GDT: 7/8/11 - DET (47-42) AT KC (36-52) - 8:10 p.m. ET

Tigers looking for continued early success in KC

By Chris Vannini / MLB.com | 7/8/2011 12:05 AM ET

Since first taking first place away from the Indians on June 16, the Tigers have been in a bit of a funk.

Since then, the Tigers are 9-11 and have fallen back to second place by 1 1/2 games in the American League Central. The problem has been early in series. Dating to the Cleveland series, the Tigers have won seven straight series finales, while going 3-12 in the first two games of a set.

"We're doing all right," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "We're not doing as well as we'd like, but we're doing OK. We're at the tail end of a stretch of 37 [games] out of 38 [days] -- that's not easy.

"You run into the Giants, you're running into the world champs with real good pitching. You run into the Angels, you're talking about good pitching."

After winning the first game against the Royals, the Tigers send Rick Porcello to the mound on Friday. Kansas City counters with right-hander Kyle Davies.

After losing three of his previous four starts, Porcello was wild, but effective enough to earn a win against the Giants in his last start. The right-hander gave up three earned runs, three wild pitches and hit three batters in seven innings.

"It wasn't an easy game by any means," Porcello said. "But it was definitely a game that we needed, especially going on the road here to finish up this first half. We had to go out there and get it done any way possible."

Royals: Kendall out for two seasons
Catcher Jason Kendall will undergo another surgery on his right shoulder, ending his season, manager Ned Yost announced on Thursday.

"It takes him out of the picture for this year and for next year, and it's more a quality-of-life surgery so he can at least have function in his shoulder," Yost said.

The 15-year veteran has played with five different clubs over his career, which Yost would not say would be coming to an end.

"I'm not going to count him out," Yost said of the possibility of Kendall's possible retirement. "I'm not going to go down that road. There's no telling if he gets through this surgery. It's hard to tell with him."

Tigers: Boesch set to return
Outfielder Brennan Boesch fouled a ball off his right knee on Tuesday and has not played since. He is set to return on Friday and will play the final three games of the series.

"We've got two righties the next two days. I'll probably play him three straight days," Leyland said before Thursday's 3-1 win over the Royals.

Worth noting
• Detroit's Victor Martinez and Kansas City's Alex Gordon finished second and third, respectively, in the All-Star Final Vote, finishing behind Chicago's Paul Konerko.

• The Tigers are 16-7 against the AL Central this season.

• Tigers outfielder Austin Jackson left Thursday's game with left wrist soreness.


Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (7-6, 4.96 ERA)

After losing three of his previous four starts, Porcello pitched seven strong innings against the Giants. He was wild, though, hitting three batters and throwing three wild pitches, but gave up just five hits and three runs in the win.


Royals: RHP Kyle Davies (1-7, 7.77 ERA)

In his first start after seven weeks on the DL, Davies didn't show the same sharpness he'd had in Minor League rehab starts. Against the Rockies last Saturday, he had trouble keeping his pitches down and gave up seven runs in three innings.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers posted a 3-1 win over the Royals last night. Max Scherzer (10-4) picked up the win for Detroit, while Jose Valverde worked a scoreless ninth inning for his 22nd save of the season. Ryan Raburn belted a two-run home run for the Tigers, while Don Kelly added a solo home run. The Tigers continue a seven-game road trip tonight with the second game of a four-game series against the Royals. Following Sunday afternoon’s game, the club will enjoy a four-day all-star break before beginning a five game homestand with Chicago and Oakland.

FOUR TIGERS NAMED TO ALL-STAR SQUAD: Alex Avila, Miguel Cabrera, Jose Valverde and Justin Verlander were all selected to the American League’s all-star squad on Sunday. Avila was voted the starting catcher for the American League, while Cabrera, Valverde and Verlander were all selected as reserves. It is the sixth all-star selection for Cabrera, while it is fourth selection for Verlander, third selection for Valverde and the first selection for Avila.

AVILA VOTED AS AMERICAN LEAGUE’S STARTER BEHIND THE PLATE: Alex Avila was voted through the fan balloting as the American League’s starting catcher for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game to be held in Phoenix. Avila will be the first Tigers catcher to start for the American League in the All-Star Game since Ivan Rodriguez did so in 2007. Avila will become the fifth catcher in franchise history to start in the All-Star Game, joining Birdie Tebbetts, Bill Freehan, Lance Parrish and Rodriguez.

CENTRAL FOCUS: Tonight at Kansas City marks the second game in a stretch in which the Tigers play 14 of the club’s next 16 games against opponents in the American League Central Division. Of Detroit’s final 73 games of the season, 49 are versus teams in the American League Central Division. The Tigers are 16-7 against clubs from the American League Central Division this season, a .696 winning percentage. Detroit is tops among all American League clubs with the .696 winning percentage against the division.

