GDT: 8/3/11 - DET (58-51) VS TEX (61-49) - 7:05 p.m. ET

In Tigers debut, Fister faces tough Texas team

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 8/2/2011 11:34 PM ET

It's a great time to be right-hander Doug Fister.

Before Sunday's non-waiver Trade Deadline, Fister was traded from the Mariners to the Tigers. It was a welcome change for Fister, who has been one of the Majors' least-supported pitchers this season. Now, he's pitching for a club that has no issues putting runs on the board.

"This lineup, top to bottom, is definitely a threat hitting the ball out of the park or causing a lot of havoc in one swing," Fister said. "Obviously, it's good to be on their side."

Not only that, but Fister also now finds himself in the think of a pennant race. The Tigers are fighting with the Indians and others for the American League Central title, while the Mariners sit in the cellar out West.

"It's a heck of a lot more fun," Fister said. "You always have to be on top of your game, you always have to be willing to get out there and do whatever it takes. That's where you want it to be. You want it to be competitive, that fire in your eye every night."

Fister isn't the only one with a new team. The Rangers also were active at the Deadline, adding Mike Adams -- who took the loss Tuesday -- and Koji Uehara to their bullpen to make it one of the best in the game.

Longtime Rangers infielder Michael Young said Texas is a better team with the additions. But, he added, the Rangers still need to keep improving.

"This team still has the same mentality: just keep getting better," Young said. "Last year, we had the same mentality, just keep getting better every day. Right now, we are a better team that we were at the All-Star break and we were a better team at the All-Star break than we were on Opening Day. If we keep that up, we'll be fine."

Rangers: Harrison on hill
Starter Matt Harrison looks to continue an impressive five-game stretch Wednesday against the Tigers. Texas has won each of Harrison's last five starts, with the left-hander posting a 2.04 ERA in that span. In his last outing, Harrison tossed 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball against the Twins.

Harrison hasn't had as much success against Detroit, however, going 1-3 with a 7.11 ERA in six games (four starts). Tigers infielder/outfielder Ryan Raburn has hit Harrison hard, going 6-for-9 with two doubles and two home runs against the lefty.

• Despite adding players at the Deadline, Young said he doesn't think the club feels added pressure to perform.

"I look at it as the team is better, now go play," Young said. "I don't buy the concept of pressure. I don't feel pressure. Our job is to be prepared do our job at the highest level and cut it loose when the game starts."

Tigers: Familiar foe for Fister
Instead of facing an AL Central team in his Tigers debut, Fister will take on a Texas lineup he has seen before. Fister hasn't had too much success against the Rangers -- going 1-3 with a 4.78 ERA in five career starts -- but said it makes it easier facing a team he knows well in a start in which he admitted he might feel some nerves.

"Obviously having some familiarity with guys that I've pitched against now for quite a bit, and having some knowledge to know what my game plan's going to be makes it easier," Fister said. "I get to come in and still take those same mindsets, same game plans and go to work."

• The Tigers designated left-hander David Purcey for assignment Tuesday.

Worth noting
• The Tigers have won 15 of their last 18 against the Rangers at Comerica Park.

• Young is eight hits shy of becoming the 264th player to reach 2,000.

• Detroit's Brennan Boesch is hitting .342 with 12 doubles, 12 home runs and 27 RBIs in his last 50 games.

Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (3-12, 3.33 ERA)

Fister will make his Tigers debut after being traded from Seattle on Saturday. His 3-12 record is misleading, as he has a 3.33 ERA and the lowest run support among qualified Major League pitchers.


Rangers: LHP Matt Harrison (9-7, 2.94 ERA)

Harrison is 3-0 with a 2.04 ERA in five starts for the month of July. He is 4-3 with a 2.64 ERA in nine starts on the road. He is 1-3 with a 7.11 ERA in four starts and two relief appearances against the Tigers. He has a 5.52 ERA at Comerica Park.


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 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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• 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)

• Friday, August 5:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (11-6, 4.50 ERA)) AT
Royals (RHP Felipe Paulino (1-4, 3.51 ERA)),
8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Saturday, August 6:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (15-5, 2.24 ERA)) AT
Royals (LHP Danny Duffy (3-4, 5.05 ERA)),
7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

RANGERS
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Elvis Andrus, SS
Josh Hamilton, CF
Michael Young, 3B
Nelson Cruz, RF
Mitch Moreland, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
David Murphy, LF
Yorvit Torrealba, C

P: Matt Harrison

TIGERS
Austin Jackson, CF
Brennan Boesch, LF
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Ryan Raburn, 2B
Alex Avila, C
Wilson Betemit, 3B

P: Doug Fister

TEX - Top 1st
B:2 S:2 O:1
Ian Kinsler grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Elvis Andrus grounds out, pitcher Doug Fister to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Josh Hamilton lines out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

DET - Bot 1st
B:2 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson reaches on throwing error by shortstop Elvis Andrus.

