GDT: 8/9/11 - DET (61-53) AT CLE (56-56) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Indians happy to be home against rival Tigers

By Tom Singer / MLB.com | 8/7/2011 11:59 PM ET

Despite occasional overtures by the Twins and the White Sox to join the fray, the American League Central has been a season-long race between Detroit and Cleveland. And once the Indians came back to Earth from their stupendous liftoff, the teams have fought in tight quarters.

In fact, from June 6 through July 22, a span of 46 days, they were never more than a game-and-a-half apart. Until this weekend when the Tigers staged a spurt to open up a four-game lead.

Now, it might be time to again close ranks, as Detroit moves in for Tuesday night's opener of a three-game series at Progressive Field -- where the Indians own 11 consecutive wins over the Tigers, including an April 29-May 1 sweep.

"We just need to stay close, within striking distance, and not let this thing get too far out of reach for us," Indians closer Chris Perez said. "It's going to be fun. This is why we play. Every game is important, but those head-to-head matchups are even more important just because you control it yourself."

Although staff ace Justin Masterson will face off with Detroit newcomer Doug Fister in the opener, the focal point of the series for the Indians will come on Wednesday: Their own newcomer, Ubaldo Jimenez, will be making his first home start.

"I think they sent a great message to their team and the players when they went out and made their deal," said Detroit manager Jim Leyland. "I thought that was a tremendous message. They're for real. They're not going away."

The Indians have been away, for a week-long trip that concluded on Sunday night in Texas with a 5-3 loss. The Tribe retreats home, seeking to regain the magic that helped it win 19 of the club's first 23 home games.

"They've been fantastic at home with a lot of dramatic wins this year," noted Leyland. "They've got a lot going for them. [Manager] Manny [Acta] has done a tremendous job. They've had some injuries, but they've played above injuries. They've done everything you could ask."

Little has changed in the nearly two months since the division contenders last met, on June 16. The Tigers came out of that series with a 38-31 record and a one-game lead over the 36-31 Indians.

"We are paying attention. Everybody's paying attention," Acta said. "We're just not thinking that because you're four or five games out, you're out of it. You've got 50 games to go. Everybody knows that. We've got to play them 12 times."

Masterson has crafted an ERA of 1.97 ERA over his last 12 starts. Despite Monday's off-day, he will make the start on his regular four days' rest, moving up in the rotation in place of Carlos Carrasco, serving a suspension for dusting off Kansas City's Billy Butler on July 29.

Tigers: V-Mart could make quick return
Victor Martinez (sprained left knee) sat out Sunday's finale in Kansas City, but Leyland was hopeful of getting his .323 average and 64 RBIs back in the lineup on Tuesday: "I think so, but I can't swear to that. I don't know what's going to happen. We always say, the only thing that ever takes care of injuries is time. But I don't think it's going to take that much time."

• If he converts his next save opportunity, Jose Valverde will go 33-for-33 to start the season, breaking the club record he currently shares with Willie Hernandez. Perceptions of closers, however, have changed since 1984, when Hernandez's efforts earned him both the AL's Cy Young and MVP Awards. It wouldn't be a shocker if Valverde did not get a vote in either balloting after this season.

Indians: Welcoming back Kipnis
Cleveland fans will be almost as anxious to greet Jason Kipnis as Jimenez. The electric rookie hit .321 on his first Major League road trip. Four of his nine hits on the trip were home runs. He is the first Indians player to hit five home runs in first 13 career games since Luis Medina in 1988.

He's also looking forward to the showdown with Detroit.

"The schedule is mapped out for us to make any kind of run we want to," Kipnis said. "We can be 10 down or 10 up by the end of the season. We've just got to come to play the rest of the season and see where it ends."

Worth noting
• Cleveland right fielder Shin-Soo Choo (on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured left wrist) was cleared to continue taking batting practice. He is scheduled to begin a Minor League rehab assignment with Class A Lake County on Monday.

Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (1-0, 2.57 ERA)

Fister's Tigers debut earned him his first win since May 30, thanks to timely run support and quick outs over seven innings of two-run ball. He now has a matchup against one of the teams the Tigers acquired him to try to beat.


Indians: RHP Justin Masterson (9-7, 2.63 ERA)

With Carlos Carrasco serving a six-game suspension, Masterson will get his turn early. He's been as good as ever the last two months, with a 1.97 ERA over his last 12 starts.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers suffered a 4-3 loss to the Royals on Sunday afternoon. Max Scherzer (11-7) suffered the loss for Detroit after allowing four runs in five innings of work. Miguel Cabrera singled, doubled and drove in a run for the Tigers, while Austin Jackson and Andy Dirks both added a double and an RBI. The Tigers continue a nine-game road trip tonight with the first game of a three-game series at Cleveland. Following Thursday evening’s game, the club heads to Baltimore to conclude the trip with a three game series against the Orioles.

RECENT ROAD SUCCESS: The Tigers enter tonight’s game at Cleveland having won 10 of the club’s last 15 games on the road dating back to July 6.

CENTRAL FOCUS: Tonight versus Cleveland marks the fourth 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 48 games of the season, 33 are versus teams in the American League Central Division. The Tigers are 25-14 against clubs from the American League Central Division this season, a .641 winning percentage. Detroit is tops among all American League clubs with the .641 winning percentage against the division.

ON THE OFFENSIVE VERSUS THE INDIANS: The Tigers have collected 10-or-more hits in nine of the club’s last 12 games against Cleveland dating back to August 20, 2010. Detroit is hitting .308 (131x426) with 50 runs scored, 22 doubles, a triple and eight home runs during that 12-game stretch versus the Indians.

MIGGY MASHES AGAINST THE TRIBE: Since joining the Tigers in 2008, Miguel Cabrera is hitting .336 (75x223) with 15 home runs and 51 RBI in 58 games against the Cleveland Indians. He is tops among all active major league players with 15 home runs and 51 RBI versus the Indians during that stretch.

ACTION JACKSON’S A HIT IN CLEVELAND: Austin Jackson enters tonight’s game at Cleveland having hit safely in all 11 of his games during his career at Progressive Field. He is batting .375 (18x48) with three doubles, a triple and two RBI in 11 games at the park during his career. Jackson enters tonight’s game hitting .360 (36x100) with eight doubles, a triple and four RBI in 23 games during his career against the Indians.

BOESCH IS BASHING: Brennan Boesch enters this evening’s game at Cleveland hitting .321 (70x218) with 12 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs and 29 RBI over his last 55 games dating back to June 3. He is 10th in the American League with a .550 slugging percentage during that stretch, while he is tied for 10th with 12 home runs.

VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde converted his 32nd consecutive save to begin the season on Saturday at Kansas City. His 32 straight saves converted matches the longest such streak during a single season in Tigers history. Guillermo Hernandez also converted 32 straight save opportunities for the Tigers April 6-September 23, 1984.

VICTOR AT THE BAT: Victor Martinez is hitting .342 (81x237) with 14 doubles, two home runs and 39 RBI over his last 63 games dating back to May 27. He is third among all American League players with a .342 batting average during that stretch.

FOR STARTERS: Tigers starting pitchers have compiled a 3.60 ERA (177.1IP/71R) over the club’s last 28 games dating back to July 5. Club starters have registered a quality start in 16 of the outings.

MARTINEZ COMES THROUGH WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION: Victor Martinez is hitting .556 (15x27) with runners in scoring position for the Tigers dating back to July 17. He enters tonight’s game against the Indians tops in the American League with a .412 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 485-442 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 1,554 wins.
- Tonight’s game marks the 3,128th game Leyland has managed during his career, 29 games shy of tying Ralph Houk for 15th place all-time in major league history.
- With 485 wins as Detroit’s manager, he enters tonight’s game 15 wins shy of becoming the fifth manager in Tigers history to register 500 victories with the club.

TIGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH JAMES MCCANN: The Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms with catcher James McCann, the club’s second-round selection from the University of Arkansas in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He hit .306 (64x209) with 14 doubles, a triple, six home runs and 38 RBI in 61 games as a junior in 2011. McCann was a semi-finalist for the 2011 Coleman Company Johnny Bench Award, an honor given to the top collegiate catcher. The Tigers now have agreed to terms with 31 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)



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• Wednesday, August 10:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (11-6, 4.49 ERA)) AT
Indians (RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (6-9, 4.64 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Thursday, August 11:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (16-5, 2.30 ERA)) AT
Indians (RHP Fausto Carmona (5-11, 5.19 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. Dirks, RF
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Martinez, DH
6. Peralta, SS
7. Guillen, 2B
8. Avila, C
9. Kelly, 3B


INDIANS
1. Brantley, LF
2. Kipnis, 2B
3. Cabrera, SS
4. Hafner, DH
5. Santana, C
6. Fukudome, RF
7. LaPorta, 1B
8. Chisenhall, 3B
9. Carrera, CF

DET - Top 1st
B:2 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Brennan Boesch grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks singles on a fly ball to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome. Andy Dirks to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out sharply, second baseman Jason Kipnis to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

CLE - Bot 1st
B:3 S:2 O:1
Michael Brantley pops out to third baseman Don Kelly.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Jason Kipnis doubles (3) on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Asdrubal Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Jason Kipnis scores.
CLE 1 - 0

B:1 S:0 O:1
Travis Hafner singles on a ground ball to right fielder Andy Dirks. Asdrubal Cabrera to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Carlos Santana out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Austin Jackson. Asdrubal Cabrera scores.
CLE 2 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:3
Kosuke Fukudome grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CLE 2 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:2 S:0 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Carlos Guillen singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Alex Avila walks. Carlos Guillen to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly grounds out, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall to first baseman Matt LaPorta. Jhonny Peralta scores. Carlos Guillen to 3rd. Alex Avila to 2nd.
CLE 2 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:2
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Matt LaPorta. Carlos Guillen scores. Alex Avila to 3rd.
TIED 2 - 2

B:3 S:3 O:3
Brennan Boesch out on foul tip.

CLE - Bot 2nd
B:3 S:2 O:0
Matt LaPorta singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Lonnie Chisenhall grounds into double play, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to pitcher Doug Fister. Matt LaPorta out at 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Ezequiel Carrera grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
Pitcher Change: Chad Durbin replaces Justin Masterson.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Andy Dirks flies out to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez pops out to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.

CLE - Bot 3rd
Pitcher Change: Duane Below replaces Doug Fister.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Michael Brantley grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jason Kipnis flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Asdrubal Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta lines out to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Carlos Guillen grounds out to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

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

CLE - Bot 4th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Travis Hafner flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Carlos Santana lines out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Kosuke Fukudome out swinging.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Don Kelly singles on a line drive to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson out swinging and Don Kelly caught stealing 2nd, catcher Carlos Santana to second baseman Jason Kipnis.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Brennan Boesch grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

CLE - Bot 5th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Matt LaPorta grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Lonnie Chisenhall grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
Pitcher Change: Rafael Perez replaces Chad Durbin.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Andy Dirks singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome. Andy Dirks to 3rd.

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

B:1 S:2 O:3
Carlos Guillen grounds out, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

CLE - Bot 6th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Michael Brantley called out on .

B:0 S:3 O:2
Jason Kipnis called out on .

B:1 S:0 O:3
Asdrubal Cabrera flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
Pitcher Change: Tony Sipp replaces Rafael Perez.

