GDT: 8/2/11 - DET (57-51) VS TEX (61-48) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Scherzer, Lewis to face off in Tuesday opener

By Joey Nowak / MLB.com | 7/31/2011 1:49 PM ET

Pitching in the shadow of Tigers ace Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer has quietly put together a banner year for himself. On Tuesday, Scherzer will again take the mound for the Tigers -- this time, just two days after Verlander took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of a ballgame for the third time this year.

Scherzer (11-6, 4.28 ERA) is one win shy of tying his career-best mark, set last year with the Tigers. The right-hander has not allowed more than two runs in any of his past four starts, despite just a 2-2 mark to show for it.

Scherzer is 3-0 with a 3.48 ERA in five starts against the Rangers, who will come to Comerica Park to kick off the three-game series with a 7:05 p.m. ET start on Tuesday night. Both clubs are idle on Monday.

Detroit is coming off a four-game series split against the visiting Angels this weekend, while the first-place Rangers have lost four of six.

The Rangers will counter with right-hander Colby Lewis (10-8, 4.00 ERA), who snapped a personal five-game winning streak with a loss on Thursday against the Twins.

"I felt I had pretty good stuff," Lewis said after the outing, a 7-2 loss. "I just didn't get away with very many mistakes."

Lewis' problem this season has been the long ball, as he's allowed an American League-high 26 homers.

It's an issue that also hurt Scherzer in his most recent start, a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the White Sox. A two-run homer from Alejandro De Aza in the second inning was the critical blow.

"I made one mistake, and it cost me," Scherzer said afterward. "I hung an 0-2 changeup, and he was able to lift it out of the ballpark. That was the difference in the game. Aside from that, my stuff was pretty good."

Tigers: Cabrera one of the best vs. West
• Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera has been superb against the American League West in his career, posting a .338 batting average (183-for-542) with 45 doubles, 31 home runs and 121 RBIs in 143 games.

Entering the Tigers' series finale against the Angels on Sunday, the slugger's batting average, on-base percentage (.415) and slugging percentage (.599) were tops among active Major Leaguers with at least 200 plate appearances against the division.

• Reliever Joaquin Benoit is 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA (four earned runs in 23 1/3 innings), with two saves and 23 strikeouts over his past 27 outings for the Tigers, dating back to May 20.

Rangers: Another new face joins the 'pen
The Rangers acquired Padres setup man Mike Adams in exchange for Minor League pitchers Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland on Sunday. Adams, who turned 33 on Friday, was 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA in 48 relief appearances for the Padres.

Adams has never pitched in the American League, but has a 2.72 ERA in 33 games against AL opponents (39 2/3 innings). He has struck out 42 and allowed 32 hits against AL hitters.

Adams has faced the Tigers just once, allowing one hit while striking out two in two scoreless innings.

Worth noting
• Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta is hitting .354 (23-for-65) with two doubles, a triple, four home runs and 11 RBIs over his last 19 home games.

• The Rangers are 16-17 in day games this year.

• Detroit closer Jose Valverde has converted 28 consecutive saves to start the season, the second-longest such streak in Tigers history (Guillermo Hernandez, 32 straight in 1984).

Tigers: RHP Max Scherzer (11-6, 4.28ERA)

Scherzer has gone 2-2 in his past four starts, but he hasn't given up more than two runs in any of them. He has a 3-0 career record against the Rangers with a 3.48 ERA in five starts.


Rangers: RHP Colby Lewis (10-8, 4.00 ERA)

Lewis was the losing pitcher against the Twins on Thursday. It snapped a five-game winning streak and was his first loss since June 11. He has given up 26 home runs, the most in the American League. He is 6-4 with a 2.74 ERA on the road this season.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers knocked off the Angels 3-2 on Sunday. Justin Verlander (15-5) earned the win for Detroit, while Jose Valverde closed out the game for his 28th save. Magglio Ordonez belted a two-run home run for the Tigers, while Carlos Guillen added a solo home run. The Tigers continue a seven-game homestand tonight with the first game of a three-game series versus the Rangers. Following Thursday afternoon’s
game, the club hits the road for a nine-game trip to Kansas City, Cleveland and Baltimore.

TIGERS DESIGNATE PURCEY FOR ASSIGNMENT: The Tigers today announced the club has designated the contract of lefthanded pitcher David Purcey for assignment.

PICKING UP WINS OVER THE RANGERS AT HOME: The Tigers enter this evening’s game having won 14 of the club’s last 17 games versus the Rangers at Comerica Park dating back to September 11, 2007.

