GDT128: 8/23/13 - DET (74-53) AT NYM (58-67) - 7:10 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (10-6, 3.63 ERA)

Fister allowed three runs on 10 hits while walking two and striking out six on Saturday against the Royals. He's 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA since the All-Star break, though he hasn't earned a win since Aug. 2.



Mets: RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Matsuzaka, 32, pitched in Cleveland's organization this season, making 19 starts in Triple-A. He compiled a 5-8 record and a 3.92 ERA (45 earned runs/103.1 innings), striking out 95 and walking 39.





Newly-acquired Dice-K to start for Mets vs. Tigers
Fister to face former Red Sox standout in Interleague Play

By Adam Berry / MLB.com | 8/22/2013 6:15 PM ET

With Jenrry Mejia set to undergo season-ending elbow surgery, there was a vacant rotation spot the Mets had to fill. They could have slid up Matt Harvey and had him pitch on regular rest Friday against the Tigers.

But in the interest of providing extra rest for Harvey and Zack Wheeler, the Mets have made a pair of moves ahead of Friday night's series opener against Detroit at Citi Field. First, they planned to shift Carlos Torres from the bullpen back to the rotation to make his first start since July 28. But on Thursday, the club agreed on a deal with former Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka, and he will be thrown into action immediately as Friday's starting pitcher.

Matsuzaka was released by the Indians. The veteran right-hander, who had an 8.28 ERA in 11 starts for Boston last year, posted a 3.92 mark in 19 outings for Cleveland's Triple-A Columbus affiliate.

"It was more just a function of opportunity," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said of Matsuzaka's release. "We didn't have an immediate Major League opportunity for Daisuke. He'd been throwing well in Triple-A and thought that he may have a better opportunity elsewhere. So he asked for his release, and we granted it."

Torres was 1-1 with a 6.43 ERA during a three-game stretch in the rotation. He gave up only two runs in 11 innings over his first two starts before the Nationals pounded him for eight runs in three innings in his third outing. But he's thrived as a reliever, going 1-1 with a 1.45 ERA in 31 innings.

"When he first came here, he pitched out of the bullpen and pitched great. But he got here because of what he had done in Triple-A as a starting pitcher," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "He had two very successful starts and then got beat up one game, which is going to happen to anybody. We made a couple pitching changes and put him back in the 'pen and thought he had some success."

Matsuzaka will face quite a challenge in the Tigers' lineup, and lining up opposite Detroit right-hander Doug Fister isn't exactly an easy assignment, either. Although he hasn't picked up a win since Aug. 2, Fister is 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA since the All-Star break.

Facing the Royals on Saturday, Fister allowed three runs on 10 hits while walking two and striking out six.

The series also sets up a reunion for Collins and Tigers manager Jim Leyland, who gave Collins his first big league coaching job with the Pirates in 1992. Collins wears No. 10 in honor of Leyland.

"With their manager, I'm partial because I like him so much, but I think he's done a terrific job," Leyland said. "I think they obviously have some pretty good arms with the Wheeler kid and of course the big man, Harvey. The kid [Dillon] Gee has pitched very well for them. I think they've done a very, very good job. I think they got a lot out of their situation so far. I've watched them the last couple days, and they all played very hard, they're all competitive, they all grind out their at-bats and I'm impressed with them."

The Mets are 25-22 since the start of July.

Tigers: Cabrera banged up, still playing
• Third baseman Miguel Cabrera has dealt with abdominal, hip and leg injuries this season, and he showed some obvious pain during Tuesday night's loss to the Twins. But that didn't keep him out of the lineup on Wednesday or Thursday, as he continues his march toward a second straight Triple Crown.

Cabrera came up as the potential tying run Tuesday against Twins closer Glen Perkins and grimaced while swinging through a first-pitch slider. He wasn't tended to by a trainer, but he was clearly in some sort of pain. Leyland admitted Cabrera "reacted with some pain," and he said, "I could tell when he came up the steps he was hurting a little bit."

• Catcher Brayan Pena expects to be ready for Friday's game after being out of the lineup for a second straight game on Thursday. Pena jammed the big toe on his right foot on Tuesday, but it had improved enough by Thursday that he was able to pinch-hit.

With the Tigers playing in a National League Park this weekend, Leyland could opt to start Victor Martinez at catcher instead of Pena or Bryan Holaday.

Mets: Collins has Leyland's respect
• Leyland remembers Collins coming to the Pirates organization as a Triple-A manager and joining Leyland's staff for Spring Training. At the time, he impressed Leyland with his intelligence, knowledge of the infield and ability to throw good batting practice.

Collins went on to manage the Astros from 1994-96 and the Angels from '97-'99, then going a long time before getting another chance with the Mets in 2011. Like Leyland, Collins never made it to the Majors as a player, something Leyland believes makes the job more difficult because, "A lot of players probably didn't know who the [heck] we were." But Leyland praised the job Collins has done with the rebuilding Mets.

"I really credit him, I'll be honest with you," Leyland said. "What he's doing, and I hate to ever say I couldn't do anything, but what he's doing, I couldn't manage in New York. I wouldn't be able to handle it, but he's handled it very well. I like New York, but I would not have been able to handle it. It's too big for me."