B:2 S:0 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a ground ball to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ramon Santiago replaces Don Kelly.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Ramon Santiago bunt pops into double play, pitcher Tony Sipp to first baseman Matt LaPorta. Alex Avila out at 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

CLE - Bot 7th
Ramon Santiago remains in the game as the third baseman.

Pitcher Change: Daniel Schlereth replaces Duane Below.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Travis Hafner called out on .

B:4 S:2 O:1
Carlos Santana walks.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Kosuke Fukudome out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Matt LaPorta out swinging.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Brennan Boesch out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks pops out to second baseman Jason Kipnis.

Pitcher Change: Vinnie Pestano replaces Tony Sipp.

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

CLE - Bot 8th
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jason Donald replaces Lonnie Chisenhall.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Jason Donald doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Ezequiel Carrera grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jason Donald to 3rd.

With Michael Brantley batting, Jason Donald caught stealing home, pitcher Daniel Schlereth to catcher Alex Avila.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Michael Brantley flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Jason Donald remains in the game as the third baseman.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Ryan Raburn replaces Victor Martinez.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Carlos Guillen grounds out, second baseman Jason Kipnis to first baseman Matt LaPorta. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Vinnie Pestano intentionally walks Alex Avila.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Ramon Santiago grounds out to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

CLE - Bot 9th
Ryan Raburn remains in the game as the designated hitter.

Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Daniel Schlereth.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Jason Kipnis grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Asdrubal Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Travis Hafner out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Carlos Santana grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Asdrubal Cabrera out at 2nd.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 9 INNINGS

DET - Top 10th
Pitcher Change: Chris Perez replaces Vinnie Pestano.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Brennan Boesch grounds out, first baseman Matt LaPorta to pitcher Chris Perez.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Andy Dirks out swinging.

CLE - Bot 10th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Kosuke Fukudome called out on .

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Phil Coke.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Matt LaPorta out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Jason Donald grounds out, third baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 10 INNINGS

DET - Top 11th
Pitcher Change: Joe Smith replaces Chris Perez.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Ryan Raburn grounds into a force out, third baseman Jason Donald to second baseman Jason Kipnis. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd. Ryan Raburn to 1st.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Jhonny Peralta called out on .

B:2 S:3 O:3
Carlos Guillen out swinging.

CLE - Bot 11th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Ezequiel Carrera walks.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Michael Brantley out on a sacrifice bunt to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Ezequiel Carrera to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Jason Kipnis out swinging.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Al Alburquerque intentionally walks Asdrubal Cabrera.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Travis Hafner pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 11 INNINGS

DET - Top 12th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Jason Kipnis to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Austin Jackson grounds out, pitcher Joe Smith to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

CLE - Bot 12th
Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Carlos Santana grounds out, pitcher Joaquin Benoit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Kosuke Fukudome out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Matt LaPorta flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 12 INNINGS

DET - Top 13th
Pitcher Change: Frank Herrmann replaces Joe Smith.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Brennan Boesch walks.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks grounds into a force out, second baseman Jason Kipnis to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. Brennan Boesch out at 2nd. Andy Dirks to 1st.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

CLE - Bot 13th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Jason Donald grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Ezequiel Carrera lines out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Michael Brantley out swinging.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 13 INNINGS

DET - Top 14th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Jhonny Peralta walks.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Carlos Guillen flies out to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila lines out to second baseman Jason Kipnis.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Ramon Santiago flies out to left fielder Michael Brantley in foul territory.

CLE - Bot 14th
Pitcher Change: David Pauley replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Jason Kipnis out swinging.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Asdrubal Cabrera walks.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Travis Hafner singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Asdrubal Cabrera to 3rd.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Austin Kearns replaces Travis Hafner.

B:4 S:0 O:1
David Pauley intentionally walks Carlos Santana. Austin Kearns to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Kosuke Fukudome hit by pitch. Asdrubal Cabrera scores. Austin Kearns to 3rd. Carlos Santana to 2nd.