GDT: 7/9/11 - DET (48-42) AT KC (36-53) - 7:10 p.m. ET

Furbush looking to help Tigers cage Royals

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 7/9/2011 12:40 AM ET

It's important for Tigers left-hander Charlie Furbush on Saturday to go deep in his second career start. Important for his psyche, perhaps, but even more so for a bullpen that skipper Jim Leyland called "unsettled."

"We just really haven't been able to get it totally in synch; the thorough bullpen, the total bullpen," Leyland said.

A big reason for that has been the situation in which Furbush's been involved. Furbush, who on July 4 made his first career start, replaced fellow left-hander Phil Coke in the rotation. In Thursday's game, Coke came in and got a big out in the seventh inning. Leyland hopes Coke can continue to do that in a role he pitched well in a year ago.

"Between him and [Al] Alburquerque coming back, that's a pretty good combination," Leyland said. "That would be just what the doctor ordered, if he pitches like he's capable of pitching in that role, that would be very good for our club."

Taking the bump for the Royals is Luke Hochevar, who is coming off an outing in which he allowed five runs, all in the fifth inning. The right-hander (5-8) has split his two starts this year against the Tigers and is 3-4 with a 4.41 ERA in nine career games (eight starts) against Detroit.

Tigers: Jackson still out
Center fielder Austin Jackson won't be in the lineup for the rest of the series. Jackson was pulled from Thursday's game in the third inning with a sore left wrist, which had been bugging him for a few days. Leyland said he doesn't want him to aggravate it, but said he'll be fine. Jackson could come in as a late defensive replacement, but Leyland doesn't want him swinging a bat.

• In his last 40 games, Victor Martinez is hitting .342 with 10 doubles and 24 RBIs.

Royals: Diamond of Dreams fundraiser announced
Royals Charities announced on Friday the Diamond of Dreams: Taking the Field for Operation Breakthrough will be held at 7 p.m. CT on July 21 at Kauffman Stadium. The fundraiser benefits locally-based Operation Breakthrough, a St. Vincent's Family Service Center. Tickets for the on-field event only are available for $100 each and can be purchased online or by calling 816-504-4149.

• Closer Joakim Soria has converted his last eight save opportunities.

Worth noting
• Of Detroit's final 72 games, 48 come against American League Central opponents. The Tigers are 17-7 against division foes this season.

• Jose Valverde has converted 23 straight saves to begin the season, the fourth-longest streak in Tigers history.

• The Royals have lost 11 of their last 13 games against division opponents.

• Detroit's Miguel Cabrera is hitting .478 (11-for-23) in his career against Hochevar.



Tigers: LHP Charlie Furbush (1-2, 3.08 ERA)

Furbush used all of his four-pitch arsenal in his first Major League start Monday night, striking out five Angels over 4 2/3 innings of three-run ball. One run scored on a balk when his cleats caught, another on a bloop single.


Royals: RHP Luke Hochevar (5-8, 5.17 ERA)

Hochevar jammed his lower back while sliding at Colorado and eventually left the game in the fifth inning. After the injury, his shutout vanished in a five-run outburst. But he's recovered and will make his start as scheduled.


Game Information



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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• 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)

• Sunday, July 10:
Taco Bell All-Star Sunday at Chase Field featuring: XM All-Star Futures Game, 6 p.m. ET, and
Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game, approximately 9:30 ET

• Monday July 11:
Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Chase Field featuring:
State Farm Home Run Derby, 8 ET

• Tuesday July 12:
82nd MLB All-Star Game at Chase Field, 8 ET

• Wednesday July 13:
OFF DAY

• Thursday July 14:
OFF DAY

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS
1. Dirks, LF
2. Santiago, SS
3. Boesch, RF
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Martinez, DH
6. Kelly, 3B
7. Avila, C
8. Raburn, 2B
9. Wells, CF

ROYALS
1. Getz, 2B
2. Cabrera, CF
3. Gordon, LF
4. Butler, DH
5. Hosmer, 1B
6. Francoeur, RF
7. Betemit, 3B
8. Treanor, C
9. Escobar, SS

DET - Top 1st
B:1 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks grounds out softly, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Ramon Santiago grounds out softly, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Brennan Boesch out swinging.

KC - Bot 1st
B:2 S:3 O:1
Chris Getz out swinging.

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

B:3 S:1 O:1
Alex Gordon singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brennan Boesch. Melky Cabrera to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Billy Butler singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Brennan Boesch. Melky Cabrera to 3rd. Alex Gordon to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Eric Hosmer grounds into a force out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Ramon Santiago.Melky Cabrera scores. Alex Gordon to 3rd. Billy Butler out at 2nd. Eric Hosmer to 1st.
KC 1 - 0

B:1 S:2 O:3
Jeff Francoeur flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

KC 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez doubles (22) on a line drive to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly grounds out, first baseman Eric Hosmer to pitcher Luke Hochevar. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out softly to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

KC - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:0 O:0
Wilson Betemit singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Matt Treanor singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks. Wilson Betemit to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Alcides Escobar grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Ramon Santiago. Wilson Betemit scores. Matt Treanor out at 2nd. Alcides Escobar to 1st.
KC 2 - 0

With Chris Getz batting, Alcides Escobar steals (14) 2nd base.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Chris Getz singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks. Alcides Escobar to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

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

With Alex Gordon batting, Chris Getz steals (16) 2nd base.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alex Gordon hit by pitch.