• John Buck got the start at catcher Wednesday afternoon against the Braves, the first time he's been in the lineup since Travis d'Arnaud was promoted. Collins said "there is no ratio" regarding how often Buck will start, just that he'll get more playing time than former backup catcher Anthony Recker.

Worth noting
• Mets rookie Josh Satin has reached base safely in each of the 29 games he's started this season, tied with Steve Henderson (1977) for the club's rookie record, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

• Tigers closer Joaquin Benoit has a 2-0 record, a 1.21 ERA, 14 saves and 31 strikeouts over his past 30 outings dating back to May 28.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.





INJURY UPDATE:


• RHP Octavio Dotel (Right elbow inflammation, transferred from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list on June 8, 2013.) rehab assignment

• C Alex Avila (Delayed concussive symptoms., placed on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to August 11, 2013.)




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• SAT, Aug 24:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (18-1, 2.82 ERA)) AT
Mets: (RHP Matt Harvey (9-4, 2.25 ERA))
4:05  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• SUN, Aug 25:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (9-7, 4.52 ERA)) AT
Mets: (RHP Dillon Gee (9-8, 3.60 ERA))
1:10  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• MON, Aug 26:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (11-7, 2.45 ERA)) VS
Athletics: (RHP Sonny Gray (1-1, 1.44 ERA))
7:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off Matsuzaka)

   Austin Jackson, CF (1-for-4, 2 K’s)
   Torii Hunter, RF (5-for-18, HR, walk, 2 K’s)
   Miguel Cabrera, 3B (4-for-9, HR, 2 walks)
   Prince Fielder, 1B (2-for-3, K)
   Victor Martinez, C (1-for-6, 2 walks, 2 K’s)
   Don Kelly, LF (0-for-3)
   Omar Infante, 2B (1-for-4)
   Jose Iglesias, SS
   Doug Fister, P

METS (career numbers against Fister)

   Eric Young, LF
   Daniel Murphy, 2B
   Marlon Byrd, RF (0-for-3)
   Ike Davis, 1B
   Wilmer Flores, 3B
   Juan Lagares, CF
   Travis d’Arnaud, C
   Omar Quintanilla, SS (0-for-2, K)
   Daisuke Matsuzaka, P

DET - Top 1st
B:2 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson called out on strikes.


B:0 S:2 O:1
Torii Hunter homers (14) on a fly ball to left field.
DET 1 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Juan Lagares.


B:2 S:2 O:1
Prince Fielder singles on a ground ball to center fielder Juan Lagares. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.


B:2 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Juan Lagares.


B:1 S:0 O:3
Don Kelly pops out to third baseman Wilmer Flores.



NYM - Bot 1st
B:1 S:1 O:0
Eric Young singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.


With Daniel Murphy batting, Eric Young steals (29) 2nd base.


B:2 S:1 O:1
Daniel Murphy reaches on a fielder's choice out, pitcher Doug Fister to shortstop Jose Iglesias to third baseman Miguel Cabrera. Eric Young out at 3rd. Daniel Murphy to 2nd on the throw.


B:1 S:0 O:1
Marlon Byrd singles on a fly ball to left fielder Don Kelly. Daniel Murphy scores.
TIED 1 - 1

B:1 S:3 O:2
Ike Davis strikes out swinging.


B:1 S:2 O:3
Wilmer Flores grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:1 S:1 O:0
Omar Infante singles on a ground ball to third baseman Wilmer Flores.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Jose Iglesias lines out to left fielder Eric Young.


B:0 S:0 O:2
Doug Fister out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka to second baseman Daniel Murphy. Omar Infante to 2nd.


B:4 S:0 O:2
Austin Jackson walks.


B:0 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter hits a ground-rule double (30) on a fly ball to center field. Omar Infante scores. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

DET 2 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera homers (41) on a fly ball to left field. Austin Jackson scores. Torii Hunter scores.
DET 5 - 1

B:3 S:2 O:3
Prince Fielder pops out to catcher Travis d'Arnaud in foul territory.



NYM - Bot 2nd
B:4 S:0 O:0
Juan Lagares walks.


Coaching visit to mound.


B:3 S:2 O:2
Travis d'Arnaud grounds into a double play, shortstop Jose Iglesias to second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Juan Lagares out at 2nd.


B:3 S:1 O:3
Omar Quintanilla flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET 5 - 1 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez pops out to first baseman Ike Davis in foul territory.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly grounds out, second baseman Daniel Murphy to first baseman Ike Davis.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Omar Infante flies out to center fielder Juan Lagares.


NYM - Bot 3rd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Daisuke Matsuzaka strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Eric Young grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Daniel Murphy lines out to left fielder Don Kelly.

DET 5 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Jose Iglesias strikes out swinging.


B:1 S:3 O:2
Doug Fister strikes out swinging.


B:2 S:0 O:3
Austin Jackson lines out to center fielder Juan Lagares.



NYM - Bot 4th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Marlon Byrd strikes out swinging.


