2.38) blanked the Blue Jays on May 7, tossing the second no-hitter of his career. But his best pitching has come lately.

He'll need to continue pitching his best, as he'll be facing a team that has beaten the Tigers by scores of 14-3 and 16-9 in the first two games of their series at Comerica Park. The Mets hit two grand slams on Tuesday, and the 52 runs they've scored since Saturday set a club record for runs in a span of four games.

But the Tigers' ace has won his past six starts, allowing just four earned runs in 49 2/3 innings (0.72 ERA). In that span, he has struck out 51 and walked just six, while holding opposing hitters to a .153 average. In his shortest of the six outings, he threw 7 2/3 innings.

"I feel like I'm throwing the ball really well," Verlander said. "I feel like my fastball control has been outstanding, for the most part, during this stretch. Most of the good games I have are built off of that, being able to locate that, and mixing the offspeed off of that."

Verlander hasn't lost a game since April 27 against the Mariners. He has pitched at least six innings in each of his 17 starts, and has lasted eight or nine frames in 10 of them.

Verlander has set a new season-best in strikeouts in three of his past four appearances. Against the Mariners on June 9, he fanned 10. Five days later, he mystified 12 Indians hitters. In his last start, Saturday against the D-backs, he punched out a career-high 14.

"You just don't see stuff like that," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said after Saturday's game. "I think one of their guys remarked to [third-base coach Gene Lamont], 'If you get a pitch from him to hit, you'd better hit it.'"

In his only career start against the Mets, Verlander surrendered five runs on five hits, walking three and striking out two, while lasting just two innings on June 22, 2010.

Tigers: Pondering early departures
Teams often send a pitcher home early during a night game if he's scheduled to start the next afternoon. Detroit faced such a scenario Wednesday night, with Verlander primed to man the mound Thursday afternoon. Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he hasn't determined the exact science about what to do with his starting pitchers in that situation.

"There's all kinds of theories about stuff," Leyland said. "I don't really know the answers. ... I've seen it both ways. I've seen guys get two-hit shutouts. I've seen guys not get out of the first inning."

Mets: Bay trending upward
Outfielder Jason Bay has been showing signs of busting out of his season-long slump. In his past 12 games, Bay has hit .327 with two homers and 10 RBIs, raising his average from .207 to .236.

"When you're the kind of player Jason Bay is, you expect a lot out of yourself," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "Those kind of guys, what drives them is they're really never satisfied."

Worth noting
• Despite surrendering just nine runs in 28 innings (2.89 ERA), New York's Mike Pelfrey is 1-2 in his past four starts. Scheduled to start Thursday, Pelfrey has walked just two and struck out 16 in that span, holding opposing hitters to a .206 average. Overall, Pelfrey is 4-6 with a 4.78 ERA. He has never faced the Tigers.

• Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta has hit .459 (11-for-24) in his past six games, raising his average to .313. The highest Peralta has ever hit in any Major League season is .292 in 2005 with the Indians.


Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (10-3, 2.38 ERA)

Verlander has had dominant stretches in past years, but nothing like this. He's 6-0 with a 0.72 ERA in his last six starts, and 8-0 with a 1.56 ERA in his last 10. Those last six starts include just 26 hits over 49 2/3 innings.


Mets: RHP Mike Pelfrey (4-6, 4.78 ERA)

A three-run Rangers rally in the first inning last Friday sunk Pelfrey, who allowed 10 hits and broke his string of three consecutive quality starts. He'll head back to a pitcher's park to face the Tigers, a team he has never pitched against.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers suffered a 16-9 loss to the Mets last night. Phil Coke (1-8) took the loss for Detroit after allowing eight runs (seven earned) in four innings of work. Miguel Cabrera homered twice and drove in four runs for the Tigers, while Andy Dirks, Jhonny Peralta and Ryan Raburn all homered. The Tigers continue a 10-game homestand today with the final game of a three-game series versus the Mets. The homestand continues with a three-game series against the Giants beginning tomorrow night.

SCHLERETH OPTIONED; VILLARREAL RECALLED: Following last night’s game, the Tigers optioned the contract of lefthanded pitcher Daniel Schlereth to Triple A Toledo. Detroit today recalled the contract of righthanded pitcher Brayan Villarreal from Toledo. Villarreal posted a 0-5 record and 4.41 ERA (32.2IP/16ER) in seven outings (five starts) with the Mud Hens in 2011.

