GDT: 9/1/11 - DET (75-61) VS KC (56-81) - 1:05 p.m. ET

Young hurlers Turner, Duffy clash in series finale

By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com | 8/31/2011 4:50 PM ET

The Tigers have a comfortable lead in the American League Central and a month left until the playoffs. And still, they have to tread lightly. Detroit needed the whole game to earn a win on Wednesday, and will go into Thursday's finale against Kansas City seeking some separation.

Detroit, which sits six games ahead of the White Sox in the division standings, didn't push ahead of the Royals for good until the bottom of the eighth inning on Wednesday. The Tigers are 10-5 against Kansas City in 2011 and have won the season series between the two clubs in four of the last six years.

And for the Royals, Wednesday's hard-luck result was more of the same. Of Kansas City's first 137 games, 74 have been decided by two runs or fewer, and the Royals are 30-44 in those circumstances. Of Kansas City's 44 road losses, 25 have been by two runs or fewer.

Detroit, which has taken two of the first three games in this series, will be in danger of looking past the Royals in Thursday's series finale. The second-place White Sox will come to Detroit for an impactful series this weekend, reducing the Tigers' tenuous margin for error.

The Tigers, playing the seventh in a string of 19 straight games against division rivals, send rookie Jacob Turner to the mound for Thursday's series finale. Kansas City will counter with fellow first-year arm Danny Duffy, who has been erratic through his first 18 big league starts.

"He's just got really good stuff," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said of Duffy. "A little young and can sometimes be a little erratic, but he's really got good equipment. I like him a lot."

Turner, meanwhile, will be making just the second start of his career. The 20-year-old right-hander was taken with the ninth overall pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, and he's gone 4-5 with a 3.44 ERA in 20 starts split between Double-A Toledo and Triple-A Erie this season.

Last month, Turner allowed two earned runs in a loss to the Angels in his Major League debut. The Tigers will watch him carefully in September and may unleash him for good next season.

"I wouldn't put a lot of emphasis on that, myself," said Leyland of how Turner will gain from his hard-won audition. "But I don't know that. That would be a good question for him."

Royals: Moustakas streaking toward history
Mike Moustakas has found a way to distinguish himself amongst one of the league's most impressive crops of rookies. Kansas City's third baseman has a 14-game hitting streak, an accomplishment bested by only one rookie -- David DeJesus -- in the Royals' rich franchise history.

Moustakas batted .423 (22-for-52) over the life of his streak, and he's hitting .338 (27-for-80) in his last 22 games. The 22-year-old has just one homer in his first 67 games, though, a surprise given that he hit 84 home runs in his five seasons playing in Kansas City's farm system.

DeJesus had a pair of 15-game hitting streaks in '04, his rookie campaign.

Tigers: Avila caps red-hot August
Catcher Alex Avila went hitless on Wednesday to close out a standout August. Detroit's backstop batted .360 (32-for-89) with seven doubles, seven home runs and 18 RBIs in 26 August games. Avila, for the season, is batting .304 (55-for-181) at home and .290 (58-for-200) on the road.

Worth noting
• The Royals are 22-30 in one-run games and 8-14 in games decided by two runs this season.

• Eighteen of Detroit's final 26 games will be played against teams from the AL Central. The Tigers are 34-20 against division rivals.

• All five of Kansas City's losses on this road trip have been by one run.

Tigers: RHP Jacob Turner (0-1, 3.38 ERA)

An extra day of rest for Justin Verlander means Turner will be called upon to make his second career big league start. The Tigers' top prospect took the loss in his Major League debut on July 30, despite giving up just two runs in 5 1/3 innings.


Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (3-8, 5.55 ERA)

This may or may not be Duffy's final start this season. The Royals have a 150-inning limit on the rookie, and he's at 134 now, counting his Omaha work. With September callups looming, a Minor Leaguer could be slotted into his rotation spot.


Game Information




INJURY UPDATE:

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



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• Friday, September 2:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (20-5, 2.38 ERA)) VS
White Sox (LHP John Danks (6-9, 3.63 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Saturday, September 3:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (9-10, 5.07 ERA)) VS
White Sox (RHP Gavin Floyd (12-10, 4.36 ERA)),
4:10 p.m. ET (FOX / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, September 4:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (13-8, 4.52 ERA)) VS
White Sox (LHP Mark Buehrle (11-6, 3.05 ERA)),
8:05 p.m. ET (ESPN2 / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

KC - Top 1st
B:2 S:3 O:1
Alex Gordon out swinging.

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

B:3 S:2 O:3
Billy Butler grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 1st
B:3 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson lines out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Magglio Ordonez doubles (8) on a line drive to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

With Delmon Young batting, Magglio Ordonez steals (2) 3rd base.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Delmon Young out swinging.

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

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

KC - Top 2nd
B:1 S:0 O:0
Eric Hosmer singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Jeff Francoeur homers (16) on a fly ball to left field. Eric Hosmer scores.
KC 2 - 0

B:0 S:1 O:1
Mike Moustakas pops out to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Johnny Giavotella out swinging, catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Brayan Pena flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Melky Cabrera.


