GDT: 8/20/11 - DET (66-58) VS CLE (62-59) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Tigers look to take key Central series from Tribe

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 8/19/2011 10:51 PM ET

The Tigers took the first round of this weekend's key three-game series against the Indians on Friday, improving their division lead to 2 1/2 games.

Detroit was expected to contend for the American League Central title, while the Indians certainly weren't. But their play hasn't surprised Tigers manager Jim Leyland, who said Cleveland's success is happening because everything is finally coming together.

"They've always had offense. If you look in the pitching department, you'll find that it's been pretty impressive," Leyland said. "Their bullpen's been really good and their starting pitching has really, really held up well."

Trying to continue that trend for the Indians on Saturday is left-hander David Huff. Huff will be making his first start since Aug. 2 and has been successful this year, allowing only one earned run in 17 2/3 innings spanning three starts.

Recently-acquired Tigers outfielder Delmon Young is a .353 (6-for-17) career hitter against Huff.

Right-hander Doug Fister will try to extend Detroit's division lead in his fourth start for the Tigers. His last outing was one to forget, as he allowed eight runs (six earned) on 12 hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Orioles. He's had success against the Indians this season, posting a 2.81 ERA in three starts against them.

Indians: Duncan, Valbuena rejoin team
Outfielder Shelley Duncan and infielder Luis Valbuena were recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Friday. They replaced infielder Jason Kipnis, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain, and outfielder Ezequiel Carrera, who was optioned to Columbus. Duncan is hitting .246 with 12 runs scored, eight doubles and four home runs for the Indians this season. Valbuena has hit .120 in three stints with the Indians.

• Kosuke Fukudome is hitting .321 in his last 13 games, with seven multi-hit games in that span.

Tigers: Ordonez expected to play
Outfielder Magglio Ordonez will return to the lineup Saturday. He's played once since the Tigers acquired Young, going 2-for-4 on the day of the trade.

• Detroit's Sept. 4 game against the White Sox now will begin at 8:09 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN2 as part of ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.

Worth noting
• The Tigers are hitting .283 in their last 16 games against the Indians.

• Cleveland's bullpen has allowed one earned run in last its last nine games (32 2/3 innings), while Detroit's 'pen has a 1.37 mark and 48 strikeouts in its last 14.

• Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera has a 16-game hitting streak, during which he's batting .388.

• Tigers catcher Alex Avila is hitting .420 with three doubles, a triple, four homers and 12 RBIs in August.

Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (4-13, 3.59 ERA)

After a strong debut with the Tigers, Fister has struggled recently. He gave up eight runs, six earned, against Baltimore in his last start. He gave up two earned runs in two innings in Cleveland on Aug. 9 before a rain delay.


Indians: LHP David Huff (1-1, 0.51 ERA)

Huff entered in the 14th inning of Tuesday's game against the White Sox just in time to surrender the game-winning hit. His start last Sunday was washed out by rain, so he was the next option out of the 'pen after the Tribe used all seven relievers.


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:

• INF Carlos Guillen (sore left wrist, 15-day disabled list on August 13),
• RHP Al Alburquerque (concussion, 7-day disabled list on August 12).
• 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/

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• Sunday, August 21:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (11-8, 4.98 ERA)) VS
Indians (RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (7-9, 4.48 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Monday, August 22:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (18-5, 2.31 ERA)) AT
Rays (RHP Jeff Niemann (8-4, 3.29 ERA)),
7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Tuesday, August 23:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (8-9, 4.97 ERA)) AT
Rays (LHP David Price (11-10, 3.59 ERA)),
7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUP:

INDIANS

Michael Brantley, LF
Shin-Soo Choo, RF
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
Travis Hafner, DH
Carlos Santana, C
Kosuke Fukudome, CF
Matt LaPorta, 1B
Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B
Luis Valbuena, 2B

P: David Huff

TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Delmon Young, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Alex Avila, C
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Brandon Inge, 3B
Ramon Santiago, 2B

P: Doug Fister

CLE - Top 1st
B:2 S:3 O:1
Michael Brantley out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Shin-Soo Choo singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Asdrubal Cabrera pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Travis Hafner hit by pitch. Shin-Soo Choo to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Carlos Santana lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