B:3 S:2 O:2
Ike Davis flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.


B:1 S:1 O:2
Wilmer Flores singles on a soft ground ball to pitcher Doug Fister.


B:2 S:1 O:2
Juan Lagares singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter. Wilmer Flores to 2nd.


B:3 S:2 O:3
Travis d'Arnaud flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.

DET 5 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Torii Hunter lines out to center fielder Juan Lagares.


B:3 S:3 O:2
Miguel Cabrera called out on strikes.


B:1 S:2 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds out, second baseman Daniel Murphy to first baseman Ike Davis.



NYM - Bot 5th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Omar Quintanilla strikes out swinging, catcher Victor Martinez to first baseman Prince Fielder.


Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Mike Baxter replaces Daisuke Matsuzaka.


B:0 S:1 O:2
Mike Baxter grounds out, catcher Victor Martinez to first baseman Prince Fielder.


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


B:0 S:0 O:3
Daniel Murphy grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Jose Iglesias. Eric Young out at 2nd.

DET 5 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
Pitching Change: Carlos Torres replaces Daisuke Matsuzaka, batting 9th, replacing Mike Baxter.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez lines out to center fielder Juan Lagares.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly pops out to shortstop Omar Quintanilla.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Omar Infante singles on a line drive to left fielder Eric Young.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Jose Iglesias flies out to center fielder Juan Lagares.


NYM - Bot 6th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Marlon Byrd doubles (25) on a line drive to left fielder Don Kelly.


B:2 S:1 O:1
Ike Davis grounds out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder.


B:0 S:1 O:1
Wilmer Flores singles on a line drive to left fielder Don Kelly. Marlon Byrd to 3rd.


B:1 S:0 O:3
Juan Lagares grounds into a double play, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder. Wilmer Flores out at 2nd.

DET 5 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:2 S:0 O:1
Doug Fister lines out softly to second baseman Daniel Murphy.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson homers (11) on a fly ball to left field.
DET 6 - 1

B:1 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter grounds out softly, shortstop Omar Quintanilla to first baseman Ike Davis.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Wilmer Flores to first baseman Ike Davis.


NYM - Bot 7th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Travis d'Arnaud grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder.


B:0 S:1 O:1
Omar Quintanilla singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.


Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Andrew Brown replaces Carlos Torres.


B:4 S:1 O:1
Andrew Brown walks. Omar Quintanilla to 2nd.


Pitching Change: Drew Smyly replaces Doug Fister, batting 9th.


Coaching visit to mound.


B:1 S:3 O:2
Eric Young strikes out swinging.


B:1 S:0 O:3
Daniel Murphy flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

DET 6 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitching Change: Pedro Feliciano replaces Carlos Torres, batting 9th, replacing Andrew Brown.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Prince Fielder strikes out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Bryan Holaday replaces Victor Martinez.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Don Kelly grounds into a force out, pitcher Pedro Feliciano to shortstop Omar Quintanilla. Bryan Holaday out at 2nd. Don Kelly to 1st.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: David Aardsma replaces Pedro Feliciano, batting 9th.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Omar Infante strikes out swinging.


NYM - Bot 8th
Bryan Holaday remains in the game as the catcher.


Pitching Change: Jose Veras replaces Drew Smyly, batting 9th.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Marlon Byrd strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Ike Davis strikes out on a foul tip.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Wilmer Flores singles on a ground ball to left fielder Don Kelly.


B:4 S:2 O:2
Juan Lagares walks. Wilmer Flores to 2nd.


B:1 S:0 O:3
Travis d'Arnaud flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET 6 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Jose Iglesias hit by pitch.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Andy Dirks replaces Jose Veras.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Andy Dirks strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson lines out to second baseman Daniel Murphy.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Torii Hunter flies out to center fielder Juan Lagares.


NYM - Bot 9th
Pitching Change: Bruce Rondon replaces Jose Veras, batting 9th, replacing Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Omar Quintanilla grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Josh Satin replaces David Aardsma.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Josh Satin called out on strikes.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Eric Young doubles (20) on a fly ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Daniel Murphy flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.


TIGERS WIN 6-1

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Fister
L: Matsuzaka


Game Info

HBP: Iglesias (by Aardsma).
Pitches-strikes: Fister 112-68, Smyly 6-4, Veras 21-11, Rondon, B 16-10, Matsuzaka 86-58, Torres, C 37-24, Feliciano 14-7, Aardsma 17-13.
Groundouts-flyouts: Fister 9-3, Smyly 0-1, Veras 0-1, Rondon, B 1-1, Matsuzaka 3-2, Torres, C 2-1, Feliciano 1-0, Aardsma 0-1.
Batters faced: Fister 27, Smyly 2, Veras 5, Rondon, B 4, Matsuzaka 22, Torres, C 8, Feliciano 3, Aardsma 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Smyly 2-0, Aardsma 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Jim Joyce. 1B: Jeff Nelson. 2B: Jim Wolf. 3B: Ed Hickox.
Weather: 78 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 9 mph, In from LF.
T: 2:57.
Att: 37,023.
Venue: Citi Field.
August 23, 2013