WINNING WAYS: Detroit has won 31 of the club’s last 52 games dating back to May 3, a .596 winning percentage. The Tigers are second among all American League clubs with a .596 winning percentage during that stretch. The Boston Red Sox have compiled a 32-19 record during the stretch, a .627 winning percentage.

INTERLEAGUE HAPPENINGS: Today’s contest against the Mets is Detroit’s 15th of the club’s 18 games during interleague play in 2011. Since interleague play started in 1997, the Tigers have compiled a 139-122 record. The Tigers are 67-37 in interleague games at Comerica Park. Detroit is 5-9 during interleague action in 2011.

AMONG THE BEST SINCE 2006: The Tigers have compiled a 68-36 record, a .654 winning percentage, during interleague play since the start of the 2006 season. The .654 winning percentage during interleague action is second-best among major league clubs during that stretch. The Boston Red Sox have compiled a 69-35 record, a .663 winning percentage, during interleague action over that stretch.

ON THE OFFENSIVE IN JUNE: The Tigers are batting .297 (280x942) with 139 runs scored, 44 doubles, nine triples and 34 home runs in 27 games during June. Detroit is tops among American League clubs with a .297 batting average, 34 home runs and a .471 slugging percentage during the month, while the club is second with 139 runs scored.

HAPPY AT HOME: The Tigers have compiled a 128-76 record at Comerica Park since the start of the 2009 season, a .627 winning percentage. Detroit is second among all American League clubs with a .627 winning percentage at home during that stretch, trailing a .657 winning percentage by the New York Yankees.

VICTOR AT THE BAT: Victor Martinez is hitting .373 (44x118) with nine doubles, two home runs and 21 RBI over his last 31 games dating back to May 27. He is fourth among all American League players with a .373 batting average during that stretch.

BOESCH IS BASHING: Brennan Boesch enters today’s game versus the Mets hitting .390 (39x100) with eight doubles, six home runs and 13 RBI over his last 25 games dating back to June 3. He is tied for the lead in the American League with 39 hits during that stretch, while he is third with a .390 batting average, sixth with a .650 slugging percentage and tied for ninth with six home runs.

PLAYING LONGBALL: The Tigers belted five home runs last night against New York to mark the seventh time the club has connected for five-or-more runs at home during the 12-year history of Comerica Park. Detroit last belted five-or-more home runs at Comerica Park on September 25, 2008 versus Tampa Bay.

VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde converted his 18th consecutive save to begin the season on Monday versus Toronto. His 18 straight saves converted is the eighth-longest such streak during a single season in Tigers history. Valverde has not allowed a run over his last 12 outings, tossing 11.1 scoreless innings. He converted 24 straight saves for the Tigers in 2010, doing so April 9-August 21.

GUILLEN ON INJURY REHAB WITH LAKELAND: Carlos Guillen joined Single A Lakeland to begin an injury rehabilitation assignment on Monday. He is hitting .100 (1x10) with a walk in three games with Lakeland.

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),
• INF Carlos Guillen (left knee microfracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30), Rehab with Lakeland
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).


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• Friday, July 1:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (5-6, 4.66 ERA)) VS Giants (LHP Madison Bumgarner (4-9, 3.84 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Saturday, July 2:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (9-3, 4.47 ERA)) VS Giants (?HP TBA ( ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, July 3:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (6-6, 5.06 ERA)) VS Giants (RHP Ryan Vogelsong (6-1, 2.09 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS
1. Austin Jackson, cf
2. Don Kelly, 3b
3. Brennan Boesch, rf
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1b
5. Victor Martinez, dh
6. Andy Dirks, lf
7. Jhonny Peralta, ss
8. Alex Avila, c
9. Ramon Santiago, 2b

NYM - Top 1st
B:1 S:1 O:0
Jose Reyes doubles (22) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson, deflected by right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jason Pridie lines into double play, second baseman Ramon Santiago to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Jose Reyes doubled off 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Carlos Beltran out swinging.

DET - Bot 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson walks.

With Don Kelly batting, Austin Jackson steals (14) 2nd base.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Don Kelly pops out to shortstop Jose Reyes.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Brennan Boesch lines out to left fielder Jason Bay.