DET - Bot 1st
B:4 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson walks.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to left fielder Michael Brantley. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Delmon Young flies out to center fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Kosuke Fukudome. Austin Jackson scores. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.
1 - 0

B:1 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo. Magglio Ordonez scores.
2 - 0

B:4 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila walks. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

2 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

CLE - Top 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Kosuke Fukudome grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:2 S:1 O:2
Lonnie Chisenhall reaches on missed catch error by pitcher Doug Fister, assist to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Luis Valbuena out swinging.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:1 O:0
Brandon Inge homers (2) on a fly ball to left field.
3 - 0

B:3 S:1 O:0
Ramon Santiago doubles (8) on a fly ball to center fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Kosuke Fukudome. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Magglio Ordonez out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo. Ramon Santiago scores.
4 - 0

B:1 S:1 O:3
Delmon Young pops out to second baseman Luis Valbuena.

4 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

CLE - Top 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:1
Michael Brantley grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Shin-Soo Choo homers (6) on a fly ball to left center field.
4 - 1

B:2 S:2 O:2
Asdrubal Cabrera grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Travis Hafner walks.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Carlos Santana singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Travis Hafner to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Kosuke Fukudome called out on .

DET - Bot 3rd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila walks. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Chad Durbin replaces David Huff.

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

B:2 S:0 O:2
Brandon Inge hits a ground-rule double (8) on a line drive to left-center field. Miguel Cabrera scores. Alex Avila to 3rd.
5 - 1

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

5 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

CLE - Top 4th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Matt LaPorta singles on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Lonnie Chisenhall out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Luis Valbuena singles on a sharp ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta, deflected by pitcher Doug Fister. Matt LaPorta to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Michael Brantley called out on .

B:1 S:2 O:3
Shin-Soo Choo grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Luis Valbuena out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 4th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, pitcher Chad Durbin to second baseman Luis Valbuena to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Delmon Young grounds out softly, second baseman Luis Valbuena to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

5 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

CLE - Top 5th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Asdrubal Cabrera flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

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

B:0 S:0 O:3
Carlos Santana flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila doubles (23) on a fly ball to center fielder Kosuke Fukudome. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Chad Durbin intentionally walks Jhonny Peralta.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Brandon Inge reaches on fielding error by left fielder Michael Brantley. Victor Martinez scores. Alex Avila to 3rd. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.
6 - 1

B:1 S:0 O:2
Ramon Santiago out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Kosuke Fukudome. Alex Avila scores. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd.
7 - 1

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

7 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

CLE - Top 6th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Kosuke Fukudome lines out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

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

B:0 S:0 O:3
Lonnie Chisenhall pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

DET - Bot 6th
Pitcher Change: Frank Herrmann replaces Chad Durbin.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, second baseman Luis Valbuena to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Delmon Young grounds out, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

7 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

CLE - Top 7th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 2nd, playing right field.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Luis Valbuena flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Michael Brantley grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Shin-Soo Choo singles on a line drive to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Asdrubal Cabrera flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

DET - Bot 7th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Alex Avila walks. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Kosuke Fukudome. Victor Martinez to 3rd. Alex Avila to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Brandon Inge out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to center fielder Kosuke Fukudome. Victor Martinez scores. Alex Avila to 3rd. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.
8 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Michael Brantley. Alex Avila scores. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.
9 - 1

B:1 S:0 O:1
Don Kelly singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Michael Brantley. Jhonny Peralta scores. Ramon Santiago to 3rd. Austin Jackson to 2nd.
10 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Rafael Perez replaces Frank Herrmann.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Delmon Young grounds into double play, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall to second baseman Luis Valbuena to first baseman Matt LaPorta. Don Kelly out at 2nd.

10 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

CLE - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Doug Fister.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Travis Hafner out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Carlos Santana singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Kosuke Fukudome grounds into a force out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Carlos Santana out at 2nd. Kosuke Fukudome to 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Matt LaPorta grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Kosuke Fukudome out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 8th
Defensive Substitution: Jason Donald replaces shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, batting 3rd, playing shortstop.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to center fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

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

10 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

CLE - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Daniel Schlereth replaces Phil Coke.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2
Luis Valbuena pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Michael Brantley flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.