MIGGY’S THE MAN AGAINST THE AL WEST: Miguel Cabrera enters this evening’s game against the Rangers hitting .338 (183x542) with 45 doubles, a triple, 31 home runs and 121 RBI in 143 games during his career versus clubs from the American League West Division. He is tops among active major league players with at least 200 plate appearances against the division with a .338 batting average and .596 slugging percentage, while he is second with a .413 on-base percentage.

BOESCH IS BASHING: Brennan Boesch enters this evening’s game against the Rangers hitting .333 (65x195) with 12 doubles, 11 home runs and 26 RBI over his last 49 games dating back to June 3. He is seventh in the American League with a .333 batting average during that stretch, while he is tied for seventh with 65 hits, tied for ninth with 11 home runs and is 10th with a .564 slugging percentage.

VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde converted his 28th consecutive save to begin the season on Sunday versus the Angels. His 28 straight saves converted is the second-longest such streak during a single season in Tigers history. Guillermo Hernandez converted 32 straight save opportunities for the Tigers April 6-September 23, 1984.

VERLANDER EARNS HIS 15TH WIN: Justin Verlander earned his 15th win of the season on Sunday against the Angels. Along with New York’s CC Sabathia, they became the first duo of American League pitchers with 15-or-more wins prior to August 1 since 1997. Toronto’s Roger Clemens (16-4) and Minnesota’s Brad Radke (15-5) accomplished the feat that season. Verlander is the first Tigers pitcher with 15 wins prior to August 1 since Joe Coleman posted 16 wins prior to that date in 1973. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau)

PERALTA PACKING A PUNCH AFTER THE BREAK: Jhonny Peralta enters this evening’s game against the Rangers hitting .340 (18x53) with three doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI in 15 games following the all-star break.

BENOIT ON THE BALL: Joaquin Benoit enters this evening’s game against the Rangers with a 1-0 record, 1.54 ERA (23.1IP/4ER), two saves and 23 strikeouts over his last 27 outings for the Tigers dating back to May 20. He has limited opponents to a .232 batting average (19x82) during the stretch.

HOME SWEET HOME FOR JHONNY: Jhonny Peralta enters this evening’s game versus the Rangers hitting .354 (23x65) with two doubles, a triple, four home runs and 11 RBI over his last 19 games at Comerica Park dating back to June 16.

VICTOR AT THE BAT: Victor Martinez is hitting .333 (73x219) with 14 doubles, two home runs and 36 RBI over his last 58 games dating back to May 27. He is fifth among all American League players with a .333 batting average during that stretch.

MARTINEZ COMES THROUGH WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION: Victor Martinez is hitting .522 (12x23) with runners in scoring position for the Tigers dating back to July 17. He enters tonight’s game versus the Rangers tops in the American League with a .398 batting average with runners in scoring position.

KYLE RYAN TABBED MIDWEST LEAGUE PITCHER OF WEEK: Single A West Michigan lefthanded pitcher Kyle Ryan was selected the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week for July 25-31. He made one start during the week, tossing six hitless innings in a no-decision on July 28 versus Lansing.

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 Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 60-day DL on May 11)



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• Wednesday, August 3:
Tigers (RHP Doug Fister (3-12, 3.33 ERA)) VS
Rangers (LHP Matt Harrison (9-7, 2.94 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Thursday, August 4:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (7-8, 4.89 ERA)) VS
Rangers (RHP Alexi Ogando (10-5, 2.88 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

RANGERS
1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Elis Andrus, SS
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Michael Young, 3B
5. Nelson Cruz, RF
6. Mitch Moreland, 1B
7. Mike Napoli, DH
8. David Murphy, LF
9. Yorvit Torrealba, C

Starting pitcher: Colby Lewis

TIGERS
1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Brennan Boesch, LF
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Carlos Guillen, 2B
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Wilson Betemit, 3B

Starting pitcher: Max Scherzer

TEX - Top 1st
B:1 S:0 O:1
Ian Kinsler flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Elvis Andrus singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Josh Hamilton grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Elvis Andrus out at 2nd. Josh Hamilton to 1st.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Michael Young out swinging.

DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch walks.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Josh Hamilton. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds into double play, third baseman Michael Young to second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Mitch Moreland. Magglio Ordonez out at 2nd.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

TEX - Top 2nd
B:2 S:1 O:1
Nelson Cruz grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Mitch Moreland grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Mike Napoli lines out to third baseman Wilson Betemit.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:1 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to left fielder David Murphy. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Carlos Guillen grounds into double play, shortstop Elvis Andrus to second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Mitch Moreland. Victor Martinez to 3rd. Jhonny Peralta out at 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila walks.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Wilson Betemit singles on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Victor Martinez scores. Alex Avila to 2nd.
1 - 0

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

1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

TEX - Top 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:1
David Murphy lines out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Yorvit Torrealba lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Ian Kinsler pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:0
Brennan Boesch singles on a ground ball to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Magglio Ordonez flies out to left fielder David Murphy.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder David Murphy. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to left fielder David Murphy. Brennan Boesch scores. Miguel Cabrera advances to 3rd, on throwing error by left fielder David Murphy.
2 - 0

B:1 S:3 O:2
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Carlos Guillen flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

2 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

TEX - Top 4th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Elvis Andrus grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Josh Hamilton singles on a ground ball to third baseman Wilson Betemit.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Michael Young hit by pitch. Josh Hamilton to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Nelson Cruz singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Josh Hamilton scores. Michael Young to 2nd.
2 - 1

B:1 S:2 O:2
Mitch Moreland grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Michael Young to 3rd. Nelson Cruz to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Mike Napoli flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez in foul territory.

DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Alex Avila homers (11) on a fly ball to right center field.
3 - 1

B:1 S:2 O:0
Wilson Betemit singles on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by pitcher Colby Lewis. Wilson Betemit to 2nd. Austin Jackson to 1st.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Brennan Boesch grounds into a force out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to third baseman Michael Young. Wilson Betemit out at 3rd. Austin Jackson to 2nd. Brennan Boesch to 1st.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera pops out to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

3 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

TEX - Top 5th
B:3 S:2 O:0
David Murphy doubles (7) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Yorvit Torrealba singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. David Murphy scores.
3 - 2

B:4 S:2 O:0
Ian Kinsler walks. Yorvit Torrealba to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Elvis Andrus bunt pops out to third baseman Wilson Betemit in foul territory.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Josh Hamilton flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Michael Young grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 5th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez reaches on fielding error by third baseman Michael Young.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to center fielder Josh Hamilton. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Carlos Guillen walks. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Yoshinori Tateyama replaces Colby Lewis.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to left fielder David Murphy. Victor Martinez scores. Jhonny Peralta scores. Carlos Guillen to 3rd.
5 - 2

B:3 S:3 O:1
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Austin Jackson grounds into double play, shortstop Elvis Andrus to second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Mitch Moreland. Alex Avila out at 2nd.
2 5
5 - 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

TEX - Top 6th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Nelson Cruz pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Mitch Moreland grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Mike Napoli singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:2 O:3
David Murphy pops out to third baseman Wilson Betemit.

DET - Bot 6th
B:2 S:0 O:0
Brennan Boesch singles on a ground ball to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Magglio Ordonez out swinging. Brennan Boesch steals (5) 2nd base.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Yoshinori Tateyama intentionally walks Victor Martinez.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.

5 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

TEX - Top 7th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 3rd, playing right field.

Pitcher Change: David Pauley replaces Max Scherzer.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Yorvit Torrealba doubles (20) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Ian Kinsler grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Yorvit Torrealba to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Elvis Andrus flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces David Pauley.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Josh Hamilton grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 7th
Pitcher Change: Darren Oliver replaces Yoshinori Tateyama.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Carlos Guillen called out on .

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

B:1 S:1 O:3
Wilson Betemit flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

5 - 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

TEX - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Phil Coke.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Michael Young lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Nelson Cruz homers (24) on a fly ball to left field.
5 - 3

B:4 S:0 O:1
Mitch Moreland walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

With Mike Napoli batting, wild pitch by Joaquin Benoit, Mitch Moreland to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Mike Napoli homers (16) on a fly ball to right field. Mitch Moreland scores.
TIED 5 - 5

B:1 S:3 O:2
David Murphy out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Yorvit Torrealba flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

DET - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Mike Adams replaces Darren Oliver.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to left fielder David Murphy.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Brennan Boesch homers (16) on a line drive to right field.
6 - 5

B:1 S:3 O:2
Don Kelly out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera doubles (26) on a line drive to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Mike Adams intentionally walks Victor Martinez.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

6 - 5 AFTER 8 INNINGS

TEX - Top 9th
Defensive Substitution: Andy Dirks replaces left fielder Brennan Boesch, batting 2nd, playing left field.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Ian Kinsler lines out to right fielder Don Kelly.

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

B:0 S:1 O:2
Josh Hamilton reaches on fielding error by first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

On-field Delay.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Michael Young singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Josh Hamilton to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Nelson Cruz flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.