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

B:4 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez walks. Austin Jackson to 3rd. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Andy Dirks pops out to first baseman Lucas Duda in foul territory.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

NYM - Top 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:0
Daniel Murphy homers (5) on a fly ball to right field.
NYM 1 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:1
Angel Pagan flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jason Bay singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Lucas Duda called out on .

B:3 S:3 O:3
Josh Thole out swinging.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:1 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jason Bay.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out to first baseman Lucas Duda. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Ramon Santiago out on foul tip.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to center fielder Angel Pagan. Jhonny Peralta scores.
TIED 1 - 1

B:4 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly walks. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Brennan Boesch out swinging.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 2 INNINGS

NYM - Top 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Ruben Tejada flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Jose Reyes walks.

With Jason Pridie batting, Jose Reyes caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Alex Avila to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Jason Pridie out swinging.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:2 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Jason Pridie.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez doubles (21) on a fly ball to center fielder Angel Pagan.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to center fielder Angel Pagan. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta walks. Andy Dirks to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Jason Bay. Victor Martinez scores.
2 - 1

B:3 S:2 O:2
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to center fielder Angel Pagan. Andy Dirks scores. Jhonny Peralta scores. Ramon Santiago to 3rd. Throwing error by center fielder Angel Pagan.
4 - 1

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

4 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

NYM - Top 4th
B:2 S:0 O:1
Carlos Beltran lines out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Daniel Murphy pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jason Bay singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Angel Pagan to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Lucas Duda flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder Jason Bay.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Brennan Boesch singles on a soft ground ball to second baseman Ruben Tejada.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds into double play, second baseman Ruben Tejada to shortstop Jose Reyes to first baseman Lucas Duda. Brennan Boesch out at 2nd.

4 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

NYM - Top 5th
B:4 S:2 O:0
Josh Thole walks.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Ruben Tejada flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Jose Reyes singles on a line drive to right fielder Andy Dirks, deflected by first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Josh Thole to 3rd.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Jason Pridie out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Carlos Beltran out swinging, catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to right fielder Jason Pridie.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Andy Dirks homers (6) on a line drive to right field.
5 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, shortstop Jose Reyes to first baseman Lucas Duda.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Pridie.

Pitcher Change: Tim Byrdak replaces Mike Pelfrey.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to center fielder Angel Pagan. Alex Avila to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Austin Jackson pops out to first baseman Lucas Duda.

5 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

NYM - Top 6th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Daniel Murphy grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Angel Pagan grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Jason Bay flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

DET - Bot 6th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Don Kelly called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Jason Pridie.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: D. J. Carrasco replaces Tim Byrdak.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds into double play, third baseman Daniel Murphy to second baseman Ruben Tejada to first baseman Lucas Duda. Brennan Boesch out at 2nd.

5 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

NYM - Top 7th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Lucas Duda triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Josh Thole flies into double play, left fielder Brennan Boesch to catcher Alex Avila. Lucas Duda out at home on the throw.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Ruben Tejada grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 7th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Victor Martinez out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks hit by pitch.

With Jhonny Peralta batting, Andy Dirks steals (3) 2nd base.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Daniel Murphy to first baseman Lucas Duda.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Ruben Tejada to first baseman Lucas Duda.

5 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

NYM - Top 8th
Defensive Substitution: Brandon Inge replaces third baseman Don Kelly, batting 2nd, playing third base.

Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Justin Verlander.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Jose Reyes flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Jason Pridie out on foul tip.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Carlos Beltran homers (12) on a fly ball to right field.
5 - 2

B:2 S:2 O:2
Daniel Murphy doubles (14) on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Angel Pagan grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Manny Acosta replaces D. J. Carrasco.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Ramon Santiago bunt grounds out, pitcher Manny Acosta to first baseman Lucas Duda.

Injury Delay.

Pitcher Change: Francisco Rodriguez replaces Manny Acosta.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson out on foul tip.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Brandon Inge hit by pitch.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Brennan Boesch grounds out, second baseman Ruben Tejada to first baseman Lucas Duda.

5 - 2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

NYM - Top 9th
Defensive Substitution: Casper Wells replaces left fielder Brennan Boesch, batting 3rd, playing right field.

Defensive switch from right field to left field for Andy Dirks.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jason Bay pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Lucas Duda flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Josh Thole doubles (9) on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Fernando Martinez replaces Ruben Tejada.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Fernando Martinez out swinging.