WINNING WAYS: Detroit has won 35 of the club’s last 60 games dating back to May 3, a .583 winning percentage. The Tigers are second among all American League clubs with a .583 winning percentage during that stretch. The Red Sox have compiled a 39-20 record during the stretch, a .661 winning percentage.

MIGGY MASHES AGAINST THE ROYALS: Miguel Cabrera enters tonight’s game at Kansas City hitting .338 (77x228) with 12 doubles, 16 home runs and 50 RBI in 61 games during his career against the club. He is fifth among all active major league players with a .601 slugging percentage versus the Royals, while he is eighth with a .338 batting average.

VICTOR AT THE BAT: Victor Martinez is hitting .345 (50x145) with 10 doubles, two home runs and 23 RBI over his last 39 games dating back to May 27. He is fourth among all American League players with a .345 batting average during that stretch.

BOESCH IS BASHING: Brennan Boesch enters tonight’s game against the Royals hitting .392 (47x120) with 10 doubles, eight home runs and 15 RBI over his last 31 games dating back to June 3. He is second in the American League with a .392 batting average during that stretch, while he is third with 47 hits and a .675 slugging percentage and tied for ninth with eight home runs.

VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde converted his 22nd consecutive save to begin the season last night at Kansas City. His 22 straight saves converted is tied for the fourth-longest such streak during a single season in Tigers history. Valverde converted 24 straight saves for the Tigers in 2010, doing so April 9-August 21.

GUILLEN ON INJURY REHAB WITH TOLEDO: Carlos Guillen’s injury rehabilitation assignment was transferred from Single A Lakeland to Triple A Toledo on July 1. He is hitting .238 (5x21) with a double, home run and four RBI in six games with Toledo. Guillen joined Lakeland to begin an injury rehabilitation assignment on June 27. He hit .200 (3x15) with two doubles and two RBI in three games with Lakeland.

NOTES ON THE SKIPPER: Jim Leyland is in his sixth season as the manager of the Tigers, compiling a 471-431 record (.522).
- Leyland registered the 1,500th win of his major league career on April 15 at Oakland, becoming just the 19th manager in major league history to accomplish the feat. He is second among all active major league managers with 1,540 wins.
- Tonight’s game marks the 3,103rd game Leyland has managed during his career, 54 games shy of tying Ralph Houk for 15th place all-time in major league history.
- With 471 wins as Detroit’s manager, he enters tonight’s game 29 wins shy of becoming the fifth manager in Tigers history to register 500 victories with the club.

STARS PLACED ON JERSEYS AND HATS OF ALL-STAR SELECTIONS: Stars have been affixed on the jerseys and hats of Alex Avila, Miguel Cabrera, Jose Valverde and Justin Verlander to signify their selection to the American League’s all-star squad. All four players will wear the stars on their jerseys and hats through Sunday’s game at Kansas City

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:
• RHP Al Alburquerque (right forearm flexor mass inflammation, 15-day disabled list on June 30),
• 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 Toledo
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).


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• Saturday, July 9:
Tigers (LHP Charlie Furbush (1-2, 3.08 ERA)) AT
Royals (RHP Luke Hochevar (5-8, 5.17 ERA)),
7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, July 10:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (11-4, 2.26 ERA)) AT
Royals (LHP Jeff Francis (3-9, 4.69) ERA)),
2:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Tigers

Dirks, A, CF - .240
Boesch, B, LF - .307
Ordonez, M, RF - .206
Cabrera, M, 1B - .317
Martinez, V, DH - .319
Peralta, J, SS - .310
Avila, A, C - .287
Raburn, R, 2B - .206
Inge, B, 3B - .189


Royals

Getz, C, 2B - .258
Cabrera, M, CF - .286
Gordon, A, LF - .295
Butler, B, DH - .291
Hosmer, E, 1B - .278
Francoeur, J, RF - .268
Moustakas, M, 3B - .238
Pena, B, C - .269
Escobar, A, SS - .252

DET - Top 1st
B:0 S:0 O:0
Andy Dirks doubles (4) on a fly ball to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch grounds out to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Andy Dirks to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Magglio Ordonez homers (3) on a fly ball to left field. Andy Dirks scores.
2 - 0

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

B:3 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

KC - Bot 1st
B:2 S:1 O:0
Chris Getz reaches on fielding error by third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Melky Cabrera singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Chris Getz to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:0
Alex Gordon singles on a line drive to center fielder Andy Dirks. Chris Getz scores. Melky Cabrera to 2nd.
2 - 1

B:3 S:3 O:1
Billy Butler out swinging. Melky Cabrera steals (12) 3rd base. Alex Gordon steals (6) 2nd base.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Eric Hosmer walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Jeff Francoeur out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Melky Cabrera scores.
TIED 2 - 2

B:0 S:0 O:3
Mike Moustakas grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Eric Hosmer out at 2nd.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:3 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Alex Avila walks. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd. Alex Avila to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Brandon Inge pops out to third baseman Mike Moustakas in foul territory.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks grounds into a force out, second baseman Chris Getz to shortstop Alcides Escobar. Jhonny Peralta scores. Alex Avila to 3rd. Ryan Raburn out at 2nd. Andy Dirks to 1st.
3 - 2

B:1 S:0 O:3
Brennan Boesch grounds out, pitcher Kyle Davies to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

KC - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Brayan Pena out swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Alcides Escobar out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Chris Getz called out on .