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

B:1 S:1 O:3
Magglio Ordonez grounds into double play, second baseman Ian Kinsler to shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Mike Napoli. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

TEX - Top 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:0
Michael Young singles on a ground ball to third baseman Wilson Betemit, deflected by pitcher Doug Fister.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Nelson Cruz singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Michael Young to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Mitch Moreland pops out to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Mike Napoli grounds into double play, third baseman Wilson Betemit to second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Nelson Cruz out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:0 O:0
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder David Murphy.

B:4 S:0 O:0
Victor Martinez walks. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta pops out to third baseman Michael Young in foul territory.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Ryan Raburn singles on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez out at 3rd on the throw, right fielder Nelson Cruz to third baseman Michael Young. Ryan Raburn to 2nd on the throw.
1 - 0

B:1 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila singles on a soft line drive to left fielder David Murphy. Ryan Raburn scores.
2 - 0

B:2 S:3 O:3
Wilson Betemit called out on .

2 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

TEX - Top 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:0
David Murphy singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Yorvit Torrealba grounds into a force out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. David Murphy out at 2nd. Yorvit Torrealba to 1st.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Ian Kinsler lines out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Elvis Andrus grounds out, pitcher Doug Fister to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a bunt ground ball to catcher Yorvit Torrealba.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Brennan Boesch walks. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Magglio Ordonez grounds into double play, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Mike Napoli. Austin Jackson to 3rd. Brennan Boesch out at 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera doubles (27) on a ground ball to left fielder David Murphy. Austin Jackson scores.
3 - 0

B:3 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Mike Napoli.

3 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

TEX - Top 4th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Josh Hamilton doubles (22) on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Michael Young grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Nelson Cruz doubles (22) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Josh Hamilton scores.
3 - 1

B:1 S:2 O:2
Mitch Moreland grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Nelson Cruz to 3rd.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Mike Napoli reaches on fielding error by third baseman Wilson Betemit. Nelson Cruz scores.
3 - 2

B:0 S:2 O:3
David Murphy pops out to third baseman Wilson Betemit in foul territory.

DET - Bot 4th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta doubles (20) on a ground ball to left fielder David Murphy.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Matt Harrison to second baseman Ian Kinsler. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Brennan Boesch flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

3 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

TEX - Top 5th
B:0 S:2 O:0
Yorvit Torrealba doubles (21) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ian Kinsler lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Elvis Andrus singles on a ground ball to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Yorvit Torrealba to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Josh Hamilton grounds into a force out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Yorvit Torrealba scores. Elvis Andrus out at 2nd. Josh Hamilton to 1st.
TIED 3 - 3

B:0 S:0 O:3
Michael Young grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Josh Hamilton out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 5th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to left fielder David Murphy.

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

B:2 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Mike Napoli.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 5 INNINGS

TEX - Top 6th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Nelson Cruz grounds out, pitcher Doug Fister to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Mitch Moreland flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Mike Napoli grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 6th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Ryan Raburn grounds out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Mike Napoli.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila homers (12) on a fly ball to right field.
4 - 3

B:0 S:3 O:3
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

4 - 3 AFTER 6 INNINGS

TEX - Top 7th
B:1 S:2 O:1
David Murphy flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Yorvit Torrealba singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Ian Kinsler flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Elvis Andrus grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 7th
Pitcher Change: Mark Lowe replaces Matt Harrison.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Michael Young to first baseman Mike Napoli.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Brennan Boesch lines out softly to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Magglio Ordonez walks.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Don Kelly replaces Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds into a force out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to second baseman Ian Kinsler. Don Kelly out at 2nd.

4 - 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

TEX - Top 8th
Don Kelly remains in the game as the right fielder.

Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Doug Fister.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Josh Hamilton singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Phil Coke.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Michael Young grounds into double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Josh Hamilton out at 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Nelson Cruz grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Koji Uehara replaces Mark Lowe.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Victor Martinez out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Michael Young to first baseman Mike Napoli.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Ryan Raburn homers (10) on a fly ball to left field.
5 - 3

B:1 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila out swinging.

5 - 3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

TEX - Top 9th
Defensive Substitution: Ramon Santiago replaces left fielder Brennan Boesch, batting 2nd, playing second base.

Defensive switch from second base to left field for Ryan Raburn.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Mitch Moreland grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Mike Napoli homers (17) on a fly ball to left field.
5 - 4

B:1 S:1 O:2
David Murphy grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Yorvit Torrealba out swinging.