KC 2 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

KC - Top 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Alcides Escobar flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Alex Gordon grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

DET - Bot 3rd
B:4 S:1 O:0
Ryan Raburn walks.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Brandon Inge grounds into a force out, third baseman Mike Moustakas to second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Ryan Raburn out at 2nd. Brandon Inge to 1st.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Magglio Ordonez doubles (9) on a line drive to center fielder Melky Cabrera. Brandon Inge scores.
KC 2 - 1

B:0 S:1 O:2
Delmon Young doubles (19) on a line drive to left fielder Alex Gordon. Magglio Ordonez scores.
TIED 2 - 2

B:1 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Melky Cabrera. Delmon Young scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd on the throw.
3 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Danny Duffy intentionally walks Victor Martinez. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Wild pitch by pitcher Danny Duffy.

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

3 - 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

KC - Top 4th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Billy Butler grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

With Jeff Francoeur batting, Eric Hosmer steals (8) 2nd base.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jeff Francoeur flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Mike Moustakas pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta pops out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Ryan Raburn flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Brandon Inge walks.

B:1 S:0 O:3
With Austin Jackson batting, Brandon Inge picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Danny Duffy to first baseman Eric Hosmer to second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

3 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

KC - Top 5th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Johnny Giavotella doubles (5) on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Brayan Pena grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Johnny Giavotella to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Alcides Escobar singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Johnny Giavotella scores.
TIED 3 - 3

With Alex Gordon batting, Alcides Escobar steals (20) 2nd base.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Alex Gordon singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Alcides Escobar to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Melky Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Alcides Escobar scores. Alex Gordon to 2nd.
KC 4 - 3

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Jacob Turner.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Billy Butler doubles (35) on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Alex Gordon scores. Melky Cabrera scores.
KC 6 - 3

B:4 S:0 O:1
Ryan Perry intentionally walks Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jeff Francoeur singles on a ground ball to third baseman Brandon Inge. Billy Butler to 3rd. Eric Hosmer to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Mike Moustakas lines out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Johnny Giavotella flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

DET - Bot 5th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson hits a ground-rule double (19) on a fly ball to left-center field.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Magglio Ordonez homers (5) on a line drive to left field. Austin Jackson scores.
KC 6 - 5

B:3 S:1 O:1
Delmon Young grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

KC 6 - 5 AFTER 5 INNINGS

KC - Top 6th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Brayan Pena grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Alcides Escobar out swinging.

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

DET - Bot 6th
Pitcher Change: Aaron Crow replaces Danny Duffy.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Alex Avila doubles (27) on a line drive to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to third baseman Mike Moustakas. Alex Avila scores. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd. Throwing error by third baseman Mike Moustakas.
TIED 6 - 6

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ramon Santiago replaces Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Ramon Santiago out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Aaron Crow to second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Wilson Betemit replaces Brandon Inge.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson homers (8) on a fly ball to left field. Jhonny Peralta scores.
8 - 6

B:1 S:3 O:2
Magglio Ordonez out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Aaron Crow. Magglio Ordonez to 1st.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Don Kelly replaces Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Delmon Young flies out to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

8 - 6 AFTER 6 INNINGS

KC - Top 7th
Don Kelly remains in the game as the right fielder.

Ramon Santiago remains in the game as the second baseman.

Wilson Betemit remains in the game as the third baseman.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Melky Cabrera doubles (38) on a line drive to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Billy Butler flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Ryan Perry.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Eric Hosmer walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Jeff Francoeur doubles (42) on a line drive to right fielder Don Kelly. Melky Cabrera scores. Eric Hosmer to 3rd.
8 - 7

B:1 S:1 O:1
Mike Moustakas singles on a ground ball to right fielder Don Kelly. Eric Hosmer scores. Jeff Francoeur to 3rd. Mike Moustakas to 2nd on the throw.
TIED 8 - 8

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Luis Marte replaces Phil Coke.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Johnny Giavotella singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Jeff Francoeur scores. Mike Moustakas scores.
KC 10 - 8

B:1 S:1 O:2
Brayan Pena pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Alcides Escobar singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Johnny Giavotella advances to 3rd, on throwing error by shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Alex Gordon walks. Alcides Escobar to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Melky Cabrera flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

DET - Bot 7th
Pitcher Change: Louis Coleman replaces Aaron Crow.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Alex Gordon.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to center fielder Melky Cabrera. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

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

B:2 S:3 O:3
Ramon Santiago called out on .

KC 10 - 8 AFTER 7 INNINGS

KC - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: David Pauley replaces Luis Marte.

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

B:2 S:0 O:1
Eric Hosmer homers (15) on a fly ball to left field.
KC 11 - 8

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

B:1 S:0 O:2
Mike Moustakas singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Johnny Giavotella singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta, deflected by pitcher David Pauley. Mike Moustakas to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Brayan Pena grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Greg Holland replaces Louis Coleman.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Wilson Betemit grounds out to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

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

B:1 S:1 O:3
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder Alex Gordon.


KC 11 - 8 AFTER 8 INNINGS

KC - Top 9th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Alcides Escobar lines out to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Alex Gordon flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Melky Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 9th
Pitcher Change: Joakim Soria replaces Greg Holland.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Delmon Young flies out to center fielder Melky Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Eric Hosmer.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Johnny Giavotella to first baseman Eric Hosmer.