Injury Delay.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Billy Butler singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks. Alcides Escobar scores. Chris Getz scores. Alex Gordon to 2nd.
KC 4 - 0

B:1 S:0 O:3
Eric Hosmer flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

KC 4 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:0
Ryan Raburn doubles (13) on a line drive to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Casper Wells grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Ryan Raburn to 3rd.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Ramon Santiago out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Brennan Boesch singles on a line drive to center fielder Melky Cabrera. Ryan Raburn scores. Andy Dirks to 3rd.
KC 4 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Melky Cabrera. Andy Dirks scores. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.
KC 4 - 2

B:2 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez lines out to second baseman Chris Getz.

KC - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:2 O:1
Jeff Francoeur flies out to center fielder Casper Wells.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Wilson Betemit grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Matt Treanor walks.

With Alcides Escobar batting, Matt Treanor steals (2) 2nd base.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Alcides Escobar reaches on fielding error by shortstop Ramon Santiago. Matt Treanor to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Chris Getz singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Brennan Boesch. Matt Treanor scores. Alcides Escobar to 3rd.
KC 5 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Melky Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Casper Wells. Alcides Escobar scores. Chris Getz to 2nd.
KC 6 - 2

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Gordon homers (11) on a fly ball to center field. Chris Getz scores. Melky Cabrera scores.
KC 9 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Adam Wilk replaces Charlie Furbush.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Billy Butler flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.

KC 9 - 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Don Kelly singles on a line drive to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

B:2 S:1 O:0
Alex Avila doubles (18) on a fly ball to right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Don Kelly to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Ryan Raburn walks.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Casper Wells out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks lines out to shortstop Alcides Escobar. Don Kelly scores. Throwing error by shortstop Alcides Escobar.
KC 9 - 3

B:0 S:0 O:2
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Alex Avila scores. Ryan Raburn to 3rd.
KC 9 - 4

B:0 S:1 O:2
Brennan Boesch singles on a ground ball to left fielder Alex Gordon. Ryan Raburn scores. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.
KC 9 - 5

B:4 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera walks. Ramon Santiago to 3rd. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez walks. Ramon Santiago scores. Brennan Boesch to 3rd. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.
KC 9 - 6

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Greg Holland replaces Luke Hochevar.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Don Kelly flies out to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

KC 9 - 6 AFTER 3.5 INNINGS

KC - Bot 4th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Eric Hosmer grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

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

KC 9 - 6 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila out swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Ryan Raburn doubles (14) on a fly ball to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Casper Wells flies out to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

With Andy Dirks batting, wild pitch by Greg Holland, Ryan Raburn to 3rd.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Andy Dirks lines out to second baseman Chris Getz.

KC - Bot 5th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Matt Treanor out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Alcides Escobar walks.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Chris Getz walks. Alcides Escobar to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Melky Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Casper Wells. Alcides Escobar scores. Chris Getz out at 3rd on the throw, center fielder Casper Wells to first baseman Miguel Cabrera to third baseman Don Kelly. Melky Cabrera to 2nd on the throw.
KC 10 - 6

B:2 S:3 O:3
Alex Gordon called out on .

KC 10 - 6 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Ramon Santiago called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch singles on a line drive to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds into double play, shortstop Alcides Escobar to second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Brennan Boesch out at 2nd.

KC - Bot 6th
B:2 S:0 O:0
Billy Butler singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Eric Hosmer grounds out softly, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Billy Butler to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Adam Wilk.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Jeff Francoeur reaches on fielding error by second baseman Ryan Raburn. Billy Butler to 3rd.

With Wilson Betemit batting, wild pitch by Ryan Perry, Jeff Francoeur to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Ryan Perry intentionally walks Wilson Betemit.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Matt Treanor out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Brennan Boesch. Billy Butler scores. Jeff Francoeur to 3rd.
KC 11 - 6

B:1 S:1 O:2
Alcides Escobar triples (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Andy Dirks. Jeff Francoeur scores. Wilson Betemit scores.
KC 13 - 6

B:3 S:2 O:3
Chris Getz flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

KC 13 - 6 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th

Pitcher Change: Everett Teaford replaces Greg Holland.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Victor Martinez out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Alex Avila flies out to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

KC - Bot 7th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Melky Cabrera called out on .

B:1 S:0 O:2
Alex Gordon grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

KC 13 - 6 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Defensive Substitution: Mitch Maier replaces right fielder Jeff Francoeur, batting 6th, playing right field.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Mitch Maier in foul territory.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Casper Wells singles on a line drive to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Ramon Santiago pops out to shortstop Alcides Escobar.

KC - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Lester Oliveros replaces Ryan Perry.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Eric Hosmer grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Mitch Maier grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Wilson Betemit grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

KC 13 - 6 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Brennan Boesch strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Mitch Maier.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Chris Getz to first baseman Eric Hosmer.