GDT: 8/6/11 - DET (60-52) AT KC (48-64) - 7:10 p.m. ET

Verlander looking to stay tough on Royals

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 8/6/2011 12:15 AM ET

The Royals have played well in the second half, winning four of their five series since the All-Star break.

Their reward? On Saturday, they get a date with Mr. No-hitter-in-waiting, Justin Verlander.

Verlander, a career Royals killer -- 12-2 with a 2.31 ERA against Kansas City -- brings his must-see stuff to Kauffman Stadium as the Tigers and Royals play the second of a three-game series.

Verlander is going for his third win in as many starts against the Royals this season. In his two prior outings against Kansas City, Verlander has yielded just one earned run in 15 2/3 innings. The most recent of those was July 10 in Kansas City, in which Verlander tossed 7 2/3 innings with a heat index well into triple digits. Saturday is expected to be similar, with the forecasted high temperature at 97 degrees with a heat advisory running through 8 p.m. CT.

Although Verlander has been dealing throughout the season, his third outing against Kansas City might prove a stiffer challenge. The Royals have won 10 of their last 16 games and plan on continuing their hot play against the American Central-leading Tigers.

"Just playing every day, trying to win every day," Royals outfielder Alex Gordon said of the team's play of late. "I think our goal right now is to try to get back to .500. And once we get back there, try to get some other goals."

Although getting back to .500 is the first goal, Gordon and the Royals aren't settling on that. Prior to Friday's 4-3 loss in 10 innings, Gordon talked about the possibility of making an already-close AL Central race even tighter.

"Obviously 11 games out, and you look and see, if you sweep them, we're eight out," Gordon said prior to Friday's game. "That's what we're looking to do. We're still in August, I mean, anything's possible. Nobody's taken charge of the division. We're 15 games under .500, we're just trying to win ballgames and take it a game at a time."

Tigers: Looking ahead
Verlander will start on Saturday, that's for certain. When he'll toe the rubber again, however, is in question. The Tigers go to Cleveland from Kansas City for a big three-game set against the Indians, and manager Jim Leyland is weighing whether to move Verlander up a spot to start Thursday's finale of that series on his normal four days' rest.

"I'm working real hard on my rotation right now to figure some things out," Leyland said earlier this week. "It could get pretty tricky, so I'm working real hard on that to make sure. We do the best we can, but obviously you don't want him missing some teams if you can help him. But we'd never do anything at the expense of his health."

• Jose Valverde has converted 31 straight saves to begin the season, the second-longest such streak in club history. Willie Hernandez converted 32 in a row from April 6-Sept. 23, 1984.

Royals: Duffy takes on Detroit
Rookie Danny Duffy makes his 14th career start, and second against the Tigers, on Saturday. Duffy won his last outing against the Indians, holding them to two runs in five-plus innings. He's also been showcasing more swing-and-miss stuff as of late, striking out 40 in his last six starts, compared to 20 in his first six. He fared well against Detroit on July 7, allowing two runs on a Ryan Raburn homer in six innings in a 3-1 loss.

• Reigning co-AL Player of the Week Billy Butler is riding an 11-game hitting streak and has hit seven homers in his last 14 games. He's also been one of few players to seemingly have Verlander's number, hitting .389 (14-for-36) with four doubles and two home runs against the right-hander in his career.

Worth noting
• Saturday's game is the annual "This One's For You" telecast on FOX Sports Kansas City. Soldiers of the Missouri National Guard's 548th Transportation Company, deployed in western Afghanistan, will be shown on TV and interviewed via a live satellite link. The game will be viewed by U.S. troops around the world at 3:30 a.m. Afghanistan time on American Forces Network.

• Gordon has scored 14 runs in his last 10 games.

• Miguel Cabrera is hitting .327 with 13 doubles, 16 home runs and 51 RBIs in 65 games against the Royals.

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (15-5, 2.24 ERA)

The first Tiger with 15 wins by Aug. 1 since 1973 can build on that if he can continue his success against the Royals. He's 6-1 in their last eight meetings, including 7 1/3 innings in the heat on July 10 at Kauffman Stadium.


Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (3-4, 5.05 ERA)

Duffy pitched five innings of two-run ball in the Royals' 5-3 win over the Indians. It was a good rebound from a six-run performance against Boston. The rookie is 3-4 with a 5.05 ERA for the season.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers knocked off the Royals 4-3 in 10 innings last night. Daniel Schlereth (1-1) earned the win in relief for Detroit, while Jose Valverde registered his 31st save. Brennan Boesch singled, tripled and drove in two runs for the Tigers, while Alex Avila added a solo home run. The Tigers continue a nine-game road trip tonight with the second game of a three-game series at Kansas City. Following an off day on Monday, the club continues the trip with a three-game series in both Cleveland and Baltimore.

RECENT ROAD SUCCESS: The Tigers enter tonight’s game at Kansas City having won nine of the club’s last 13 games on the road dating back to July 6.

CENTRAL FOCUS: Tonight versus Kansas City marks the second game in a stretch in which the Tigers play 12 of the club’s next 15 games against opponents in the American League Central Division. Of Detroit’s final 50 games of the season, 35 are versus teams in the American League Central Division. The Tigers are 24-13 against clubs from the American League Central Division this season, a .649 winning percentage. Detroit is tops among all American League clubs with the .649 winning percentage against the division.

MIGGY MASHES AGAINST THE ROYALS: Miguel Cabrera enters tonight’s game at Kansas City hitting .327 (80x245) with 13 doubles, 16 home runs and 51 RBI in 65 games during his career against the club. He is 10th among all active major league players with a .576 slugging percentage versus the Royals.

BOESCH IS BASHING: Brennan Boesch enters this evening’s game at Kansas City hitting .332 (70x211) with 12 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs and 29 RBI over his last 53 games dating back to June 3. He is tied for seventh in the American League with a .332 batting average during that stretch, while he is tied for eighth with 70 hits and 12 home runs and is ninth with a .569 slugging percentage.

VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde converted his 31st consecutive save to begin the season last night at Kansas City. His 31 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.

BACK-TO-BACK TRIPLES TO START: Austin Jackson and Brennan Boesch hit back-to-back triples to begin last night’s game at Kansas City. It marked the first time a club started a game with back-to-back triples since Carl Crawford and Julio Lugo did so for Tampa Bay on July 7, 2005 versus Detroit. It marked the first time the Tigers began a game with back-to-back triples since at least 1974. (Source: STATS LLC)

VICTOR AT THE BAT: Victor Martinez is hitting .335 (78x233) with 14 doubles, two home runs and 37 RBI over his last 62 games dating back to May 27. He is fifth among all American League players with a .335 batting average during that stretch.

FOR STARTERS: Tigers starting pitchers have compiled a 3.48 ERA (165.1IP/64ER) over the club’s last 26 games dating back to July 5. Club starters have registered a quality start in 15 of the outings.

MARTINEZ COMES THROUGH WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION: Victor Martinez is hitting .520 (13x25) with runners in scoring position for the Tigers dating back to July 17. He enters tonight’s game against the Royals tops in the American League with a .400 batting average with runners in scoring position.

NOTES ON THE SKIPPER: Jim Leyland is in his sixth season as the manager of the Tigers, compiling a 484-441 record (.523).
- 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 1,553 wins.
- Tonight’s game marks the 3,126th game Leyland has managed during his career, 31 games shy of tying Ralph Houk for 15th place all-time in major league history.
- With 484 wins as Detroit’s manager, he enters tonight’s game 16 wins shy of becoming the fifth manager in Tigers history to register 500 victories with the club.

TIGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH TWO DRAFT SELECTIONS: The Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms with two players selected in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft: shortstop Brandon Loy from the University of Texas (fifth round) and righthanded pitcher Chad Smith from the University of Southern California (17th round). The Tigers now have agreed to terms with 30 of the club’s selections from this year’s draft.

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)



To track MLB play-by-play, to help post GDT outcomes: http://m.mlb.com/scores/

On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official Press Pass game notes

On television

•
• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule

On radio

• ,
• XM Channel Schedule



• Sunday, August 7:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (11-6, 4.23 ERA)) AT
Royals (LHP Bruce Chen (5-5, 4.37 ERA)),
2:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Monday, August 8:
OFF DAY

• Tuesday, August 9:
Tigers (RHP Doug Fister (1-0, 2.57 ERA)) AT
Indians (RHP Justin Masterson (9-7, 2.63 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS
1. Jackson, CF
2. Boesch, LF
3. Ordonez, RF
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Martinez, DH
6. Peralta, SS
7. Guillen, 2B
8. Raburn, 3B
9. Avila, C

KC
1. Gordon, LF
2. Cabrera, CF
3. Butler, DH
4. Hosmer, 1B
5. Francoeur, RF
6. Giavotella, 2B
7. Pena, C
8. Moustakas, 3B
9. Escobar, SS

DET - Top 1st
B:3 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Mike Moustakas to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Brennan Boesch walks.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Magglio Ordonez walks. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera doubles (28) on a fly ball to right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Brennan Boesch scores. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.
1 - 0

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Melky Cabrera. Magglio Ordonez scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.
2 - 0

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

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

KC - Bot 1st
B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Gordon flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

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

B:2 S:3 O:3
Billy Butler called out on .