3 - 2 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Magglio Ordonez walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Miguel Cabrera doubles (21) on a fly ball to left fielder Alex Gordon. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Magglio Ordonez scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.
4 - 2

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta doubles (16) on a line drive to left fielder Alex Gordon. Miguel Cabrera scores.
5 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Kyle Davies intentionally walks Alex Avila.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Brandon Inge grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Mike Moustakas. Jhonny Peralta out at 3rd.

KC - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:2 O:0
Melky Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:1 O:0
Alex Gordon singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Melky Cabrera to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Billy Butler singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Melky Cabrera scores. Alex Gordon to 2nd.
5 - 3

B:1 S:0 O:1
Eric Hosmer grounds into a force out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Alex Gordon to 3rd. Billy Butler out at 2nd. Eric Hosmer to 1st.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Jeff Francoeur pops out to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Mike Moustakas pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.

5 - 3 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:2 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks flies out to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Brennan Boesch flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out softly, pitcher Kyle Davies to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

KC - Bot 4th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Brayan Pena flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alcides Escobar grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

5 - 3 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
Kansas City Royals second baseman Chris Getz ejected by 1B umpire Tom Hallion.

Defensive Substitution: Wilson Betemit replaces second baseman Chris Getz, batting 1st, playing second base.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Victor Martinez called out on .

B:2 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to center fielder Melky Cabrera. Alex Avila out at 2nd, center fielder Melky Cabrera to shortstop Alcides Escobar.

KC - Bot 5th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Melky Cabrera out on foul tip.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Gordon singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Billy Butler grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Alex Gordon to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Eric Hosmer flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

5 - 3 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Ryan Raburn grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Brandon Inge out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

B:3 S:1 O:3
With Brennan Boesch batting, Andy Dirks caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Brayan Pena to shortstop Alcides Escobar.

KC - Bot 6th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Jeff Francoeur grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: David Purcey replaces Rick Porcello.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Mike Moustakas pops out to catcher Alex Avila in foul territory.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Brayan Pena flies out to center fielder Andy Dirks.

5 - 3 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
Pitcher Change: Blake Wood replaces Kyle Davies.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch grounds out, third baseman Mike Moustakas to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Mike Moustakas to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera pops out to second baseman Wilson Betemit.

KC - Bot 7th
Defensive Substitution: Casper Wells replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 3rd, playing right field.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Alcides Escobar grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Wilson Betemit walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Melky Cabrera doubles (23) on a fly ball to center fielder Andy Dirks. Wilson Betemit scores.
5 - 4

B:1 S:3 O:2
Alex Gordon out swinging.

Pitcher Change: Lester Oliveros replaces David Purcey.

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

5 - 4 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Tim Collins replaces Blake Wood.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds into a force out, pitcher Tim Collins to shortstop Alcides Escobar. Victor Martinez out at 2nd. Jhonny Peralta to 1st.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Alex Avila grounds into double play, shortstop Alcides Escobar to second baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Jhonny Peralta out at 2nd.

KC - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Lester Oliveros.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Eric Hosmer flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jeff Francoeur singles on a ground ball to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Mike Moustakas out swinging.

B:3 S:0 O:3
With Brayan Pena batting, Jeff Francoeur caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Alex Avila to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

5 - 4 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Brandon Inge out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Tim Collins to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Andy Dirks singles on a ground ball to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Ryan Raburn to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Brennan Boesch grounds into a force out, second baseman Wilson Betemit to shortstop Alcides Escobar. Ryan Raburn scores. Andy Dirks out at 2nd. Brennan Boesch to 1st.
6 - 4

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Austin Jackson replaces Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Casper Wells flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

KC - Bot 9th
Defensive switch from center field to left field for Andy Dirks.

Austin Jackson remains in the game as the center fielder.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Phil Coke.

Injury Delay.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Brayan Pena singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Alcides Escobar grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Brayan Pena out at 2nd. Alcides Escobar to 1st.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

With Melky Cabrera batting, Alcides Escobar advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Melky Cabrera walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Alex Gordon walks. Alcides Escobar to 3rd. Melky Cabrera to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Billy Butler flies out to right fielder Casper Wells.