2 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:0
Ryan Raburn doubles (16) on a fly ball to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:3
Brennan Boesch grounds out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

KC - Bot 2nd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Eric Hosmer walks.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Jeff Francoeur out on foul tip.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Johnny Giavotella singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Eric Hosmer to 2nd.

With Brayan Pena batting, Eric Hosmer caught stealing 3rd base, pitcher Justin Verlander to third baseman Ryan Raburn to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Brayan Pena lines out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

2 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:3 S:3 O:1
Magglio Ordonez out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera doubles (29) on a fly ball to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Miguel Cabrera scores.
3 - 0

B:0 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Carlos Guillen grounds into a force out, third baseman Mike Moustakas to second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Victor Martinez out at 2nd.

KC - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Mike Moustakas grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alcides Escobar grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Alex Gordon grounds out softly, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

3 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Ryan Raburn pops out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

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

B:2 S:0 O:2
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Brennan Boesch grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Alcides Escobar. Alex Avila out at 2nd.

KC - Bot 4th
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Mitch Maier replaces Melky Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Mitch Maier out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Billy Butler flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

Kansas City Royals left fielder Melky Cabrera left the game due to an injured ankle.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Eric Hosmer flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

3 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
Mitch Maier remains in the game as the center fielder.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera pops out to shortstop Alcides Escobar.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Mitch Maier.

KC - Bot 5th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Jeff Francoeur homers (15) on a fly ball to left center field.
3 - 1

B:1 S:3 O:1
Johnny Giavotella called out on .

B:2 S:2 O:2
Brayan Pena grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Mike Moustakas called out on .

3 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
Pitcher Change: Blake Wood replaces Danny Duffy.

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

B:1 S:2 O:2
Carlos Guillen grounds out softly, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Ryan Raburn grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

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

B:0 S:3 O:2
Alex Gordon called out on .

B:2 S:3 O:3
Mitch Maier out swinging.

3 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to pitcher Blake Wood.

Injury Delay.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by pitcher Blake Wood. Alex Avila to 2nd. Austin Jackson to 1st.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Brennan Boesch grounds out softly, pitcher Blake Wood to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Alex Avila to 3rd. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Magglio Ordonez grounds out softly, pitcher Blake Wood to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Alex Avila scores. Austin Jackson to 3rd.
4 - 1

B:2 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Mitch Maier.

KC - Bot 7th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 3rd, playing third base.

Defensive switch from third base to right field for Ryan Raburn.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Billy Butler grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Eric Hosmer singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Jeff Francoeur doubles (30) on a soft line drive to right fielder Ryan Raburn. Eric Hosmer scores. Throwing error by right fielder Ryan Raburn.
4 - 2

B:0 S:1 O:2
Johnny Giavotella flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Brayan Pena doubles (11) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Jeff Francoeur scores.
4 - 3

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Mike Moustakas walks.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Alcides Escobar pops out to catcher Alex Avila in foul territory.

4 - 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

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

B:2 S:0 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to center fielder Mitch Maier.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Jhonny Peralta doubles (21) on a fly ball to left fielder Alex Gordon. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Carlos Guillen pops out to second baseman Johnny Giavotella.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Greg Holland replaces Tim Collins.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Andy Dirks replaces Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks reaches on a fielder's choice out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to catcher Brayan Pena. Victor Martinez out at home. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd.

Injury Delay.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

KC - Bot 8th
Andy Dirks remains in the game as the right fielder.

Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Justin Verlander.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Alex Gordon flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Mitch Maier walks.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Billy Butler grounds into double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Mitch Maier out at 2nd.

4 - 3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Mitch Maier.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Brennan Boesch walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Don Kelly singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Mitch Maier. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds into double play, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer. Don Kelly out at 2nd.

KC - Bot 9th
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Eric Hosmer out swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Jeff Francoeur out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Johnny Giavotella pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.